Page 11) Things to Do in Kauai in 2026 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com

All Reviews for Fern Grotto & Wailua River Cruise in Kauai

Overall Rating

4.46 4.46 / 5

Reviews

502 reviews

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

I just don't enjoy large group tours

Reviewed by: Linsey

This is a great tour for those that want an easy, non-strenuous ride up and back on the river. I just did not enjoy being packed in with that many people to see the attraction after hiking and adventuring all week and then going on a garden tour directly before this one. I thought it was the only way to get to the grotto, and didn't like being herded in a huge group to see the ferns and hurry and take a photo. We really wished we knew that renting kayaks from the same company was an option because that looked way more our style. Aside from that, the staff was nice and gave an informative tour and musical entertainment for the ride. Best suited for older or more conservative tourists.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/03/26
Activity Date: 2017/03/23

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Nice boat tour

Reviewed by: Lois jenken

Enjoyed the river cruise very much
It was nice to see some traditional dancers and music and the grotto was definitely worth seeing

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/03/25
Activity Date: 2017/02/27

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

January Hawaii trip

Reviewed by: Neal Reader

Beautiful boat trip up the Wailua River, scenery and stories of the area spectacular.
Fern Grotto an incredible natural creation. Well worth the money.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/02/27
Activity Date: 2017/01/30

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Nice side trip

Reviewed by: Ron M

Nice river cruise. Did it before going to our Luau next door

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/02/18
Activity Date: 2017/01/25

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

River Cruise

Reviewed by: RobertH

The location was very hard to find. Price was fair. The man entertaining was kinda corny. I was expecting more.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/02/17
Activity Date: 2017/02/04

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Must do!

Reviewed by: Leslie B.

Four of us thoroughly enjoyed the river cruise to fern grotto and Smith Family Luau experience afterwards. We had researched luaus on the Hawaiian Islands, and I am convinced we found the ideal one. Loved the gardens and cultural dance show!

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/02/16
Activity Date: 2017/01/16

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Beautiful!!

Reviewed by: ohiofirekids

He most beatiful views I have ever seen!!....will definitely return!!

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/02/11
Activity Date: 2017/01/17

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Worth Every Penny

Reviewed by: Virginia

Such a great experience- travel up the Wailua River, learn about history (Hawaiian and movie), visit the beautiful fern grotto, and learn the hula on your boat ride back to the dock. Easygoing and enchanting, photographic and peaceful.

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Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2017/01/13
Activity Date: 2017/01/09

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Majestic

Reviewed by: Shandzl

Wow, what a wonderful experience! The fern grotto was breathtaking and I loved how they taught us how to hula!

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2017/01/09
Activity Date: 2017/01/05

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Great activity

Reviewed by: Phil

Nice crew, entertainment (Hula and hawaiian music)

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2017/01/07
Activity Date: 2017/01/03

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Lovely cruise in Nature

Reviewed by: Jenny

On a lovely sunny morning the cruise up the Wailua river to the Fern Grotto was a lovely experience. The entertainment was delightful and all staff friendly and helpful. Explanations about the history and nature were good.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/12/27
Activity Date: 2016/12/23

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Enjoyed this!

Reviewed by: Jenny

Beautiful, interesting, very enjoyable. Crew were wonderful!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2016/12/26
Activity Date: 2016/12/22

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Fern Grotto

Reviewed by: Linda

The Smiths river boat trip to the Fern Grotto was wonderful. We loved the live entertainment, they were great.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/12/19
Activity Date: 2016/12/16

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Best Luau ever

Reviewed by: Linda

We have been to Luau's on all the islands but none of them can compare to the Smiths. The place is gorgeous. We felt like we were walking around in Disneyland. The food, service and show was excellent!

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/12/19
Activity Date: 2016/12/16

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

My 50th birthday luau

Reviewed by: Cmai

What a fabulous time! Loved this luaua show. It was best I've seen! Ate way too much but thoroughly enjoyed my evening!

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2016/12/06
Activity Date: 2016/12/02

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

My 50th bday

Reviewed by: Cmai

Enjoyed trip up river much. Very nice crew. I wish they knew more about physical science of area. The history they shared was great. thx!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2016/12/06
Activity Date: 2016/12/02

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

River cruise

Reviewed by: Gary & Elvia

It was nice, although it was short. I rented a kayak for the same river. Hindsight I should of did my homework.

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/10/22
Activity Date: 2016/09/28

Waimea Canyon Sightseeing Tour & Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto

Worth the time and money

Reviewed by: SKSamy

The bus went with broke down when we were at Waimea canyon that gave us more time to spend at the beautiful Waimea canyon at the expense of missing the lunch. In spite of this we enjoyed every bit of it. The guide/driver did a nice job of keeping us engaged all the time.

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Rating:
Packages: Standard Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/10/22
Activity Date: 2016/10/19

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

relax and enjoy

Reviewed by: Happy camper

My wife and I loved the quite trip down the river the music was great and the scenery was beautiful. Highly recommend to all looking to relax and escape it all!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/09/27
Activity Date: 2016/09/21

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Disappointing

Reviewed by: Peter

Hurricane Iniki did in the fern grotto which I had not been aware of so was disappointed in that as it was always so beautiful. Other than that the river ride is always nice and Wailua such a beautiful place. The crew and entertainers were delightful and all in all it's a fun ride but as I said the fern grotto which is what most come to see was pretty much done in my mother nature. I had been on this ride more than once and first time as a child as my father was born in Lihue so I knew the grotto as it had been years ago so this most likely is what led me to my disappointment but first time goers will still find it a lovely trip and fun for all. Aloha

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/09/25
Activity Date: 2016/09/04

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Beautiful ride!

Reviewed by: TraveLpro

This activity works for the whole family. The river is lovely and passengers get a bit of entertainment and a bit of history.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/09/09
Activity Date: 2016/09/06

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Good entertainment

Reviewed by: Kansas620

The staff and Captain were very nice. The musicians were outstanding! Loved the walk back to the boat, down the path through rain forest. A little disappointed in the viewing distance from the Fern Grotto. It was explained that in 2006, the area received torrential rainfall and suffered a mudslide. Since that time they had to built back the tour area, which means a viewing stage/deck, quite a ways away from the Fern Grotto itself. You can no longer go to the mouth of the cave, and pictures did not turn out well.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2016/09/08
Activity Date: 2016/09/02

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Beautiful!

Reviewed by: Deb

Such a beautiful part of the island! We had a great time on the tour, our guides were amazing.

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Rating:
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2016/08/27
Activity Date: 2016/08/04

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Nice relaxing ride on the Waimea River

Reviewed by: Jackie Benavidez

We took the morning tour and really enjoyed it. We were entertained by musicians on our way to the Grotto and was even taught a simple hula dance. The Grotto was beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson of the area. I would definitely take this tour again.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/08/22
Activity Date: 2016/08/18

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Must Do Activity on Kauai!

Reviewed by: Jackie

This was my 3rd trip to Fern Grotto over the years and it never disappoints! The entertainment is awesome! Everyone is so friendly and accommodating! There were 18 of us on this trip and most were first timers, they loved it! Can't come to Kauai and not see the Fern Grotto!!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2016/08/13
Activity Date: 2016/07/18

Waimea Canyon Sightseeing Tour & Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto

Average Trip

Reviewed by: DebW

The Fern Grotto was a guided tour, which I did not realize when we signed up. The boat ride up the river was nice. The guide pointed out various places along the river. Your time is very limited at the Grotto. The guides there rush you along to the site, explain the grotto, sing, and then you are rushed out. I wanted to explore the trail a bit and take photos so that was disappointing.

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/08/12
Activity Date: 2016/07/31

Waimea Canyon Sightseeing Tour & Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto

Great tour!

Reviewed by: Vikki M.

Our tour guide was Jonna. She was friendly,,knowledgeable of Hawaiian history and folklore. She drove safely while she shared about the sights we visited. Her sense of humor and kindness was evident as she inquired about how each of us was doing. My husband and I finished our tour having learned about Kaua'i and the sights. We loved our tour and will recommend to friends to make time for this tour!

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/08/09
Activity Date: 2016/08/06

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Fern grotto

Reviewed by: Tiff

Enjoyed the relaxing boat ride. The ride back was extra fun with music and my crazy mom who got up and intertained everyone aboard. The workers seemed to enjoy it.

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Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2016/08/09
Activity Date: 2016/07/26

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Couldn't of been happier

Reviewed by: Christian

The singing the dancing the engagement and kindness of the staff is what makes this the best boat ride around

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2016/08/06
Activity Date: 2016/07/16

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula

Boat ride and laua

Reviewed by: Bob D

Lots of fun. Entertainment was great. Narrative was very informative. Grotto was awesome. We included the laua which was most fantastic. Food beverage and entertainment was great. My first laua and my best. Thank you for a great evening. All the staff were very friendly

  • Beautiful

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2016/07/23
Activity Date: 2016/07/20
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