Page 5) Things to Do in Kauai in 2026 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com

All Reviews for Fern Grotto & Wailua River Cruise in Kauai

Overall Rating

4.47 4.47 / 5

Reviews

516 reviews

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

Awesome Day

Reviewed by: Kara

Great Experience getting to see the gorgeous river

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/07/01
Activity Date: 2023/05/10

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

Great family activity

Reviewed by: cassandra15

Our family was a pretty big group with a mix of some older folks and young children so we chose to do this activity based on all the good reviews and it did not disappoint. We really enjoyed the hula dancing and singing along the ride. The time spent on the boat and walking to was not too long so it was perfect for our group.

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Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2023/07/01

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

Fun and Beautiful

Reviewed by: Pam Hurst

We really enjoyed the Fern Grotto your. The boat ride was entertaining then walking into the grotto was breathtaking. It rained before we got there so it was fresh and a little humid all at the same time. Would recommend this tour.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/07/01
Activity Date: 2023/06/08

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

Fun river cruise!

Reviewed by: Warren Mitchell

This was a really nice time. The cruise was just long enough to relax, enjoy some Hawaiian culture and see the beautiful Fern Grotto. We never felt rushed and enjoyed everything at our own speed.
We didn’t realize how big the Kauai River is. We had always pictured it as being much, much smaller.
It was also very affordable and definitely worth the time and money.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/06/30
Activity Date: 2023/06/28

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

Wonderful trip

Reviewed by: Sue

After a 44 year absence my husband and I returned to the Wailua River cruise with our oldest granddaughter. Much had changed and much was still the same. The boats are bigger and covered. The music was fun and enjoyable. The cave is less accessible than it was way back then but that was due to natural consequences and the family has worked hard to create a lovely walk and viewing area. We appreciated the wonderful family involved in all aspects of the trip and learned more about the area. It was a wonderful lead into our night at the Smith Family Luau which we also enjoyed and recommend!

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/06/25
Activity Date: 2023/06/23

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

Fern Grotto

Reviewed by: Karen

We all enjoyed the boat ride and the walk to the grotto. I missed being able to go inside like I did on my first visit years ago.

  • Karen De Jarnett and Bruce Lachiusa

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/06/04
Activity Date: 2023/06/01

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

Step back into a 1960’s adventure.

Reviewed by: Wanda

Unfortunately most of the wonder has been lost. A relaxing ride on a river filled with kayakers.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/05/28
Activity Date: 2023/05/26

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

Pleasant River Ride with Entertainment

Reviewed by: R. Schaffer

The site is well kept and attractive. The boat is clean and roomy. There is entertainment one way and on the way back, information about the area and the River. At the Fern Grotto you have a short walk into the forest area and a view into The Grotto. I was hoping for more historical information and a closer look at the grotto.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/05/27
Activity Date: 2023/05/03

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

Such a great experience !

Reviewed by: Kelly

Such a great experience !

My husband and I went kayaking before we were married. Now we have two little ones and wanted to get to the beautiful Fern Grotto. I am so thankful for this trip that we could share is with our 3 and 1 year old. Thank you for having this opportunity

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2023/05/26
Activity Date: 2023/05/24

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

Best part of our trip

Reviewed by: JAV

It was very well run and a calming quick boat ride. We walked to see the fern grotto which was beautiful and our tour guide also helped sing a wedding song to us. It was cute. We had a chance to take pictures. A bathroom was available. We were sung to on the way back as well.

  • Fern grotto

  • My toddler loved the sights

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2023/05/25
Activity Date: 2023/05/22

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

Worth the money!

Reviewed by: Gary & Becky

The cruise to the grotto was good. Interesting history of the Smith family discussed on river boat. Scenery is good and the grotto is in a very lush location. The folks are very nice and accommodating. We chose the river cruise to be at the Luau on time.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/05/08
Activity Date: 2023/04/27

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

Good time!

Reviewed by: Krista

We enjoyed the views as well as the stories and entertainment. Great family!

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/05/05
Activity Date: 2023/05/03

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

Birthday Time

Reviewed by: Patricia James

It was a great time. Really enjoyed it It was our birthday week and we had the best time. The boat ride, the songs, the hula dance was spot on.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/04/22
Activity Date: 2023/03/30

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

Relaxing ride

Reviewed by: Bill

What a beautiful experience! Comfortable, clean ride up calm river to breathtaking rainforest. Knowledgeable staff was informative and entertaining. Finally a great value!
Would recommend to anyone coming to Kauai. Will do again.

  • Calm ride on river.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/04/12
Activity Date: 2023/04/10

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

Great way to see Fern Grotto

Reviewed by: Krisio

This was a quick fun little trip. The staff was fun and informative.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/04/03
Activity Date: 2023/03/31

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

Kauai River Cruise

Reviewed by: Kauai River Cruise

I really enjoyed the tour other than not being able to hear what the narrator was saying along the trail. He should have had a megaphone or microphone so we at back could hear what he was saying. I heard from other people he was describing the plants & trees along the way, which I heard nothing.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/04/01
Activity Date: 2023/03/16

シダの洞窟 観光遊覧船 ハワイ唯一の航行可能な川を行く!<英語ガイド/半日>

I had a great time at the Cedar Cave, which I couldn't have visited alone, as it included entertainment! 一人で行けないシダの洞窟に、エンターテインメント込みで楽しめました!

Reviewed by: ジャワティー

We rented a car on the island and traveled to Hawaii as a mature couple. This time, we visited Oahu and Kauai. In Kauai, we were interested in the Fern Grotto and made a reservation for a sightseeing boat. After boarding, we enjoyed a luau while cruising up the river to the grotto. At the grotto, we listened to a delightful explanation in English. On the way back, we all sang together and had a great time. We couldn't make it to the hula dinner due to scheduling conflicts, but we were able to experience the atmosphere through this tour. I highly recommend it.

島でレンタカーを借りて、熟年夫婦でハワイ旅行しました。
今回は、オアフ島とカウアイ島。
カウアイ島では狙っていたシダの洞窟には観光遊覧船が気になっていて予約しました。乗船してからルアウ(古典的なフラ?)を見せて頂きながら、川を遡上し、洞窟まで行きました。洞窟では英語でゆかいな解説を聞けました。
帰りもみんなで一緒に歌を歌いながら楽しく戻ることができました。
フラのディナーに予定が合わず行けませんでしたが、こちらのツアーで雰囲気を味わえました。おすすめです。

  • 船の中

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/04/01
Activity Date: 2023/03/21

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

First time. It was wonderful experience.

Reviewed by: Pat Tompkins

Very knowledgeable guides. Good entertainment. Really enjoyed.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/03/26
Activity Date: 2023/03/01

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

Awesome

Reviewed by: Luvs Kauai

There was 2 couples in our party. We all though the tour was beautiful and well worth it.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/03/23
Activity Date: 2023/03/21

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

Beautiful and Informative

Reviewed by: Me Ber

It was a fun time, informative and beautiful. The staff were kind and knowledgeable.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/03/18
Activity Date: 2023/03/16

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

Fantastic!

Reviewed by: Jrod

Entertaining and informative. Hula dancing and Hawaiian music. Spectacular view of Fern Grotto.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/03/17
Activity Date: 2023/03/15

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

So beautiful and the history is a plus

Reviewed by: Sue A S

Such a great experience!! Skipper Whitney the grandson of the original Smith was a delight! I will go over and over again just for the beauty and history!

  • Me & my bestie

  • Me & Skipper Whitney

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2023/03/12
Activity Date: 2023/02/16

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

Great tour!

Reviewed by: Guest

The tour guides were wonderful and the stories told were beautiful

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2023/03/10
Activity Date: 2023/03/08

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

Fun way to spend some time

Reviewed by: Joan

The staff were welcoming, informative, and entertaining.
The cruise was relaxing and comfortable.
The walk to the Grotto was convenient and beautiful.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2023/02/20
Activity Date: 2023/02/16

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

Great family run business.

Reviewed by: CAS

The boat ride over to the fern grotto was easy and short. Heard some history,, took a short walk to the grotto where they sang a song and danced. It was beautiful. Ride back had music and hula dancing. It was a slow day for us and this for perfect in our plans. Relaxing calm ride with great people. Highly recommend………………………………………………………………………………………………………we had a short lesson on how to hula dance on our way back to the dock.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/02/15
Activity Date: 2023/02/13

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

Outstanding!

Reviewed by: Catchit2000

Fun, enjoyed the music and narrative. Good history of the area

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/02/11
Activity Date: 2023/01/18

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

Short but fun

Reviewed by: Hollie O

People are great, fun, a good afternoon on the water

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/02/04
Activity Date: 2023/01/12

シダの洞窟 観光遊覧船 ハワイ唯一の航行可能な川を行く!<英語ガイド/半日>

I was able to relax very much. とてもリラックスできました

Reviewed by: ハワイ好き

First of all, I was surprised to see such a large river flowing in Hawaii (especially on the small island of Kauai). This tour has a history of 76 years, and I was moved to have a tour guide who is the granddaughter of the founder, Walter Smith. The atmosphere felt like a boat trip on the Amazon River, and I really enjoyed it. It was purely a river cruise (not going out to sea), and the boat didn't sway at all, so there was no seasickness. I think it's a tour that can be enjoyed by everyone, from small children to the elderly.

まず、ハワイに(しかも小さなカウアイ島に)こんなに大きな川が流れているのが驚きでした。このツアーは76年の歴史があるそうですが、創始者ウォルター・スミスの孫娘にあたる方がツアーガイドをしてくださり感動しました。雰囲気的にはアマゾン川を船旅してるような感じで、結構楽しめました。純粋に川だけのクルーズで(海には出ない)、船も全く揺れずに船酔いもありませんでした。小さな子供から高齢の方まで問題なく楽しめるツアーだとおもいます。

  • シダの洞窟です。神秘的で、昔は王族しか来れなかったのもうなずけます。

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/01/28
Activity Date: 2023/01/26

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

Excellent short cruise with entertainment

Reviewed by: Cheryl

We had a great time with the Smith Family cruising to the beautiful fern grotto. Our captain shared the history of the area with us as we cruised to the grotto and at the grotto, one of the performers shared more history with us. On the outward voyage we had music, dancing and song. On the way back we had the chance to learn a little hula dance. Gracious people and a good time.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/01/22
Activity Date: 2023/01/17

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

Great little adventure!

Reviewed by: Leslie Cody

It was a great little activity. We had done this 26 years ago for our anniversary so doing it again on our anniversary trip was great.

The staff were funny and very enjoyable. It was disappointing we couldn't go in the cave the last time you could. However we understand why.

I would definitely recommend this activity. Hearing about the history was awesome.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/01/22
Activity Date: 2023/01/20
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