Wailua River Cruise Kauai 2026 | Book Kauai Tours, Activities & Things to Do with HawaiiActivities.com
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Kauai Top Sights & Attractions

Fern Grotto & Wailua River Cruise

4.47
(524)
Accessible only by boat on the Wailua River, Kauai’s Fern Grotto is a lava rock cave draped in lush ferns, moss, and tropical plants. This natural wonder has long captivated visitors with its beauty and cultural significance. Enjoy a scenic river cruise with live Hawaiian music and storytelling, and enhance your experience by combining it with Smith’s Luau—one of Kauai’s most popular traditional Hawaiian luaus—for a truly memorable evening.

Top-Rated Activities for Kauai

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1

Kauai Mountain Tubing Adventure – Float Through Jungle Tunnels & Canals
USD 176.96
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2

Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
USD 35.00
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3

Smiths Family Garden Luau in Kauai - Authentic Hawaiian Dinner & Show
From USD 30.00
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4

Kauai ATV Waterfall Tour at Kipu Ranch - Off-Road 3-Hour Expedition
From USD 211.90
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5

5-Hour Liko Kauai Catamaran Tour - Na Pali Coast Sea Caves & Snorkel with Lunch
From USD 214.35
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6

Kauai Helicopter Tour & Eco Adventure Flight from Lihue - Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

From USD 429.00
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7

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
From USD 154.99
8% OFF
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8

3.5-Hour Na Pali Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar on Holo Holo Catamaran
From USD 247.32
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9

Kipu Ranch ATV Tour – Scenic Ride Through Jurassic Park Film Locations
From USD 211.90
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10

Small-Group Napali Coast Boat Tour, Sea Caves, Snorkel & Lunch - Seiko Catamaran
From USD 235.89
(3)
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11

Inter-Island Trip Kauai to Oahu - Complete Pearl Harbor Day Tour with Airfare & Lunch Included
USD 572.92
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12

Luau Kalamaku Kauai – Award-Winning Hawaiian Dinner Show with Fire Knife Dance
From USD 179.06
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13

Private Kauai Doors On & Off Na Pali Coast Air Tour - Mauna Loa Helicopter
USD 359.00
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14

Kauai Na Pali Sunset Cruise with Open Bar & Taco Buffet Dinner - Lucky Lady
USD 222.86
(7)
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15

Deluxe Na Pali Experience Snorkel Tour, Breakfast & Lunch - Holo Holo Charters
From USD 274.20
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16

Holo Holo Super Kauai Snorkel Tour - Niihau & Na Pali Coast Adventure with Breakfast, Lunch & Drinks
From USD 338.72
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17

Kauai Shore Excursions - Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto & Smith's Luau Combo
USD 271.00
(1)
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18

Koloa 8-Line Zipline Adventure - Kauai's Most Adventurous Zip Tour
From USD 169.63
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19

Smith Family Garden Luau Shore Excursion - Kauai Cruise Ship Pickup with Dinner & Polynesian Show
USD 196.50
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20

Na Pali Coast Snorkel Tour with Lunch - Kauai Sea Tours Lucky Lady Catamaran
USD 233.73
(9)

Latest reviews of Fern Grotto & Wailua River Cruise

Kauai Shore Excursions - Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto & Smith's Luau Combo

So peaceful

2026/04/26 Couples Debi

The ride down the river was so peaceful and beautiful. The walk through the fern grotto was also very pleasant.. beautiful things to see.

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

Highly recommend!

2026/04/18 Couples Colorado visitors

The captain, guides and entertainment was outstanding

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

Was a fun relaxing cruise on the river. Interesting ,entertaining and a quick walk up to the Fern Gr

2026/04/11 Friends XrayLinda

Would do it again. Walking back saw a mommy pig with 6 babies
Relaxing and fun.

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

Really enjoyed this cruise! Oh, I'm sorry

2026/04/09 Families Judy

Staff and performers were great… Love the storytelling and music… A must do when visiting Kauai

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

Such a beautiful experience

2026/04/03 Families with Young Children Ohana

Mahalo for a fun, informative, and beautiful trip to Fern Grotto. Our family especially loved learning hula from the Smith Ohana!

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

relaxing river outing

2026/03/28 Couples TK

Great trip on the river! The captain was very informative on the local culture. The crew performed a dance at the grotto and also performed several dances on the way back on the boat. A good value.

Wailua River (Kauai)

What is Wailua River?
The Wailua River is the only navigable river in Hawaii, flowing 20 miles from Mount Waialeale (the wettest spot on Earth) to the Pacific at Lydgate Beach in Wailua. Sacred in Hawaiian tradition, the river was the original royal seat of Kauai’s aliʻi (chiefs). Today it’s a top kayak and tour-boat destination, known for the Fern Grotto (a lava-cave amphitheater covered in ferns), the Secret Falls trail, and the Wailua Falls double-cascade visible from the road.
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Top Activities
Riverboat tours from the Wailua Marina motor up the river to Fern Grotto for a 90-min round-trip with live Hawaiian music and hula on board. Kayak tours paddle 2 miles upriver to a beach landing, then hike 30 min to Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls), a 100-ft waterfall in a private valley. Stand-up paddleboard rentals are available for self-guided trips. Photo stops at Wailua Falls (drive-up) and Opaekaa Falls round out the day.
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Why Visit?
Wailua River offers Kauai’s easiest access to a tropical river-and-waterfall experience. The boat tour is wheelchair-accessible and family-rated for all ages. Kayak tours give a more active option for ages 6+. The combination of cultural significance, scenic beauty, and accessible logistics makes the river a must-see for first-time Kauai visitors. Most tours run year round, with summer being the calmest paddling and winter seeing brief shower weather.
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Tour Options

Riverboat to Fern Grotto
Smith’s Family Wailua Riverboat is the longest-running tour, departing Wailua Marina multiple times daily for 90-min round-trip motor cruises. Live Hawaiian music and hula performances run on the boat. The destination is Fern Grotto, a lava-cave amphitheater 0.25 miles up a side trail from the river. Wheelchair-accessible from the dock; the trail to the grotto is paved. Family-rated for all ages including infants. Tickets typically $25-30 adults, $15 kids.
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Kayak to Secret Falls
Kayak Wailua tours paddle 2 miles upriver to a private landing, then hike 30 min through tropical rainforest to Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls), a 100-ft waterfall pool perfect for swimming. Total tour time 4-5 hours including paddle, hike, lunch, and return. Tandem kayaks (two-person) work well for couples and parents with kids. Suitable for ages 6+ in good fitness. Sunday paddle restrictions exist; check operator for available days.
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Drive-Up Waterfalls
Wailua Falls (the iconic double-cascade seen in the original Fantasy Island TV opener) is a 1-min drive from the highway, no hike required. Free parking, paved viewpoint. Combine with Opaekaa Falls (15-min drive away) and Kamokila Hawaiian Village for a half-day east-side route. These drive-up stops are great backup if kayak or river boat tours are not in your plans.
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Booking & Tips

Best Time to Go
Year round destination but summer (May-September) has the calmest paddling and warmest swim conditions at Secret Falls. Winter (December-March) brings increased rain; the river can be high and brown after heavy rain. Mornings (8-10 a.m. start) are best for clearest water and best photo light. Whale watching from the river mouth is possible December-March (rare but possible). Plan a backup beach activity if rain cancels the kayak tour.
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What to Bring
Reef-safe sunscreen (Hawaii law), rash guard or sun shirt, swimsuit (worn under clothes), towel, water shoes (the Secret Falls trail can be muddy), small dry bag for phone, water (1+ liter), and snacks. Operators provide kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets. Mosquito repellent helps at Secret Falls in summer. The river boat tour requires no special gear; sun-protective clothes are sufficient.
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How to Book
HawaiiActivities.com offers Wailua River boat tours, kayak Secret Falls, and self-guided rentals with instant confirmation, free cancellation 48 hours before most tours, and English customer support based in Honolulu. Filter by tour type (boat, kayak, SUP rental) and group size. Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead in peak season (December-March, summer). Sunday paddle restrictions affect kayak tours; check operator schedule. Combine with Wailua Falls drive-up for a full Wailua day.
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Wailua River Cruise Kauai 2026 | Book Kauai Tours, Activities & Things to Do with HawaiiActivities.com
Accessible only by boat on the Wailua River, Kauai’s Fern Grotto is a lava rock cave draped in lush ferns, moss, and tropical plants. This natural wonder has long captivated visitors with its beauty and cultural significance. Enjoy a scenic river cruise with live Hawaiian music and storytelling, and enhance your experience by combining it with Smith’s Luau—one of Kauai’s most popular traditional Hawaiian luaus—for a truly memorable evening.