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

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Kauai

All Reviews for Wailua River Adventures

Overall rating

4.57

610 Reviews
Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Worth the work!
Activity Date: 2021/06/21 | Posted on: 2021/06/24

Ty was very patient and informative. We had a great time. The falls are definitely not a secret, got very crowded, I suggest taking the earliest tour possible. I would absolutely do this again!

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Kim,

When we pioneered this tour to the Falls we called it the Secret Falls.

Victim of our own success...it quickly became the best known secret. Now we call it the Sacred Falls and inspite its popularity, as you observed and learned, it is still a terrific way to spend the day.

Thanks for sharing and for 5 star review and photo

Stay paddling and hiking.

A hui hou,

Micco

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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
An Inexpensive and Fun Time
Activity Date: 2021/06/09 | Posted on: 2021/06/17

This was a quick sightseeing adventure that was worth the cost. The boat trip was relaxing with authentic music one way and informative talk the other way to and from the Fern Grotto. The Fern Grotto is not as impressive as it once was due to storms that have torn away some of the older, longer ferns, but it was still worth the trip.

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great trip
Activity Date: 2021/05/12 | Posted on: 2021/06/08

A good variety of activities with kayaking, hiking and the waterfall/swimming.

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Lee,

Thanks for the 5 hokus/stars.

Feel our Wailua River Paddle and Hike is a nice combination of upper and lower body.

By the time your arms might be getting tired from paddling you are hitting the trail and working the legs to get to the falls.

Stay active and thanks for taking the time to share.

A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide

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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Fantastic way to spend a half day in Kauai
Activity Date: 2021/05/13 | Posted on: 2021/05/15

Dustin was amazing. He was very patient and helpful in teaching everyone how to kayak. The hike was challenging through streams, rocks and mud but Dustin made sure everyone was safe and knew what to do. It is definitely a tour I would do again. The waterfall was beautiful. We learned a lot about Kauai history and the plants and trees we saw along the way.

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Halls,

Thanks for letting us know that Dustin continues to "rock". Isn't it great to traverse a beautiful area like the Wailua River and appreciate its cultural and natural history.

We all fortunate to have Dustin share his knowledge, patience and brand of Aloha,

Thanks again for your kinds words.

A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide

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Wailua River Kayak Rental with Optional Self-Guided Secret Falls Hike
Great Time!
Activity Date: 2021/05/11 | Posted on: 2021/05/13

So much fun even if you aren’t a physical person. Was super safe and the tour guide was awesome!! Would definitely do it again.

Packages: Tandem Double Kayak Rental - Self-Guided Tour of Wailua River & Secret Falls
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Ariel,

Thanks for cheery review. We are there for folks like yourselves who went on our tour and those who want to rent and strike out on your own.

What is nice, when you are about to get tired of paddling...we land and hike to the Falls.

Thanks for sharing and giving us a nice review.

Micco
Head Guide

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Small-Group Best of Kauai Sightseeing Tour & Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto
Excellent Service
Activity Date: 2021/04/09 | Posted on: 2021/04/11

We had a superb experience with our tour specially with our tour guide Domi who entertained us well. He’s excellent and very knowledgeable. We highly recommend this company and if possible look for Domi!!!

Packages: Best of Kauai by Land & River Tour
Attended as: Families
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Kauai Kayak - the best
Activity Date: 2021/03/03 | Posted on: 2021/03/05

I did a mid week kayak trip with Kauai Kayak. Instructor was excellent, gear provided was in good shape, and the lunch was fresh and delicious. The walk portion described as “along the river bank” was challenging as we walked over large river rock and then through streams, boulders, and mud to reach the falls. The company provides an excellent trip and I would easily recommend them to anyone interested in a fun and challenging half day.

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Mary, Thanks for taking the time and sharing with others your impressions of our Wailua River Sacred Falls paddle & hike. We try to do a good job and have managed to retain staff through this pandemic. Thanks for making it possible and helping share the salutary and beautiful Kaua'i outdoors. Stay well...and outdoors. A hui hou, Micco

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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
A knowledge guide with a great sense of humor made it such a great experience!
Activity Date: 2020/12/01 | Posted on: 2020/12/26

The waterfall is beautiful, the river is stunning in its peaceful beauty. The guide was so knowledgeable, engaging and funny; the food was so tasty! (I need to get the name of the place they got it from;-). Great experience overall, strongly recommend!

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Libby, Thanks for taking the time to let us all know we are doing a good job. Makes it all worth it. Shoot us all when/if we ever loose our sense humor. Moral of the story is you can have fun and also be safe. Our caterer is Passions Bakery: https://www.passionbakeries.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

Stay well...and keep laughing and soon we wil be up and about.

A hui hou.

Micco

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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great knowledgable guided tour... amazing hike!
Activity Date: 2020/11/16 | Posted on: 2020/11/18

We signed up for the kayaking but the hike and the waterfall was the best part of it!!
Our guide Jay was so knowledgeable about the nature, trees, plants and history of Kauai! we learnt so much and even had a taste of Kuala along the way
highly recommend this adventure, the 5 hours passed so fast!
Do it!! all get and skill levels!

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Julia, So nice to be outdoors and sharing the beauty of Kaua'i with visitors and locals alike once again. Good to know that Jay has dusted his wares and sharing his knowledge of all things Kaua'i. We are very fortunate to have him out in the field. Thanks again for your kind words and keep enjoying the salutary outdoors. Stay well. Micco/Head Guide

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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Very interesting and beautiful
Activity Date: 2020/03/08 | Posted on: 2020/03/28

This is a wonderful tour. The boat is comfortable and a mild ride for all ages. The waterfall and fern grotto are beautiful. You receive history of the area and enjoy Hawaiian song and dance. There is time to walk around and enjoy the beauty

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great Adventure!
Activity Date: 2020/02/18 | Posted on: 2020/03/14

Jay was our guide and he couldn't have been more awesome. He's a local and a bit of a botanist so he was very knowledgeable and truly happy to take us on the tour. The kayak to the hike was fairly easy for two inexperienced kayakers as we were flowing down stream. The hike was fairly easy for non-experienced hikers. We went during the rainy season so it was very muddy, so it was a bit slick in spots, but that's part of what made it fun. The waterfall was astounding. So tall and powerful. Well worth the hike to see it's beauty. The lunch provided was enjoyable. The kayak trip back was a bit of a challenge as you're going upstream, but once you hit a nice flow, it becomes much easier. I would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone visiting the island looking for a little adventure!

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Staci,

Glad you enjoyed your recent paddle and hike on our Wailua River Sacred/Secret Falls tours.

Jay is a local boy who has proudly been sharing the beauty of Kaua'i with friends, locals and visitors alike; he "walks the talk".

You're description of the tour is great. The more mud...translates for a more forceful waterfall.

Thanks for taking the time to share with us and others your experience.

Keep paddling and hiking.

A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide

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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Amazing time!
Activity Date: 2020/03/11 | Posted on: 2020/03/14

“Doc” was our guide and we had a great time kayaking and hiking to the sacred falls. It’s an all day trip so plan for it and it’s not for people who can’t handle the long bike and kayaking. Prepare to get muddy! Definitely unforgettable!

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Ik,

It is nice to have a "Doc" in the crowd when you are hiking to the Sacred/Secret Falls.

We are blessed to have Doc lead our Wailua River paddle and hike tour as he juggles other commitments in life.

Thanks for reminding folks that there will be mud. We are fond of saying, "embrace the mud"! More mud ...the stronger the falls is.

Thanks for you kind words and 5 star review and for making it possible for us all to share the beauty of Kaua'i with others.

A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide.

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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>
Beautiful nature
素敵な自然
Activity Date: 2020/03/03 | Posted on: 2020/03/07

There are hardly any Japanese people here.
But there is Hawaiian music and hula, so I never got bored. It became a wonderful memory.

殆ど日本人はいません。
でもハワイアンミュージックやフラがあり飽きません。素敵な思い出になりました。

Attended as: Solo Travelers
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
fern grotto river cruise
Activity Date: 2020/01/20 | Posted on: 2020/02/15

the folks involved were friendly, informative and fun.
the scenery was lovely and the grotto very unique
the music on the way back and the dancing was great and even got to practice ourselves
the weather could have been better but no control over that

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great time.
Activity Date: 2020/02/10 | Posted on: 2020/02/14
Dan

Great time. Good solid adventure and not too much exertion for relatively fit mid-40s husband and wife. Water was cold in February but probably feels nice in summer. Josh was a great guide- lots of interesting history and knowledge along the way. Be sure to hike in the puddles, as odd as that sounds. It has the best footing and you are going to get muddy and wet anyway.

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Dan,

Glad you enjoyed your Wailua River Secret/Sacred Falls tour with your guide Josh. Thanks for your wise council on the trail. I think more folks have gotten injured trying to avoid puddles instead of just plowing through them and resigning themselves to wet shoes and mud.

Your guide, as all our excellent guides at Kayak Kaua'i, bring a real love to what they do and there to keep you informed, entertained and safe.

Stay paddling and hiking. Until our paths cross.

A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide

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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Leisure Cruise
Activity Date: 2020/01/07 | Posted on: 2020/02/01

Had an awesome time. Crew was friendly and the singers were great!

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Family ‘20
Activity Date: 2020/01/07 | Posted on: 2020/02/01

Amazing views and relaxing. Truly enjoyable! Great for everyone

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Excellent
Activity Date: 2019/12/27 | Posted on: 2020/01/18

Gorgeous views in that island
Drive is easy and welcoming staff there

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Fern Grotto
Activity Date: 2020/01/15 | Posted on: 2020/01/18

We had a wonderful time. Very enjoyable smooth ride in the river. The foliage was very pretty. Easy walk to the grotto. It was fun before when you could go up in the grotto. Enjoyed the singers and hula dancer. Would definitely recommend it.

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Fern Grotto
Activity Date: 2020/01/12 | Posted on: 2020/01/15

We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and narrative. Disappointed that we couldn’t go to cave,just on platform for a look.
Did this tour years ago and got to sit up in caves and was more impressive..

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families with Young Children
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Smith family does amazing job with style
Activity Date: 2020/01/03 | Posted on: 2020/01/06

Smith family knows how to do everything with style class and professionalism.. always a great family time. Everyone knows how to make you feel apart of everything

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great family experience!
Activity Date: 2020/01/01 | Posted on: 2020/01/04

This was a great experience for my wife, our 16-year old daughter and me! And our guide, Tyler, was extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable about the area and the various interesting things we experienced along the river and the trail leading up to the waterfall. We highly recommend this excursion to anyone visiting Kauai!

Yes, the trail is muddy, but you just have to, in Tyler's words, "Embrace the mud" and not worry about it and your experience will be much enhanced. And the falls at the end were magnificent -- my daughter and I swam up to the base of them and the winds had spray had to be hurricane-force.

My only advice is to book the early-morning tours, before the crowds begin showing up. That way, you will have the trail (and the falls) mostly to yourself, and the mud won't be as bad.

This was a great experience and is highly recommended. Thanks Tyler!

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Mike,

Nice review and correct, if you come with the mind set that it will be muddy, you will have better time.

We are blessed to have Tyler working with us.

Morning tours are definitely nice, but ending the day on the river is not too shabby either.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for making it possible and for your kind words.

A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide.

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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
It was a nice tour.
Activity Date: 2019/12/30 | Posted on: 2020/01/02

The boat was interesting. The hula dance experience on the way back improved the overall tour. It was hard to enjoy the Fern Grove because you are crowded with many people.

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
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Wailua River Kayak, Rainforest Hike & Waterfall Swim Adventure with Lunch
Amazing
Activity Date: 2019/12/19 | Posted on: 2019/12/22

The whole experience was fantastic! Adam, our guide, was super friendly and great to talk to. He was very knowledgeable.

For those planning this, the kayak trip was a little work so be prepared for that. My husband and I thought we were in great shape but we struggled a bit. It’s 2.5 miles of fast, no break, paddling. The hike was super fun. Again, be prepared to work a little. You will hike in ankle deep mud in places. It’s slippery so the walking stick (supplied) was a big help. We saw a
lot of people struggle.

The waterfall was breathtaking. Eating lunch there was surreal. Definitely worth doing!

Packages: Wailua Waterfall Kayak
Attended as: Couples
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
A warm and welcoming crew
Activity Date: 2019/12/19 | Posted on: 2019/12/22

This was our first time visiting the lovely Fern Grotto, and we had a wonderful time. The crew were so sweet, especially with our daughter who got into one of the local plants that made her cry and tongue swell. They performed hula and sang beautifully, playing to the children on board. We highly recommend this short river boat ride for families with young kids.

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families with Young Children
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great experience
Activity Date: 2019/10/07 | Posted on: 2019/12/03

Beautiful all tge way to the waterfall. Tour Guide was very knowledgeable about the plant life.wear water shoes !! Or shoes ur willing to throw away. Worth every penny.

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha David,
Thanks for you 5 star review.
Glad you enjoyed the tour and thanks for making folks aware that some sort of shoes, like water/aqua shoes are a good idea.
Happy Holidays....and thanks for takin the time to share and letting our guides are doing a good job and keeping you informed.
A hui hou,

Micco
Head Guide

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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Wailua Cruise
Activity Date: 2019/11/05 | Posted on: 2019/11/08

A very nice peaceful river ride. Enjoyed the history discussion on cruise.

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
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Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure
Great adventure for all ages!
Activity Date: 2019/07/31 | Posted on: 2019/08/26

Dustin did a great job interacting with all of us and we were a very diverse group (age, gender and skill level)!

He was very knowledgeable of Hawaiian culture. We also learned a lot about the plants and animals of the area. Beware of the wild boar. ;-)

The hike was muddy but not too difficult. The waterfall was spectacular and much colder than expected.

Would definitely do this again! The morning is cooler and may be drier than the afternoon.

Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Nice
Activity Date: 2019/07/29 | Posted on: 2019/08/25

We had a great time and what was the show in a European movie theater in the morning here in london on the way out hades was a bit like a ride to get the little one..made of

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
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Smith’s Fern Grotto River Cruise with Live Hawaiian Music & Hula
Fernandez Grotto River Cruise
Activity Date: 2019/08/14 | Posted on: 2019/08/17

It was a nice cruise throught the river to see the Grotto.

Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
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Things to Do in Kauai in 2026 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com
Kauai’s Wailua River flows from Mt. Waialeale past lush jungle landscapes and hidden waterfalls, creating the perfect setting for outdoor adventure. Paddle a kayak through calm, scenic waters to explore secret falls and ancient sites, or take a relaxing boat cruise to the famous Fern Grotto. Whether you're chasing waterfalls or enjoying the ride, the Wailua River offers one of Kauai’s most rewarding nature experiences.