Page 16) Things to Do in Kauai in 2025 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com

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All Reviews for Wailua River Adventures in Kauai

Overall Rating

4.56 4.56 / 5

Reviews

587 reviews

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

Must do

Reviewed by: Diane

Driver picked us up so we didn't have to worry about drinking and driving, fun and informative boat ride to Fern Grotto with music, singing and dancing then delivered right on time to the Luau and brought back to our condo afterwards......Al fun, no worry

  • Fun fun

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Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2015/07/13
Activity Date: 2014/08/15

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Conflicted ~ Good/Not So Good

Reviewed by: NorCal

We had 3 athletic families attend this trip with adults and teens. The kayaking was BEAUTIFUL on the way 'in' to the hike (current and wind assisting). The hike itself was a bust and we all like to hike. Our guide left us to our own devices for most of this trip and was of little guidance. Even wading through the water to the hike our guide took us the more difficult route. We know this because on our return to the kayaks a couple of us followed a different guides route across the river which was so much simpler and safer! The hike was muddy and slippery despite having good water/hiking shoes. We had adults/kids fall many times and one significant injury. Others had already slipped in this location yet our guide offered no help or alternative. In early July, unfortunately the waterfall yielded little water. The hike not worth the end result. We did enjoy the 'work out' aspect of the kayak trip back. It was beautiful but challenging going against the current if you aren't a regular kayaker.

At a minimum: I'd rate this a moderate adventure and challenging for individuals who aren't regularly very active.

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Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2015/07/07
Activity Date: 2015/06/30

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

River Cruise

Reviewed by: Jim

The river cruise was relaxing and informative. We loved the traditional Hawaiian music that was sung.

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2015/05/22
Activity Date: 2015/04/23

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

Cruisin' down the river

Reviewed by: Bud & Babe

Excellent! Good music, good stories, wonderful local flavor!

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2015/05/03
Activity Date: 2015/04/08

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

River Cruise

Reviewed by: kablewhirl

We bought the river cruise as an add on to the Luau. It is a pleasant ride on the river with a tour guide and some hula dancing. Honestly we could hardly understand/hear what the guided was saying on the ride. The dancing was nice. The whole experience was just a little underwhelming. Would not sign up for it as an individual event.

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2015/04/05
Activity Date: 2015/04/02

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

great show and scenic trip

Reviewed by: Jill

The performers we're so friendly and entertaining. you could tell they enjoyed presenting the music and dance show. the river ride was scenic and relaxing. the walk to the grotto and back was beautiful. highly recommend. don't book online with another company for $40 each. its only 20 when you book on this site.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2015/03/25
Activity Date: 2015/03/20

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Fun hike

Reviewed by: Mohamed

Felt a bit rushed through the whole trip, our guid stopped once for pic before reaching the water fall, very nice experience and had lots of fun

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Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2015/03/04
Activity Date: 2015/02/26

Wailua River Kayak, Rainforest Hike & Waterfall Swim Adventure with Lunch

Mystical waterfall!

Reviewed by: Patty and Jerry

Sight to see, worth the effort, spectacular views at the end of the trek! Elvis was an awesome guide, respected the aina and culture. He was a great host, took good care of the entire group!

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Rating:
Packages: Wailua Waterfall Kayak
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2015/02/26
Activity Date: 2015/02/23

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

Great Value

Reviewed by: Kauai Girl

Nice trip for a reasonable cost. Entertainment at the Fern Grotto was a nice touch. Entertainers then return on the boat with you for the trip back, singing and dancing all the way. Easy on and off access.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2015/02/15
Activity Date: 2015/02/12

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Awesome experience

Reviewed by: Sherri & Tom Boehm

Great tour and guide! Justin, our guide, was fun, informative and very patient as we were first time kayaking. The scenery was beautiful and we would recommend this tour to everyone! Thanks again for this awesome experience!!!

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Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2015/01/10
Activity Date: 2014/12/16

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

This activity should be discontinued

Reviewed by: Chris

The fern grotto is a piece of Hawaiian history. Originally the site of a huge waterfall, before the river was diverted for irrigation, and originally the site of hundreds of ferns, before being battered by cyclones, this place is not what it once was.
It would have been a very impressive tourist attraction in the early 1900s but unfortunately ferns need water to grow and as it is with the river not going through here this place will never be as impressive and at the moment the tourist operators are trying to flog a dead horse.
Unless they divert the river back through here and let the ferns regenerate I would not recommend it. Time to put this activity out to pasture!

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/12/13
Activity Date: 2014/11/19

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

Awesome entertainment!

Reviewed by: Hulala

I was not particularly excited about this excursion because the fern grotto is all dried up and you can't go in anymore. However the entertainment was great. I dont think they could have made the excursion better with all the story telling, music and dancing. It was alot more than i expected and it was a great start to the luau we saw after!

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Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/12/09

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

relaxing

Reviewed by: TN traveler

The Cruise Is On A River Not IN THE Ocean FOR Anyone Worried About attire. It is very laid back atmosphere so any clothes are appropriate. The staff where authentic and made you welcome. I combined with smith laaui.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2014/12/04
Activity Date: 2014/12/01

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Great tour!

Reviewed by: Franziska

it was fun paddeling up the Wailua river and hiking to the waterfall. Very good instructions and guided tour. The guide showed us a lot of things and explained to us. It was awesome to swim in the warerfall pool but also pretty cold! Great tour - I recommend it to everyone!

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Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2014/11/24
Activity Date: 2014/11/21

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

Good trip as part of luau

Reviewed by: Gordon Edmonton

This was an interesting trip. A lot of fun and a good "part" of the luau.

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/11/17
Activity Date: 2014/11/12

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

Relaxing Wailua

Reviewed by: Mary

Every time we come to Kauai we take this River Cruise. It is so relaxing and the ride on the Wailua is calm and you don't have to paddle! We love the entertainment at Fern grotto as well as the fun on the way back to the dock. Everyone we have taken has enjoyed it! We always take this cruise right before going to the luau. A wonderful value too!

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/11/17
Activity Date: 2014/11/12

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

Off the bucket list

Reviewed by: arkhas

If you don't know what to do with your time allotted to satisfying curiosity, take this cruise. It offers usual Hawaiian fare of beautiful scenery not accessible otherwise, enthusiastic entertainment complete with hula dance, and a photo op against inaccessible fern grotto

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/11/15
Activity Date: 2014/10/20

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

Fern grotto

Reviewed by: Marsha

Boring... Crowded and fern grotto was pretty but....

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/11/04
Activity Date: 2014/10/30

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Fun, beautiful kayaking, hiking trip

Reviewed by: Susan Swanberg

Because we were off season my husband and I were the only ones that signed up for a kayaking tour - so we got a private tour with a guide. Our guide, Christian, was very friendly, familiar with the area and so helpful to have along. Being I had never kayaked before he went over safety features and the easiest way to get in and out of a kayak! The kayaking was easy (gorgeous views along the river), the hike was fun (mud up to my knees) the waterfall at the end was beautiful. It was a very successful trip and would very happily do it all again.

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Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/10/31
Activity Date: 2014/10/25

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

One of the best activities of our week on Kauai

Reviewed by: Ellen

My husband, 18-yr-old daughter,and 20-yr-old son completely enjoyed everything about this day adventure. I was unable to participate -- I have a bad knee and wear a brace, and it was recommended that it would be risky for me. Afterwards, my husband said that that was the right decision -- there's a bit of hard work in getting through the mud to the falls. The guide shared interesting local information throughout the day, it was beautiful, fun, active. would do it again. Thank you!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/10/11
Activity Date: 2014/09/19

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

River CRUISE/ Tropical Luau

Reviewed by: carlie

This is a must entertainment was awsome and the cruise up the river was great very relaxing weather couldnt have been better and the Luau is a must execellent food and drinks

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/10/07
Activity Date: 2014/05/01

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

Wailua River Cruise

Reviewed by: Dean

It was a nice way to start the afternoon before the Smith's Tropical Paradise Garden Luau

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Rating:
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/10/05
Activity Date: 2014/09/11

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

Padricipant

Reviewed by: Sharon Norris

Very lovely experience and I would recommend everyone participate in this adventure.

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Rating:
Packages: River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/10/05
Activity Date: 2014/10/01

カウアイ島 ワイルア川カヤック&熱帯雨林ハイキング <英語ガイド/昼食付き>

It's fairly hard. そこそこハードです

Reviewed by: せつこ

I participated without hotel pickup. The meeting place was a bit vague, but it was fine as long as I approached someone who looked like they were part of the group.

We launched the kayaks into the river for about 30 minutes. Since I wasn't used to it, I fell quite behind. After that, we walked for over an hour on muddy paths and through brush, although there weren't many ups and downs.

We had lunch while enjoying the view of the waterfall, and then we headed back. The lunch was quite substantial, making it tough to carry on the way there.

This tour allows you to truly experience the nature of Kauai.

ホテル送迎なしで参加。待ち合わせ場所はアバウト。こちらからそれらしい人に声かければ、大丈夫です。
カヤックを川におろして、30分程度のカヤック。慣れてないため、かなり遅れをとりました。
その後、アップダウンはそれほどないものの泥道だったり藪だったりの一時間超の歩行。
滝を見ながらお弁当食べて、帰ってきます。お弁当は往路は背負ってるのがつらいほどボリュームたっぷり。
カウアイの自然を肌で感じることができるツアーです。

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Rating:
Packages: 送迎付きプラン
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/10/04
Activity Date: 2014/09/09

Wailua River Kayak, Rainforest Hike & Waterfall Swim Adventure with Lunch

Awesome

Reviewed by: Cody

Great kayak and hike tour. Our guide, Nick, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Lunch was better than expected. The swim at the end was cold but refreshing. Definitely worth the money and time spent.

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Rating:
Packages: Wailua Waterfall Kayak
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/09/29
Activity Date: 2014/08/28

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

Fern Grotto

Reviewed by: Eoka

We enjoyed the lush surroundings, however, it cannot compare to our previous trip which was many years ago. At that time we were able to actually walk into the Fern Grotto and listen to the singers in the grotto. We did enjoy the entertainment on our return trip back to the dock.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/09/20
Activity Date: 2014/09/17

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

More than expected!

Reviewed by: MarshFamily

This tour is awesome! So much more than expected! The family/crew were all very nice and very entertaining! I would recommend this tour to anyone looking to learn a little bit of island history and relax on the comfortable boat!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/09/20
Activity Date: 2014/09/17

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Awesome trip

Reviewed by: Chad

This was one of the highlights of our trip. Great tour!! Our guide Kelly was awesome. He felt a little embarrassed when he wiped out in the mud, but what a great time. A definite must do in Kauai.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2014/09/19
Activity Date: 2014/09/08

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

Delightful!

Reviewed by: Felicia

Was definitely worth the time! I would have liked to be able to approach the grotto, but our guide was magnificent & the boat team made it a very enjoyable trip. Talented dancer & singers! We will cherish this memory!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: River Cruise Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/09/13
Activity Date: 2014/08/18

Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Hike - Guided Kauai Adventure

Awesome Adventure

Reviewed by: NessaMarie

This tour was the highlight of our trip. My 13 year old son and I had an awesome time. Our tour guide Amos was very knowledgeable, friendly, and my son talked about Amos and the hike the whole ride home. We will definitely do it again!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2014/09/10
Activity Date: 2014/09/06
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