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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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/12/09 |
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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| Packages: | River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2014/12/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/01 |
Reviewed by: yoko
I participated alone as a woman. I originally signed up for a Japanese tour, but it was canceled due to not having enough participants, so I quickly switched to this tour at the last minute. (Kauai Island has many tourists from the mainland United States and Canada, and I hardly met any Japanese people during my stay.)
On the day of the tour, all the other participants were from English-speaking countries, mostly older couples and friends. Naturally, everything in the vehicle was in English, and the female guide (who was also the driver) shared enjoyable stories about the scenery and plants visible from the car windows, as well as the history of Kauai Island, sometimes mixing in jokes. I think bringing a guidebook or map would enhance understanding and enjoyment. The ride was comfortable enough that I almost dozed off.
After picking up all the participants, we passed through the charming old town and took a 15-minute restroom break at a souvenir shop run by Japanese Americans before setting off! Along the way, we saw a sugar cane train on the right and enjoyed the townscape as the car gradually made its way into the mountains.
We arrived at Waimea Canyon! The sight of the green and red earth mountains spread out before us was spectacular! The air was also clear, making me feel refreshed. (However, I found the 30 minutes of free time here a bit too long; 20 minutes would have been sufficient.)
Next, we visited the Kauai Coffee Shop. The shop, filled with the fragrant aroma of coffee, had a souvenir corner, café, and tasting area, and I wished we could have spent more than 15 minutes there.
Then we had lunchtime (40 minutes) at a restaurant located within a golf course. The open design allowed us to enjoy lunch while feeling the blue sky, sunshine, and refreshing breeze, which was very pleasant. The menu mainly featured hamburgers and sandwiches, and according to the guide, the "coconut cream pie" is delicious. However, since we were a large group, if you don’t order quickly, the food takes a while to arrive. I only had 10 minutes to eat and ended up leaving half of my meal… (crying)
Next, we stopped by the blowhole at Poipu (15 minutes), and the car headed towards Wailua. After visiting Opaekaa Falls, we went on a Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto. We passed by people kayaking while we traveled up the river on a sightseeing boat. After disembarking at the dock and walking a bit through the jungle, we heard singing from deep in the forest. We were welcomed by a live Hawaiian music performance as we arrived at the Fern Grotto! It felt like a private space in the woods, and we enjoyed a performance by musicians and dancers along with a small ceremony, all wrapped in a mystical atmosphere. The performance continued on the return boat ride, culminating in a lively finale.
This tour is packed with highlights, so I especially recommend it for those visiting Kauai Island for the first time or those who do not have a rental car.
女性1人で参加しました。
元々日本語ツアー希望で申し込んでいたのですが、人数が揃わず不催行となり直前で急遽このツアーに変更しました。(カウアイ島はアメリカ本土やカナダ等からの観光客が多く、滞在中ほとんど日本人に会いませんでした)
当日の参加者は私以外全員英語圏の方で年配のご夫婦や友達同士が多かったです。車内は当然オール英語で、女性ガイド(兼ドライバー)さんが車窓に見える景色や植物、カウアイ島の歴史について、時にジョークを交えながら楽しくお話しして下さいます。ガイドブックや地図を持参するとより理解が深まって楽しめると思います。車の乗り心地も快適で、ウトウトしてしまうほどでした。
全参加者のピックアップを終えると、古き良き風情の残るオールドタウンを抜け、日系人経営のお土産屋さんでトイレ休憩(15分)を取っていざ出発! 途中右手にさとうきび列車(?)が見えたり町並みを楽しんでいると、車は次第に山合いへ。。
ワイメアキャニオンに到着! 目の前に広がる緑と赤土の山々は壮観です‼︎ 空気も澄んでいて清々しい気持ちになります。(…しかしここで30分の自由時間は持て余してしまったので20分あれば十分ですね)
次に訪れたのはカウアイコーヒーショップ。コーヒーの芳ばしい香り漂う店内にはお土産コーナー・カフェ・試飲コーナーがあり、ここは15分では足りずもっとゆっくりしたかったです。
続いてゴルフ場内にあるレストランでランチタイム(40分)。開放的な造りになっているので、青い空と太陽・爽やかな風を感じながらのランチはとても気持ちが良かったです。
メニューはハンバーガーやサンドウィッチ等が中心で、ガイドさんいわく「ココナッツクリームパイ」が美味しいんだとか。ただ、大人数での利用なので早くオーダーしないとなかなか料理が来ません。私はわずか10分しか食べる時間がなく、半分残す羽目になりました…(泣)
続いてポイプの潮吹き岩に立ち寄り(15分)、車はワイルア方面へ。オパエカア滝を見学した後、ワイルア川クルーズ&シダの洞窟へ。カヤックを漕ぐ人々とすれ違いながら遊覧船で川を上って行きます。そして船着場で船を降り、ジャングルの中を少し歩くと森の奥から歌声が。。ハワイアンミュージックの生演奏に迎えられ、シダの洞窟に到着です! 森の中のプライベート空間といった感じで、神秘的な雰囲気に包まれながらミュージシャンとダンサーによるパフォーマンスとちょっとしたセレモニーを楽しみます。帰りの船の中でもパフォーマンスは続き、盛り上がりのうちにフィナーレを迎えます。
このように見所満載のツアーですので、初めてカウアイ島を訪れる方・レンタカーを借りていない方には特におすすめしたいです。
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2014/11/28 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/11/13 |
Reviewed by: Gordon Edmonton
This was an interesting trip. A lot of fun and a good "part" of the luau.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/11/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/11/12 |
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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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/11/17 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/11/12 |
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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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/11/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/10/20 |
Reviewed by: Sue and Ted.........
Was an excellent day well spent. Juan was an exceptional guide providing interesting insight. Timing was superb and food was exceptional. Well worth the money.Juan made it so,
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/11/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/11/10 |
Reviewed by: Marsha
Boring... Crowded and fern grotto was pretty but....
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| Packages: | River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/11/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/10/30 |
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
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| Packages: | River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/10/07 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/05/01 |
Reviewed by: Dean
It was a nice way to start the afternoon before the Smith's Tropical Paradise Garden Luau
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/10/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/09/11 |
Reviewed by: Sharon Norris
Very lovely experience and I would recommend everyone participate in this adventure.
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| Packages: | River Cruise & Tropical Luau Combo |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/10/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/10/01 |
Reviewed by: Guest
saw a lot and learn a lot on the tour. A beautiful tour!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2014/09/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/09/14 |
Reviewed by: KSD2014
Excellent tour. Our guide (Juan) gave us an unforgettable day. Not only was the scenery spectacular but Juan also managed to pass on the story of the Hawaiian people and Kauai as experienced by himself through his life growing up on the island. Juan is to be commended and the tour highly recommended. We also took other tours operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours and they were also of a very high standard.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/09/22 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/08/31 |
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.
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/09/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/09/17 |
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!
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/09/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/09/17 |
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!
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/09/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/08/18 |
Reviewed by: asako
I was looking for optional tours on Kauai Island and decided to go with this one since it was confirmed to operate in English only. We visited key spots in one day. The driver, who was also a guide (female), provided comfortable explanations, and the services on the bus made me feel secure participating alone. The restaurant we stopped at for lunch had a great view, and the food was delicious. The highlights were the Wailua River cruise and the fern grotto, where the hula show on the boat and in front of the grotto allowed me to experience Hawaii the most during this trip.
カウアイ島でのオプショナルツアーを探していたところ、英語のみですが催行が確約されているとのことで決めました。要所を1日で巡ります。
ドライバー兼ドライバー(女性)の説明や、バス内のサービスは快適で、一人でも安心して参加できました。
昼食で立ち寄ったお店は見晴らしがよく、料理も美味しかったです。
ハイライトはワイルア川クルーズとシダの洞窟で、船内と洞窟前でのフラショーは今回の旅行で最もハワイを体感できました。
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2014/08/31 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/08/26 |
Reviewed by: Shirin Khosravinejat
It was fun. Polite, professional staff,
Enjoyable performance; however the stop was somewhat short at fern Grotto.
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/08/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/07/31 |
Reviewed by: Jim
River was calm. Performance was nice, but overall not so exciting. Won't do it again.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/08/10 |
Reviewed by: Jackie
I was disappointed. I had been there about 4 years ago and the Fern Grotto was beautiful with lots of beautiful flowers to look at. It was so over grown you could hardly see the water fall. I also felt rushed, no time to admire the flowers that were there. I would not recommend this.
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/08/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/07/28 |
Reviewed by: Gladys Perry
I was disappointed that we could no longer go up to the fern area due to damage beyond the River Cruise control.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/08/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/04/30 |
Reviewed by: Mark
If you don't have a car or don't want to drive this is a great way to see the sights. Comfortible transportation and the bus driver was very nice and informative. Long day for us, 11 hours, because we were picked up in Princeville, better if picked up from Lihue or Poipu. No lunch is provided however they stop at a golf course in Poipu to eat in their restaurant, so prepare for that additional expense. Was a little disappointed with Fern Grotto, we've seen much nicer areas in the botanical gardens. Boat ride was fun! Might be too long a day for young children and teenagers, for us it would have been better to drive ourselves.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/07/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/06/23 |
Reviewed by: Kelly Crain
I really enjoyed this. The staff were friendly, but not pushy. Nobody tried to sell me something else or tried to get me to upgrade to something else. The boat ride was pleasant, scenic, and informative. The grotto is pretty, but I think the benefit is the boat ride, music, and hula demonstrations. I would definitely do this again.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2014/07/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/07/12 |
Reviewed by: Love Kauai
Our tour had no enthusiasm and excitement in his voice. The crew seemed like this was a task. The Hawaiian dancers were good, the singer was good.
Had been on the Fern Grotto tour a few years ago and was much better.
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2014/07/07 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/06/10 |
Reviewed by: deborah cothran
Great! For $18 each, picked up at resort, trip down river to the Fern Grotto. We knew that previous rains had altered the view, so there was no disappointment. Live entertainment on the way out and a great island history lesson on the way back. A good, short tour of this part of Kaua'i
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/06/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/06/10 |
Reviewed by: Dan and Holly
Awesome time! We were very pleased with our experience!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/05/31 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/05/05 |
Reviewed by: marlene
We would recommend to everyone. Really enjoyed the view. If you for to Kauaii you have to see.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/05/31 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/05/05 |
Reviewed by: Nina
We had a great time on this tour - It was also nice that they picked us up from/dropped us off at our hotel. We saw a ton of sights, got some AMAZING scenery shots, learned a lot, and it familiarized us with the island. The tour guide was funny, knowledgeable and really nice. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
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| Packages: | Standard Tour: Pick-up from Poipu Hotels |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/05/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/05/22 |
Reviewed by: JSchwarcz
Beautiful trip down the Wailua River with great entertainment! Fern Grotto was spectacular!!! A must see when in Kauai!!
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/05/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/04/26 |
Reviewed by: Deb L
The cruise up the river on the barge was well narrated and very enjoyable. A great deal of history and general information about the area was shared with us, and various landmarks were pointed out.
Once we reached the Fern Grotto, we were entertained by the Smith family as they played the traditional wedding song, and we were given additional information about the Fern Grotto itself - including it's history and how it was made famous.
The return ride on the barge included the entertainers joining us and continuing the music and dancing. Visitors were encouraged to learn to hula and taught various moves.
As someone who tends to get very seasick, I had no issues at all on the cruise. Not even in the slightest.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | River Cruise Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/05/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/04/15 |
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