Page 2) Smith's Kauai Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto with Live Entertainment reviews, Kauai tours & activities, fun things to do in Kauai | HawaiiActivities.com

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Smith's Kauai Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto with Live Entertainment

Overall Rating

4.46 4.46 / 5

Reviews

327 reviews
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Wonderful trip

Reviewed by: Sue, 2023/06/25

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!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2023/06/23
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Fern Grotto

Reviewed by: Karen, 2023/06/04

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/06/01
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Step back into a 1960’s adventure.

Reviewed by: Wanda , 2023/05/28

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/05/26
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Pleasant River Ride with Entertainment

Reviewed by: R. Schaffer, 2023/05/27

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/05/03
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Such a great experience !

Reviewed by: Kelly, 2023/05/26

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

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2023/05/24
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Best part of our trip

Reviewed by: JAV, 2023/05/25

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

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2023/05/22
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Worth the money!

Reviewed by: Gary & Becky, 2023/05/08

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/04/27
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Good time!

Reviewed by: Krista, 2023/05/05

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/05/03
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Birthday Time

Reviewed by: Patricia James, 2023/04/22

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/03/30
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Relaxing ride

Reviewed by: Bill, 2023/04/12

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/04/10
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Great way to see Fern Grotto

Reviewed by: Krisio, 2023/04/03

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/03/31
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Kauai River Cruise

Reviewed by: Kauai River Cruise , 2023/04/01

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2023/03/16
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First time. It was wonderful experience.

Reviewed by: Pat Tompkins , 2023/03/26

Very knowledgeable guides. Good entertainment. Really enjoyed.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/03/01
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Awesome

Reviewed by: Luvs Kauai, 2023/03/23

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/03/21
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Beautiful and Informative

Reviewed by: Me Ber, 2023/03/18

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

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2023/03/16
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Fantastic!

Reviewed by: Jrod, 2023/03/17

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/03/15
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So beautiful and the history is a plus

Reviewed by: Sue A S, 2023/03/12

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

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/02/16
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Great tour!

Reviewed by: Guest, 2023/03/10

The tour guides were wonderful and the stories told were beautiful

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/03/08
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Fun way to spend some time

Reviewed by: Joan, 2023/02/20

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

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/02/16
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Great family run business.

Reviewed by: CAS, 2023/02/15

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/02/13
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Outstanding!

Reviewed by: Catchit2000, 2023/02/11

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/01/18
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Short but fun

Reviewed by: Hollie O, 2023/02/04

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

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/01/12
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Excellent short cruise with entertainment

Reviewed by: Cheryl, 2023/01/22

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/01/17
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Great little adventure!

Reviewed by: Leslie Cody, 2023/01/22

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/01/20
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Family-run business, run smoothly, good value; hosts and hostesses professional with keen sense of humor.

Reviewed by: Cary, 2023/01/11

My wife and I went on the Fern Grotto tour on our honeymoon in 1990. We didn't think they'd still be around, after Iniki ravaged Kauai and COVID shut down hundreds of businesses. The hotel where we stayed was gone so we feared there would be nothing left from our initial trip. But when we returned, there were the Smiths, still in business! We loved the informative cruise and especially the lovely traditional Hawaiian music - not the usual pandering with "Aloha Oe" and "Tiny Bubbles," but the real stuff. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this revisit to a highlight of our honeymoon.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/01/09
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Great trip to the grotto

Reviewed by: Tom, 2023/01/05

The boat ride was very nice and theSmith family crew were very pleasant and informative. Seeing the grotto was awesome.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2023/01/03
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Great activity for toddlers

Reviewed by: Whitney family , 2023/01/01

Easy and fun activity to do with littles. The boat cruise is lovely and the fern grotto is beautiful. Stroller accessible throughout. Guided commentary on the way to the grotto and live entertainment on the way back. The staff is very kind.

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2022/12/30
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A wonderful, memorable trip

Reviewed by: wbeeman, 2022/12/31

We enjoyed the Wailua River Cruise immensely. Though it was less than two hours, the trip up the Wailua River was beautiful. The narration on the boat was informative and amusing. The Fern Grove at the end of the trip was stunning. Both at the Fern Grove and on the trip back we were entertained with music and hula dancing by charming performers who clearly love sharing these traditions with visitors. I should mention that I have mobility limitations, and the hosts on the boat were most kind and accommodating.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/12/29
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Great family experience

Reviewed by: Jason V, 2022/12/18

Great tour. Had a wonderful time with my elderly mother and young daughter

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2022/12/16
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Amazing experience!

Reviewed by: Cyndy Harris , 2022/12/14

This boat ride was truly Amazing! I would do again! It is a Must do!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2022/12/12
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