Smith's Kauai Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto with Live Entertainment
Overall Rating
4.46AMAZING! If you haven't booked a luau this trip Do THE CRUISE!
Reviewed by: Maren, 2016/03/14When we booked our trip to HI my husband had been 3-4 times already. I hadn't been at all. He convinced me not to book a luau. We really like food and figured we'd save the money for something else. Once we got to HI I was really-really bummed we didn't have a luau on the docket, and it was too late to book anything.
This cruise was amazing and once we did it we weren't so bummed about missing the luau. The cruise is so peaceful. The guide is a smith family member and his family owns the land surrounding the river. He knows so much about the land and has tons of stories he tells while you cruise up and down the river.
You stop at the fern grotto, which is so cool. It's a must see on any trip to Kauai. The musicians on the cruise play songs and play a special song to people who have just gotten married or celebrating anniversaries.
Then on the ride back the musicians play native songs. It's the next best thing to a luau.
Already did it once but will do it again!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/05/26 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Wonderful tour
Reviewed by: Melissa & Pat , 2016/03/10A must if in Kauai... Beautiful sights and a wonderful staff!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2016/03/09 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Wonderful Day (Despite the Rain)
Reviewed by: Jef,Terry Saperstein, 2016/02/03Enjoyed the Hawaiian show immensely which I was not expecting. Enjoyed the show despite the rain at the grotto. You should highlight the entertainment with such a pleasant show.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2016/01/31 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Worth every penny spent!
Reviewed by: Lisa, 2015/12/20Great value for your money. Got to experience a lot of the culture, food, boat ride and much more . Learned about the Island we were visiting as well! It was an excellent item to spend on.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/12/04 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Wailua Cruise
Reviewed by: Kyla, 2015/12/06We are newlyweds, so the cruise to the Fern Grotto was very cool since weddings used to be held there!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/11/13 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Fern Grotto River Cruise
Reviewed by: Jessica, 2015/11/14This was a great adventure, perfect for everyone! The guides were wonderful and the entertainment on the way back was fun. For $20 this is a great deal. I will definitely do it again!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/11/06 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Fern Grotto
Reviewed by: Glen Hayden, 2015/10/25A great way to spend an afternoon. A slow relaxing ride up the river with a leisurely stroll through the tropical plants to the grotto. Once at the grotto the songs of Kauai serenade you while the beautiful and awe inspiring sites fill your senses.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2015/09/28 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Wailua River Cruise
Reviewed by: Carri Cheek, 2015/10/04Just as I remembered as a kid. Thank you for a great experience.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2015/09/10 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Average boat tour
Reviewed by: Lucie, 2015/09/22This was 2 hour boat tour to Fern Grotto and back with live music. The tour was average, nothing special.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Activity Date: | 2015/08/24 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Enjoyable but not as impressive as a trip 10 years ago
Reviewed by: Marcia, 2015/09/19Everything on Kauai has a beautiful plant variety. It is awesome
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/08/28 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
wonderful
Reviewed by: Sharon, 2015/08/24Great excursion at a very reasonable price. The crew were exceptional and talented. I would definitely do this again.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2015/08/16 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Had fun
Reviewed by: John , 2015/07/22the river trip was fun, they had entertainment on our return from the fern grotto. The grotto was very nice to see, with ferns growing upside down. I recommend doing this at least once
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Best Laua Ever!
Reviewed by: Family of Five, 2015/07/16The Smith Family Laua will not disappoint! I've seen five Lauas and this was far superior to all others! Food and the show was amazing! The grounds of the facility were very beautiful and the tram ride showed all the land had to offer! Many photo opportunities! The Fern Gratto was beautiful and the musicians were great! Very pretty!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2015/07/13 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Must do
Reviewed by: Diane, 2015/07/13Driver 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
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2014/08/15 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
River Cruise
Reviewed by: Jim, 2015/05/22The river cruise was relaxing and informative. We loved the traditional Hawaiian music that was sung.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2015/04/23 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Cruisin' down the river
Reviewed by: Bud & Babe, 2015/05/03Excellent! Good music, good stories, wonderful local flavor!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/04/08 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
River Cruise
Reviewed by: kablewhirl, 2015/04/05We 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.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2015/04/02 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
great show and scenic trip
Reviewed by: Jill, 2015/03/25The 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.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2015/03/20 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Great Value
Reviewed by: Kauai Girl, 2015/02/15Nice 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.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Friends |
Activity Date: | 2015/02/12 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
This activity should be discontinued
Reviewed by: Chris , 2014/12/13The 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!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2014/11/19 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Awesome entertainment!
Reviewed by: Hulala, 2014/12/09I 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!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
relaxing
Reviewed by: TN traveler, 2014/12/04The 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.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/01 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Good trip as part of luau
Reviewed by: Gordon Edmonton, 2014/11/17This was an interesting trip. A lot of fun and a good "part" of the luau.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2014/11/12 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Relaxing Wailua
Reviewed by: Mary, 2014/11/17Every 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!
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2014/11/12 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Off the bucket list
Reviewed by: arkhas, 2014/11/15If 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
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/20 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/30 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
River CRUISE/ Tropical Luau
Reviewed by: carlie, 2014/10/07This 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
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2014/05/01 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Wailua River Cruise
Reviewed by: Dean, 2014/10/05It was a nice way to start the afternoon before the Smith's Tropical Paradise Garden Luau
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2014/09/11 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Padricipant
Reviewed by: Sharon Norris, 2014/10/05Very lovely experience and I would recommend everyone participate in this adventure.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Couples |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/01 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
Fern Grotto
Reviewed by: Eoka, 2014/09/20We 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.
Rating: | |
---|---|
Attended as: | Families |
Activity Date: | 2014/09/17 |
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|