Smith's Kauai Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto with Live Entertainment
Overall Rating
4.46
Relaxing and delightfully humorous
Reviewed by: Montefam, 2024/08/02This river boat tour was very relaxing and enjoyable. Our guides were talented, insightful, and had a great sense of humor. The fern grotto was a lovely stroll. The live entertainment set the mood for the rest of our trip. If you are weary about going on this river boat, don’t be, it is a sweet smooth ride. We highly recommend doing this tour while visiting Kauai.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2024/07/29 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Budget friendly getaway from the beach (wheelchair/kid friendly)
Reviewed by: JD, 2024/07/18Large boat brings you about 30 mins down river with a tour guide speaking overhead. Our tour guide was very funny and was probably my favorite part of this activity. You’ll disembark at an area with walkways/bathroom through a lush rainforest that eventually ends at an area with a large cliff/cave. APPLY BUG SPRAY! There are lots of mosquitoes in this area.
Here you’ll get a short history of the location as well as some music/hula dancing.
You’ll head back to boat and return with more traditional ukulele music/hula dancing.
Wasn’t a fan of the music myself, but enjoyed the trip overall.
If you aren’t able to do a strenuous hike, wheelchair bound, or have small children this activity is short enough to get a taste of the scenery without the hassle of a rough walking trail.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2024/07/15 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Very nice for mobility challenged.
Reviewed by: Rodriguez111, 2024/01/29Fun interesting tour. Very beautiful river. The chicken were funny.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2024/01/04 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Outstanding!
Reviewed by: HG, 2023/12/23We loved everything about this united family! They were hospitable, funny, and very entertaining. The hula dancing, singing , and history of the area was very interesting to us. We had fun from start to finish and that’s why we voted OUTSTANDING! We will definitely visit again. Mahalo!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2023/12/21 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Wailua River Cruise package
Reviewed by: MNielson, 2023/12/02The Wailua River cruise to the fern grotto was perfect. It was a little wet the day we went, but the boat was covered and we were kept dry. The entertainment was amazing and we learned a lot about the fern grotto. The short hike was easy and we saw lots of ginger blossoms. This was a great family activity!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/11/07 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Fern Grotto boat tour
Reviewed by: Debbie, 2023/09/05Beautiful river excursion; would have loved more time and not so rushed at the Grotto. One song seemed lame. Wanted time to take pictures of foliage on way down. Definitely would not recommend for wheelchair guests. It was steep and pavement unfriendly to wheelchair wheels and very steep and slippery incline uphill.
Entertainment on way back was very fun and good.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/09/01 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Wonderful River Cruise
Reviewed by: Pat, 2023/09/02We took this River Cruise on our 20th wedding anniversary. it was to remind us of the beauty of the Fern Grotto that we visit many years ago. The boat ride was fun. We loved the narration, the music and hula dancing. I highly recommend this cruise.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/11 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Family friendly fun!
Reviewed by: Jenna H, 2023/08/18The whole family had a blast. The river boat ride in total took about 2hrs. I appreciate that this is family owned and ran. Good people and great stories. It is worth going to for the experience.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/16 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Amazing experience!
Reviewed by: Matt Olsen, 2023/07/13This is our second time going to the Fern Grotto and it was just as beautiful and amazing as the first time we went 9 years ago. We booked online and it was very easy. We got to the check in site and they handed us a ticket with our name already on it and asked us to turn it in when we boarded. Right on time, they asked us to head down to the dock and board our river boat. Everyone that we encountered had a big smile and a kind word for us. They gave us a brief safety talk and we were off! Our guide going out there was very knowledgeable and talked to us about the history of the island. When we reached the Fern Grotto, they sang for us some beautiful songs and then we hiked a little way up to the grotto. We took lots of pictures and then made our way back! We were treated to some songs and beautiful hula dancing on the way back. The young lady on the microphone was so much fun! She was a jokester, and she had a beautiful singing voice. The ladies doing the hula dancing were just so beautiful to watch and you can tell they love what they do. Overall, it was a lot of fun and I highly recommend. I do recommend booking online as it will save you some time when you get there. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/07/11 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
River cruise
Reviewed by: Linda, 2023/07/11Highly recommended, we really enjoyed the river cruise the view was beautiful and loved the walk to the cave
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/07/06 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Great family activity
Reviewed by: cassandra15, 2023/07/01Our family was a pretty big group with a mix of some older folks and young children so we chose to do this activity based on all the good reviews and it did not disappoint. We really enjoyed the hula dancing and singing along the ride. The time spent on the boat and walking to was not too long so it was perfect for our group.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Fun and Beautiful
Reviewed by: Pam Hurst, 2023/07/01We really enjoyed the Fern Grotto your. The boat ride was entertaining then walking into the grotto was breathtaking. It rained before we got there so it was fresh and a little humid all at the same time. Would recommend this tour.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/06/08 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Fern Grotto
Reviewed by: Karen, 2023/06/04We 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.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/06/01 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Best part of our trip
Reviewed by: JAV, 2023/05/25It 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.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2023/05/22 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Birthday Time
Reviewed by: Patricia James, 2023/04/22It 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 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Relaxing ride
Reviewed by: Bill, 2023/04/12What 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.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/04/10 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Great way to see Fern Grotto
Reviewed by: Krisio, 2023/04/03This was a quick fun little trip. The staff was fun and informative.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/03/31 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
So beautiful and the history is a plus
Reviewed by: Sue A S, 2023/03/12Such 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!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/02/16 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Short but fun
Reviewed by: Hollie O, 2023/02/04People are great, fun, a good afternoon on the water
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/01/12 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Great little adventure!
Reviewed by: Leslie Cody, 2023/01/22It 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 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Family-run business, run smoothly, good value; hosts and hostesses professional with keen sense of humor.
Reviewed by: Cary, 2023/01/11My 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 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Great activity for toddlers
Reviewed by: Whitney family , 2023/01/01Easy 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 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
A river cruise you will always remember!
Reviewed by: Hawaii Ray, 2022/12/12Reasonably priced river tour. There are some great views and the crew sings wonderful Hawaiian music. If your visiting for the first time bring your family and take the grotto tour.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2022/12/10 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
A relaxing time
Reviewed by: Greg & Susie , 2022/10/15A relaxing time to check out the river and the grotto. The live entertainment in the boat was too and the history telling.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2022/09/23 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Fun and educative few hours on the river - amazing scenery and we learnt the hula too
Reviewed by: Pete and Shelley , 2022/09/17This was an amazing afternoon on a river cruise x the scenery was so beautiful. Smiths team were entertaining and amazing historians they taught us loads about the river and the area round it the Ukelele plying and traditional dance including Hula felt so special. This was worth every dollar spent .
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2022/08/26 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Great Fun!
Reviewed by: Vmp, 2022/09/11My second river cruise and enjoyed the commentary and musical entertainment. The last time I was here, the barriers hadn't been put up around the Groto, though.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2022/09/05 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Fern Grotto River cruise
Reviewed by: North Idahoans, 2022/09/11Very relaxing cruise up the river. Beautiful scenery. Very friendly and helpful staff. Also enjoyed the witty sense of humor on the commentaries. The trail is not the best for the elderly and spots on the trail were difficult to maneuver a walker so highly suggest a wheelchair instead, but the scenery was well-worth the trip.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2022/09/08 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
Lovely tour
Reviewed by: Spiker Family, 2022/08/31Informative cruise given by The Smith family. Bring sturdier shoes than flip flops because the jungle mixed with sporadic rain showers make a slippery path. My daughter loved the live interactive entertainment. Overall good time.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2022/08/29 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
40 Years Later
Reviewed by: MEB, 2022/07/30While on this trip, we celebrated our 40th anniversary. We took the Wilua river cruise to the Fern Grotto 40 years ago on our honeymoon, and I'm happy to say that the best parts of this experience have not changed.
We were happy with the new decking in the Grotto, I only wish that they had wheel chairs available at the Grotto. My wife was unable to make it all the way to the main platform, so she missed out on the best part. Our main goal was four our three daughters and our grandson to see it, and they did!
Thank you for another great experience!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2022/07/04 |
|
Was this comment helpful?
[Yes]
|
|
