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.
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Packages: | River Cruise Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/05/01 |
Activity Date: | 2014/04/15 |
Reviewed by: Breebree
Awesome luau! Probably one of he best I've seen on all the islands! Would definitely recommend this luau to anyone!
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/10 |
Activity Date: | 2014/03/07 |
Reviewed by: Julia
This was a great adventure and our guide was very good!
I do think one should be warned a little more of how muddy the trail to the falls is, but even with that it was beautiful and fun. I would recommend this to anyone younger and in decent shape...if you have bad knees or are excessively heavy you would be much more prone to injury on the hike.
Overall experience was fabulous!
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Packages: | Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/09 |
Activity Date: | 2014/02/12 |
Reviewed by: ZNmez
So much fun! You enter and receive a shell lei and then take a ride on a tour through the beautiful botanical gardens. We watched as they dug up the traditional kalua pig steamed beneath large banana leaves. The buffet was delicious! don't hold back on the fried rice!! All you can drink mai tai's too! The botanical gardens were even more enchanting as dusk set in and you can walk across bridges to small islands on the grounds. Through dinner we were entertained by the Smith Family singing island music and hula dancing. Also sang happy birthday and the wedding song to all those celebrating honey moons and birthdays! Afterwards we all headed to the outdoor theater to watch many different traditional island dances and songs. It was beautiful, including a fire show! Highly recommend the entire experience. Well worth the cost. WE even paid for the $20 picture that they took for us when we entered with some of the crew members. We have it hanging on our wall!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/08 |
Reviewed by: ZNmez
The cruise was not too long, about two hours in total. The Wailua River is beautiful! The crew did a great version of the island "wedding song" while at the Fern Grotto. It was amazing to learn to hula from such talented dancers! Such a beautiful art!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/08 |
Reviewed by: ZNmez
We went on the 5 hour Napali coast snorkel adventure. Within the first 30 minutes we saw 10 whales and 50 dolphins! It was amazing. Giant turtles as well. We had about 30 minutes of snorkel time and a nice little brunch. While snorkeling there was an opportunity to get pretty close to a giant sea turtle and views of about 20 ft deep clear ocean to beautiful corral reef and tropical colorful fish. That's where the fun stopped for me. The further up the napali coast the more brutal the waters became. The waves were bigger than the boat! I have to admit this was nothing like what I expected . I was scared despite knowing that the staff and captain were experienced and careful, the waves and wind were just nothing like I have ever experienced. I've been on the ocean to Catalina island and didn't get sea sick, but this trip was another story. I puked and cried and puked some more! Two hours or more or puking and I missed the best part of the whale show for us. It was hard to enjoy the amazing views of the napali coastline because I was so sick but it truly was amazing!!! Don't do this tour in the winter and I think it would be breathtaking. The crew was amazing an took great care of all of us who got sea sick. They gave us water and new tissues. One of the guides even gave me his rain jacket to wear as long as I didn't puke on it! No gaurantees there, but the crew were lifesavers! Amazing amazing crew! One of the stores near by said that holo holo was the best and I believe them. They really took care of me and made me feel safe and well taken care of despite the circumstances. They even had ginger candy and saltines on board to help out. Crew also offered handy tips for other amazing views on the island
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/08 |
Reviewed by: Becky Skvarek
We got married here 5/6/88. It was so beautiful then, and is now also. Everyone there was so nice, smiling, and so helpful. Our son wanted to propose to his girlfriend as a surprise during the Luau. We came ahead early to help prepare for this to happen. Everyone was so helpful in setting this up, and it went so perfectly and beautiful!! Other visitors there said it made them cry also. They made it very special. Thank you to them all for all their help and TLC. Thanks to Dee, Nancy, and the MC during the Luau. I can't remember his name......last name Smith. They were all wonderful. Becky and Dana
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/03/01 |
Activity Date: | 2014/02/26 |
Reviewed by: Rob K.
Tremendous experience! It was a great mix of kayaking and hiking. Not too hard, not too easy. We had a wonderful time!
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Packages: | Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/02/20 |
Activity Date: | 2014/02/15 |
Reviewed by: Kauai Val
This is an awesome activity. I love the leisurely cruise up the river, the beautiful tropical foliage, the traditional Hawaiian music and the hula entertainment. This is the best bang for your buck in the islands. Definitely a must do!
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Packages: | River Cruise Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/01/28 |
Activity Date: | 2014/01/25 |
Reviewed by: kim
Never having been to a luau before, I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the grounds. It's really pretty and picturesque. The host is always smiling and makes you feel welcomed. With the food being delicious and great entertainment, it was an awesome evening. Worth spending the money.
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2014/01/27 |
Activity Date: | 2014/01/01 |
Reviewed by: Ann
I think this trip was reasonably priced and you get a variety of things: river, hula performance, and the fern grotto--not a dull moment for this trip.
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Packages: | River Cruise Package |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2014/01/14 |
Activity Date: | 2014/01/11 |
Reviewed by: Jeremy Cowham
We had so much fun at the Luau and are going again this month when we get back on the island. It is a must to take advantage of the free pick up and drop off if you don't mind waiting a few extra minutes.
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/01/06 |
Activity Date: | 2013/05/22 |
Reviewed by: Reid Family
Our day for this adventure was sunny and warm. The ten of us were excited to get underway and see the secret waterfall hidden amongst the trees.
The kayaks we were given were ocean kayaks and were very comfortable and easy to use.
After a very muddy hike, the cool clean water of the pool by the beautiful waterfall was very much appreciated. The hike was much muddier than expected, and at times we were slogging through muddy puddles where we could not see our feet. It was dangerous at times. Perhaps a little more preparation for those participating would be beneficial. The guides are used to the conditions and may forget that us regular folk from snow country may not be as accustomed to mud and such.
Our guide was well-versed in the natural plants, and even made us bracelets from the leaves of a tree. He was patient, and very knowledgeable.
Lunch was good and nutritious, and we were all hungry by the time we got to the waterfall.
We would do this trek again, but might check in first to see what the mud factor is!
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Packages: | Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2014/01/06 |
Activity Date: | 2013/12/26 |
Reviewed by: Obami
Very nice and relax trip. This is our first kayak experience. The river is clam and beautiful. Snorkeling is good too, many fishes.
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Packages: | Blue Lagoon Standard Tour [3 hrs] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/12/29 |
Activity Date: | 2013/12/24 |
Reviewed by: Chere
We learned about the island, how to hula, and took some amazing pictures. The Smiths were great
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Packages: | Standard |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/12/28 |
Activity Date: | 2013/03/08 |
Reviewed by: Chere
My husband and I had a blast!!! The food, entertainment, drinks, and animals were all amazing!
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Packages: | Feb - May (Mon, Wed, Th & Fri) |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/12/28 |
Activity Date: | 2013/03/08 |
Reviewed by: newbie to scuba
We kayaked and then hiked to the waterfall where we ate lunch.
The only bad part was that it had been raining the past few days and the road was muddy. My shoes were completely muddy and others chose to just walk bare feet in the muddy road. I think I will stay with beach activities since I can hike the Shenandoah back home. FYI- There were roosters and chickens even at the waterfall.
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Packages: | Wailua Waterfall Kayak |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2013/12/17 |
Activity Date: | 2013/12/03 |
Reviewed by: JnJtucson
This excursion should never have happened. The first part, the paddle upriver was fine, but that's where the fun stopped. Due to the recent rain activity, the normally treacherous, 2 foot wide path to the falls was turned into a muddy,ankle busting,obstacle course. Even when it is dry, this path is just barely navigable. Several people on our tour fell down and slipped into the mud,which pretty much covered the trail. We had to cross the river a couple of times, which normally would have been a fun experience, but it turned into a survival contest for many of us. Once we got to the falls, there was nowhere to sit comfortably to eat the lunch, which we had to backpack in from the kayaks. There are rocks all around the pool formed by the falls, but you have to pick your way through them, holding on to something all the way. While the falls is cute and right out of a Hollywood TV show, it is, in my estimation, not worth the trouble and cost to see it. I suggest that this trip be left to younger, childless couples in their 20,s or 30,s, if they really need to pick their way through tree roots and rocks for 2 miles. If you have youngsters, think again about this trip. If you're over 50, forgetaboutit!!
The guide was great and tried to help as much as possible, but I think he should have called off the trip due to the rains. Someone should have gone up the trail early enough to warn everyone of the conditions. Had there been another way down from the falls, I would have paid anything not to go back through the muddy hell that we endured on the way up. I guess that some tourist companies will do anything for money, especailly when it is ours. I cannot recommend this activity to anyone until the path is fixed. This activity should be labeled "moderate to hard". Lastly, should you think that this is the raving of a wimp, I am a former Special Forces, Vietnam vet who has slogged through the worst jungles in the world and survived. This one gave me a good test.
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Packages: | Wailua Waterfall Kayak |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/12/08 |
Activity Date: | 2013/12/05 |
Reviewed by: Calimom
Tour and food were spectacular! Our teen said the teriyaki beef was the best thing ever.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the length of the dancing show. The show is after the all you can eat buffet. Full bellies and tranquil music made us so sleepy! We had plans to go shoot pool afterwards, but scrapped those plans to sleep.
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/12/05 |
Activity Date: | 2013/11/27 |
Reviewed by: Jen & John Sustachek
This is was an excellent night! Great food and plenty of it, great show too! We really enjoyed the music they played during dinner even allowing us to dance. The grounds are spectacular with all the trees and beautiful flowers!! Best luau we have ever been to
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/10/28 |
Reviewed by: JamesD
Truly enjoyed the smooth ride up river with explanation of the local culture and sites. Musicians and dancers obviously enjoyed their craft and were top notch. Very pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
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Packages: | River Cruise Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/09/28 |
Activity Date: | 2013/09/09 |
Reviewed by: Cameron
Great food and great show. The Smith family really has this show down to a science. Very organized and don't worry, enough food for seconds. The dancers were excellent and as a real man, I appreciated the young women who had some girth.
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/08/30 |
Activity Date: | 2013/08/26 |
Reviewed by: Cameron
This was a great tour because it covered three (3) sports in one (1) tour. Our tour guide Jamie was very good in all respects. I would just say be prepared to get a workout. For those that don't exercise, you might want to consider something else. You don't have to be a marathon runner, but if you are a couch potato this might be a stretch for you.
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Packages: | Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/08/30 |
Activity Date: | 2013/08/28 |
Reviewed by: Yiliang Zou
Good experience at Hawaii. Can not miss it in your life! There is very good environments in the place. Everything is good taste there!
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/08/23 |
Activity Date: | 2013/08/20 |
Reviewed by: Mamick
This was really a fun and beautiful experience. Jessie was our guide, and he did a wonderful job. We were late starting, but that was because in the group prior to us he had a blind man and two elderly. It shows his patience that these three were able to complete this adventure. Let me state this is not for those who are not moderate to fit. The paddle can be tough if the wind is blowing (which it normally is). And the hike is beautiful (but can be muddy and you have to watch your step). We would highly recommend this trip for those up for the adventure. Again, Jessie is your man! It is beautiful, he is knowledgeable, and it was very fun!
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Packages: | Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/08/12 |
Activity Date: | 2013/08/02 |
Reviewed by: Cinemabyte
I've been to other luau's on other islands, but none have been as organized with so much great food and free mai-tai drinks. The dining areas and the seating areas for the show are all covered to protect people from the possibility of rain. The landscape is gorgeous, with so many unique flowers, exotic trees, peacocks, chickens, and zebra doves running around everywhere.
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/08/07 |
Activity Date: | 2013/08/02 |
Reviewed by: Nina
It was a nice experience. Really enjoyed the food and the show.
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Packages: | Tropical Paradise Garden Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/07/09 |
Activity Date: | 2013/06/11 |
Reviewed by: Kauai Visitors
The reason I rated this tour "Good" is because my husband thinks it was great, and I think it was so-so. Maybe, it's because I don't watch TV often enough and have no idea about movies mentioned on the tour. Unfortunately, we did not stop in the area, where they filmed those few movies I actually watched and liked, so it was a big disappointment for me.
I would not recommend this tour if TV shows or movies are not your passion.
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Packages: | Standard Tour: Pick-up from Poipu Hotels |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/06/29 |
Activity Date: | 2013/06/05 |
Reviewed by: Rose
Tour was a wonderful experience, my friend and I had a grand time! Our tour guide was great he informed us as well as kept us safe. I would recommend the tour to anyone planning on visiting the island of Kauai.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sacred Falls Paddle & Hike Tour |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/06/25 |
Activity Date: | 2013/06/18 |
Reviewed by: Rebekah
free shuttle picking up, great river scenery, live music, magic grotto, great service!
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Packages: | River Cruise Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/06/18 |
Activity Date: | 2013/06/06 |
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Reply from activity provider
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Mahalo for choosing Holo Holo Charters and also for your review. We are sorry to hear you that you got sea sick. We do have an amazing crew and it is always good to hear they are taking care of our guests. If you have the opportunity to come back to Kauai we would be more than happy to have you on board with us again. We hope the rest of your vacation was as memorable as our tour, except for the sea sick part. Mahalo Nui Loa and Aloha, until we meet again.