Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour Review: Is This Scenic Kauai River Cruise Worth It?

While we were staying in Kapa‘a during our trip to Kauai, we stumbled upon Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour and decided to try this scenic river cruise for ourselves. The tour takes you up the Wailua River with live music, storytelling, and a short walk to the grotto, a lava-rock cave covered in lush, tropical greenery. Tickets were $30 per adult, and in this review we share exactly what the experience was like and whether this Kauai river cruise is truly worth it.

Fern Grotto Foliage

Fern Grotto Tour Details (At a Glance)

• Operator: Smith’s Family Garden Luau & River Tours

• Location: Wailua Marina State Park, Kapa‘a

• Duration: ~90 minutes round tripPrice: $30 per adult, $15 per child

• Includes: River cruise, live music, narration, short walk to the grotto

• Accessibility: Easy; flat, paved path and shaded boat

• Best for: Families, couples, relaxed sightseeing, first-time visitors to Kauai

How to Get to the Fern Grotto Tour

The tour departs from Wailua Marina State Park on the east side of Kauai, just off Highway 56 in Kapa‘a. If you’re staying in Līhu‘e or Princeville, it’s a straightforward drive along the main coastal highway with signage for Wailua River and Smith’s Tours.

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Our Experience on the Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour

The Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tou r is located in Wailua Marina State Park on the east side of Kauai, right in Kapa‘a. If you’re driving, there’s a large parking lot with plenty of spaces. At the end of the driveway, you’ll find the ticket booth and shaded waiting area with seating and outdoor fans, a lifesaver on hot, humid days. We bought our tickets same-day for the next departing tour without any issues. Adult tickets were $30 per person, and children’s tickets were $15.

There’s also a small shop near the waiting area that sells snacks, sunscreen, drinks, and other small convenience items. When our crew arrived, everyone was guided down to the dock to begin boarding. The process was very simple, just a few steps onto the boat, and the staff assisted guests who needed extra help. The vessel is a long, wide river boat with bench seating and a covered roof that provides shade for the entire ride.

Foliage at the Fern Grotto

Vibrant plants at Fern Grotto

Into the grotto

The River Cruise to the Fern Grotto

The ride up the Wailua River is extremely calm and scenic. The boat moves at a slow cruising pace, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the tropical surroundings, take photos, and listen to the live music played on board. We loved the music, it fit the atmosphere perfectly and made the trip feel even more relaxing. The crew also taught everyone a simple Hula dance, which added a fun and unexpected touch. Between performances, the captain gave short talks about the history of the river and the significance of the surrounding area. Once we reached the dock for the grotto, the crew helped everyone disembark and guided us along the short pathway to the viewing area.

Walking to the Fern Grotto

The walk to the grotto is flat, paved, and shaded by dense tropical greenery. It’s a beautiful area with lots of native plants and flowers. At the viewing platform, the crew shared some background on the grotto and performed a Hawaiian wedding song, one of the highlights of the experience. They also made sure everyone had time for photos, offering to assist families and couples so everyone could be included in their pictures. We had about 30 minutes at the grotto before returning to the boat.

Fern Grotto

The Return Ride

The trip back down the river mirrors the journey there, peaceful, scenic, and accompanied by music and narration. Once we arrived back at the dock, the crew helped everyone off the boat and pointed us toward the exit.

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Verdict: Is the Fern Grotto Tour Worth It?

We stumbled across the Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour while walking around Kapa‘a and decided to give it a try, and we’re glad we did. For $60 total for two adults, the 90-minute river cruise felt peaceful, scenic, and uniquely Kauai. The live music, short storytelling stops, and the walk to the fern-covered grotto made it a memorable experience, and we came away with some great photos.

For us, it’s a worth-it, one-time activity that’s perfect if you’re looking for something relaxing to do on the east side of the island.

Have you visited the Fern Grotto before, or are you planning to add it to your Kauai itinerary? Let us know below!

You can purchase tickets to the Smith Family's Fern Grotto here! (Not Affiliated)