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Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour Review: Is This Scenic Kauai River Cruise Worth It?
Updated: Oct 12
Is Smith's Fern Grotto Tour on Kauai worth taking? This popular Wailua River boat tour takes visitors through a lush tropical valley to the famous Fern Grotto, where hanging ferns cover a natural lava-rock formation. Along the way, you'll enjoy live Hawaiian music, local storytelling, and a short rainforest walk to one of Kauai's most unusual attractions.
We discovered Smith's Family Fern Grotto Tour while staying in Kapa‘a and decided to experience it for ourselves. At the time of our visit, tickets cost $30 per adult, making it a relatively affordable way to explore the Wailua River without kayaking or joining a longer excursion. In this Smith's Fern Grotto Tour review, we'll share what the boat ride and grotto visit were really like, what to expect from the experience, current ticket information, and whether we'd recommend adding it to your Kauai itinerary.
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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.
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.
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.
Final Verdict: Is Smith's Fern Grotto Tour Worth It?
After experiencing Smith's Family Fern Grotto Tour on Kauai, we're glad we decided to give it a try. We paid $60 total for two adults during our visit, and the roughly 90-minute river cruise was a peaceful way to experience a different side of the island. Between the lush scenery along the Wailua River, live Hawaiian music, local storytelling, and the short walk to the fern-covered grotto, there was plenty to enjoy without committing to a strenuous excursion.
For us, the Fern Grotto Tour is worth doing once, especially if you're staying near Kapa‘a or looking for a relaxing activity that doesn't require much physical effort. It's particularly well-suited for families, couples, and travelers who want to enjoy Kauai's natural beauty at a slower pace. While the grotto itself isn't somewhere you'll spend a tremendous amount of time, the river cruise and overall experience make the visit worthwhile.
If you want to buy just tickets to the Fern Grotto Cruise:
That said, if you're hoping for something a little more adventurous, there are other ways to explore the Wailua River. Kayaking tours and guided excursions to Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) offer a more active experience, often combining paddling with a rainforest hike. These can be great alternatives if you'd rather spend more time exploring the surrounding landscape than relaxing on a boat.
Ultimately, we'd recommend Smith's Fern Grotto Tour if you want an easygoing introduction to the Wailua River. But if you have more time on Kauai, it's worth comparing the different river tours and excursions to find the experience that best fits your travel style.
If you want to look into tours, here are som Viator tours to get you started!