Kauai: Waimea Town, Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto Tour

4.6 (590 reviews) 10 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

590 reviews

4.6

Wailua River — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Kauai: Waimea Town, Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience Kauai’s natural beauty and local culture in one day, with a local guide connecting the sights through island stories. Cruise the Wailua River to Fern Grotto, view Opaekaa Falls, visit Kauai Coffee, and explore Old Koloa, Hanapepe, and Historic Waimea Town. Enjoy free time to shop and choose your own lunch. From October 5, 2026, this temporary itinerary replaces Waimea Canyon and Spouting Horn.

Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 24 people
People per booking: 1–9
Guide: English
Operated by: Polynesian Adventure Tours

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission to Smith’s Wailua River boat ride to Fern Grotto
Included: Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Pickup and drop-off at select Kauai hotels from Poipu to Kapaa
Included: Live narration by a professional driver/guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities: Optional
Not included: Cruise port pick-up and drop-off
Not included: Lunch

Itinerary

Wailua River State Park

45 min Admission included

Board a spacious, open-air boat and cruise down Kauai's Wailua River encircled by miles of lush trees and tropical plants. Cool breezes lull you as the captain shares stories of ancient Hawaii when the river was flanked by multiple Hawaiian heiau (temples).
Fern Grotto

20 min Admission included

Take a leisurely boat ride down the Wailua River to the famed "Fern Grotto" aptly named for the Boston Ferns dripping from the roof of a verdant cavern carved out of the mountain side.
Opaekaa Falls

20 min

Cascading down into a hidden pool, this 151-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide waterfall is one of the island's most accessible major waterfalls.
Old Koloa Town

one hour

Enjoy lunch on your own in historic Old Koloa Town, surrounded by its charming atmosphere.
Hanapepe Valley Lookout

Passing by

Panoramic views of a valley covered in trees and wild green sugarcane. Hanapepe was one of the locations visited by famous explored Charles Wilkes in 1840.
Kauai Coffee Company

35 min

The largest coffee farm in the United States, visit the Kauai Coffee Estate and sample a rich cup of famous Kauai coffee.
Waimea

one hour

Explore Historic Waimea Town, a coastal community with deep roots in Kauai’s history. Enjoy time to stroll through town, browse local shops, and take in the relaxed atmosphere while your guide shares stories about the area’s past.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Poipu Kapili
Nihi Kai Villas
Lawai Beach Resort
Kauai Shores Hotel
Plantation Hale Suites
Kauai Beach Villas
Kuhio Shores Oceanfront Condos
Tip Top Motel, Cafe, & Bakery
The Kauai Inn
Sunset Kahili Condos
Waikomo Stream Villas
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

and 34 more pickup points

For guests staying at a North Shore or Princeville hotel, the meeting point is at the Outrigger Waipouli Hotel in Kapa'a. Parking is available at the municipal parking lot near the Outrigger Waipouli Hotel.

The tour times provided reflect the start and end of the tour, but not your exact pickup location and pickup time. Whether or not you've provided your hotel/lodging at the time of booking, you are required to contact the tour provider no less than (2) days prior to your tour date to receive your exact pickup time and location. The tour provider will advise you of the specific area at the hotel/lodging you should wait; for example, "at the front entrance." Please be there at least 5 minutes before your pickup time. Please allow a 10-15 minute grace period, as the driver will be picking up other guests in your area. If your hotel/lodging is not included on our pickup schedule, you'll be advised to meet at nearby location. Please note that we are prohibited by certain properties to pick up non-hotel guests and we do not pick-up at private properties such as Airbnb’s and residential areas.

Using your ticket

Your tour provider is Polynesian Adventure Tours 1-800-622-3011 or [email protected]. At least (2) days prior to your tour date, you must call or email to schedule your pickup and receive your exact pickup time and meeting spot.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please contact the tour provider at minimum of 7 days prior to the tour date for ADA and all special requests.