---
title: "Kauai: Waimea Town, Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto Tour"
lang: en
type: tour
city: Kauai
country: United States
price: 254
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.57
reviews: 596
duration_minutes: 600
languages: [en]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 9 of 9 (Waimea Canyon Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-07
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/usa/kauai/tours/kauai-waimea-town-wailua-river-cruise-fern-grotto-tour/
---

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

**Guidekin's take:** A Wailua River cruise to Fern Grotto joins stops at Opaekaa Falls, Old Koloa, Hanapepe and Historic Waimea Town. Boat admission and select hotel transfers are included; lunch is at your own expense. 4.57 from 596 reviews at €254 per person for 10h.

In our comparison: #9 of 9 in Waimea Canyon Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

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.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Starts 07:00, 07:45: 2 departures a day
- Food not included: bring or buy your own
- Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €254 per person
- Duration: 10h
- Rating: 4.57/5 from 596 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Polynesian Adventure Tours
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 07:00, 07:45
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-07

## Reviews

4.57 from 596 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
89% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 528 of 596.

- 5 stars: 444 (74%)
- 4 stars: 84 (14%)
- 3 stars: 41 (7%)
- 2 stars: 18 (3%)
- 1 star: 9 (2%)

## What's included

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

## Not included

- Optional
- Cruise port pick-up and drop-off
- Lunch

## Itinerary

1. **Wailua River State Park** (45m; 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).
2. **Fern Grotto** (20m; 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.
3. **Opaekaa Falls** (20m) - Cascading down into a hidden pool, this 151-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide waterfall is one of the island's most accessible major waterfalls.
4. **Old Koloa Town** (1h) - Enjoy lunch on your own in historic Old Koloa Town, surrounded by its charming atmosphere.
5. **Hanapepe Valley Lookout** (pass by, no stop) - 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.
6. **Kauai Coffee Company** (35m) - The largest coffee farm in the United States, visit the Kauai Coffee Estate and sample a rich cup of famous Kauai coffee.
7. **Waimea** (1h) - 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.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 07:00, 07:45
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-07
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

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

## 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.

## Compared with other Waimea Canyon Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #9 of 9** | €254 | 10h | 4.57 (596) | shared |
| [Private Waimea Canyon Tour](/usa/kauai/tours/private-waimea-canyon-tour/?format=md) | €328 | 7h | 4.97 (218) | private |
| [Kauai Canyon Explorer: Private Tour Featuring Waimea & Kokee](/usa/kauai/tours/kauai-canyon-explorer-private-tour-featuring-waimea-kokee/?format=md) | €355 | 8h | 4.98 (149) | private |
| [Kauai's Waimea Canyon and South Side Private Guided Tour](/usa/kauai/tours/kauai-s-waimea-canyon-and-south-side-private-guided-tour/?format=md) | €865 per group | 7h | 4.99 (116) | private |

Ranked #9 of 9 in Waimea Canyon Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €172 to €355, median €234; typical length 7h. 4 of 9 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/usa/kauai/waimea-canyon-tours/?format=md

## More in Kauai

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