Description
- Air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from near your Kauai cruise pier!
- English speaking, local and trained Kauai shore excursion guides!
- River cruise on Wailua River!
- Visit Fern Grotto!
- Photo stop at Opaekaa Falls!
- Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy unique sights of Kauai and surrounding areas!
Take a leisurely cruise up the Wailua River, Hawaii's only navigable river through ancient royal lands, to one of the island's most popular sites, the tropical Fern Grotto.
Departing from the cruise pier in Nawiliwili, you will drive for 20 minutes to the nearby Wailua River, the only navigable river in Hawaii. The waterway stretches 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the nearby rainforest mountains, through lush countryside and forests until it reaches the coast.
You will board flat-bottomed, covered boats for a scenic 25-minute cruise 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) up the river. The open-air boats provide excellent views of the passing scenery regardless of where you sit so keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready. Once the sacred land of Hawaiian royalty, you will feel you have traveled to a special place.
Along the way, you will hear more about the history and folklore of the island. On-board performers will entertain you with traditional songs, music, and dance.
Upon arrival at the Fern Grotto landing, you will hike along a forest path to the natural amphitheater known as the Fern Grotto. The grotto was formed millions of years ago and over the years, tropical ferns have taken over the ceiling and walls of the grotto. Other native Hawaiian plants and exotic tropical flowers are mixed into this rain-forest setting.
After the visit to the grotto, you will hike back down to the dock and reboard your boat for the 20-minute trip back. Total time on the boat and at the grotto is approximately one hour and 20 minutes.
Back on your transportation, a photo stop is made at the overlook at Opaekaa Falls. This 151-foot (46 meters) waterfall flows over a wall of basalt into a hidden pool below. The falls got their name from the freshwater shrimp that used to populate the stream feeding the falls. Opae means shrimp and Kaa means rolling. Depending on recent rainfall upstream, the falls may be two separate cascades or join as one after a heavy rain. From here, it is a short drive back to your Nawiliwili Kauai cruise pier.
Where we meet
For this Kauai Wailua River and Fern Grotto Excursion, you will meet at your Nawiliwili Kauai cruise pier. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.
Cancellation
Cancellations up to 24 hours prior to excursion are subject to a 15% cancellation fee. Cancellations within 24 hours prior to excursion are not refundable.
For the Kauai Wailua River and Fern Grotto Excursion, we issue full refund for your deposit or full payment to us if: Canceled by client prior to excursion date with a minimum of 24 hours prior notice by email to reservations@shoreexcursioneer.com.
For cancellation reasons below, you must contact us via email within 14 days after your excursion:
- Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
- Your ship skips/misses the port.
- Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
- A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
- Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
- Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.
