Kauai Waimea Canyon, Wailua River Boat and Fern Grotto Tour

4.5
(507 reviews)

10 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Enjoy a day brimming with scenic beauty, legends and history of the Garden Island. Journey down the meandering, tranquil Wailua River on an open air boat ride culminating at exquisite Fern Grotto where you'll be serenaded by the Hawaiian Wedding Song. Gaze at the vast expanse of Waimea Canyon from key lookout points on the ascent. The deep red cliffs were described by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Visit sprawling Kauai Coffee Plantation and Spouting Horn Blowhole where sea water spectacularly jettisons through openings in lava rock.

What's Included

Pick-up and drop-off at specific Kauai Hotels
Tour narration by a professional driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Wailua River Boat Admission
Gratuities
Port pick-up and drop-off
Lunch

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

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.

Itinerary

Duration: 10 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Wailua River State Park

    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).

    45 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 2

    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.

    20 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Opaekaa Falls

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

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Old Koloa Town

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

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Waimea Canyon State Park

    Scenic views of the deep valley gorges with it's striking red soil covered in greenery...nicknamed the "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed from 4/14/25 through approximately 12/8/25 for slope and foundation repairs. We will substitute the closed lookout with a stop at Pu‘uhinahina Lookout, which offers a different but impressive view of Waimea Canyon. We’ll also make a few additional photo stops to give guests more time to enjoy the scenery.

    45 minutes Admission ticket included
  • Hanapepe Valley Lookout (Pass 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.

    Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Kauai Coffee Company

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

    35 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Spouting Horn

    Crashing waves propel majestic jets of salt water through lava rock. One of the most photographed sites on Kauai.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • 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.
Supplied by Polynesian Adventure Tours

Tags

Day Trips
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Cultural Tours
Excellent Quality
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.5 Based on 507 507 reviews
5 stars
369
4 stars
76
3 stars
38
2 stars
15
1 star
9
from per person
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