Wailua River Cruise and Grotto

Experience overview

The Wailua River is a long, slowly meandering river that starts at the Wai'ale'ale Crater and is fed by many tributaries on its way to the ocean. It is the only navigable river in Hawaii. For a unique Hawaiian Wailua River cruise, travel upriver to the sacred Fern Grotto, a lava rock grotto covered with tropical ferns. The grotto is renowned for the Hawaiian musicians who will serenade you with traditional local songs, including the famous "Hawaiian Wedding Song." The superior acoustics within this natural amphitheater greatly enhance the music. The Kauai tour up the river usually takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes on a long, flat-bottom riverboat, during which you will encounter kayakers, motorboats and water skiers along the way. There'll be many great photo opportunities of tropical grasslands lining the river and the majestic cloud-covered Mt. Waialeale in the background of your Wailua river cruise. You will also enjoy the overlook at Opaekaa Falls -- another romantic stop that will surely secure your love of this garden island.