Smiths Fern Grotto Wailua River Cruise - Activities On Kauai Kapaa, Hawaii

This is a beautiful, yet recovering, fern grotto located up up the Wailua River on the eastern side of Kauai. The grotto itself is beautiful shallow grotto with ferns dangling from 30ft above. The grotto is formed like an amphitheater with acoustics perfect for live music. At one time, it was lush with green ferns dangling, creating the ultimate island paradise setting. But in 1992, Hurricane Iniki ripped out most of the ferns from the rocks. Fortunately, much of the beauty has been restored as the ferns have regrown.

The observation deck near the grotto can be rented for weddings, concerts and events. Prior to some devastating rains which caused rocks and boulders to fall from the ceiling, weddings were allowed in the grotto itself. But for safety reasons, the state does not allow weddings to take place in the grotto.

You can only access the grotto by boat on the Wailua River, which is part of the Wailua River State Park. Tours to the fern grotto are offered by Smith's Kauai Garden Luau / Tropical Paradise.

This place is part of the Wailua Heritage Trail.

Smith's Fern Grotto Wailua River Cruise