{"id":120054,"date":"2022-05-02T11:14:31","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T21:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiicompro.wpengine.com\/?p=120054"},"modified":"2023-07-20T16:47:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T02:47:54","slug":"check-out-this-magical-fern-grotto-on-kauai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaii.com\/check-out-this-magical-fern-grotto-on-kauai\/","title":{"rendered":"Check Out This Magical Fern Grotto on Kauai"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Kaua\u02bbi, often referred to as the Garden Isle, has a huge number of outdoor attractions and activities that exemplify the island\u2019s natural beauty for visitors to choose from. From the stunning Napali Coast to Waimea Canyon, it\u2019s almost impossible for travelers to plan the perfect itinerary to see all the island has to offer. But you don\u2019t want to miss this magical, fern covered grotto. Located along the Wailua River, you\u2019ll have to catch a ride on a local boat or kayak tour to see the spectacle, but it\u2019s well worth the effort and the perfect way to see why Kaua\u02bbi has earned the moniker of \u201cGarden Isle.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Formed of lava rock, the Wailua River area is home to a host of heiau <\/em>(ancient Hawaiian temples and places of worship) and sacred sites, and the fern grotto is no exception. Cooled by waterfalls and fringed by kupukupu <\/em>fern, the area was once limited to ali\u02bbi <\/em>(Hawaiian royalty) who visited the grotto to leave offerings for Lono, the Hawaiian god of agriculture. In more recent history, however, the grotto has opened up and become a visitor favorite. Starting with a single small rowboat and a borrowed motor in 1946, countless passengers have seen the grotto over the years, with local musicians performing in the natural amphitheater and weddings happening in the natural oasis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

So how can you see the grotto for yourself? Smith\u2019s Fern Grotto Tour is well regarded by visitors and locals looking to see the iconic piece of nature, and the tour is perfect for families and keiki <\/em>(kids). On the two-mile boat cruise, you can expect to hear songs and tales of ancient Hawai\u02bbi, and about the area itself. For four generations the Smith family has conducted these tours and have always had a keen interest in sharing the culture and heritage of Kaua\u02bbi to the public.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A great aspect of Smith\u2019s Fern Grotto Tour is the vessel that ferries its participants up the river. Powered by a rear-engine system purportedly invented by family patriarch Walter Smith, Sr, the boat can open its deck and provide riders with a spacious, open-air experience that allows for excellent views of the trip upstream for the entirety of the ride.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s not a boat ride all the way to the fern grotto, however. To see the natural wonder for yourself, you\u2019ll have to make a short trek on foot through a lush rainforest\u2014doesn\u2019t sound so bad, does it?\u2014before reaching a small wooden viewing area of the lava rock cavern. Here, you\u2019ll be treated to a wonderful and culturally enriching experience hosted by your tour operators, and may even learn a bit of hula<\/em> from a cousin or relative of the Smith family\u2014all while taking in the view of the fern covered grotto surrounded by exotic native Hawaiian plants.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The entire tour\u2014roundtrip\u2014takes one hour and 20 minutes. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for keiki under 2. Find out more on the <\/em>Smith\u2019s website<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kaua\u02bbi, often referred to as the Garden Isle, has a huge number of outdoor attractions and activities that exemplify the island\u2019s natural beauty for visitors to choose from. From the stunning Napali Coast to Waimea Canyon, it\u2019s almost impossible for travelers to plan the perfect itinerary to see all the island has to offer. But…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":120063,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3311],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-120054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do-kauai"],"yoast_head":"\nCheck Out This Magical Fern Grotto on Kauai | Hawaii.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hawaii.com\/check-out-this-magical-fern-grotto-on-kauai\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Check Out This Magical Fern Grotto on Kauai\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kaua\u02bbi, often referred to as the Garden Isle, has a huge number of outdoor attractions and activities that exemplify the island\u2019s natural beauty for visitors to choose from. 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