About Smith's Kauai
Smith's Kauai is a family-owned operation that has been welcoming visitors to the Wailua River Valley for generations. Located at Wailua Marina State Park in Kapaa, they run the iconic Fern Grotto river cruise — a motorboat journey up the Wailua River to a natural lava-rock grotto draped in hanging ferns, one of Kauai's most beloved landmarks.
The Fern Grotto cruise runs multiple departures daily and takes about 90 minutes round trip, with live Hawaiian music and hula performances on board. Smith's also operates a 30-acre tropical garden and cultural village on the marina grounds, and hosts one of Kauai's most popular luaus — the Smith's Garden Luau — featuring an imu ceremony, Polynesian dance performances, and a traditional Hawaiian feast.
What makes Smith's special is the deep family connection to the land. Walter Smith Sr. invented the rear-engine boat system used on the cruises, and multiple generations of the Smith family continue to run the operation today. It's one of the few Kauai attractions where Hawaiian culture, natural beauty, and family hospitality come together in a single experience.
