Roberts Hawaii Shore Excursions - Waimea Canyon, Wailua River & Fern Grotto
This tour is only available for cruise ship passengers. The dates provided line up with Pride of America's schedule.
This excursion combines a visit to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and a scenic boat ride up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto.
Your day begins with a drive to Waimea Canyon. From the lookout at 3,400 feet you’ll experience an unsurpassed view of the 2,857 foot deep canyon and the surrounding countryside. The canyon’s size combined with the red and browns of exposed volcanic rock and the blues and greens of lush tropical vegetation truly creates a magnificent sight.
After leaving Waimea Canyon, stop at Spouting Horn, a natural saltwater geyser that sprays plumes high into the air, which occurs when the surf is washed into a lava tube and sucked up through a hole in the coastal rock. The geyser may reach up as much as 60 feet depending on the surf that day, and provides photographers with an added challenge in capturing one of Kauai's most scenic coastal shots.
The tour then continues to the picturesque Wailua River where you’ll board a riverboat for a delightful cruise to Fern Grotto. The grotto forms a natural amphitheater and provides excellent acoustics for the Hawaiian chorus to serenade you with the Hawaiian wedding song.
Tour Highlights:
- Waimea Canyon* – known as “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this natural wonder was carved out by the Waimea River and the collapse of a volcano
- Spouting Horn*– one of the most photographed spots on Kauai, with
ocean water spraying like a geyser up to 50 feet in the air
- Hanepepe Valley Lookout* – a picturesque view of the lush tropical valley, a former Hawaiian taro farming community with some of the taro patches still being farmed today
- Queen Victoria’s profile – Haupu Mountain range offers a profile of the British Queen Victoria
- Waimea town – this old seaport was the first landing site of European explorers
- Fort Elizabeth – the last Russian Fort in the Hawaiian Islands
- Koloa town – from some of the oldest buildings in Hawaii to the rich history of Hawaii’s first successful sugar plantation, discover how this main port of entry was a favorite among the whaling fleet
- Wailua River Boat Cruise* – float down a freshwater river while being enchanted by songs and stories of ancient Hawaii
- Fern Grotto* – discover the beauty of a tropical rainforest filled with lush native plants
- Opaekaa Falls Lookout* – a 151-foot waterfall crashing into a hidden pool
*denotes stop made
Wailua River Boat
Opaekaa Falls
Fern Grotto
- Where and When:
- Departs Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue at 8:30 am. Returns at 6:00 pm. Look for a green Roberts Hawaii bus.
- Duration:
- 9.5 hours
- Thursday
- Vendor:
- Robert's Hawaii
- Island:
- Kauai
- Special Notes:
- Children under the age of 2 years old are complimentary if they can be securely held on their guardian's lap. We do not provide child seats. If the guardian requires a seat for the child under the age of 2, the regular rate will be applicable.
Please contact us if anyone in your party has special needs. If you require an ADA lift bus, we do require at least 48 hours a notice to secure availability. Not all stops on this tour are ADA accessible. The Wailua River Boat Cruise is not ADA accessible. Guests unable to walk on their own will need to be assisted by someone in their own party to be carried in/out of the boat.
Lunch is not included. Lunch can be enjoyed aboard the ship and the afternoon tour will resume after lunch.
- Restrictions:
- Children under the age of 2 years old are complimentary if they can be securely held on their guardian's lap. We do not provide child seats. If the guardian requires a seat for the child under the age of 2, the regular rate will be applicable.
A stop at Paradise Garden is made if Fern Grotto is closed.
Tour subject to cancellation if the minimum number of 6 participants is not met.