Kauai's Fern Grotto
Apr 28th, 2005, 10:26 AM
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Kauai's Fern Grotto
I'm leaving in 2 weeks for Kauai. I wasvspeaking with someone who said that the boat ride and overall experience of the Fern Grotto was hokey. I'll be at the Hyatt. Is it worth the drive?
Apr 28th, 2005, 10:37 AM
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Aloha - 
Hmmm...that is a tough call, but on the whole, I think it's worth doing just ONCE. It is absolutely cheesey and hokey, but as underhill above says, it actually is rather pleasant. It doesn't take up too much time and is relatively reasonable, so I'd say go for it.
Apr 28th, 2005, 08:09 PM
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I enjoyed going to the Fern Grotto in the early 70s as a kid with my parents, in the late 80s with my husband, and last year with my hubby and kids. It's relaxing, doesn't take too much time out of your day, and is reasonably priced. I don't think it is hokey... but then I've only done it once every 15 years or so. 
Apr 28th, 2005, 08:17 PM
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The Fern Grotto is right near Smith's Luau, so you can combine them for an afternoon and evening. We especially liked the Hawaiian family who ran the boat we were on. Hokey or not, we had a great time.
Apr 29th, 2005, 07:25 AM
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Yes it was a little hoeky, but I enjoyed the ride and the music. The grotto itself was a little disapointing. From what I understand it's not what it used to be, but it was a nice trip up the river.
Apr 29th, 2005, 06:10 PM
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Thanks for the link John. I can't wait to go in July. It is so neat to read about a cooperative effort like that.
My mother still talks about her stay at the Coco Palms and her trip up the river in 1956!
-Bill
My mother still talks about her stay at the Coco Palms and her trip up the river in 1956!
-Bill
Apr 29th, 2005, 09:01 PM
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I thought it was a pleasnt thing to do. Make sure you go to Hilo Hatties and buy something and then ask for their coupons they advertise you get with any purchase. You have to ask. I spent $10 and used and the coupon for the free chocolates and then inquired about the coupons and one of them is two for one on the Fern Grotto cruise. There were a few other good coupons but tht one was the best for us. It saved us $20.
grotto
Apr 30th, 2005, 01:56 PM
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A note of interest about the old coco palms resort. It has re-opening plans, but we'll have to wait see if they come through, eh?
A cool site for info re: is
www.coco-palms.com
When you take that fun and kitschy ride up to fern grotto..be sure to slap on some bug spray as the skeeters are lolo there.
A cool site for info re: is
www.coco-palms.com
When you take that fun and kitschy ride up to fern grotto..be sure to slap on some bug spray as the skeeters are lolo there.
Apr 30th, 2005, 02:42 PM
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Just came back from my first trip to Kauai. We went to Fern Grotto via outrigger canoe, leaving from the "Hawaiian Village." It was just the three of us and our guide in our canoe; we paddled upstream a bit to wait out the two tour boats that were docked at the Grotto. There's a swimming hole upriver, complete with rope swing. It was a beautiful day, the river was calm, our guide was a nice kid, and Fern Grotto is amazing. "Hawaiian Village" is tacky, but we really enjoyed the canoe trip.
PS: we stayed at the Hyatt and LOVED it! Have fun!
PS: we stayed at the Hyatt and LOVED it! Have fun!
Apr 30th, 2005, 03:40 PM
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travcat,
Did you make reservatons for the outrigger canoe or did you just show up? Can you remember the name of the company? We were thinking of taking a kayak trip up to the fern grotto, etc, but an outrigger canoe sounds like fun too.
-Bill
Did you make reservatons for the outrigger canoe or did you just show up? Can you remember the name of the company? We were thinking of taking a kayak trip up to the fern grotto, etc, but an outrigger canoe sounds like fun too.
-Bill
