Kauai's Fern Grotto

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Apr 28th, 2005 | 10:26 AM

demode1984

Original Poster

Joined: Apr 2005

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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 | 10:34 AM

Underhill

Joined: Dec 2003

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If you can tune out the corny jokes, the trip up the river to the Fern Grotto is actually very pleasant.

Apr 28th, 2005 | 10:37 AM

margot55

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 459

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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 | 10:50 AM

luvmaui71

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 82

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You walk through some Beautiful jungle type landscape,, and see a lot of chicken's
It's worth seeing, though I agree once you've done it, you probably won't do it again.

Apr 28th, 2005 | 11:05 AM

demode1984

Original Poster

Joined: Apr 2005

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Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll go to see the beauty of the Fern Grotto and try to overlook the cheesiness!

Apr 28th, 2005 | 11:16 AM

PlumeriaTattoo

Joined: Mar 2005

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We skipped it. The luau was all the cheese we needed on our Kauai trip.

Apr 28th, 2005 | 08:09 PM

cawhite

Joined: Apr 2004

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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.

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Apr 28th, 2005 | 08:17 PM

Orcas

Joined: Sep 2003

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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

annahead

Joined: Feb 2005

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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 | 07:43 AM

#10

dcespedes

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Posts: n/a

Am I the only one who kayaked to the Fern Grotto? I remember people on the boat laughing at us--what a head wind we had coming back! I liked the Fern Grotto, thought it to be a beautiful and unique experience--enjoy!

Apr 29th, 2005 | 08:02 AM

#11

JohnD

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 2,348

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Reply to annahead,
Article indicates

grotto is grander than it used to be

(link:the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Sep/25/ln/ln05a.html

Apr 29th, 2005 | 05:51 PM

#12

annahead

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 185

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That's wonderful news JohnD. I'll have to visit the grotto again on my next trip to see it in all it's glory.

Apr 29th, 2005 | 06:10 PM

#13

iamq

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 8,798

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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

Apr 29th, 2005 | 06:21 PM

#14

LoveItaly

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 45,322

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Hi demode, it has been some time ago but I always remember the Fern Grotto in Kauai. I think you will enjoy it. Have a wonderful vacation.

Apr 29th, 2005 | 09:01 PM

#15

wauhob3

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 96

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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.

Apr 30th, 2005 | 11:03 AM

#16

JohnD

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 2,348

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Mahalo for the $)coupon info. Wauhob3, having previously visited a few years ago during the

grotto

period, might have to redo the old Hawaii

river trip.

Apr 30th, 2005 | 01:56 PM

#17

sea_wahine

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 237

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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.

Apr 30th, 2005 | 02:42 PM

#18

travcat

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 25

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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!

Apr 30th, 2005 | 03:40 PM

#19

iamq

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 8,798

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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

May 1st, 2005 | 05:39 AM

#20

dcespedes

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Posts: n/a

Not far from the rope swing area was a place where we parked the kayaks and walked through the forest to a secluded waterfall. The place where we rented kayaks (Smith's?) provided plastic coated maps.