Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Kapaa, HI

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Telephone:	+1 808-821-6895
Website:	www.smithskauai.com
Address:	Wailua Marina, Kapaa, HI, 96746
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	2.2 miWailua Homestesds Park 2.9 miCoconut Marketplace 3.1 miWalmart
Categories:	Botanical Gardens Tours

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Local time (Kapaa)	04:40 Monday, 30 June 2025

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Description

Specialties

A 30-acre botanical and cultural garden is hidden alongside the Wailua River. There are meandering pathways that take you past lagoons teeming with fish, into the middle of a calming bamboo forest, across the path of scented gingers and under the branches of exotic fruits. During the day, it’s a perfect location for a quiet and romantic picnic and at night, the torchlit gardens offer one of Kauai’s favorite luau featuring an international pageant entitled, «The Rhythm of Aloha.» The luau is held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. The luau gardens open at 5:00pm with time to stroll through the gardens. At 6:00pm, we share the history and excitement of the Hawaiian «imu» cooking method at the imu ceremony followed by drinks, dinner and then the pageant at 8:00pm. Gates open at 7:30pm for those who are interested in joining us only for the evening pageant.

History

Established in 1946.

Smith’s Motor Boat Service Inc. was started in 1947 by Walter Smith, Sr. with a small rowboat and a borrowed outboard motor, offering visitors a trip up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto. From these small beginnings, the company has grown to include a fleet of 12 river boats including two boats used exclusively for weddings; in 1985, the family opened a 30-acre botanical and cultural garden where luaus are held. Outside of the visitor industry, the family owns a light industrial park in Kapahi that contains a number of small businesses including the Kauai Athletic Club, Manny’s Auto Repair, Kauai Artesian Water and Menehune Food Mart.

Meet the Manager

Kamika S.

Manager

Kamika was asked to rejoin his family business in 2002 to help with planning for the future of the company and the succession into the next generation. There are currently three generations of Smith’s working in the family business. Kamika was honored as the National SBA Family Business Champion of the year in 2005.

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20 reviews of Smith’s Tropical Paradise

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Ronny C.

Place rating: 5
Kalaheo, HI

Had the best experience ever with planning, organizing and having a wedding here! The coordinators were professional and helpful, the staff went above and beyond.
They allowed us to bring in our own appetizers and they catered the rest. Staff helped light our candles and everything was beautiful, romantic, and perfect! Taking down and putting everything away a breeze with there help!
Views stunning, landscaping picture perfect…
I have recommended this venue and team to others and they have the same experience as well. Mahalo Smiths!

Jenn K.

Place rating: 3
Wahiawā, HI

Here’s a relaxing boat ride where you can be entertained by singing and dancing on the way to the fern grotto (unfortunately much of the fern is now gone). On the way back, the captain gives a brief history of the surroundings.

Leslene C.

Place rating: 3
Honolulu, HI

Times have surely changed in 15 years since we last visited the wailua river. The boats are timeless, but the feel is different, didn’t feel the «aloha» from the staff, could tell they were just doing their job.
The one thing that remained that reminded me of yesteryear was the ticket person, his love for his job was evident. Hope they can stay in business for years to come, they are slow due to kayaks, speed boats, paddle boards, etc. and so sad half of the grotto is gone due to hurricanes.

Steve M.

Place rating: 5
Honolulu, HI

Outstanding time! We had a few hours to kill before a flight home, so we came here. We being my wife and I and our kids, 11 and 5 years old. We paid 20 bucks which included 2 huge bags of bird food. My kids had a blast feeding doves, ducks, geese, peacocks, and chickens. The garden is very well maintained. The birds will land on your hand and eat out of it. Great fun for under $ 20.

Mike M.

Place rating: 4
La Habra, CA

Family owned and operated. Live midi with tour guide back to the grotto… Lots of weddings performed back there!

Tricia C.

Place rating: 5
Kapaa, HI

Smith’s Family is a wonderful place that blends the lush mountainous beauty of wild Kaua’i with lovely garden-like surroundings, then ties it up in a bow of hospitality and friendliness. Everything there was wonderful.

Karen B.

Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA

Andrea — Thank you! Pam and Corey’s wedding was wonderful thanks to you, the staff and the wonderful facilities at Smith’sTropical Paradise. What a pleasure to have all the details taken care of so we could enjoy time with the family.

Dan H.

Place rating: 5
Fair Oaks, CA

My wife and I renewed our wedding vows this week. We are very happy with our decision. We were met at the dock by Andrea our concierge, a young man and his accompanist with a beautiful voice who serenaded us along the brief trip up the river to the Fern Grotto, and our minister Chuck who was a kind gentle soul and perfect for the occasion. The ceremony at the Grotto was peaceful and enchanting. Andrea even treated us to a Hula Dance on the boat ride back. I don’t know much about it, but am pretty sure she was amazing and we were lucky for the personalized show.
If you want a low key special ceremony with nice thoughtful people I highly recommend this family run business. Also, for you men, if your wife suggests renewing your vows, I would suggest saying yes, you will be glad you did, and this is the place for it.

Julia G.

Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA

It was one of the days that didn’t start right: our helicopter flight got canceled, rain was pouring down, and there was nothing to do nowhere. Then, we discovered this great family business which turned our last morning in Kauai to magical experience.
As all the passengers boarded the boat, and captain spoke a bit about technical facts and gave us instructions in case of emergency, the musical crew started their entertainment program. It was a remarkable experience to sail on the boat, listening to native Hawaiian songs and take in the beauty of the river.
Then, we walked through a botanical garden, where the guide explained a bit about certain plants and their place in the Hawaiian culture. There is a beautiful platform next to a cave that was destroyed by the hurricane some years ago, but it still looks beautiful.
On our way back we watched a native dance performance and learned to dance a little. I really enjoyed this experience; would definitely recommend it.
The only thing to watch out for is mosquitoes, lots of them in tropical climate!!!

Stephen M.

Place rating: 4
Honolulu, HI

I see a lot of negative comments, but honestly, this tour was exactly what we were expecting. The staff keep you entertained throughout, albeit with dry humor, and sing and dance for you. They also give you a little bit of history about Kauai during the trip and are all are extremely friendly. I enjoyed the time on the boat to and from the attraction than at the location destination itself.

T S.

Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA

good Lu’au with great food. The show isn’t the best on the island, I prefer luau kalamaku’s show (although their food isn’t as delicious)

Raych D.

Place rating: 5
Honolulu, HI

My brother and sister in-law held their wedding ceremony and reception here last month and it was just beautiful! The river, the garden, the trees, the bridge and the venue makes this place a magnificent place for weddings and parties.
Not sure on prices, but their website gives a pretty detailed menu and price list as well as packages included. Workers there are very nice and helpful when directing for guest to park. The food they serve is great and they consistently bring more food out when it needs to be refilled.
Only negative thing I have to say is that maybe they should update their furniture because the chairs my brother and sister in-law (the groom and bride) sat on was torn on the side or maybe they could cover it up with a cloth?

Kent C.

Place rating: 5
Kapaa, HI

Aloha everyone.
I wanted to go on record and share my experience with you at a recent wedding at Smiths tropical Paradise. Not only do they do Luau’s but also provide their beautiful gardens for weddings. Iam a wedding person and do a fare share of weddings on the beach «BUT» the local state laws have put some restrictions on weddings on the beach. No chairs, tables, arches or champagne toasts and no cake cuttings of course. SO! that makes Smiths an ideal location for just that, and it’s cost effective too. What makes me want to write to you is the experience was the very best. They went completely out of their way to be helpful. From driving the guests in, to setting up a table and chairs and helping all the way, to even helping me, the photographer set up the toast and cake cutting shots. To be totally honest, that was the nicest I’ve ever had it; To be shown such courtesy and earnest effort to help was well simply unheard of. Most places don’t take the same customer service very seriously. This is why I have given it a 5 star rating. They are truely the best.
Sincerely Kent Chastain

Kaaren D.

Place rating: 3
Newbury Park, CA

If this place is closed, they are still taking money online to reserve seats on the river cruise. Not sure how that works!
I think this is the only way to get to the Fern Grotto, and i enjoyed the slow pace, the Hawaiian music and dancers, and the short hike to the grotto. The guide also told us great stories about movies that had been made on the island, including Six Days and Seven Nights with Harrison Ford.

Julia L.

Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA

Okay, a Smith’s boat ride is not exactly thrilling, but as long as you know what you’re getting into it can be fun. There are hula and musical performers on the boat, no one sang tiny bubbles, and there was a nice little walk up to the grotto where they did another performance. Plenty of time to take pictures if you’re so inclined. I’s agree that this is great for kids, older couples, or anyone who just needs a few hours of relaxation and an old-fashioned boat ride up a calm river.
Sad to hear about the rock and mud slides in the grotto. I’d call to see if the grotto is open before you go. Without the grotto, the trip isn’t worth $ 20

Austin D.

Place rating: 2
San Diego, CA

THRILL-SEEKERS NEED NOT APPLY.
The lazy river trip put on by Smith’s offers a quiet, slooow journey up the first portion of the Wailua River (the largest river in all the Hawaiian islands). Lasting about 2 hours, you get a little bit of local scenery and flavor (e.g. on-board hula lessons and narration on which movies were shot in Hawai’i).
The scenery along the river was fine, nothing that you’d send on a postcard. The halfway point is Fern Grotto, which was recently closed due to mud/rock slides. Kind of a downer; I wish they hadn’t told me so I didn’t know what I was missing.
Better for older folks or those who don’t hike, or families with very small kids (although other reviewers mentioned their kids were bored).
Boats were kinda dumpy, as was the building where the boats docked. If this is on your bucket list of things to do in Kaua’i, it should be at the very bottom.

Danielle A.

Place rating: 3
Sacramento, CA

What’s all the griping about, people?
It’s a family operated tour company that takes you along the Wailua River, tells you stories about local landmarks, entertains you with dancing and singing and witty remarks. They took us to the beautiful and romantic Fern Grotto, and here I was without a partner (…awwww…). Ah well, I sill enjoyed the scenery and beautiful songs of Captain Kona and his team.
Quit complaining, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Lee R.

Place rating: 2
Oakland, CA

My 4-year old said it best … «Mom, this is kinda boring, can we go home now?»
Too bad we couldn’t … cause we were stuck on a boat. When in Kauai, there are a lot of better things to do.
They try hard, and it is somewhat entertaining and relaxing, yet a trip to the Fern Grotto was really a waste of time. There are other things to do for free.

Roach D.

Place rating: 3
Duarte, CA

With an Hawaiian name like Smith’s, you know it’s authentic!
Actually, all the guides and boat drivers are full of aloha and kinda cute in their lame comedic way. (their bit about how many beers the ukulele player has already had today is hilariously inappropriate!) I enjoyed talking story with them way more than sitting next to Aunt Bertha and Grandpa George on the way up the Wailua River.
Once you reach your «destination», you get out of the boat and walk up a paved and guard railed path that leads you up to the once picturesque and gorgeous Fern Grotto. Too bad hurricane Iniki wiped it all out all those years ago…
Now it’s a simi-lush, kinda pretty growing rain forest canopy where you can take a fairly decent picture if the lighting is right and you are willing to get a little wet.
I’ll be back in about 10 years, which is about how long it will take for this place to regain it’s lost beauty.
By that time, young honeymooners can call me «aunt Bertha» & pass me up the pathway while I hold on to that guard rail for dear life…
In their gift shop you can buy photos of a more lush grotto — photos from before the hurricane wiped it out. Definitely a miss if you are into adventure, and a pretty good choice if you are into Hawaiiana and

Jim C.

Place rating: 3
Redwood City, CA

Smith’s is known for their fern grotto tour (along with their luaus). The fern grotto boat tour («a journey of songs and legends») is basically a 25 min boat ride each way to the fern grotto where you get off, take a brief walk, and hang out at the fern grotto for 25 min to take pictures. The fern grotto is supposedy a geological wonder of Kauai where ferns grow upside down from the roof of the grotto formed millions of years ago. For me, the fern grotto itself was rather boring — it was just a bunch of lush and green ferns growing in a grotto area. After 2 min there, I was ready to go but you have to spend 10 min waiting for the best picture spots to open up. And the pouring rain didn’t help either.
Along the boat ride with 40 – 50 other ppl they have a couple of Hawaiian singers (who try to be comedians too) and two hula dancers — they do a couple of local songs and dances and share some history along the way. Cheesy but alright and everyone is super nice.
Cost is $ 20 pp for a 1 hr 20 min experience and $ 18 if you hve AAA or buy online.
Bottom line: If you are totally bored in Kauai and need something to do, this would be an okay touristy way to experience part of Kauai. But don’t expect anything grand or exciting.

Smith’s Tropical Paradise

Kapaa, United States