A full day touring Kauai, from cruising the Wailua River and visiting the Fern Grotto to exploring Opaekaa Falls, Hanalei Bay, and the Kilauea Wildlife Refuge before returning to the NCL Spirit for a relaxed evening onboard.
Today I joined an escorted tour of Kauai, taking in the island’s scenery, the Wailua River, the Fern Grotto, Opaekaa Falls, Hanalei Bay, and the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge. I woke up, showered, and headed to the buffet for breakfast before leaving the ship. At the dock, our group was met and directed to the minibus we’d be using for the day.
Once we were underway, our guide and driver began telling us about the places we passed. As we drove along the coastline, I spotted turtles both in the water and resting on the beaches. It was wonderful to see them in their natural habitat.
Guided Excursion on Kauai.
Wailua River.
The Wailua River is one of Kauai’s major waterways. At 23.4 kilometres long, it’s the island’s fifth‑longest river and the only one in Hawaii navigable by boats larger than kayaks. It’s formed by the joining of its North and South forks and flows into the Pacific Ocean.
We parked near a small pontoon, and our guide led us to the boat that would take us upriver. Once everyone was onboard, we were introduced to the crew and Captain before setting off. As we cruised along, we were told about the river’s history and the landmarks along its banks. The Captain frequently had to sound the horn because canoeists kept drifting across our path.
Fern Grotto.
The Fern Grotto sits about two miles up the Wailua River and is only accessible by boat or kayak. It’s a natural cave covered in lush ferns, kept alive by moisture seeping from old sugarcane irrigation systems. When the sugar industry declined, the ferns began to die off, but restoration efforts have brought them back.
We docked at a small pontoon and walked through the greenery to a raised platform facing the grotto. Our guide explained its history and how it was once a popular wedding venue, though ceremonies are no longer held inside the grotto itself. Events can still take place on the platform where we stood.
After the talk, the Hawaiian crew performed songs, dances, and stories. A wild cockerel watched the show and crowed loudly at random intervals, adding its own commentary. When the entertainment finished, we returned to the boat and cruised back downriver to rejoin our minibus.
Opaekaa Falls.
Our next stop was a viewpoint overlooking Opaekaa Falls, a 151‑foot waterfall flowing over ancient volcanic basalt. The name Opaekaa means “rolling shrimp,” referring to the native freshwater shrimp that once tumbled down the falls.
I took a few photos, and a man nearby offered to take one of me, though I’d already taken one myself. We got chatting, and he introduced himself and his wife. They were from Spain, though he was originally from London. He introduced himself as “Rick with a silent P,” which made me laugh, before introducing his wife, Lola. After a short chat, we climbed back into the air‑conditioned minibus and continued towards Hanalei Bay.
Hanalei Bay.
I didn’t think I recognised the name until our guide played some music in the van. Hanalei is often linked, incorrectly, according to the songwriters, to the song Puff the Magic Dragon, which I remember singing in junior school. Whether true or not, the scenery certainly looked like something from a storybook.
We walked onto a small jetty at Hanalei Bay and admired the mountain range said to resemble the resting dragon, with clouds forming the “smoke” from its nostrils. The beach was stunning, and the homes along the shoreline were incredible. If I ever win the lottery, I might consider buying one.
After taking photos, we returned to the minibus and headed to a nearby village for lunch.
Ching Young Village.
We stopped at Ching Young Village, a typical tourist centre filled with small shops and cafés selling souvenirs. Our driver handed out packed lunches, and I sat on a chair watching people eat, shop, and return to their coaches.
After lunch, we continued through the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, stopping at various viewpoints for photos.
Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge.
Located on the northernmost point of Kauai, the refuge is home to one of Hawaii’s largest populations of nesting seabirds. The lighthouse was closed during our visit, so we didn’t enter the park, but we had a good view of it from a lookout near the entrance.
After a brief stop to admire the scenery, we crossed back over the island towards the cruise port. Our guide continued sharing information about everything we passed and even recommended a bar we might want to visit later, as the ship would remain in port overnight.
Evening Back on the NCL Spirit.
Once back onboard, I went to the Local Bar for a meal. I ordered a salad and “chicken wings,” though they were more like a quarter chicken, but very tasty. Afterwards, I went to Henry’s Pub for the daily cocktail and a few pints of Guinness. I was too late for the quiz, which had just finished, and since I had another excursion planned for tomorrow, I headed to bed early. It had been a full and enjoyable day.
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