We may earn a commission when you book or buy through links on this page.
Smith’s Tropical Paradise
Located within the East Region on Kauai
This lush 30-acre botanical and cultural garden provides an idyllic escape to enjoy Mother Nature's creations. The garden is centrally located on the east side of Kauai, known as "The Coconut Coast," within the Wailua Marina State Park. Only minutes from the main highway this beautiful location is perfect for an afternoon picnic or garden stroll, and is home to Kauai's most popular luau. Take your time and wander over a mile of meandering pathways surrounded by tropical splendor. You'll explore the quiet, serene atmosphere of this paradise where peacocks and many other birds thrive in the lush surroundings.
Visiting Smith's Tropical Paradise
Smith's Tropical Paradise covers 30 acres along the Wailua River on Kaua'i's east side. The garden is split into themed sections representing different Pacific Island cultures -- Japanese, Filipino, Polynesian -- connected by winding paths through tropical plants, ti leaf groves, and towering palms. Koi ponds dot the landscape, and peacocks strut the grounds like they own the place.
A self-guided walk through the full garden takes about an hour at an easy pace. The paths are paved and flat, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Admission to the garden alone is modest -- well under $10 for adults, less for kids.
Smith's Garden Luau
The main draw here is the Smith's Garden Luau, one of Kaua'i's most popular. It runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. The evening starts with an imu ceremony (unearthing the pig from the underground oven), followed by a buffet dinner and a Polynesian show with fire dancing. Luau packages are priced separately from garden admission and should be booked in advance -- they sell out regularly during peak season.
Wailua River and Fern Grotto
Smith's is also the departure point for the Wailua River boat tour to Fern Grotto, a lava rock cave draped in hanging ferns about two miles upriver. The boat ride itself is pleasant -- live music, calm water, green riverbanks. The grotto has been a wedding venue for decades, and you'll hear the "Hawaiian Wedding Song" performed inside the cave. Tours run daily and can be combined with a garden visit or luau.
Getting There
The garden is located off Kuamo'o Road (Highway 580) near the Wailua Marina, just a few minutes from Highway 56. Parking is free and plentiful. If you're staying on the east side of Kaua'i, it's a quick detour that pairs well with a drive up to 'Opaeka'a Falls or the Wailua River lookout.
Explore smarter
Turn this stop into a better day plan.
Use maps, timing, access checks, and current conditions before adding another stop to the route.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Trade winds are strong right now, with high surf hitting the south shore today. Windward areas are seeing frequent showers through the weekend.
South-facing beaches have dangerous surf today through Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will build rough water by Sunday or Monday. The bigger picture is a tropical system, Fausto, heading our way. It's weakening but should arrive near the islands by Tuesday or Wednesday as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing strong winds, rough seas, and heavy rain. The exact track is still uncertain, so check the forecast daily.
Get your beach time and water activities in today through early next week on the leeward side, where conditions stay calmer. Be ready to shift plans by midweek when conditions turn rough.
0:000:52
Voice
Read the transcript
Windy conditions across Maui right now, with trade winds gusting strong. South-facing shores have high surf today and will see another big swell Saturday and Sunday—the water's dangerous unless you're an experienced ocean swimmer.
Through the weekend, windward areas will get frequent showers while trade winds stay gusty. The bigger picture arrives midweek: Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves toward the islands and should reach Maui as a tropical storm or weaker system Tuesday or Wednesday. That'll bring rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain. Track and timing are still uncertain, so check updates daily.
Hit the leeward beaches and snorkel south Maui coasts today through early next week, but stay out of windward and south-facing waters through Sunday.
0:000:54
Voice
Read the transcript
Windy conditions dominate right now with strong trade winds pushing across the island. South-facing shores have high surf today—dangerous water if you're not an experienced swimmer.
Through the weekend, those south shores see another big swell Saturday and Sunday, and east-facing shores will build dangerous conditions by Sunday or Monday. Windward areas get frequent showers. A tropical system—the remnants of Hurricane Fausto—is weakening and headed toward the islands as a tropical storm or weaker system by Tuesday or Wednesday, bringing rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain midweek. Timing and track are still uncertain, so check updates daily.
Leeward beaches on the Kona side stay your best bet today through early next week, but avoid the water on the windward and south shores through Sunday.
0:000:57
Voice
Read the transcript
Strong trade winds are pushing showers across windward areas through the weekend. On Kauaʻi, expect frequent showers on the windward side.
High surf is running on south-facing shores today and will build again Saturday and Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will also see dangerous swell by Sunday or Monday. Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves toward Hawaii. By Tuesday or Wednesday it should reach the islands as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain. Track and timing are still uncertain, so check updates daily through midweek.
Beach time on leeward shores works through early next week. Plan water activities for today, but be ready to shift if Fausto's track becomes clearer—conditions will deteriorate by midweek.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out