Hawaii Cruise Ports
Five harbors, four islands and what lies within reach of each pier.
Get Hawaii Cruise QuotesHawaii’s Cruise Ports, Island by Island
Hawaii cruises call at the same five main ports, each with its own character. Knowing what lies near each pier helps you decide what to book and what to leave for another trip.
| Port | Island | Docking | Close to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | Oʻahu | Pier | Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the North Shore by tour |
| Kahului | Maui | Pier | Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna, ʻĪao Valley, West Maui by car |
| Hilo | Hawaiʻi (Big Island) | Pier | Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Hilo town and farmers market |
| Kona (Kailua-Kona) | Hawaiʻi (Big Island) | Usually tender | Snorkeling bays, coffee farms, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau |
| Nāwiliwili | Kauaʻi | Pier | Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast by boat or air, Poipu beaches |
Honolulu, Oʻahu
Honolulu Harbor’s main cruise terminal is at Pier 2, a short ride from downtown and Waikiki. Pearl Harbor is the most requested excursion: the Pearl Harbor National Memorial includes the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Battleship Missouri sits nearby on Ford Island. Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and the North Shore are the other classic choices.
Kahului, Maui
Kahului is Maui’s working harbor, close to the airport and car rental lots. From here you can drive up to Haleakalā National Park (sunrise visits require a reservation from the park), take the winding Road to Hāna, or head to the beaches of the south and west shores. On inter-island sailings the ship stays overnight, which makes the early sunrise trip or a long day on the Hāna highway realistic.
Hilo and Kona, the Big Island
Hilo sits on the wet, green windward coast. It is the gateway to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, about 45 minutes’ drive away, where you can see the Kīlauea caldera, steam vents and lava tubes. Volcanic activity changes, so check the park’s current conditions before you go. Rainbow Falls and Hilo’s farmers market are easy short outings.
Kona is on the sunny leeward side. Ships usually anchor in Kailua Bay and tender guests to the pier in the center of Kailua-Kona. Snorkeling trips, coffee farm visits and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, an ancient place of refuge, are favorite choices.
Nāwiliwili, Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi is the oldest and greenest of the main islands. Ships dock at Nāwiliwili near Līhuʻe, and the island’s big sights fan out from there: Waimea Canyon to the west, the beaches of Poipu to the south, and the Na Pali Coast, which you can only reach by boat, helicopter or on foot. On inter-island sailings the ship usually overnights here.
For a fuller list of attractions, beaches and events on each island, see our visitor guide Best in Hawaii.
Other Harbors You May See
A few voyages, mostly on smaller or luxury ships, use other harbors. Kawaihae on the Big Island’s northwest coast and Port Allen on Kauaʻi’s south shore are both state commercial harbors, and some itineraries call at Lānaʻi or Molokaʻi by tender. These calls are the exception rather than the rule, so if a particular island matters to you, tell our advisors when you ask for quotes and they will look for sailings that include it.
Choose Your Ports, Then Your Ship
Tell us which islands matter most to you. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you to Hawaii sailings with the right ports and send free quotes.
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