Things to Do in Port in Hawaii
Make every island day count, from Pearl Harbor to Waimea Canyon.
Get Hawaii Cruise QuotesShore Days Worth Planning For
A Hawaii cruise is all about the time ashore. With only a day or two on each island, a little planning turns a pleasant stop into a highlight of the trip.
History on Oʻahu
Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, plus ʻIolani Palace downtown.
Volcanoes from Hilo
Crater rim viewpoints, steam vents and lava tubes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Canyons on Kauaʻi
Waimea Canyon lookouts by car, or the Na Pali Coast by boat or helicopter.
Ideas by Interest
Ocean and wildlife
Snorkel boats from Kona, whale watching off Maui in winter, sea turtles resting on beaches (keep your distance), and catamaran sails off Waikiki.
Scenery
Haleakalā crater on Maui, the Road to Hāna, Waimea Canyon, and coastal drives on every island.
Culture and history
Pearl Harbor, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau near Kona, ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu, and local markets in Hilo.
Easy days
A beach and shave ice in Waikiki, a stroll along Kailua-Kona’s seafront, or Poipu’s beaches near Nāwiliwili.
Getting Around From the Pier
Every Hawaii port works a little differently. In Honolulu, taxis, ride-share and tour buses are easiest. In Kahului and Nāwiliwili, the airports and their rental car lots are a short ride from the harbor, and a car is the most flexible option. Hilo has taxis and tours to the national park. In Kona, tenders land in the heart of town, so you can walk to shops and the seafront.
Plan to be back aboard well before the posted all-aboard time. Traffic on the main island roads, especially around Honolulu, can be slow. If you are touring on your own, keep the ship’s port agent number and the all-aboard time with you, and allow extra time for tenders in Kona, where the return boats can fill up late in the afternoon.
Before and After the Cruise
Many travelers add hotel nights in Waikiki before an inter-island cruise or fly to another island afterward. Our visitor guide Best in Hawaii lists things to do, beaches and events across the islands. Respect local rules on sacred sites, coral and wildlife: it keeps Hawaii special for the next visitors.
In-Port Questions
Should I book the cruise line’s tours or go on my own?
Both work in Hawaii. Ship tours guarantee you are back on time and handle transport; independent plans can be cheaper and less crowded, especially with a rental car on Maui or Kauaʻi. Leave a generous margin before all-aboard time.
Is snorkeling good near the cruise ports?
The Kona coast is known for clear water and snorkel boat trips, and Maui and Kauaʻi have well-known snorkel beaches within reach. Conditions change with the surf, so follow local advice and lifeguard warnings.
What should I bring ashore?
Reef-friendly sunscreen, water, a light rain jacket and closed shoes for volcano or canyon trails. Hawaii law restricts sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so choose a reef-safe product.
Plan Your Shore Days and Your Cruise
Tell us what you want to see on each island. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest sailings that fit and send free quotes.
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