Hilo Cruise Port
Hilo, United States · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Pier 1 - Hilo Harbor, Hilo.
Plan my port daysEasy, friendly DIY port for town and waterfalls; rent a car for the volcano.
Relaxed Big Island port with a walkable bayfront town and waterfalls nearby; the headline sights need a car or tour.
At a glance
Port summary
Ships dock at Pier 1, a short ride or long walk from downtown Hilo. Town, gardens and Rainbow Falls are easy independently, but Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Akaka Falls are a 30-60 minute drive.
Cruise dock
🚢 Pier 1 - Hilo Harbor
The cruise berth at the Port of Hilo. Ships dock directly at Pier 1 (no tender); a small terminal building and greeting kiosks sit at its base, with downtown Hilo a short ride away.
📍 Latitude: 19.730276, Longitude: -155.053306
See dock on port map →Getting to Hilo
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Metered and flat-rate taxis meet ships; confirm card payment before you ride.
📍 Taxi queue at the base of Pier 1
A free Walmart-sponsored shuttle runs to the Walmart shopping area, not the main sights.
📍 Free shuttle stop at the pier
Flat 30-40 min walk into downtown along the bay; part of it passes the working harbor.
📍 Walk straight off Pier 1 toward town
Best way to reach Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls and beaches on your own schedule.
📍 Reserve ahead; some agencies shuttle to the pier
The Hele-On county bus is cheap but infrequent and not built around cruise calls.
📍 Mooheau Bus Terminal on Kamehameha Ave downtown
Uber and Lyft work in Hilo but cars can be scarce when several ships are in.
📍 Request from the pier; pickup point varies
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards and phones cover almost everything; bring a few dollars for market stalls and tips.
Things to do
Liliuokalani Gardens
Short stop⭐ Highlight
A serene 1900s Japanese garden on Hilo Bay, free and made for strolling.
🕐 Early morning or late afternoon for soft light
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
⭐ Highlight
Kilauea's craters, steam vents and lava country - the Big Island's must-see.
🕐 Go early; allow most of the day with driving
Banyan Drive
Short stop🚶 Walk
A shady waterfront avenue of giant banyans planted by visiting celebrities.
🕐 Cooler morning or late afternoon
Richardson Beach Park
🏖️ Beach
Hilo's favorite black-sand beach with sea turtles and easy snorkeling.
🕐 Morning for calm water and parking
Hilo Farmers Market
Short stop🛒 Market
Tropical fruit, flowers and crafts from 200+ Big Island growers downtown.
🕐 Wednesday and Saturday mornings for the big market
Ken's House of Pancakes
🍽️ Restaurant
A beloved 24-hour Hilo diner for loco moco and macadamia pancakes.
🕐 Breakfast, though it is open around the clock
Imiloa Astronomy Center
🏛️ Museum
Hands-on astronomy and Hawaiian culture with a planetarium.
🕐 Check planetarium show times before you go
Pacific Tsunami Museum
🏛️ Museum
A moving downtown museum on the tsunamis that reshaped Hilo.
🕐 Anytime; a good rainy-day stop
Rainbow Falls
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
An 80-foot waterfall a few minutes from downtown, magic in the morning light.
🕐 Mid-morning, when sun lights rainbows in the spray
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
🌿 Nature
A lush ravine garden of palms and orchids on the Onomea Bay coast.
🕐 Mid-morning; bring rain protection
Coconut Island
Short stop🌿 Nature
A tiny bayfront islet park reached by footbridge, great for photos.
🕐 Calm mornings for swimming and bay views
Big Island Candies
Short stop🛍️ Shopping
Famous Hilo chocolate and shortbread factory with free samples.
🕐 Open daily; mornings are quieter
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Plan my port days →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Hilo?
- Your ship docks directly at the Hilo cruise terminal in United States.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Hilo?
- Yes. Hilo is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Hilo centre?
- Typical options include Taxi, Shuttle bus, On foot, Car rental, Local bus, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt). Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Hilo?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Hilo independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Hilo and are cards accepted?
- Hilo uses the US Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Hilo cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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