Kona Cruise Port
Kailua-Kona, United States · Pacific
Cruise ships anchor offshore in Kailua-Kona — tenders ferry passengers to the port.
Plan my port daysTender port landing right in walkable Kailua-Kona; town is easy on foot, but beaches and the famous sights need a car or tour.
At a glance
Port summary
Ships anchor in Kailua Bay and tender to Kailua Pier in the middle of town. Historic Aliʻi Drive is at your feet, but Kahaluʻu snorkeling, the Place of Refuge and Kona coffee farms need a taxi, tour or rental car.
Cruise dock
🚢 Kailua Pier (Tender Landing)
Tender boats from ships anchored in Kailua Bay land here on Aliʻi Drive, in the centre of Kailua-Kona. Kamakahonu Beach and King Kamehameha's compound sit right beside the pier, with shops and historic sites a short walk away.
📍 Latitude: 19.639167, Longitude: -155.996966
See dock on port map →Getting to Kailua-Kona
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Tenders land right in town; most central sights are a flat few-minutes walk.
📍 Step off the tender onto Aliʻi Drive
Taxis and tour vans meet tenders; confirm card payment and price before longer trips.
📍 Taxi and tour vans wait at the pier on Aliʻi Drive
A free or low-cost trolley loops central Kailua-Kona and the Aliʻi Drive hotels.
📍 Trolley stop near the pier on Aliʻi Drive
Best way to reach the Place of Refuge, Kona coffee farms and snorkel bays on your own schedule.
📍 Reserve ahead; some agencies shuttle into town
The Hele-On county bus is cheap but infrequent and not timed to cruise calls.
📍 Hele-On bus stops in central Kailua-Kona
Uber and Lyft operate in Kona but cars can be limited on busy port days.
📍 Request from near the pier; pickup point varies
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards and phones cover almost everything; carry a few dollars for markets, small stalls and tips.
Things to do
Kamakahonu & Kailua Pier
Short stop⭐ Highlight
King Kamehameha's restored seaside compound and beach right at the tender pier.
🕐 Early, right off the tender
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
⭐ Highlight
A sacred place of refuge with kiʻi carvings, royal grounds and turtle-filled shores.
🕐 Go early; allow time for the drive
Aliʻi Drive Seafront Walk
Short stop🚶 Walk
A breezy oceanfront walk past shops, surf breaks and historic sites.
🕐 Late afternoon for sunset
Kahaluʻu Beach Park
🏖️ Beach
Big Island's easiest snorkeling, with reef fish and green sea turtles.
🕐 Morning before wind and crowds
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
🎯 Activity
Walk a working 1920s Kona coffee homestead and taste the famous brew.
🕐 Morning farm hours; check ahead
Da Poke Shack
🍽️ Restaurant
An award-winning hole-in-the-wall for fresh Hawaiian poke bowls.
🕐 Lunch; it can sell out
Kona Brewing Company
🍹 Bar
Hawaii's best-known craft brewery, with tours, pizza and a shady lanai.
🕐 Lunch or early afternoon
Mokuaikaua Church
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
Hawaii's first Christian church, an 1837 lava-and-coral landmark on Aliʻi Drive.
🕐 Mornings; services on Sunday
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
🌿 Nature
Ancient Hawaiian fishponds, petroglyphs and a turtle beach just north of town.
🕐 Morning; little shade
Kealakekua Bay
🌿 Nature
A marine reserve of clear water and reefs by the Captain Cook Monument.
🕐 Calm mornings for snorkeling
Kona Inn Shopping Village
Short stop🛍️ Shopping
An oceanfront shopping and dining village in the heart of Aliʻi Drive.
🕐 Anytime; sunset drinks are a draw
Holualoa Village
🛍️ Shopping
A hillside coffee-country village of art galleries, studios and cafes.
🕐 Daytime; some galleries close Sun-Mon
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Plan my port days →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Kailua-Kona?
- Kailua-Kona is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Kailua-Kona?
- Walking into Kailua-Kona from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Kailua-Kona centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Shuttle bus, 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 Kailua-Kona?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Kailua-Kona independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Kailua-Kona and are cards accepted?
- Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona 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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