Nawiliwili Cruise Port
Lihue, United States · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Pier 2 - Main Cruise Wharf, Lihue.
Easy walk-off harbour on Kauai; a rental car or taxi opens up beaches, the canyon and waterfalls.
At a glance
Port summary
Nawiliwili is a straightforward dock-and-walk-off port, but Kauai's best sights are spread across the island, so transport planning matters more than at the port itself.
Cruise docks
Pier 2 - Main Cruise Wharf
The primary cruise berth at Nawiliwili Harbor. Ships dock alongside and passengers walk straight off onto the wharf, about a 5-minute walk from Kalapaki Beach and the Anchor Cove shops.
Latitude: 21.95445, Longitude: -159.35603
See dock on port map →Pier 1 - Secondary Cruise Berth
A second commercial berth used when two ships call or for larger vessels. Same walk-off access to the harbour-front; a short walk to Lihue-bound taxis and tour vans.
Latitude: 21.954897, Longitude: -159.354294
See dock on port map →Getting to Lihue
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards and phones cover nearly everything; carry a little cash for bus fares and small vendors.
Build your perfect day in Lihue
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Inside the Hawaii collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Lihue cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedWaimea Canyon "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" scenic drive
≈ 7 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€175$195
Do it yourself
€95$106
Save ≈ €80Save ≈ $89 (46% off)
Nothing on the west side is reachable by useful public transport, so this is a rental-car day. Nawiliwili Harbor is about 3 km / 10 min from the Lihue Airport rental desks; taxi there (~$18 / €16) or take the Kauai Marriott shuttle, then it is a 75-80 min drive west on Kaumualii Hwy (Rte 50) and up Waimea Canyon Drive to the lookouts. Park-entry is $5pp plus $10 per vehicle, paid at the lookout lots. Note ongoing 2025-26 roadworks on Waimea Canyon Drive and Kokee Road cause delays and limited parking — leave early.
See the DIY plan →
Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto with Hawaiian music
≈ 3.5 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€80$89
Do it yourself
€66$73
Save ≈ €14Save ≈ $16 (18% off)
The cruise lines simply resell the Smith's boat, which you can book direct for $30 / €27 a head. From Nawiliwili it is a 15-20 min ride north to Wailua River Marina — there is no practical bus, so take a taxi (~$28 / €25 each way) and pre-arrange the return pickup, or fold this into a half-day rental car. The 90 min round-trip cruise includes the rainforest walk to the grotto; check in 30 min before your slot.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
12 plansKalapaki Beach & Harbour Stroll
Golden sand, Duke's lunch and a waterfront walk — all within ten minutes of the gangway.
Waimea Canyon — The Grand Canyon of the Pacific
Red-rock gorges, misty ridgelines and a 4,000-foot lookout over the Nāpali valleys — Kauai's most dramatic day.
Wailua Falls, Fern Grotto & the Sacred River
Hawaii's most photographed waterfall, a riverboat through the jungle and a lava-rock grotto draped in ferns — all on one easy half day.
South Shore: Poipu Beach, Spouting Horn & Old Koloa Town
Kauai's sunniest coast — snorkel with turtles, watch a blowhole erupt and stroll Hawaii's oldest sugar town.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Lihue?
- Your ship docks directly at the Lihue cruise terminal in United States.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Lihue?
- Yes. Lihue is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Lihue centre?
- Typical options include Car rental, Taxi, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), Local bus, On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Lihue?
- Plan for at least 5 hours ashore to see Lihue independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Lihue and are cards accepted?
- Lihue 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 Lihue 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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