Port of Hilo Pier 1 → Liliʻuokalani Gardens / Banyan Drive
Walk 15 minutes west along Kamehameha Avenue from the terminal exit to reach Liliʻuokalani Gardens by the sea and Banyan Drive.
Cruise port in United States
Hilo, Hawaii
Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 10 hours. 25 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 16 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 201 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 10 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 921
Photo: Chloe Leis
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Port of Hilo Cruise Terminal (Pier 1). Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Port of Hilo Cruise Terminal (Pier 1).
- Hilo Climate and Waterproof Clothing
Hilo has a tropical rainforest climate with abundant rainfall year-round. Tropical showers can occur at any time even on sunny days, so carrying a folding umbrella and waterproof windbreaker is essential.
- Admission and Safety at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Admission to the national park is $30 per private vehicle ($15 for visitors on foot). At an elevation of 1,200 m, temperatures are cool, and sulfur gas is released around active volcanic craters, so people with asthma should take care.
About 10 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- Hilo city centreAbout 10 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 9 hr 30 min
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkAbout 45 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 8 hr 30 min
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Port of Hilo Pier 1 → Downtown Hilo & Farmers Market
Take a taxi or Uber in front of the terminal for a 10-minute ride along Hilo Bay to Kamehameha Avenue, where the historic downtown and farmers market are located.
Port of Hilo Pier 1 → Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue)
Travel by vehicle from the pier through downtown and west along Wainaku Street and Waianuenue Avenue for about 15 minutes.
Port of Hilo Pier 1 → Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Kīlauea Visitor Center)
Take a cruise line shore excursion bus or tour shuttle in front of the terminal and travel about 45 minutes on Route 11 (Volcano Highway) along a gentle uphill road.
Hilo places to explore
Explore 17 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Rainbow Falls
A waterfall where the Wailuku River plunges over a 24 m-high basalt lava cave; on a sunny morning, a brilliant rainbow appears in the spray.
- Visit
- about 40 min
- Admission
- Free
The best time to see a rainbow is between 9 and 11 a.m., when sunlight reaches the waterfall.
Coconut Island
A small island connected by a footbridge from Liliʻuokalani Gardens, once a sacred place where ancient Hawaiians healed illness and absolved sins, and now a retreat with views over Hilo Bay.
- Visit
- about 35 min
- Admission
- Free
Pacific Tsunami Museum
An educational museum presenting survivor testimony and scientific explanations of tsunamis, as well as lessons from the devastating tsunamis that struck downtown Hilo in 1946 and 1960.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- USD 10~USD 15
Richardson Ocean Park
A distinctive black-and-white sandy beach with glittering green olivine crystals mixed into black volcanic sand, considered a snorkeling spot for its rich underwater ecosystem.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- Free
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
An advanced science education center combining world-class observatories atop Mauna Kea with the Polynesian navigational knowledge used by ancient voyagers to cross the Pacific by reading the stars.
- Visit
- about 1 hr 30 min
- Admission
- USD 19~USD 22
Carlsmith Beach Park
A park with a natural seawater pool where lava reef rocks block the strong waves offshore, allowing visitors to swim with wild green sea turtles in a clear lagoon where cold freshwater springs mix with seawater.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- Free
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
About 45 min each wayTime at destination About 8 hr 30 min
SightsKīlauea Visitor CenterThe central visitor information center for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can check current eruptions and earthquake information, ranger-recommended trails, and watch volcano documentaries.
SightsHalemaʻumaʻu Crater OverlookA vast active volcanic crater inside Kīlauea Caldera, considered sacred as the home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire; look out at volcanic smoke rising from the crater and the immense caldera.
ActivitiesKīlauea Iki Trail & CraterA crater where a lava fountain shot up 580 m during the major eruption of 1959; the trail descends along a lush rainforest cliff and crosses the floor of a massive lava lake that still retains geothermal heat.
You will walk over rough, sharp lava rocks, so bring sturdy hiking boots and plenty of drinking water.
ActivitiesChain of Craters RoadA winding 30 km drive from the caldera rim down to the Pacific coast, passing lava plains where flows from dozens of past eruptions covered the road, and Hōlei Sea Arch.
SightsNāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)A 150 m-long natural underground lava tunnel formed when the surface of lava flowing 500 years ago hardened, with a path entering through a forest of giant tropical ferns.
SightsVolcano Art Center GalleryAn art gallery in the original Volcano House hotel building, a historic structure dating from 1877, exhibiting and selling koa wood crafts, volcano paintings, and ceramics by local Hawaiian artists.
Food and cafésKilauea Lodge and RestaurantA cozy log-fire restaurant in a pristine rainforest in Volcano Village, serving local mushroom dishes, fresh fish steaks, and European-Hawaiian fusion cuisine.
Food and cafésThe Rim at Volcano HouseLocated directly above the cliff at Kīlauea Caldera, it serves salmon steak and macadamia chicken made with local Hawaiian ingredients while you look out over the massive crater.
Advance online reservations are recommended for crater-side window seats at lunch and dinner.
Cruises calling at Hilo, Hawaii
201 sailings are grouped into 57 cruises by ship and route.
Holland America Line2 departure dates1 sailing available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2027.1130 nights · Long cruise
30-Day Circle Hawaii & Sea Of Cortez
San Diego, California departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 5,654
Holland America LineSailing 2026.11Hawaii cruises · 18 nights · Long cruise
18-Day Circle Hawaii Holiday
San Diego, California departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,119
Norwegian Cruise Line87 departure dates80 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.10
Princess CruisesSailing 2026.11Asia cruises · 33 nights · Long cruise
Hawaii, Japan & Southeast Asia Grand Adventure
Los Angeles, California → Singapore
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Princess CruisesSailing 2026.11Asia cruises · 19 nights · Long cruise
Hawaii & Japan Pacific Crossing
Los Angeles, California → Tokyo
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Princess Cruises7 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2027.10Hawaii cruises · 16 nights · Long cruise
Hawaiian Islands
Los Angeles, California departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,074
Princess Cruises15 departure dates11 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2029.03Hawaii cruises · 16 nights · Long cruise
Hawaiian Islands
San Francisco, California departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,124
Princess Cruises5 departure dates3 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2028.12Hawaii cruises · 16 nights · Long cruise
Hawaiian Islands Holiday
San Francisco, California departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,299
Holland America LineBook now
Sailing 2027.01Americas cruises · 24 nights · Long cruise
24-Day Mexico Riviera & Circle Hawaii
San Diego, California departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,859
Norwegian Cruise Line13 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2027.01 ~ 2027.03
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.01World Cruise · 129 nights · Long cruise
Wc Grand Circle Pacific - Ft. Lauderdale To Los Angeles
Fort Lauderdale, Florida → Los Angeles, California
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 20,307
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.01South America cruises · 23 nights · Long cruise
Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean
Fort Lauderdale, Florida → Honolulu, Hawaii
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 5,661
57 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Hilo, Hawaii
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
Norwegian Cruise Line · 100 sailings
Pride of America
24 cabin types · 16 dining venues · 38 entertainment options · 11 decks
Explore the ship
Princess Cruises · 20 sailings
Ruby Princess
7 cabin types · 15 dining venues · 33 entertainment options · 15 decks
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Norwegian Cruise Line · 14 sailings
Norwegian Spirit
18 cabin types · 12 dining venues · 30 entertainment options · 10 decks
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Holland America Line · 13 sailings
Koningsdam
13 cabin types · 10 dining venues · 17 entertainment options · 12 decks
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About Hilo, Hawaii
Ships from MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection call at the port of Hilo, with an average stay of about 10 hours. It is included as a port of call on a Hawaii and Pacific itinerary connecting Nawiliwili or Kailua-Kona with Los Angeles, Bora Bora, and other destinations.
Cruise lines calling here: 6 places
Celebrity CruisesHolland America LineNorwegian Cruise LinePrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesThe Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
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