Where volcanic coastline meets crystal-clear Pacific waters — Kailua-Kona delivers world-class snorkeling, world-famous coffee, and ancient Hawaiian history all within reach of the tender pier.
⚓ Tender port (no docking pier)🕒 Typical call: 8–10 hrs💵 USD🗣️ English / Hawaiian
Docking
Tender only — ships anchor in Kailua Bay; 15-min ride to Kailua Pier
Walk to center
Steps from the tender pier to Ali'i Drive shops and restaurants
Best For
Snorkeling, Kona coffee tours, manta ray night dives, Hawaiian history
Don't Miss
Kealakekua Bay snorkel, Hulihe'e Palace, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
Kailua-Kona is a tender port — ships anchor offshore in Kailua Bay and run lifeboats/tenders to Kailua Pier, right in the heart of downtown.
Getting Ashore at Kailua-Kona
1
Collect your tender ticketMost ships issue tender tickets (numbered or timed) from a central lounge. Shore-excursion bookings typically get priority boarding; check your ship's daily program for the system used.
2
Ride the tender (~15 min)Tenders run continuously while in port. The ride to Kailua Pier takes about 15 minutes. Expect queues in the first hour after arrival — plan accordingly.
3
Step ashore at Kailua PierThe pier lands you directly on Ali'i Drive in historic Kailua Village. Volunteer greeters with free maps are usually on hand near the pier entrance.
4
Getting further afieldUber and Lyft are available. A free open-air trolley loops around town and to nearby shopping. For Volcanoes NP or Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau, book a tour or rental car in advance — distances are significant.
💡 Pro move: Tendering can be slow if seas are choppy. Build in at least 30 minutes either side for the last tender back. Ships will not wait.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
There is no deep-water cruise pier at Kailua-Kona — all ships tender from anchorage in Kailua Bay to the historic Kailua Pier.
Cruise Line
Typical Berth / Arrival
Dock or Tender
Most cruise lines (NCL, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean)
From Kailua Pier you can snorkel a marine preserve, descend in a submarine, tour coffee farms, or drive to one of Hawaii's most sacred historical sites — all in a single shore day.
Nature
Kealakekua Bay Snorkel
Boat tours from the pier run to this state marine preserve — one of Hawaii's best snorkel sites, with spinner dolphins, tropical fish, and the Captain Cook Monument. Many operators time their runs to cruise ship schedules.
One of the Big Island's signature experiences: giant Pacific manta rays swoop through beams of light feeding on plankton. Operators depart from the Kona pier after dark — only possible if your ship stays late or overnights.
Ancient Hawaiian sanctuary where lawbreakers could seek absolution. The National Historical Park, about 22 miles south of Kona, features restored heiau (temples), carved ki'i akua (idols), and a dramatic lava shoreline.
⏱ 4–5 hrs with travel🚗 ~40 min drive south🏛 National Historical Park
The Kona coffee belt climbs the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa just above town. Farms like Greenwell Farms offer free or low-cost walking tours from bean to cup, with tastings of genuine Kona coffee.
Descend 100+ feet below Kailua Bay in a passenger submarine operated from the pier. Narrated tours over coral reef gardens and tropical fish — no swimming required, great for non-snorkelers.
Steps from the pier: Mokuaikaua Church (Hawaii's oldest Christian church, 1820), Hulihe'e Palace (Hawaiian royal vacation home, now a museum), and the length of Ali'i Drive lined with shops and ocean-view restaurants.
The tender pier drops you right onto Ali'i Drive — Kailua-Kona's main coastal strip is very walkable, with historic sites, beaches, and restaurants all within easy reach.
Ali'i Drive Historical Stroll
~1.5 miles one-way · Flat · 30–45 min
Walk south along Ali'i Drive from the tender pier past Hulihe'e Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, Kahaluu Beach Park entrance, and open-air shopping. The road hugs the coast with ocean views the whole way.
A flat shoreline walk through ancient Hawaiian fishponds and petroglyphs at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, a few miles north of the pier. Hawaiian green sea turtles haul out on the beach here regularly.
Climate normals for Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
76°F / 24°C
67°F / 19°C
15
7:01 AM
6:06 PM
Feb
76°F / 24°C
67°F / 19°C
14
6:52 AM
6:23 PM
Mar
77°F / 25°C
68°F / 20°C
16
6:32 AM
6:33 PM
Apr
77°F / 25°C
69°F / 21°C
22
6:06 AM
6:41 PM
May
78°F / 26°C
70°F / 21°C
24
5:48 AM
6:52 PM
Jun
79°F / 26°C
71°F / 22°C
27
5:45 AM
7:03 PM
Jul
81°F / 27°C
73°F / 23°C
27
5:54 AM
7:05 PM
Aug
81°F / 27°C
73°F / 23°C
26
6:04 AM
6:51 PM
Sep
81°F / 27°C
73°F / 23°C
22
6:11 AM
6:25 PM
Oct
81°F / 27°C
72°F / 22°C
20
6:18 AM
6:00 PM
Nov
80°F / 27°C
70°F / 21°C
16
6:32 AM
5:44 PM
Dec
78°F / 26°C
68°F / 20°C
18
6:51 AM
5:47 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
⏰
Tender timing matters. The first tender run is always crowded. Unless you have a ship shore excursion, sleep in slightly and join the second wave — you'll spend less time in line and the same amount of time ashore.
🐢
Sea turtles at Kahaluu. Kahalu'u Beach Park (a short walk south on Ali'i Drive) is one of the best free snorkel spots — Hawaiian green sea turtles feed in the shallows most mornings.
☕
Buy real Kona coffee. Tons of shops sell 'Kona blend' (10% Kona). Look for 100% Kona on the label — it costs more but it's the real thing. Farm-direct shops are your best bet.
🌊
Kealakekua Bay books out fast. The best snorkel boat tours to the Captain Cook Marine Preserve sell out quickly, especially on days when multiple ships are in port. Book before you sail.
💳
Cash is handy. Most restaurants and shops accept cards, but the Kona Farmers Market (Wed/Sat on Ali'i Drive) and some farm stands are cash-preferred.
🌡️
Heat and sun. Kona is sunny and dry — the leeward side of the Big Island gets very little rain. Sunscreen, hat, and water are essential even on a short pier walk.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, LyftBoth Uber and Lyft operate in Kailua-Kona. Confirmed available on uber.com and lyft.com for this area.
🚍 Clark's Hawaii Tours
Clark's Hawaii Tours runs a hop-on hop-off bus from Kailua Pier on cruise ship days — 7-mile loop with 7 stops. Cruise lines (HAL, NCL) also offer ship-booked HOHO excursions, typically $99–100/adult.
🚶 Walk
Free
The tender pier drops you directly in downtown Kailua-Kona. Ali'i Drive — the main strip of shops, restaurants, and beaches — starts right at the pier and stretches about a mile south.
🚌 Kona Trolley (Hele-On Route 201)
Free (through Dec 31, 2025)
Open-air trolley running along Ali'i Drive, stopping at the pier, shopping centers, restaurants, and beaches. Free fare program was active through end of 2025.
🚕 Taxi
$6–12 in town
Taxis wait near the pier exit. Short hops within town run about $6–12 on the metered rate; rides further afield (e.g., to resorts in Waikoloa, ~25 mi) will cost significantly more.
📱 Uber / Lyft
Varies
Both Uber and Lyft operate in Kailua-Kona. Useful for reaching areas beyond walking distance or for a late return to the pier.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
