Cruises to Kona (Kailua Bay)

414 Reviews
Kona (Photo:Ed-Ni Photo/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Kona (Kailua Bay)

While cruise ships call it "Kona," this stop on the western part of the island is actually a region rather than an actual city you can visit on a cruise to Hawaii. Ships anchor in Kailua Bay and tender their guests to the Kailua Pier, which is right in the middle of Kailua Village, the historic heart of Kailua-Kona.

Kona's sunnier and dryer than Hilo to the east -- it almost never rains -- and features the island's best beaches, snorkeling and surfing. (The east coast is more tropical, with waterfalls and mountainous regions closer to the town of Hilo. Believe it or not, the island has 11 climatic zones!)

Coffee grown in the hills above Kailua-Kona (the one place where it rains more in the summer than in the winter) is very delicious and highly prized. Beaches in the area range from black sand to sugar white, with sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and -- in season, November to May -- humpback whales visible from the surf or the shore.

Whereas Hilo is the business anchor of the Big Island (with a more authentic, local feel), the area just north of Kailua-Kona -- the Kohala Coast -- houses the island's most desirable resorts, with renowned restaurants, spas and golf courses.

  • More about Kona (Kailua Bay)

  • Why Cruise to Kona (Kailua Bay)?

  • Kona (Kailua Bay) Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 66 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Pride of America
Pride of America alongside at Kahului on Sunday, April 10, 2022 (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

7 Night
Hawaii Hnl Inter Island

2,361 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Koningsdam
Koningsdam docked alonside in San Diego. (Photo: Holland America Line)

17 Night
Circle Hawaii

866 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Westerdam
Westerdam

29 Night
South Pacific Crossing

1,111 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Zaandam
Zaandam Cabins

17 Night
Circle Hawaii

558 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

6 Night
Hawaii Hnl Inter Island

2,361 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

23 Night
South Pacific Crossing

1,111 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

6 Night
Hawaii Hnl Inter Island

2,361 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

25 Night
South Pacific Crossing

827 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

16 Night
Hawaii Cruise

1,974 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

17 Night
Circle Hawaii

866 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

35 Night
Hawaii Tahiti & Marquesas

866 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

54 Night
Australia Cruise

1,228 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

15 Night
Hawaii Cruise

146 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

21 Night
Circle Hawaii & Pacific Northwest Cruise

866 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

51 Night
Tales Of The South Pacific

558 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

More about Kona (Kailua Bay)

Why Cruise to Kona (Kailua Bay)?

Pros:

The weather lends Kona its unparalleled water sports and coffee beans

Cons:

As appealing as the ocean is here, conditions change swiftly; practice the utmost water safety

Bottom Line:

Kona is a gorgeous region; leave time to plan an active excursion and also wander Kilauea Village

Kona (Kailua Bay) Cruise Port Facilities?

Just across from the tender pier is the King Kamehameha Hotel, a historic Hawaiian temple and a small beach with water sports rentals. Head right for a quick walk to restaurants and cafes, souvenir shops, the farmers market and a few historic sites; head left and up the hill for more restaurants and shops, as well as the larger stores like Hilo Hattie's and Long's Drugs.

Good to Know?

Ocean safety is a top concern. The water might look calm and peaceful, but conditions can change quickly. Never turn your back on the ocean and obey all signage or official warnings about beach and water use. If you don't see locals in the water, it might be best to stay on dry land, and don't disobey posted regulations just because someone you meet tells you it's no problem to go swimming.

Getting Around?

On Foot: If you're just going to visit Kailua Village, you can easily do it on foot. It's small and compact.

By Bus or Shuttle: Shuttles at the pier will deliver you to Hilo Hattie's, Kmart, Wal-Mart and the Kona International Market. The Keauhou Trolley is a local area shuttle that makes two alternating loops around Kona area attractions for a couple of bucks. It picks up at the pier and does a shorter loop to retail/restaurant areas and a longer one to nearby beaches; service is limited, so make sure you have a copy of the schedule, available from the tourist reps at the pier.

By Car: You can take advantage of the easy accessibility and reasonable prices of Kona's car rental agencies. Just be savvy about which agency you choose; some have in-town branches, while airport locations might not provide courtesy shuttles for cruisers. (If not, you'll need to hire a cab for the seven-mile ride.) It's best to book ahead, if you can, because if the cars sell out, last-minute rentals can increase the price exponentially. Discount Hawaii Car Rental is one great source for discounted rentals and information on pickup service.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Local currency is the U.S. dollar. There are plenty of ATMs around the little city, including at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Hotel, retail stores on Alii Drive and at the Lanihau shopping center. An American Savings Bank is located at the corner of Kuakini Highway and Palani Road. Almost all shops, restaurants, car rental companies and tour companies take credit and debit cards.

Language?

English, but try your hand at any Hawaiian phrases you pick up. Aloha means hello and goodbye, mahalo means thank you, and aloha ahiahi means good night. If you hear Aloha, e komo mai, don't panic. It means "Welcome!"

Where You're Docked?

Tenders arrive in the middle of downtown Kailua Village. Shopping shuttles will pick you up at the pier, as will rental car company shuttles. Local tourist representatives set up a small table with brochures and maps and can answer questions.


Kona (Kailua Bay) Cruise Reviews
My favorite port was Kailua Bay in Kona on the Big island of Hawaii!Read More
dkenne
Port is very clean. Restaurants, shopping all within a several block walk from pier that tender lets passengers off. Some very small beaches close by. There is a swimming area right at the end of pier. Highly recRead More
jbeer
This is where we were tendered into the port. The Kona Mocha tour took us to 2 stops . We went to the Kona Joe's and the Kona Natural Soap Company. The soap company owner and staff were so nice. This is port where wRead More
piglet55cc
We decided not to book any excursions at this port. We purchased wristbands for the “Hop on Hop off” air conditioned bus and enjoyed seeing some of sites that were a little further out than we wanted to walk. The weaRead More
Tlack65

Related Cruises

Cruises to Virgin Gorda

77 Reviews

Cruises to Montreal

94 Reviews

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews

Cruises to Marseille

934 Reviews

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews

Cruises to Buzios

27 Reviews

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews

Cruises to Mainz

18 Reviews

Cruises to Cinque Terre

354 Reviews

Cruises to Speyer

48 Reviews

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews

Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)


Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.