Cruise port · United States · Hawaii
Hilo cruise port guide
Hilo is the laid-back, rain-washed main town on the Big Island’s green eastern side, and ships dock at its harbor a few miles from downtown. The headline excursion is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 45 minutes away, where you can stand on the rim of Kīlauea’s caldera and walk through a lava tube, with waterfalls, gardens and a farmers market closer to port.
- Volcanoes
- Waterfalls
- Rainforest
- Local food
- Old Hawaii
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Hawaii
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- English. Hawaiian words such as aloha and mahalo are used every day.
- Currency
- U.S. dollar ($). Cards are accepted almost everywhere; bring some cash for farmers market stalls.
- Best time to visit
- January–September
- Average highs
- 78–84°F through the year
About Hilo
Hilo is Old Hawaii rather than resort Hawaii. Wooden storefronts from the early 1900s line the downtown bayfront, banyan trees shade the streets, and the surrounding hills are dense with rainforest, orchids and waterfalls. The town has been rebuilt more than once after devastating tsunamis, and it gets a lot of rain, which is exactly why everything here is so green.
Most cruise passengers spend the day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. You can look into the steaming summit caldera, walk through the Nāhuku lava tube and drive past old lava flows on Chain of Craters Road. Closer to Hilo, Rainbow Falls, ʻAkaka Falls and Liliʻuokalani Gardens make easy half-day outings.
Hilo suits nature lovers, volcano enthusiasts and anyone who wants authentic small-town Hawaii. Beach lovers will be happier in Kona, and showers are likely on any given day, so pack a light rain jacket.
Where cruise ships dock in Hilo
Ships dock at the cruise terminal in Hilo Harbor, about 2 to 3 miles (3–5 km) from downtown. Walking is possible but not pleasant along the industrial waterfront, so most people use taxis, rideshares, ship shuttles or tours. Liliʻuokalani Gardens is a short ride away, Rainbow Falls about 10 minutes, ʻAkaka Falls 25 to 30 minutes north and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park about 45 minutes uphill. Rental cars are popular here but book well ahead. Allow at least five to six hours for the national park including travel.
Best things to do in Hilo on a cruise
- 1
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
nature
Peer into Kīlauea’s vast summit caldera from rim overlooks, feel heat rising from the steam vents and walk through Nāhuku, the Thurston Lava Tube, in the rainforest. Volcanic activity changes constantly, so check park updates for current conditions and whether an eruption or lava glow is visible.
- 2
Kīlauea Iki Trail
adventure
This popular hike descends through rainforest to the floor of a crater that erupted in 1959, then crosses its still-steaming lava lake surface. The loop is about 4 miles (6.4 km) and takes two to three hours, so it suits independent travelers with a rental car and a long port day.
- 3
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
nature
A short paved loop through bamboo groves, giant ferns and wild ginger leads to a viewpoint of ʻAkaka Falls plunging about 440 feet (134 m) into a gorge. It’s about 25 to 30 minutes north of Hilo along the scenic Hāmākua Coast.
- 4
Rainbow Falls
nature
Just minutes from downtown, this waterfall pours over a lava cave into a pool, and on sunny mornings its mist often catches a rainbow. It’s free, the viewpoint is steps from the parking lot, and a short path leads to a giant banyan tree.
- 5
Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Banyan Drive
culture
Near the port, this Japanese-style garden of ponds, stone lanterns and arched bridges is one of the largest outside Japan. Nearby Banyan Drive is lined with banyan trees planted by visiting celebrities and dignitaries over the decades.
- 6
Pacific Tsunami Museum
history
In a former bank building downtown, this museum tells the story of the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis that devastated Hilo, with survivors’ accounts and science about how tsunamis form. It’s a sobering and fascinating stop.
- 7
Hilo Farmers Market
food
On the downtown bayfront, stalls sell tropical fruit you may never have tried, such as rambutan and lilikoi, plus orchids, crafts and local snacks. It’s busiest on its main market days, but some vendors are there most days.
Hilo weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7926 | 7826 | 7826 | 7926 | 8027 | 8127 | 8328 | 8329 | 8429 | 8328 | 8127 | 7926 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7122 | 7122 | 7122 | 7323 | 7323 | 7423 | 7524 | 7625 | 7625 | 7624 | 7424 | 7323 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.0102 | 5.2132 | 7.3185 | 7.6194 | 5.8147 | 3.384 | 3.179 | 4.2106 | 4.4112 | 5.2132 | 5.9151 | 5.5140 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
What to eat and drink in Hilo
Hilo claims to be the birthplace of the loco moco, rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and gravy. Try fresh ahi poke, plate lunches, malasadas, shave ice and mochi from local shops. Big Island coffee and macadamia nuts make good souvenirs, and the farmers market is the best place for papaya, apple bananas and other tropical fruit.
Tips for your port day
- Pack a light rain jacket. Hilo is one of the wettest towns in the United States, and showers are frequent even when skies look clear.
- At the national park, it can be noticeably cooler and wetter than in Hilo. Bring a layer.
- Volcanic gases can affect people with heart or breathing problems. Follow park guidance and stay on marked paths.
- If you plan to rent a car, reserve early; cruise days can sell out.
- Leave the national park in good time. The drive back to the ship takes about 45 minutes, and roads can be slow in rain.
Cruise lines that visit Hilo
Often on the same itinerary
Hilo cruise FAQs
How far is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from the Hilo cruise port?
About 45 minutes by road. Plan on at least five to six hours round trip to see the summit caldera, steam vents and lava tube without rushing.
Will I see lava in Hilo?
It depends on Kīlauea’s current activity. Some periods bring visible lava or glow inside the summit crater, while at other times there’s none. Check the national park’s updates close to your visit.
Can you walk from the Hilo cruise port to downtown?
It’s possible but not recommended. Downtown is about 2 to 3 miles away through an industrial area. Taxis, rideshares and shuttles are easier.
Do you need a passport to cruise to Hilo?
U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to visit Hawaii itself. On foreign-flagged ships that also call in Mexico or Canada, follow your cruise line’s document rules; a passport is strongly recommended. Canadians need a passport.
Which cruises stop in Hilo?
Norwegian’s U.S.-flagged Pride of America calls every week on its year-round seven-night loop from Honolulu. Foreign-flagged ships, which U.S. law bars from carrying passengers solely between U.S. ports, visit on longer voyages from the West Coast or Vancouver that include a foreign port such as Ensenada, Mexico.
Is Hilo or Kona better for cruise passengers?
They’re different. Hilo is best for volcanoes, waterfalls and rainforest, while Kona is drier and better for beaches, snorkeling and coffee farms. Many itineraries include both.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.