Plan a CruiseKona Cruise Port Guide
Kona is a tender port, meaning ships anchor offshore and passengers are ferried ashore to downtown Kailua-Kona Village. Located on the leeward (western) side of the Big Island, Kailua-Kona is nestled at the base of the Hualalai Volcano. Historically, this area was favored by Hawaiian royalty due to its excellent weather and abundant water. Later, missionaries transformed the fishing village into a small seaport.
The vibrant main street, Ali'i Drive, stretches along the oceanfront from Kailua Pier to the Kuamo'o Battlefield, offering a blend of historical sites, modern attractions, shops, and restaurants. The sunsets viewed from the seawall are often spectacular.
Getting Around from the Port
Kailua Village is very walkable, allowing easy exploration of the downtown area on foot.
For wider exploration, a free open-air trolley runs from the pier. This trolley can take you to a larger shopping area (e.g., Target) and down to Magic Sands, a beautiful white sand beach, and Kahaluu Bay, known for snorkeling. The return trip takes about an hour, with a drop-off point at the Outrigger hotel. You can walk through the hotel's open-air lobby and follow a scenic path along the water.
For exploring the rest of the Big Island, there is a free island-wide bus service on all scheduled routes. Car rentals are also available, with Enterprise in Kona and Thrifty and Dollar located at the King Kam Hotel, directly across from the tender pier.
Attractions and Activities
With 8-10 hours in port, you have several options for independent exploration:
- Explore Downtown Kailua-Kona (Walking/Trolley): Wander along Ali'i Drive, discovering historical sites, local shops, and oceanfront restaurants. Use the free trolley to visit Magic Sands beach for relaxing or Kahaluu Bay for excellent snorkeling.
- Boat Excursions: Many local operators offer various boat tours directly from Kona, including party cruises, fishing trips, and dedicated snorkeling excursions. It's worth comparing these local offerings with those provided by your cruise line.
- Kealakekua Bay (Car/Tour): Known as the best snorkeling and diving cove on the islands, this bay is also historically significant as the place where Captain James Cook was murdered. It's a bit of a drive, so consider a rental car or a guided tour.
- Big Island Volcanoes & Nature (Car/Tour - longer trips):
- Kilauea Volcano: Explore the world-renowned erupting volcano. Note that this is on the Hilo side of the island, requiring a significant drive (2-3 hours one-way) or a dedicated tour, making it a full-day commitment.
- Ancient Petroglyphs: Discover hundreds of years old rock carvings scattered across the island.
- Mauna Kea: Visit the base or summit of Mauna Kea, which, measured from its base on the ocean floor, is the tallest mountain in the world at 32,000 feet (13,796 feet above sea level). This is also a considerable drive and often requires a 4x4 vehicle for higher elevations.
Dining & Shopping
Downtown Kailua-Kona, particularly along Ali'i Drive, offers a wide array of restaurants and shops.
For shopping, you'll find a farmer's market operating Wednesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 4 PM. Kona is famous for its coffee, but it can be expensive to purchase locally. A tip is to buy Kona coffee outside of Kona or specifically at Long's Pharmacy for potentially better prices.
Safety
While there are no specific safety warnings for Kona, visitors should be aware of general practices in the U.S.
Currency and Language
The official currency is the United States Dollar (USD, symbol: $). ATMs are readily available throughout Kona. Major credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, even for small transactions.
A key point for overseas visitors: posted prices for goods and services in the U.S. typically do not include sales tax. In Hawaii, sales tax is usually around 4-6% and will be added to your total at checkout.
Tipping is customary and expected for most services. General guidelines include:
- Full-service restaurants: 15-20% of the bill (often the primary income for staff).
- Taxi drivers, hairdressers, personal services: 10-15%.
- Bartenders: $1 per drink for inexpensive drinks, or 15% of the total bill.
- Bellhops: $1-2 per bag (minimum $3-5).
- Hotel doorman: $1 for assistance with bags or calling a cab.
- Tour guides: $5-10 per person for half-day tours or less; $10-20 per person for longer tours.
- Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%.
- Housekeeping (hotels): $1-2 per day for longer stays, or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional).
- Food delivery: $2-5, more for very large orders.
English is the standard language for everyday use. Hawaiian is also an official language in Hawaii but is not commonly used in daily transactions. In case of emergency, dial 911.