A raw, working harbor on the Big Island's sun-baked Kohala Coast — your gateway to sacred Hawaiian history, famous white-sand beaches, and the cool paniolo hill town of Waimea.
Ships dock at Kawaihae's industrial commercial pier; a port shuttle carries passengers to the security gate where you can walk, take a taxi, or join a tour.
💡 Pro move: Kawaihae is hot and exposed. Carry plenty of water and wear reef-safe sunscreen from the moment you step ashore.
Kawaihae is an active industrial port — ships tie up at a commercial wharf, and a shuttle bridges the gap to the public gate.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Windstar, Oceania, Regent, Seabourn, UnCruise | Kawaihae Commercial Pier📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ships | Kawaihae Pier 2 area📍 | Docked |
Kawaihae is the launchpad for the Big Island's best — pristine white-sand beaches, a sacred royal heiau, upcountry ranches, and dramatic valley vistas.
Walk to this immense stone temple built by King Kamehameha the Great in 1790–91 as he unified the Hawaiian islands. The visitor center is excellent, and the adjacent bay is a shark sanctuary — you can often spot blacktip reef sharks from the shore.
Find Big Island history tours →Consistently ranked one of Hawaii's finest beaches — a long sweep of powdery white sand with brilliant turquoise water, lifeguards, showers, and a food concession. A must if conditions allow.
Find Kohala Coast beach tours →A calm, reef-protected beach just 1.5 miles south of the harbor — great for swimming, snorkeling, and families. Free entry, lifeguards, and shade trees.
Find Big Island snorkeling tours →Drive 15 minutes uphill into Hawaii's paniolo cowboy country. Waimea is cool, green, and misty — a total contrast to the dry coast. Parker Ranch is one of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the US. Browse galleries, eat at farm-to-table restaurants, and soak in a very different Big Island.
Find Waimea day tours →Drive north to the end of Highway 270 for a stunning panorama of dramatic windward sea cliffs and the green Pololū Valley. A steep trail leads down to a black sand beach if you have energy and good footwear.
Find Kohala Coast tours →Zip through the lush forest canopy of Kohala mountain on one of Hawaii's top-rated zipline tours. Pick-up from Kawaihae can often be arranged.
Find Big Island zipline tours →Short walks from the port gate reach a world-class heiau and local eats; beaches and the rest of the Kohala Coast require wheels.
Head south from the port gate along Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) to reach Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site. The walk is exposed and sunny — bring water and a hat. The heiau and visitor center are free.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Walk north along the highway to the Kawaihae Shopping Center for local restaurants (Kohala Burger & Taco, Cafe Pesto), a small grocery, and the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company visitor center with free samples.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Kawaihae Harbor, 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 | 79°F / 26°C | 67°F / 19°C | 7 | 7:01 AM | 6:04 PM |
| Feb | 80°F / 27°C | 67°F / 19°C | 10 | 6:52 AM | 6:22 PM |
| Mar | 80°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | 11 | 6:31 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 69°F / 21°C | 12 | 6:05 AM | 6:41 PM |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 70°F / 21°C | 11 | 5:47 AM | 6:52 PM |
| Jun | 85°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | 10 | 5:44 AM | 7:03 PM |
| Jul | 86°F / 30°C | 73°F / 23°C | 10 | 5:52 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 73°F / 23°C | 11 | 6:03 AM | 6:51 PM |
| Sep | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 11 | 6:11 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Oct | 85°F / 29°C | 72°F / 22°C | 11 | 6:18 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 8 | 6:32 AM | 5:43 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | 10 | 6:51 AM | 5:46 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)