Currency
United States Dollar (USD)
Language
English
Time Zone
HST (UTC-10)
Best Time to Visit
Apr–May
Typical Duration
7-21 nights
Price Range
$668–$94,500 per person
Port Type
Port of Call
Tender Port
Yes
Gateway to Hawaii's Big Island, offering access to volcanic landscapes, tropical rainforests, and authentic Hawaiian culture as a scenic port of call on Pacific cruises.
Cruises that visit Hilo, Hawaii
- cruises to Hilo, Hawaii
- Hilo, Hawaii sailings
- Hilo, Hawaii cruises
- 9-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 10-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 11-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 12-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 12-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 12-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 12-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 13-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 14-night Carnival Cruise Line cruise
- 14-night Silversea cruise
- 14-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 14-night Carnival Cruise Line cruise
- 15-night Carnival Cruise Line cruise
- 15-night Carnival Cruise Line cruise
- 16-night Carnival Cruise Line cruise
- 16-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 16-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 16-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 17-night Silversea cruise
- 17-night Holland America Line cruise
- 17-night Holland America Line cruise
- 17-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 17-night Holland America Line cruise
- 18-night Oceania Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in Hilo, Hawaii
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Lava tubes, active volcanoes & craters
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
Tropical area with path to scenic falls
Hilo Farmer's Market
Numerous chotchkis and island themed arts and crafts.
Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine
Easily one of the best restaurants on the island epically in Hilo.
Wailuku River State Park
Great for a day activity to move the legs and get the blood flowing.
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
This was the best restaurant we visited in Hilo.
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Our children loved the open space and all the bridges and water crossings.
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
The Playground and climbing structures were a hit.
Rainbow Falls
The walk to the banyan tree was super cool and my kids loved it.
Open now
Richardson Ocean Park
Super fun spot highly recommend the turtles are lovely!
Hilo Burger Joint
Fantastic restaurant, one of the best places to eat in Hilo.
Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay
Best restaurant in Hilo.
Kaūmana Caves
It's free and you can go through a very fun tunnel.
Lavaloha Chocolate - Farm Tours
Onsite services
Carlsmith Beach Park
Kids enjoyed jumping in from a rope hanging from a tree.
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
This is the best restaurant in Hilo, hands down.
Prince Kuhio Plaza
Lots of shopping, great location variety
Open · Closes 7 PM
Waiakea Center
Plenty of parking lots of stores and places to eat .
Open · Closes 10 PM
Wailoa River State Recreation Area
The river, the ducklings , the bridge.
Onekahakaha Beach Park
Lots of things to do would recommend it to anyone in the area
Hilo Bay Cafe
One of the best restaurants in Hilo- great views, food and service!
Boiling Pots
Worth a stop if in the area or seeing other attractions.
Ola Brew - Hilo
Chill atmosphere, great service and even better drinks and food.
Cronies Bar & Grill
Nice hangout, excellent service and friendly service.
The Booch Bar
The staff is so helpful and kind, and the music/vibe is perfect.
Hilo Shopping Center
Great small mall with restaurants grocery store and ice cream.
Open · Closes 7 PM
Moon and Turtle
One of the best restaurants in Hilo.
Closed · Opens 5:30 PM
Liko Lehua Cafe
Best restaurant we ate at while on the island.
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
The interactive activities range from toddler toys to a robotics lab.
Manono Street Marketplace
Clean, convenient, well stocked, variety and helpful, engaging staff.
Open · Closes 9 PM
The Temple Kitchen + Bar Hilo
We will make it a point to come back every time we visit Hilo!
Kamehameha The Great
So wonderful to see and enjoy The Great Kamehameha.
Open now
The Hidden Nēnē
Creative cocktails and tasty appetizers in a relaxing atmosphere.
Opens soon · 12 PM
Imiloa Astronomy Center
Fantastic exhibits, planetarium shows, and food!
Lehua Restaurant
Definitely one of the best restaurants I've been to in Hilo.
Joann's Lounge Bar
Fun atmosphere, good drinks great food, and service .
Closed · Opens 2 PM
Lyman Museum
Affordable prices, fascinating exhibit.
Peggy's Lounge
Great place with wonderful customer service and caring atmosphere.
Hale Inu Sports Bar
Awesome music, amazing food (came out super hot!), and the people are kind.
Botanical Garden at University of Hawaii - Hilo
Visiting the botanical gardens was a highlight of our day trip to Hilo!
Margarita Village
The bar is a danky 1 star... the margarita and bar attendant make up ...
Closed · Opens 6 PM
Crazy Grandmaz
Great service Nice smiles and the karaoke is off the chain!!
Closed · Opens 2:30 PM
Aloha Grown
Nice store with the tourist essentials for Hawaii.
Open · Closes 4:30 PM
The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo
Everything is well made, interesting, beautiful, and affordable.
Open · Closes 5 PM
Hana Hou
It's alright for a tourist shop ,but as a local it's over price
Open · Closes 4 PM
Downtown Hilo
Full of several types of stores, museums and gallery's.
Open now
Hula Lounge Lobby Bar
Awesome bar tender, very nice atmosphere
Opens soon · 12 PM
Crazy Beautiful
Prices are great and the quality of the clothes is excellent!!
Open · Closes 5 PM
Hometown Honey Hawaii
Friendly staff and great selection of products!
Open · Closes 5 PM
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo stands as a vibrant cruise port on Hawaii's Big Island, welcoming passengers from nine major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises. With over 200 upcoming cruises and a strong presence of seven-night itineraries, Hilo serves primarily as a port of call for those exploring the Hawaiian Islands and venturing beyond to Tahiti. The port attracts cruisers during peak seasons spanning January through May and again in September and October, offering excellent opportunities to experience this less-crowded side of Hawaii.
Stepping ashore in Hilo, you'll discover a charming, authentic Hawaiian town with a relaxed island atmosphere quite different from busier ports. The area offers easy access to natural wonders like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the stunning Akaka Falls, while downtown Hilo provides local shops, restaurants, and cultural experiences that showcase genuine Big Island hospitality. Whether you're seeking adventure or simply want to experience Hawaii beyond the typical tourist trail, Hilo delivers a memorable and welcoming cruise experience.
Stepping ashore in Hilo, you'll discover a charming, authentic Hawaiian town with a relaxed island atmosphere quite different from busier ports. The area offers easy access to natural wonders like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the stunning Akaka Falls, while downtown Hilo provides local shops, restaurants, and cultural experiences that showcase genuine Big Island hospitality. Whether you're seeking adventure or simply want to experience Hawaii beyond the typical tourist trail, Hilo delivers a memorable and welcoming cruise experience.
Cruise Lines at Hilo, Hawaii
- Norwegian Cruise Line (101 cruises)
- Holland America Line (28 cruises)
- Carnival Cruise Line (20 cruises)
- MSC Cruises (17 cruises)
- Oceania Cruises (13 cruises)
- Silversea (9 cruises)
- Celebrity Cruises (5 cruises)
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (2 cruises)
