HonoluluCruise Port Guide
Two piers on the edge of downtown, a royal palace ten minutes' walk away, and Waikiki one short ride east. Timed plans with real prices.
Welcome to Honolulu
Pro Picks
History tour · 6 hrsPearl Harbor: USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri
A guided day at Pearl Harbor: the visitor center's galleries and film, the boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial, then aboard the Battleship Missouri on Ford Island, where Japan's surrender was signed. Pickup is in Waikiki, about 3 miles from the piers, so book the 8:30 or 10:30 start and allow six hours plus the taxi.
From $156.45/ person
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Surf lesson · 2 hrsBeginner Surf Lesson on Waikiki Beach
Twenty to thirty minutes of land drills, then about 70 minutes in the gentle Waikiki surf with one instructor for every four students; board, leash, rash guard and reef shoes are provided. It's for ages 12 and up, and the meeting point is in Waikiki, a 15-minute ride from the cruise piers.
From $125.65/ person
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Boat tour · 1 hrGlass-Bottom Boat Along the South Shore
An hour on the Haleiwa Queen from Kewalo Basin toward Diamond Head, looking down through the hull's windows at live reef and a shipwreck where sea turtles, eels and reef sharks often turn up. The harbor is under a mile from Pier 2, an easy walk or short taxi, and you can bring your own drinks.
From $42.88/ person
Book Now →Your time ashore
Count from leaving the ship to being back aboard.
Honolulu in 2 hours
Parasailing
Waikiki Parasailing
A boat ride out and a tandem flight above the water with Waikiki and Diamond Head in view; allow up to an hour from check-in to return. Check in 30 minutes early: the boat leaves without latecomers and there's no refund.
From$75
Time required1 hour
Sunset Sail
Sunset Catamaran from Kewalo Basin
Ninety minutes on a 45-foot catamaran with drinks included, watching the Honolulu skyline and Waikiki go gold. It leaves from Kewalo Basin, under a mile from Pier 2, at sunset, so it only works if your ship sails late.
From$56.36
Time required1.5 hours
Honolulu in 4 hours
Turtle Snorkel
Sea Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch
A sailing catamaran out along Waikiki to snorkel with green sea turtles, with a guide, lunch and soft drinks on board (two alcoholic drinks for adults). It runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Kewalo Basin, under a mile from Pier 2; arrive 20 minutes early.
From$179
Time required3 hours
Helicopter Tour
Oahu Helicopter Flight, Doors On or Off
An hour in the air over Diamond Head, the windward cliffs, Kāneʻohe Bay and the North Shore surf breaks, with a live guide. It leaves from the airport, about 6 miles from the piers, and you check in 60 minutes before the flight.
From$540
Time required1 hour
Film Locations Tour
Jurassic Park Film Sites at Kualoa Ranch
An open-air safari truck through the valley where Jurassic Park, Jumanji and Kong: Skull Island were filmed, with a stop at a WWII bunker. Transport isn't included: the ranch is on the windward coast, and check-in closes 45 minutes before the tour.
From$62.77
Time required1.5 hours
Luau
Ka Moana Luau at Aloha Tower
Lei making and hula lessons, then a buffet of kalua pork, mahi mahi and haupia (coconut pudding) and a Polynesian show by the water. It's next to Pier 11, a short walk from either pier, but it's an evening show: book it only if your ship stays late.
From$135.08
Time required2.5 hours
Honolulu in 7 hours
History Tour
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial
A van from Waikiki with a reserved USS Arizona Memorial program, time in the museum galleries, and a drive past the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on the way back. The operator says to allow 4 to 5 hours, plus the 15-minute ride to Waikiki; no bags allowed.
From$57.75
Time required4 hours
Island Tour
Oahu Circle Island Tour
Pick the full circle or one half: scenic lookouts on the southeast coast, or the east coast drive to the North Shore surf spots, the Dole Plantation and coffee and macadamia farms. The full day runs up to 9.5 hours, so check it against your all-aboard time.
From$77
Time required4.5 - 9.5 hours
Snorkel Beach
Hanauma Bay Snorkel Day with Shuttle
Your Hanauma Bay entry plus a round-trip shuttle from Waikiki or Ala Moana, booked well ahead of the county's two-day release. The bay is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, everyone watches the park video first, and you need photo ID.
From$65
Time required1 day
Within a stroll of the boat
Downtown Honolulu starts at the Pier 11 terminal by Aloha Tower: Chinatown, ʻIolani Palace and the State Capitol are all within about 13 minutes on foot. From Pier 2, add about 10 minutes along the waterfront; the nearest beach, Ala Moana, is a short taxi ride.
Landmark · 0.1 mi · ~2 min
Aloha Tower
A 1926 harbor clock tower and lighthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tower itself is closed, but you can walk the waterfront around it.
Shops · 0.1 mi · ~2 min
Aloha Tower Marketplace
The marketplace beside the terminal, with a convenience store, free Wi-Fi and step-free access; it's where the evening Ka Moana luau is held.
Market · 0.4 mi · ~9 min
Maunakea Marketplace
A market hall on Maunakea Street in the middle of Chinatown, a few blocks inland from the pier.
Museum · 0.5 mi · ~11 min
Capitol Modern
The state's free art museum on Hotel Street, open Monday to Saturday.
Museum · 0.4 mi · ~10 min
ʻIolani Palace
A royal palace finished in 1879, now a National Historic Landmark and museum. It's open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and reservations are highly recommended.
Landmark · 0.4 mi · ~10 min
King Kamehameha the Great Statue
Thomas Ridgeway Gould's brass statue of Kamehameha the Great, dated 1883, stands across King Street from the palace.
Handy Helpers
Small things that make a port day easier.
Private Driver, Waiting at the Dock
A pre-booked driver meets you at the dock for a fixed price. No haggling, no waiting for a taxi to fill.
Bike rental
Cover more ground than on foot. Book ahead and return it well before all-aboard.
Travel eSIM
Install it on ship WiFi and your maps and ride apps work the moment you land in Honolulu.
Quick answers
Facts last checked .
How we checked these answers
Every answer is built from facts we checked against the sources below and cross-checked with recent port guides. Where sources disagreed, the answer says so instead of guessing a number.
- Hawaii DOT Harbors — Honolulu Harbor visitor info
- OpenStreetMap — ʻIolani Palace
- OpenStreetMap — King Kamehameha the Great Statue
- OpenStreetMap — Aloha Tower
- OpenStreetMap — Honolulu Cruise Ship Port
- OpenStreetMap — Maunakea Marketplace
- ʻIolani Palace — hours
- ʻIolani Palace — visit
- OpenStreetMap — Aloha Tower Marketplace
- OpenStreetMap — Duke Kahanamoku Statue
- TheBus — system map and fares (July 2026)
- OpenStreetMap — Ala Moana Beach
- OpenStreetMap — Ala Moana Beach Park
- OpenStreetMap — Kakaako Waterfront Park
- City and County of Honolulu — Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
- NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary — boating guide
- National Park Service — Pearl Harbor National Memorial: tickets, fees and hours
- National Park Service — Pearl Harbor National Memorial: bag policy
- OpenStreetMap — Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
- Norwegian Cruise Line — Do I need a passport for a Hawaii cruise
- U.S. Department of State — cruise ship passengers
- NIST — Daylight Saving Time
- Hawaii Session Laws 2018, Act 104
Getting ashore
Where do cruise ships dock in Honolulu?
Cruise ships in Honolulu dock at one of two terminals on the downtown waterfront: Pier 2, the main terminal off Ala Moana Boulevard, or Pier 11 beside Aloha Tower. Both are proper docks, so there's no tendering. Norwegian's Pride of America, which sails from Honolulu every Saturday, usually uses Pier 2, and on days with two ships the second usually goes to Pier 11. The piers are about half a mile apart.
Where do Norwegian, Princess and Carnival ships dock in Honolulu?
Norwegian ships usually dock at Pier 2 in Honolulu; Princess, Carnival and other lines can be assigned either Pier 2 or Pier 11 at Aloha Tower, so check your cruise documents or the ship's app. On busy days, when two ships are in, the second usually takes Pier 11. In October 2026 Honolulu's visitors also included Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Oceania ships.
Is Honolulu cruise port walkable?
Yes, Honolulu's cruise port is walkable: Pier 11 at Aloha Tower is about 0.4 miles, a 10 to 12-minute walk, from ʻIolani Palace, with Chinatown a few blocks inland. From Pier 2 the palace is about 0.6 miles, roughly 15 minutes, and Aloha Tower is half a mile along the waterfront. The palace opens Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the walking map.
Is there anything to do near the Honolulu cruise port?
Yes: Honolulu's cruise piers sit on the edge of downtown, so ʻIolani Palace, Chinatown and Aloha Tower are all within about a 15-minute walk. The terminals themselves have restrooms and seating but no shops; Aloha Tower Marketplace, next to Pier 11, has a convenience store and free Wi-Fi. Kewalo Basin, under a mile from Pier 2, is where glass-bottom boats, sunset sails and a turtle snorkel leave from.
How far is Waikiki from Honolulu cruise terminal?
Waikīkī Beach is about 3 miles from Honolulu's cruise terminals, roughly a 15-minute taxi or rideshare ride, which is too far to walk for most people. TheBus is the cheapest way: $3.00 a ride with a HOLO card, or $3.25 in cash with no change given. Hawaii's Department of Transportation also lists Uber, Lyft, TheCab taxis and the LeaLea Trolley for the harbor.
Beaches & water
Can you walk to a beach from the Honolulu cruise port?
Yes, but it's a longer walk: Ala Moana Beach Park, the nearest swimming beach to the Honolulu cruise port, is about 1.3 miles from Pier 2 along Ala Moana Boulevard, around 25 to 30 minutes on foot, and about 1.6 miles from Pier 11. The park was cleared of storm sand after Hurricane Lowell and fully reopened on September 10, 2026. Waikīkī is about 3 miles away, a short ride.
Can I snorkel at Hanauma Bay on a cruise day in Honolulu?
You can snorkel at Hanauma Bay on a Honolulu port day only if your ship isn't in on a Monday or Tuesday, when the City and County of Honolulu closes the bay. Entry runs 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., visitors pay $25 plus an online fee, and everyone watches the park video first. Admission-only bookings open two days ahead at 7 a.m. Hawaii time; packages with a shuttle from Waikīkī or Ala Moana can be booked a month out.
Can I see dolphins or whales on an excursion from Honolulu?
Whales, yes, in season: NOAA's humpback whale sanctuary says the season in Hawaii runs November through May, peaking January to March, and it's illegal to approach within 100 yards. None of the Honolulu tours on this page is a dedicated dolphin or whale-watching trip, but the glass-bottom boat lists dolphins among what you may see, and the Kewalo Basin turtle snorkel sail notes whales are possible from December to April.
Tours & timing
What tours are available from the cruise port in Honolulu?
Tours from the Honolulu cruise port range from one-hour trips that leave from Kewalo Basin, under a mile from Pier 2, to Pearl Harbor visits of four to six hours and circle-island tours of up to nine and a half. Most ships stay into the evening, so a sunset sail or a luau can fit too. Most other tours pick up in Waikīkī, about 3 miles away. See the 4-hour plans.
How far is Pearl Harbor from Honolulu cruise port?
Pearl Harbor's visitor center is about 9 miles west of the Honolulu cruise piers by road. Entry is free and the National Park Service opens it daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but book the USS Arizona Memorial program on Recreation.gov ($1 fee) because standby tickets are limited. Bags bigger than a small clutch aren't allowed in; paid storage is by the entrance. TheBus costs $3.00 with a HOLO card.
How long do cruise ships stay in Honolulu?
Most cruise ships stay in Honolulu from about 7 or 8 a.m. until 7 to 11 p.m., based on the October 2026 schedule, and several stay overnight. That usually leaves time for an evening sail or a luau. Norwegian's Pride of America starts and ends its week here, arriving about 7 a.m. and sailing at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Your ship's all-aboard time is the one that counts.
Practical
How do I get around Honolulu from the cruise port without a tour?
Without a tour, Honolulu's TheBus is the cheapest way around from the cruise port: $3.00 a ride with a HOLO card, including two hours of transfers, or $3.25 cash with no change, and a day pass caps at $7.50. Hawaii's Department of Transportation also lists Uber, Lyft, TheCab taxis, Biki bikeshare, Hui car share and the LeaLea Trolley. Taxis run on meters; Waikīkī is about 3 miles away.
How far is Honolulu cruise port from the airport?
Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is about 6 miles from the cruise terminals, around a 20-minute drive without traffic; allow up to 40 minutes at busy times. Taxis, Uber and Lyft cover the trip, and Hawaii's Department of Transportation lists TheBus too. Fares vary with traffic, so no fixed price is given here.
Do I need a passport for a Hawaii cruise?
No, U.S. citizens don't need a passport to visit Honolulu, because Hawaii is part of the United States. Whether your cruise needs one depends on the itinerary: Norwegian notes that Hawaii cruises calling in other countries may need one, and the U.S. State Department advises carrying a passport book if you might have to fly home from abroad after missing the ship.
What time zone is Honolulu in, and does it match ship time?
Honolulu runs on Hawaii Standard Time, UTC-10, all year, because Hawaii doesn't use daylight saving time, according to NIST. That puts it two hours behind the U.S. Pacific coast in winter and three hours behind in summer. Ships keep their own clock, so check whether your all-aboard time is in ship time or local time.
Do I need reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii?
Hawaii law bans selling sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription, because those chemicals harm coral reefs. The law, Act 104 of 2018, took effect on January 1, 2021 and covers sales in the state, not what visitors bring with them, so a bottle already in your bag isn't against the rules.