⚓ Cruise Port

Hilo

Currency
US dollar.
Language
English (and Hawaiian).
Time in Port
Typically around 8am–6pm.
Pier Location
The pier is about 1.5 miles from downtown Hilo; tours and taxis meet the ship.
Best For
Volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforest, and black-sand beaches
About Hilo

Hilo is the lush, rainy gateway to the windward side of Hawaii's Big Island — a low-key old town wrapped in waterfalls, rainforest, and black-sand beaches. Its headline draw is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home to the active Kīlauea volcano, steam vents, and lava tubes. Greener and far less touristy than Kona, it feels like the real, local Hawaii.

💡
Insider Tip

Hilo is the wet, green side of the island, so bring a light rain layer. Volcanoes National Park is the unmissable trip — roughly 45 minutes each way — so a tour makes the most of the day.

Highlights
🌋
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Active Kīlauea, the Thurston Lava Tube, steam vents, and the Crater Rim drive — about 45 minutes from the pier.
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Rainbow & ʻAkaka Falls
Rainbow Falls is minutes from town; the 442-foot ʻAkaka Falls plunges through rainforest a short drive north.
🐢
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
A striking jet-black volcanic beach where green sea turtles often bask.
🔭
Mauna Kea
The visitor station high on the sacred summit road offers world-class views and stargazing.
🌺
Liliʻuokalani Gardens & Banyan Drive
A serene Japanese garden and a lane of giant banyan trees along Hilo Bay.
Local Food & Drink
  • Poke — fresh cubed ahi, the island staple.
  • Loco moco — rice, burger patty, egg, and gravy.
  • Hilo-style shave ice with island fruit syrups.
  • Macadamia nuts and fresh tropical fruit from the markets.
Shore Excursion Ideas
1 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kīlauea.
2 ʻAkaka Falls and a tropical botanical garden.
3 Mauna Kea stargazing or summit-road views.
4 Black-sand beach and sea-turtle viewing.
Sailings to Hilo
Upcoming Royal Caribbean & Celebrity cruises that visit Hilo
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Celebrity
Hawaii
Celebrity Edge · 10 nights
Vancouver · September 18, 2026
From $1,186/pp
 Celebrity
Hawaii
Celebrity Solstice · 9 nights
Vancouver · September 20, 2026
From $1,015/pp
 Celebrity
Hawaii
Celebrity Solstice · 11 nights
Vancouver · September 17, 2027
From $1,532/pp
 Celebrity
Hawaii
Celebrity Edge · 9 nights
Vancouver · October 1, 2027
From $1,140/pp
 Celebrity
Hawaii
Celebrity Edge · 8 nights
Honolulu (Oahu) · May 4, 2028
From $881/pp
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Ships That Visit Hilo
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships with sailings to Hilo in our database
Celebrity
Celebrity Edge
View guide →
 Celebrity
Celebrity Solstice
View guide →
 →View all sailings

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