11+ things to do on the Big Island for Cruise Ship visitors
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This part of the Big Island is where the world-famous Kona Coffee comes from. The best snorkeling in Kealakekua bay is around the Captain Cook monument, but getting there is difficult. Mandatory reading for everyone planning to spend a night onshore is the “Somewhat definitive guide to skipping a port on the POA” on the CruiseCritic website.
Cruise ships that visit Kona
For sure you'll not see any Lava flow (been there a month ago), for that you need to hike for about 8 miles and you have not enough time for that. If the weather is clear, you will see the smoke from the crater (maybe check before you leave the web cam). In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams.
Itineraries for Cruise Ship Visitors
The Kalapana – Kapoho road (also known as red road) is one of our favorite scenic drives on the Big Island. Four out of our five favorite waterfalls on the Big Island are located in or just north of Hilo. You can combine a few of these with the Onomea scenic drive. Here are directions for the rental companies through which we can offer discount car rentals. You will receive this information in your confirmation email if you rent a car or Jeep for your next cruise. These things are located pretty much right near one another and about 35 minutes past the Punaluu black sand beach.
Lava tree state monument
See more about things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea Iki Trail (former lava lake hike). At a minimum, you’ll want to give yourself 2 hours to visit the park. Waipio Valley is one of the most famous views of the Big Island, located on the north side of the island. This ocean park or beach park can be another good spot for a good chance of seeing turtles near Hilo. Over to the right, you can walk on uneven lava rocks as you venture further into the cave. There’s a small trail off to the left that will take you up to the spot where you can see the river that feeds the waterfalls.
You can take a bus tour, rent a car or take a helicopter tour. Walking to Hilo takes about an hour and there is no sidewalk. A free shuttle bus from the Hilo Hattie store takes you from the port to the centre of the city and allows you to do some shopping. Kona and Hilo on the Big Island are the only locations with free shuttle service at this time. Car rentals for cruise ship passengers should use the information and links below to reserve a vehicle for your travels to the Hawaiian Islands. Each time Enterprise’s off airport office had the best prices which was a short free shuttle bus from the port to their location on the road to VNP.
Pohoiki black sand beach
For example seeing waterfalls, visiting the lava, crossing the impressive cliffs of the Kohala volcano, or going ziplining. If you didn’t bring your own snorkeling gear on the cruise, it’s easy to rent some in Kona. For more snorkeling beaches, see our list of all snorkeling spots close to Kona. Because your time is precious you may want to consider splurging on a helicopter tour to see the lava. These tours take a few hours and can show you a combination of highlights, such as lava and waterfalls.
Spend the night on the Big Island
Listed times are actually from the Hilo airport, since that’s probably where you’ll be picking up your car rental. You can probably fit more than one of the activities below in one day. For example, a beach and a snorkel road trip form an excellent combination, and a helicopter tour only takes half a day. There is a likely illegal shuttle you can take to get there, but make it a coastal hike to the green sand beach instead! From there, you’ll need more time to take the shuttle or hike it. A rental car is by far the most efficient way to explore the Big Island.
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Although it’s primarily a place to purchase a wide variety of mac products not available elsewhere. Prices are higher & commonly available products are much cheaper at Longs or Walmart on the road back to Hilo. Instead of doing a cruise tour the four of us thought about renting a car a driving to Akaka and Rainbow falls, maybe Volcano Park and end up at Richardson Beach. Not all homes were lost in this neighborhood, but you can see where the lava flows stopped with a drive to what’s now the end of Leilani Avenue. You’ll also want to drive to the end of Chain of Craters Road which will take you to the coast. Along the way, you can see where old lava stopped flowing on the road.
From many posts I saw, renting a car at the Hilo Port is easy. I assume there is a shuttle to the airport.Where do you pick up the shuttle. It’s important to note that driving in Hawaii may be different from what you are used to, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local driving laws and customs. For example, in Hawaii, drivers must stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, and speed limits can vary depending on the area. It’s also important to be aware of the weather and road conditions, especially if you plan on driving on mountainous or rural roads.
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Kauai, HI 2024 (with Prices) - Kauai Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Kauai, HI 2024 (with Prices) - Kauai Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
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This first part of the day will give you a sense of how lush this side of the Big Island is... Just off the road to VNP is the Mauna Loa macadamia nut visitors center. There was a small description of the process (takes 300 lbs per sq.in of pressure making it the hardest nut shell to crack) & windows to view some of the packing process.
The cruise ship port in Honolulu is located on the southern coast of the island of Oahu and is one of the most popular ports in Hawaii. The port offers visitors access to the bustling city of Honolulu and its famous Waikiki Beach, the historic Pearl Harbor and the nearby hiking trails of Diamond Head. The port features modern facilities and amenities, including a visitor center, shopping and dining options, and transportation services. In addition, visitors can explore the city’s many attractions, such as the Bishop Museum and the Honolulu Zoo, or take a scenic drive to the island’s North Shore. When your cruise ship docks at a port in Hawaii, you can pick up a rental car from one of the major car companies, by booking on our website.
Additionally, you will probably end up claiming the vehicle faster and get more time exploring the island than if you waited for the shuttle bus service. You can combine your road trip with a visit to one of the black sand beaches in Hilo, or with a hike to the lava. We provide discounted one-day car rentals for cruise ship passengers at all major cruise harbors in the Hawaiian Islands. Renting a car while on a cruise ship in Hawaii can be a great way to explore the stunning beauty of the islands at your own pace.
This means that you need to take a tender to the Kailua Pier in downtown Kona get to shore. When planning your activities keep in mind that tendering typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes. Can I walk to a car rental location from the port in Kahului, Maui? Yes, you can easily walk to a car rental location from the port in Kahului, Maui. One convenient option is Enterprise Rent-A-Car, about a 10-minute walk from the pier. This makes it an accessible choice if you want to pick up a rental car shortly after arrival.
As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. Most helicopter tours taken from Kona are more expensive than those from Hilo because the main attractions are further away. However, a helicopter tour is still one of the most efficient and memorable ways to see the Big Island. Lush and tropical south Kona is also known as coffee country after the many coffee farms one can find up-slope of the volcanoes.
Before your trip, you can research the car rental companies in the area and compare prices, vehicle options, and policies. You should also check if the rental company offers pick-up and drop-off services at the port to make the process more convenient for you. Most of the car companies do not send shuttles to the ports, so in most cases, you will have to take a taxi or Uber to the car company. We can help, just give us a call, as all of our agents are very knowledgeable on Cruise Ship car bookings. The cruise ship port in Kauai is located in the town of Nawiliwili near Lihue on the island’s southeast coast.
When the wind blows it over access routes they block access to the area. Going to the VNP website is essential to learn the current conditions & for closed areas. Both are enjoyable day trips although not on the same day & only you can decide which is your best option. For those arriving by Cruise Ship we do have some suppliers that provide shuttle pick up and drop off service. O‘ahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands.
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