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Please note due to the latest Kilauea eruption, the park iscurrently closed. A gorgeous landscape of blacklava sands with a green jungle background meeting the dark blue pacific waters. Located in the historic Koehnen building, the discovery centerfeatures a 3500-gallons-seawater-aquarium that houses a sample of wildlife fromthese Hawaiian Islands. On the corner of Kamehameha and Waianuenue Avenue is theMokupapapa Discovery Center. A center that showcases the science, history, andculture of the Northwestern islands of Hawaii. While this site if beautiful, tranquil, and a must-visit when inHilo, it’s pretty dangerous too.
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After soaking in the sun, head to the Liliuokalani Gardens, a beautiful Japanese-style garden located along Hilo Bay. Here, you can stroll along winding pathways, cross charming footbridges, and admire the picturesque views of the bay. To make the most of your time at the Hilo Cruise Port, consider booking a shore excursion through your cruise line. There are many options available, from guided hikes through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to scenic drives along the Hamakua Coast.
HAL-Holland America opens bookings for 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Hilo, HI 2024 (with Prices) - Hilo Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Hilo, HI 2024 (with Prices) - Hilo Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:49:37 GMT [source]
Located less than 7 miles from Hilo, The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden has a tropical rainforest, waterfalls, streams and a view of the ocean coastline. With over 2,500 species of tropical plants, you can take a self-guided tour that will take about an hour and a half, unless you like to stop and smell the orchids. For a taste of the Big Island's history and culture, visit the Lyman Museum, located in downtown Hilo.
Best of Big Island and Volcanoes National Park
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. It’s a pretty short drive – point to point might be 30 minutes, but you can make stops along the way. Otherwise, if you choose to spend just a couple of hours at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you can fit in at least few of these Puna activities. To get to the Puna coast from the national park is about 1 hour. 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.
The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Hilo, Hawaii Island. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Cruise ships dock at Hilo port, which is located just a few minutes from town. Cruise passengers are often greeted by a show put on especially for their arrival where traditional Hawaiian music and dancing can be enjoyed as well as the sale of souvenirs. Enjoy a tour of the breath-taking coastlines, lush valleys, andcascading waterfalls on a guided tour of the island. Though pricey a helicoptertour is one of the things you should splurge on in Hawaii.
You'll see a ceremonial Japanese tea house, Japanese gardens, gazebos, statues, and bridges. For those who enjoy outdoor adventures and adrenaline-pumping experiences, the Hilo Cruise Port and the Big Island have plenty to offer. For avid hikers, the Big Island boasts an impressive variety of trails, ranging from leisurely coastal walks to challenging treks across volcanic landscapes. The Hilo Cruise Port is conveniently located in Hilo Bay, just a short drive from Hilo International Airport. Whether you're arriving by air or sea, the Hilo Cruise Port serves as the perfect starting point for your Hawaiian adventure. The airport offers flights from major cities in the United States and abroad, making it easy for travelers to access the many wonders of the Big Island.
Hilo Harbor is one of the two commercial harbors on the Big Island. The harbor provides a wide range of maritime facilities and services. Both overseas and inter-island ships and barges make regular calls at Hilo Harbor. Not far from Hilo is the factory of the world’s leading producer of macadamia nuts. A tour of the plant is one of the island’s main tourist attractions. Other cruise lines that dock in Hilo are likely similar, but check your Hawaii cruise itinerary to be sure to help better plan out your day.
There are chances toexplore Hilo’s sugarcane plantation history and even see the aftermaths of atsunami at Laupahoehoe. This is an incredible highlight of Hilo, that youshouldn’t miss. The peculiar trees which feature aerial roots are intriguing toexplore. Take a closer look at the banyan trees and their thick canopy, whichadds to the charm of the place. Banyan Drive is located on the shoreline of Hilo and quite easy tolocate. Go on a road trip along Hilo’s most scenic highway, the PepeekeoScenic Drive.
Hilo is the starting point for excursions to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Pe’epe’e falls feed the boiling pots and are a nice alternative to the rainbow park falls. This area seldom gets crowded but still affords the beautiful scenery we have come to expect of Hawaii. Enjoy a scenic drive along Hamakua coast to some of Hilo’s mostfantastic attractions. The Lyman Museum showcases large Hawaiian land and water exhibitsdetailing the island’s people’s culture and history.
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island. A Hawaii cruise is a great way to explore the breathtaking islands of Hawaii. It allows you to easily hop from one island to another as you visit the beautiful beaches of Maui, the lush rainforests of Kauai, and the volcanic landscape of the Big Island.
Your rental car will need to be picked up at the airport which is about 10 minutes away. Located at the cruise terminal are taxis that will take you to downtown Hilo. The port is mainly a large cargo and container facility that serves all of the Big Island so facilities for cruisers are limited. Ships dock 2 miles east of downtown at the piers in Kuhio Bay.
Although the observatories are not open to the public, the Visitor Information Station at the 9,200-foot level offers stargazing programs and informative talks about the universe. Alternatively, you can join a guided stargazing tour that includes transportation, telescopes, and knowledgeable guides to help you navigate the night sky. While visiting the Big Island, you won't want to miss the opportunity to explore Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the most iconic mountains in the Hawaiian Islands. Both mountains offer a variety of activities, from stargazing at the Mauna Kea Observatories to hiking the numerous trails that crisscross the slopes of Mauna Loa. For an extra special experience, book a guided tour to summit Mauna Kea and witness a breathtaking sunrise or sunset from the highest point in Hawaii. Hilo is the departure point for shore excursions to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state.
On a practical note, Hilo has notoriously wet weather, so pack a travel umbrella. Also, resist any urge to take a souvenir rock from Volcanoes National Park. They are considered to have a spiritual quality, and the park is their home. The Hilo post office receives dozens of packages of returned rocks each year from folks who believe they were the cause of bad luck.
Protected by a wall of lava offshore, Richardson has a large calm, clear pool for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Located on Hilo’s Banyan Drive is the largest ornamental Japanesegarden outside Japan. The 24.4 acres, Queen Liliuokalani Park Garden isdedicated to honoring the Japanese community of Hawaii. This community migratedto Hilo during the sugarcane and pineapple plantation era. Amenities like parking, showers,and, picnic tables are also available. This drive spots one-lane bridges and an old donkey trail that leads to the water.
The city has views of two shield (domed) volcanos; Mauna Kea, which is dormant, and Mauna Loa, which is active. Welcome to Hilo, a lush paradise on the Big Island of Hawaii. Explore the stunning natural wonders of Volcanoes National Park, witness the power of Kilauea Volcano, or take a scenic helicopter ride over the mesmerizing landscapes.
Speaking of waterfalls, another famous fall is the Waiānuenue(rainbow falls state park). This is one of the most accessible waterfalls inHilo which makes it a lovely stop while on the island. I'm the co-founder, with my wife Erica, of the best Hawaii travel guide on the internet in our biased opinions. We enjoy traveling throughout Hawaii after living on Maui and Oahu. We share our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii. Editing our videos, teaching the kids how to snorkel, and learning about the 'aina (land) and Hawaii culture are my favorite things to do.
