Kauai Cruise Port
Situated in the port town of Nawiliwili, the Kauai Cruise Port is the gateway to the Hawaiian “Garden Isle,” so named for its lush, verdant greenery. Cruise ships dock in the sweeping Nawiliwili Harbor at the mouth of the Hule’ia Stream, recognizable from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park: The Lost World.
The Basics
Head to Lihue or Kapa’a independently after docking at the Kauai Cruise Port or make the most of this island’s natural beauty and spectacular scenery on tours and shore excursions to the Wailua River State Park (home to the triple waterfall, Wailua Falls), Waimea Canyon, and the National Tropical Botanical Garden.
Other popular full- and half-day tours also incorporate kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, beachside yoga, and food-tastings, as well as striking Kauai filming locations such as Waimea Canyon (Lilo & Stitch), Olokele Valley (George of the Jungle), and Lydgate State Park (Blue Hawaii).
Things to Know Before You Go
- Kauai is one of the wettest places on earth, so prepare for year-round rainfall.
- Don’t miss the many beautiful beaches in southern Kauai, including Poipu Beach, Shipwreck Beach, and Lawai Beach.
- Kauai Cruise Port offers few amenities, but the nearby Aloha Center has restrooms, restaurants, gift stores, and tour booking kiosks. You can also rent mopeds here.
- Kauai Cruise Port is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Lihue and 20 minutes from Kapa’a, the islands two main towns.
- Rental cars and shore excursions with round-trip transportation included are the most convenient ways to explore the island.
- There are many ways to get to know Kauai—on land, by air, and by sea.
How to Get to Lihue From the Kauai Cruise Port
Lihue is the closest town to the Nawiliwili Harbor and Kauai Cruise Port, just 10-minutes by car from the dock, while Kapa'a (Kauai's largest town) is a 20-minute drive away. Public transport is limited on Kauai, so shore excursions and rental cars (or mopeds) are the best way to navigate this lush Hawaiian isle.
Port Information
The currency in Hawaii is the US dollar and there are ATMs in town. English is the official language, as is Hawaiian, although you may also hear Japanese, Portuguese, and Tagalog. The Aloha Center, a block from the cruise dock, offers amenities such as ATMs, restrooms, shops, and rental kiosks.
