--- title: "Nawiliwili Cruise Port" url: https://cruisello.com/destinations/hawaii/nawiliwili description: "Kauai's emerald cliffs meet the harbour" --- # Nawiliwili πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Β· United States Β· Hawaii > "Kauai's emerald cliffs meet the harbour" ## At a Glance - **Avg. Ships/Day:** 1 - **Avg. Time in Port:** 12.3h - **Visiting Sailings:** 211 - **Cruise Lines:** 4 ## Peak Season Busiest months: Jan (33 sailings), Apr (24 sailings), Sept (19 sailings) ## About Nawiliwili Nawiliwili is the main cruise port on Kauai, Hawaii's oldest and most heavily eroded island. The harbour sits at the mouth of the Hule'ia Stream, surrounded by steep green mountains. The Aloha Center near the pier has a few shops and tour operators, including helicopter companies that fly over the Na Pali Coast, a 20-mile stretch of jagged sea cliffs that can only be seen from the air or water. Waimea Canyon, about an hour's drive west, drops 3,600 feet in layered reds and greens, and the lookout points along the rim road are free. The Wailua River boat ride to Fern Grotto, a cave covered in hanging ferns, is a short trip from the east side. Poipu Beach on the south shore has good snorkelling and occasional Hawaiian monk seal sightings. Lihue, the island capital, is a 10-minute drive from the port and has the Kauai Museum and several good poke spots. ## Quick Facts - **Currency:** USD (US Dollar) - **Language:** English - **Timezone:** Pacific/Honolulu (UTC-10) - **Tipping:** 15-20% expected at restaurants, bars, taxis ## Location Coordinates: 21.9546, -159.3557 - [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/cruise+terminal+Nawiliwili/@21.95459,-159.35568,13z) - [Open in Apple Maps](https://maps.apple.com/?q=cruise%20terminal%20Nawiliwili&ll=21.95459,-159.35568&z=13) ## Things to Do in Nawiliwili Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~12h port call. Prices are starting prices per person. | Tour | Rating | Duration | Fits Port Day | From | Provider | |------|------|------|------|------|------| | [Koloa Zipline in Kauai](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/5cd716b5-48dc-4690-b33a-4def1957f8bd.md?via=markdown) | 5β˜… (7,567) | 3h | βœ“ | €154 | Viator | | [Kauai Deluxe Sightseeing Flight](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/34818377-7a7d-4cac-b930-7cac75920398.md?via=markdown) | 4.9β˜… (2,421) | 1h 5m | βœ“ | €144 | Viator | | [Kauai: NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/1cb7b642-a885-4012-8fc8-cb0e80e2683a.md?via=markdown) | 4.9β˜… (2,068) | 5h | βœ“ | €206 | Viator | | [Kauai Private Doors Off Helicopter Tour: Ultimate Waterfalls](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/ec343d3e-24b4-4ee2-9196-0497df2b05f2.md?via=markdown) | 5β˜… (1,809) | 1h 15m | βœ“ | €385 | Viator | | [Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/3df78f1d-9d0c-4cd1-b175-f75f885af683.md?via=markdown) | 4.8β˜… (1,491) | 5h | βœ“ | €136 | Viator | | [Wailua River Kayak & Hike Adventure to Secret Falls](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/e4c245a7-62e0-4932-997b-6326336fa6da.md?via=markdown) | 4.8β˜… (1,293) | 6h | βœ“ | €131 | Viator | | [Kauai Chocolate Farm Tasting Tour](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/d60063e8-c291-4e37-a956-f7ad63006c58.md?via=markdown) | 4.9β˜… (1,115) | 3h | βœ“ | €131 | Viator | | [Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/ae422d3c-8249-4080-b35c-a18cfdffdd89.md?via=markdown) | 4.9β˜… (969) | 4h | βœ“ | €231 | Viator | | [Kauai: Na Pali Coast Power Catamaran](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/6846c598-d45f-4fa2-aea0-9654e777e05f.md?via=markdown) | 5β˜… (839) | 4h 30m | βœ“ | €249 | Viator | | [Kauai’s Ultimate Guided Shore Snorkel (NO BOAT) in South Poipu](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/ed384952-60d2-4aca-b6da-4b91dff614a1.md?via=markdown) | 4.8β˜… (955) | 2h | βœ“ | €109 | Viator | | [Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/7e386011-8ddb-428d-bf14-748efc474c79.md?via=markdown) | 4.8β˜… (884) | 3h | βœ“ | €114 | Viator | | [Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/8d05c9d9-ac0b-4921-b1d6-52c542400314.md?via=markdown) | 4.8β˜… (847) | 6h | βœ“ | €149 | Viator | Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. ## Nearby Ports - [Honolulu](https://cruisello.com/destinations/hawaii/honolulu.md): 92 nm - [Kahului](https://cruisello.com/destinations/hawaii/kahului.md): 173 nm - [Kailua-Kona](https://cruisello.com/destinations/hawaii/kailua-kona.md): 234 nm ## Cruise Lines Serving This Port - [Carnival Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/carnival-cruise-line.md) - [Holland America Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line.md) - [Norwegian Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/norwegian-cruise-line.md) - [Princess Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/princess-cruises.md) ## Cheapest Available Sailing **[View this cruise β†’](https://cruisello.com/cruises/pacific-drift-hilo-honolulu-ensenada-from-san-francisco~PCL-RU-20261023-16.md)** - **Price:** €780 per person (€1,560 total for 2 guests) - **Cruise Line:** [Princess Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/princess-cruises.md) - **Ship:** [Ruby Princess](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/princess-cruises/ruby-princess.md) - **Duration:** 16 nights - **Departure:** 2026-10-23 - **Itinerary:** Pacific Drift – Hilo, Honolulu & Ensenada from San Francisco ## Featured Cruises from Nawiliwili Prices are per person, two sharing, in the fare's own currency. | Cruise | Ship | Line | Departure | Nights | Price | |------|------|------|------|------|------| | [Diamond Head Dream – Maui, Oahu & Kauai](https://cruisello.com/cruises/diamond-head-dream-maui-oahu-kauai~CCL-RADIANCE-20270411-14.md) | Carnival Radiance | Carnival Cruise Line | 2027-04-11 | 14 | €1,195 | | [Trade Wind Traverse – Honolulu & Hilo from Los Angeles](https://cruisello.com/cruises/trade-wind-traverse-honolulu-hilo-from-los-angeles~PCL-EP-20261108-16.md) | Emerald Princess | Princess Cruises | 2026-11-08 | 16 | €988 | | [Hawaiian Escape – Honolulu & Maui](https://cruisello.com/cruises/hawaiian-escape-honolulu-maui~CCL-SPIRIT-20270414-15.md) | Carnival Spirit | Carnival Cruise Line | 2027-04-14 | 15 | €1,294 | ## Browse Cruises - [All cruises visiting Nawiliwili](https://cruisello.com/cruises.md?stopoverPorts=nawiliwili) (211 sailings) ## Browse - [Hawaii cruises](https://cruisello.com/destinations/hawaii.md) - [All Destinations](https://cruisello.com/destinations.md) - [All Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruises.md)