Things to do nearKawaihae Harbor

Kawaihae Harbor has served the Big Island of Hawaii for generations, originally as a canoe landing for Native Hawaiian communities and later developed into the deepwater commercial port it is today. Just above the harbor, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site preserves a massive stone temple built by Kamehameha the Great in the late 18th century, making the area one of the most historically significant on the island.

On the water, the harbor is a busy hub for whale watching tours, fishing charters, and dive operations heading out to explore the rich reef systems along the Kohala Coast. Spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays are all regularly spotted in these waters.

The surrounding area rewards exploration well beyond the dock. Nearby Hapuna Beach draws swimmers and sunbathers to its wide crescent of white sand. The rugged North Kohala coastline to the north offers dramatic sea cliffs and a quieter, more rural character that feels a world away from the resort corridor to the south.

Kawaihae Harbor is worth visiting for the rare combination of living history, working-harbor atmosphere, and immediate access to some of the most biologically rich coastal waters in the Hawaiian Islands.