Kawaihae Harbor (Hawaii Island)

Kawaihae Harbor is located on Hawaii Island's western coast, approx 35 mi (55 km) north of Kailua-Kona. The harbour is protected by a breakwall (breakwater structure) and consists of docking facilities (wharves, US military landing site), fuel depot, anchorage area (for yachts and leisure boats), cargo terminal (storage for shipping goods).

Kawaihae Harbor is a popular windsurfing destination. The small town Kawaihae (an unincorporated community) has as tourism serving venues only bar restaurants. Resort beaches and two top-luxury hotels are located to the south - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. To the north is located the Canoe Club and a small boat ramp. In the period 1957-59, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged the harbour and built its breakwall. In 1970 was constructed a small boat marina (Kawaihae Canoe Club) to the south of the harbour's entrance. Kawaihae's artificial reef was featured in the Kevin Costner's movie Waterworld (1995, by Universal Pictures).

As cruise port, Kawaihae was included for the first time in 2020, in the schedule of the UnCruise Adventures-owned ship Safari Explorer (1998 -built, max passenger capacity 40). The next table shows the 7-day "Hawaiian Seascapes Cruise" itinerary between Kawaihae and Kaunakakai (northbound and southbound).

The voyages were priced between ~USD 5200-5400 per person (double-occupancy cabin rates).