4K 2026 EXPLORING KONA, BIG ISLAND (7-DAY HAWAIIAN ISLAND CRUISE ABOARD NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA)

Hello everybody, welcome to Exploring with Cindy and Dan! This is our third port of call in the Hawaiian Islands, and today we’ve arrived at the beautiful Port of Kona on the Big Island. We’ll be exploring downtown Kona, so come join us on this adventure! Please subscribe to our channel with the notification bell one so. You wont miss our next video of the port of call of Nawiliwili on Kaui. Arriving in Kona aboard the Pride of America feels a little different from most cruise stops, and in many ways, that’s part of the charm. Instead of pulling up to a dock, the ship drops anchor just offshore of Kailua-Kona, where the coastline, dotted with lava rock and low-slung buildings, comes into view. From the deck, you’ll see the small harbor and the historic waterfront, but there’s one more step before you can wander into town: the tender boats. Because Kona doesn’t have a pier large enough for cruise ships, passengers go ashore in a steady rhythm of small shuttle boats that ferry people back and forth between ship and land. You’ll arrive at Kailua Pier, which places you immediately in the heart of town. Unlike some ports where transportation is required, Kona unfolds right in front of you: shops, cafés, beaches, and tour departures are all within easy walking distance. It’s the kind of arrival that feels informal and welcoming, as though you’ve stepped directly into local life rather than through a constructed cruise terminal. At the end of the day, returning to the ship is simpler. There’s no need for a ticket—just join the line at the pier and board the next available tender. Boats run continuously, but the timing matters. The ship will post a “last tender” time, and it’s important to respect it; the ship cannot wait for late passengers once operations end. When you step off the tender at Kailua-Kona onto Kailua Pier, the first impression is how open and immediate everything feels. You’re basically dropped straight into town, where small clusters of excursion tents and meeting points line the pier area. These are where tour operators gather guests for snorkeling trips, submarine rides, and land excursions, creating a light morning buzz as people sort into groups. Just a few steps away, you’ll also find public restrooms and clear walkways leading directly onto Ali‘i Drive, making it easy to transition from ship to shore without any formal terminal. Everything is compact and walkable, so you’re quickly either heading into town or meeting your tour group. Straight ahead and slightly to one side, the shoreline opens into the small beach area beside the pier, part of Kamakahonu Beach, which sits in front of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. This little stretch of sand is where people often gather—swimming in the calm water, relaxing under palms, or just watching the activity around the pier. It all blends together so naturally that the pier, beach, hotel, and downtown Kona feel like one continuous waterfront space.