Seasonal· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Hilo Upwind Landfall from the Mainland
19° 44.6′ N · 155° 4.8′ W
Hilo is the windward-most port in Hawaii, and for a yacht arriving from the Americas or the South Pacific it is the logical first stop: make landfall here and the rest of the chain is downhill.
Practical
Coordinate is Hilo Harbor Entrance Lighted Buoy 1 (USCG Light List). Noodle's Notes: Hilo 'should be your port of entry of choice when arriving in Hawaii from the South Pacific, North or South America' - it is simply too hard to reach later against the trades. The harbor is well marked with lighted buoys and ranges and safe to enter at night in moderate weather. Clear with CBP Hilo (ROAM app for the vessel; in-person for US-visa holders). Since 2020 Radio Bay has been closed to transient boats, so plan to anchor in the lee of the breakwater (Latitude 38). Noodle's Notes lists Kawaihae and Honokohau as the other Big Island ports of entry. Arrival outside hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) is strongly advised - in 2026 Hurricanes Lala (August) and Nolo (September) both struck or brushed the Big Island.
Best for
Planning a Pacific crossing to Hawaii
Season
Best outside June 1-Nov 30 hurricane season
Nearby
- Hilo Bay Anchorage (Lee of the Breakwater)0.8 NM away
- Hilo Bay Winter Surge (October to mid-April)0.8 NM away
- Honolii Beach Park1 NM away
- Pacific Tsunami Museum1.1 NM away
- Hilo Bay Cafe1.2 NM away
- Hilo Farmers Market1.2 NM away
- Liliuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island (Mokuola)1.2 NM away
- Downtown Laundry Express (Hilo)1.3 NM away