Anchorage· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Kawaihae Commercial Harbor Anchorage
20° 2.0′ N · 155° 49.9′ W
The deep-draft commercial port behind Kawaihae's breakwater, where cruising yachts can anchor on the southwestern side out of the way of the barge and tug traffic. It is flat calm in trade-wind weather and a convenient alternative when there is no room in the small boat harbors.
Practical
Coordinate is Noodle's Notes' approximate position for the commercial harbor (20-02.00N 155-49.87W). Noodle's Notes (November 2024 edition) says yachts can anchor on the southwestern side of the commercial harbor and that the author usually anchors in the middle of the small boat harbor for a single night; both are managed by the Honokohau harbormaster, (808) 327-3685. Noonsite (April 2021) adds that yachts can anchor just north of the main harbor entrance in sand with good holding. Remember the statewide 72-hour temporary anchoring limit (HAR 13-235-9) and get a DLNR permit for longer stays. Kohala downslope trade gusts can arrive in the afternoon. Keep the channel and turning basin clear for commercial ships. Coast Pilot (October 2026): good anchorage, except in kona weather, in 4 to 8 fathoms (24-48 ft) between Honokoa Gulch and the outer end of the entrance channel; reefs that bare in places extend as much as 0.5 mile from the outer side of the breakwater and from the shore to the south. A safety zone covers the commercial piers (33 CFR 165.1414).
Best for
Calm overnight anchorage when the small boat harbor is full
Season
Year round
Nearby
- Kawaihae Commercial Harbor0.2 NM away
- Kawaihae Marketplace and Da Fish House0.3 NM away
- Kohala Burger & Taco (Kawaihae)0.3 NM away
- Seafood Bar (Kawaihae)0.3 NM away
- Kawaihae Harbor (North and South Small Boat Harbors)0.4 NM away
- Kohala Divers (Kawaihae)0.4 NM away
- Pelekane and Hale o Kapuni Shark Heiau0.5 NM away
- Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site0.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).