Marina· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Kawaihae Harbor (North and South Small Boat Harbors)
20° 1.7′ N · 155° 49.7′ W
Two state small boat basins at Kawaihae on the dry northwest corner of the Big Island: the older North harbor tucked inside the commercial breakwater and the newer South Small Boat Harbor about a mile south. It is the natural first stop after rounding Upolu Point from Maui or coming around from Hilo, with Pu'ukohola Heiau and a handful of shops and restaurants in walking distance.
Practical
Coordinate is Noodle's Notes' approximate position for the South Small Boat Harbor (20-01.67N 155-49.74W); the guide lists depth 13 ft, mud bottom, usable year round, regulated under HAR 13-231. Both basins are run by DLNR DOBOR from the Honokohau office, (808) 327-3685; the district office is (808) 327-3690 and DLNR.BD.HONOKOHAUHARBOR@HAWAII.GOV. Noonsite (April 2021) says the South basin has pontoons and space is limited and first come, first served; the commercial harbor has a few recreational moorings on the east side of the breakwater; call the Honokohau harbormaster to ask. DOBOR posts storm-damage closures for the North Kawaihae moorings and ramp on its harbor-notices page; check it, or call the office, before relying on a mooring. There is no fuel dock (the only fuel berth on the island is at Honokohau, per Noonsite). Dinghies can be landed near the boat launch ramp; a convenience store and several places to eat are a short walk north in Kawaihae. Keep clear of tugs, barges and Army supply vessels using the commercial harbor. The NOAA Coast Pilot (Chapter 9, October 2026) describes the older small-boat basin just north of the main commercial basin, with a dock and surfaced ramp and a light at the south end of its breakwater; the state's harbor GIS layer lists North Basin and South Basin (both 61-3616 Akoni Pule Hwy, phone (808) 329-4997). Coast Pilot: water and limited fuel oil and diesel are available at Kawaihae, but there is no recreational fuel dock; boats in the harbor must watch for sudden strong offshore gusts as the trades draw over the mountains.
Best for
Overnight stop and staging port for the Alenuihaha Channel; walking access to Pu'ukohola Heiau
Season
Year round
Nearby
- Pelekane and Hale o Kapuni Shark Heiau0.3 NM away
- Kawaihae Commercial Harbor Anchorage0.4 NM away
- Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site0.4 NM away
- Kawaihae Commercial Harbor0.5 NM away
- Spencer Beach Park0.5 NM away
- Seafood Bar (Kawaihae)0.6 NM away
- Kawaihae Marketplace and Da Fish House0.7 NM away
- Kohala Burger & Taco (Kawaihae)0.7 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).