Cruises from San Diego to Hawaii

Which lines sail from San Diego to Hawaii?

• Holland America Line
  Gracious and unhurried; live music at night, a good book by day and plenty of ocean views.
• Norwegian Cruise Line
  Flexible and lively, with a Las Vegas-meets-resort feel; dinner whenever you want, in whatever you packed.
• Princess Cruises
  Relaxed, welcoming and dependable; a comfortable middle ground between mass-market buzz and premium polish.

When to go

1. January: Best time, average high 81 degrees F Jan 81°67°
2. February: Best time, average high 81 degrees F Feb 81°67°
3. March: Best time, average high 81 degrees F Mar 81°68°
4. April: Best time, average high 83 degrees F Apr 83°70°
5. May: Best time, average high 85 degrees F May 85°72°
6. June: Shoulder season, average high 87 degrees F Jun 87°74°
7. July: Shoulder season, average high 88 degrees F Jul 88°75°
8. August: Shoulder season, average high 89 degrees F Aug 89°76°
9. September: Best time, average high 88 degrees F Sep 88°75°
10. October: Best time, average high 87 degrees F Oct 87°74°
11. November: Shoulder season, average high 84 degrees F Nov 84°72°
12. December: Shoulder season, average high 82 degrees F Dec 82°69°

• Best time
• Shoulder season
• Cruises run
• Few or none

Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.

Inter-island cruises from Honolulu run year-round. Round trips from the West Coast are mostly scheduled in fall, winter and spring. Humpback whale season is roughly December through April, peaking January to March. The Central Pacific hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, although direct hits on the islands are uncommon.

The Central Pacific hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes rarely make landfall in Hawaii, but nearby storms can bring heavy surf and port changes. Winter storms can raise big swells on north-facing shores and make tender stops (such as Kona) impossible. On mainland round trips, the open-Pacific sea days can be rough, especially in winter.

Where you'll stop

Itineraries vary by line and length. These are the ports Hawaii cruises most often visit:

• Honolulu, Oahu, United States: Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Waikiki, Diamond Head and the start of inter-island cruises.
• Kahului, Maui, United States: Gateway to Haleakala National Park, the road to Hana, upcountry farms and winter whale watching.
• Hilo, Hawaii Island, United States: The closest port to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, plus waterfalls and botanical gardens.
• Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island, United States: Coffee farms, snorkeling and historic sites on the sunny west coast. A tender port.
• Nawiliwili, Kauai, United States: Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast by boat or helicopter, and quiet beaches.
• Ensenada, Mexico: The foreign port call required on many mainland round trips, usually near the end of the cruise.

Before you sail from San Diego

From the airport, a taxi or rideshare down Harbor Drive takes under 10 minutes. Have your driver drop you beyond the gate on the pier to avoid lines. The Santa Fe Depot train station is two blocks east of the terminals for Amtrak, COASTER and trolley connections.

The Port of San Diego does not own or operate cruise parking, and passengers may not park on the pier. The Port's long-term cruise parking page lists several private options: Ace Parking at the hotels across from the terminals, ABM's nearby surface lots and the Campus at Horton garage, San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly with a 24/7 shuttle, Aladdin Airport and Cruise Ship Parking with a free shuttle, and the airport's own parking plaza. Each sets its own rates and reservations.

• Do not plan to park at the terminal; reserve a private lot ahead of time.
• The Port asks passengers to arrive at their assigned boarding time and not before 10 a.m.
• Arrange mobility assistance with your cruise line before you travel.
• Bring your passport for Mexico itineraries; the Port recommends it.

Documents: A round trip from Honolulu stays entirely in the United States, so US citizens need only the government ID they would use to fly there, though your line may still list a passport as preferred. Round trips from Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco on foreign-flagged ships must call at a foreign port (usually Ensenada, Mexico) because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act; these are closed-loop cruises, so US citizens can re-enter with a birth certificate and government photo ID under CBP rules. Cruises starting or ending in Vancouver are not closed-loop and require a passport book. A passport book is the safest choice for any cruise with a foreign port. Check current requirements with your line before you sail.

More detail: our full San Diego cruise port guide and our Hawaii cruise guide.

Related routes

Also from San Diego: Mexican Riviera.

Hawaii from other ports: Los Angeles (San Pedro).