Yes, Honolulu is an easy port for a self-guided game. Most ships dock at the Pier 2 Cruise Terminal on Ala Moana Boulevard; the alternate is Pier 11, right next to Aloha Tower. The scavenger hunt starts at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, roughly 1 km inland from Pier 11, a flat walk on good sidewalks or a 5-10 minute taxi ride. It takes about 2 hours and ends at Aloha Tower, close to the ship. Verdict: easy on a normal port day.
Scavenger huntHonolulu Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided TourRiddles at every stopAbout 2 hours · start any time
6 € - 13 €
Outdoor escape gameHonolulu Escape GameA puzzle at every stopAbout 2 hours · start any time
6 € - 13 €
Self-guided audio walking tourHonolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio TourJust listen and walkAbout 3 hours · listen as you walk
5 € - 11 €
City guidesHonolulu City Guides by World City TrailPlaces to eat, see and drink
Price range: 5.99 € through 23.99 €From Pier 2 or Pier 11 to the Cathedral of St. Andrew
- Check which pier your ship uses: Pier 2 at 521 Ala Moana Boulevard is the main terminal, Pier 11 at 23 Aloha Tower Drive is the alternate. They are about half a mile apart along the waterfront.
- From Pier 11, walk inland through downtown, past the Bishop Street area, to the Cathedral of St. Andrew at Queen Emma Square, next to the State Capitol.
- From Pier 2, walk along Ala Moana Boulevard towards Aloha Tower, then inland through the Iolani Palace and Capitol district to the cathedral. It is flat, with sidewalks all the way.
- Taxis and rideshares use the pick-up zones at both terminals and take about 5-10 minutes to Beretania Street and Queen Emma Square. TheBus also serves downtown, but walking is usually as quick.
A Honolulu port day, hour by hour
- 0:00Off the ship at Pier 2 or Pier 11; fill your water bottle and put on sunscreen.
- 0:25Start the scavenger hunt at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, then on to Capitol Modern and the Hawaii State Capitol.
- 1:15Iolani Palace, Honolulu City Hall and Kawaiahaʻo Church, then the King Kamehameha Statue in front of Aliʻiolani Hale.
- 2:25Finish at Aloha Tower, beside Pier 11, after the Hula Dancer Statue.
- 2:40Walk back to your ship: Pier 11 is right there, Pier 2 about 10 minutes along the waterfront. Be on board at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.
Tips for Honolulu when time is short
- Pier 11 is the closest to downtown; find out your pier from your cruise line's app or emails, or the state harbor schedule.
- The route is flat with good sidewalks, but sun and humidity are strong even on cloudy days: bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
- The hunt finishes at Aloha Tower, next to Pier 11 and about 10 minutes' walk from Pier 2, so you end up near the ship.
- The game only needs Aloha Tower from outside; its observation deck has been closed for renovation, so check before planning to go up.
- Afternoon traffic is heavy roughly 3-6 pm, so if you take a taxi back, allow extra time.
- Both terminals have restrooms, and Aloha Tower Marketplace near Pier 11 has free Wi-Fi.
Why a self-guided game works on a port day
- You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
- Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
- You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
- Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.
Honolulu cruise stop: questions
Which pier do cruise ships use in Honolulu?
Most ships use Pier 2 on Ala Moana Boulevard; Pier 11, next to Aloha Tower, is the alternate terminal. They are about half a mile apart.
Can I walk from the Honolulu cruise terminal to downtown?
Yes. Downtown, Chinatown and Iolani Palace are roughly 10-20 minutes on foot over flat ground, especially from Pier 11.
How do I get from the cruise port to Waikiki?
Take a taxi or rideshare, about 15 minutes, or TheBus routes 19 or 20 from downtown, about 20 minutes. If you play the hunt first, you can head to Waikiki afterwards.
Is Aloha Tower open?
The observation deck has been closed for renovation, and the state has said it plans to reopen it in 2026. The tower and the marketplace area can always be seen from outside, which is all the game needs.
Do I need to book a time slot?
No. You book online, receive your booking reference by email straight away and start whenever you are ashore. The ticket has no time limit, so it still works if your ship arrives late or your plans change.
What do we need on the day?
A charged smartphone with mobile data, the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play, and your booking reference. A power bank helps on a long port day.
Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.