Molokai is the 'Friendly Isle' — rural, unhurried and deeply Hawaiian, with no traffic lights and no tall buildings. Small expedition ships visit Kaunakakai, the island's main town.
Small ships tie up at or anchor near Kaunakakai Wharf, Hawaii's longest pier, about a 10-minute walk from town.
It's about half a mile into Kaunakakai.
Small shops, the bakery and the general store.
Most visits include guided island tours.
Small-ship port only.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small expedition ships (e.g. UnCruise) | Kaunakakai Wharf or anchorage | 📍 Docked or 🚤 tender |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
Molokai is a small-ship port — our eight featured lines don't call here. UnCruise visits on its Hawaiian Islands small-ship voyages.
Melody can help with river, Great Lakes and small-ship cruises too — just ask.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Molokai.
Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
From the wharf into town and its main street.
Best time: April–October. Drier and warm, 82–88°F / 28–31°C. Whale season is December–April.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80°F / 27°C | 64°F / 18°C | 6 |
| Feb | 80°F / 27°C | 64°F / 18°C | 5 |
| Mar | 81°F / 27°C | 65°F / 18°C | 6 |
| Apr ⭐ | 82°F / 28°C | 66°F / 19°C | 4 |
| May ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 68°F / 20°C | 3 |
| Jun ⭐ | 86°F / 30°C | 70°F / 21°C | 2 |
| Jul ⭐ | 87°F / 31°C | 71°F / 22°C | 2 |
| Aug ⭐ | 88°F / 31°C | 72°F / 22°C | 2 |
| Sep ⭐ | 88°F / 31°C | 71°F / 22°C | 2 |
| Oct ⭐ | 86°F / 30°C | 70°F / 21°C | 4 |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 68°F / 20°C | 6 |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 65°F / 18°C | 6 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
Wharf to town is about 10 minutes.
Best way to see the island.
Very limited — book ahead.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to Molokai.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Hawaii's most traditional island — no traffic lights, Halawa Valley and the Kalaupapa lookout.
Kalaupapa is not an ordinary independent shore excursion. Visitor permission, transport and a difficult trail are more consequential than a generic accessibility label.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Restricted visits and demanding trail
NPS requires permitted guided access and describes the 3.5-mile trail as extremely steep and uneven. Its visitor page says general access is currently through the airport because of trailhead-access issues; do not sell a casual walk or mule descent.
Separate topside viewpoint; route not certified
NPS places the overlook at Pālāʻau State Park above the settlement, with parking and interpretive exhibits. It is a different visit from entering Kalaupapa, and its listing does not certify the path's wheelchair suitability.
Planning suggestion: Ask a local provider about a topside scenic outing and verify the overlook path, instead of promising settlement access.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
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Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
