Self-Guided Kauai Island Driving Audio Tour
4.7 / 5 · 242 traveler reviews
Don't miss a thing as GuideAlong Audio Tour takes you on an incredible journey of Kauai's wondrous set of natural features. Along the way you'll be guided to all of the island's famous highlights including the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific', favorite spots of monk seals, and the Garden Isle's most famous waterfall. This self-guided audio tour helps you discover more on your Kauai road trip with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions that play automatically along the drive. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace so you can spend more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t. ✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location ✅ Travel at your own pace ✅ Tours work offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed ✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use ✅ Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates. Purchase one tour per vehicle.
Your experience
Stop 1
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;
Stop 2
There are several excellent beaches to explore between Kapa'a and Princeville, and Anini Beach is one of the best, with a sandy shoreline and the water is almost always calm. There are shady trees to help you enjoy a longer day at the beach, too. Anahola and Moloa'a are other beaches in that section of the island that also normally provide protection from the open ocean.
Stop 3
Haʻena State Park is the end of the road on Kauai’s North Shore. Top highlights include Keʻe Beach, Tunnels Beach/Haʻena Beach Park, and the Kalalau Trail, the gateway to the Nā Pali Coast. Advance reservations are required for entry, parking, or shuttle access and can be booked up to 30 days in advance.
Stop 4
Gentle crescent-shaped bay with a beach nearly two miles long, surrounded by lush mountains and taro farms. A great and safe place to swim. The town has a relaxed surfer vibe with trendy cafes and stores. You will want to take a photo of the pier on the main beach with the rain-sculpted face of Namolokama in the background.
Stop 5
A charming town filled with preserved historic plantation style buildings and a strong artist community. One of the best places to pick up a local souvenir is from the art galleries and shops featuring Niihau shell jewelry. Or take a walk across the Hapapepe Swinging Bridge. The popular Artist Markets Fridays from 5 pm - 9 pm. Farmers Markets on Thursdays at 3 pm.
Stop 6
Kapaʻa is one of Kauai’s liveliest east-side towns, with plenty of local food spots, shops, and shave ice stops. Visitors can also rent a bike and enjoy the easy coastal multi-use path, relax near Kapaʻa Beach, or continue north to scenic Keālia Beach for swimming, surfing, views, and fresh ocean air.
Stop 7
Kīlauea Lighthouse is a beautiful century-old white lighthouse set on dramatic cliffs above the Pacific, offering unforgettable ocean views and photo opportunities. The area is also a wildlife refuge where visitors can often spot seabirds. Advance reservations are required for Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which is closed Sunday to Tuesday, so visitors should check availability and book ahead. But this can also be a good beach to watch surfers if the swell is running. Or give in to relaxation and find a shady tree overlooking Kapa'a Beach to take a nap!
Stop 8
Kōkeʻe State Park continues beyond Waimea Canyon to the end of the road, offering some of Kauai’s most breathtaking mountain and coastal views. Don’t miss Kalalau Lookout, Puʻu O Kila Lookout, and the Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum for scenic viewpoints, nature exhibits, snacks, and a peaceful highland break. A small entry fee may apply.
Stop 9
The Kilauea Lighthouse is also a wildlife refuge, and you will see a range of seabirds in the area. The refuge and Lighthouse are closed Sundays and Mondays, but you can still enjoys the views even if you cannot access the main facilities. Reservations are now required to visit Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where the Kilauea Lighthouse is located.
Stop 10
Extend your drive beyond Waimea Canyon to enter Koke'e State Park and complete the journey to the end of the road. The Kalalau Lookout is the most famous, and if the clouds are kind, you'll have a superb view all the way down a scenic Na Pali valley down to the ocean. The very last viewpoint is Pu'u O Kila, and also has magnificent views, though it offers different aspects. The Koke'e Natural Museum is a small rustic facility that holds treasures from the region and also displays about the natural environment. Worth a stop and snacks available here.
Stop 11
Līhuʻe and Nawiliwili are among Kauai’s most historic and active areas, offering a mix of Hawaiian heritage, local food, harbor views, and island charm. Visitors can relax at the calm Kalapaki Beach, explore the Nawiliwili area, and continue on to the legendary Menehune Fishpond for a scenic stop tied to ancient Hawaiian stories.
Stop 12
Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is one of Kauai’s most breathtaking and unforgettable natural highlights, known for its dramatic sea cliffs, lush valleys, rugged coastline, and sweeping ocean views. The coast cannot be reached by road, but visitors can experience it by challenging hikes, kayaking, boat tours, helicopter tours, or scenic viewpoints.
What’s included
- Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
- Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
- Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
- Includes an app based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
- Trip Planner: In-app
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 280+ Points
Not included
- Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations
Meeting and pickup
From Lihue Airport, if your tour is downloaded in advance, commentary begins as you leave the airport and car rental area. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.
From Poipu, join the tour near Poipu Rd as you drive toward Koloa or farther destinations like Waimea Canyon and Hanalei. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.
From Princeville, Hanalei, or Kapaʻa, join Hwy 56 and drive in the direction you want to explore. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. Join the tour anywhere along the route from your nearest location. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the app.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
- Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
- Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
- Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
- Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
- Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
- Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
- Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
- Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
- Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
- The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
- Important Note: Please note that recent Kona storm impacts in Hawaiʻi have caused flooding, debris, and temporary road disruptions. Although conditions are getting better, some parts of Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island may still experience delays, cleanup work, or closures. Please review current road updates before your trip.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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