Self-Guided Big Island Hawaii Full Island Driving Audio Tour
4.8 / 5 · 136 traveler reviews
Don't miss a thing as GuideAlong's Audio Driving Tour takes you on an incredible journey across Hawaii's Big Island. Along the way you'll be guided to all of the island's famous highlights including Volcanoes National Park, the Place of Refuge and Akaka Falls, as well as the best spots for seeing turtles and more lessor known spots across the island. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically along the route, all based on your location. And 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 Like having a tour guide along for the drive 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
One of Hawaii's most famous waterfalls, stunning Akaka Falls plummets a sheer 440 feet into a gorge. Access is along a 750 foot trail with lush rainforest, bamboo, ferns and some wild orchids, so it's easy to see why it's so popular. Consider hiking the added 800 feet to Kahuna Falls and for the whole hike to take under an hour. To access the falls state park, we will pass through the eclectic, ex-plantation town of Honomu, where we can make a quick stop for a baked Hawaiian treat, Big Island coffee or even visit the goat dairy.
Stop 3
Chain of Craters Road is the 19-mile drive that takes us from the park entrance at approximately 5000 feet elevation, all the way down to sea level. Along the drive there are many places where we see the effects of once active cindercones and lava flows. There are several excellent viewpoints with both coastal views, and specific volcanic flow rock views too. Well worth the drive while visiting Volcanoes National Park.
Stop 4
Devastation Trail is a very descriptive name for this relatively easy walk along a paved trail that takes us though a cinder field. We will get a nice view of the cinder cone whose Hawaiian name translates to Gushing Hill. The cinder cone is no longer active. As you walk, pick up a handful of the cinders to feel how airy and light they are, and also notice how crystals glisten in the sunlight. What will also strike you is the determination of vegetation to grow in such a desolate environment.
Stop 5
Halema'uma'u is the location of the crater, or caldera, that is most accessible portion of the Kilaeua volcano system. For many years, visitors could see voluminous amounts of gas rising out of the crater, a lava lake inside, whose level would rise and fall as conditions changed. After the erruption events of 2018, Halema'uma'u completely drained of lava, and the walls began collapsing into a deeper, unstable crater. But then without warning, at the end of 2020, lava and gas activity started again. The older, closer viewpoints for the crater, including the Jaggar Museum, are no longer accessible or safe, but there are still viewing areas where we can peer in and see into the crater. If you visited Volcanoes before 2018, you will be amazed by how much this area has changed. Driving on the Crater Rim Drive is still possible, going as far as the Kilauea Military Camp.
Stop 6
What a drive! North of Hilo, on the windward side of the island, the Hamakua Coast is one stunningly beautiful scenic drive! An abundant amount of rain keeps the rainforest a green shade of lush and the many waterfalls flowing. The Hamakua Coast includes Akaka Falls and Kahuna waterfalls, the Onomea Bay scenic drive, tropical botanical gardens and authentic towns like Laupahoehoe. Not much has changed in this area since its plantation days, though you won’t see donkeys plodding down to the shore with sugar bags strapped on either side anymore!
Stop 7
Hawi and its neighbor Kaapau, are the northern most towns of the Big Island of Hawaii and you will want to visit if exploring the entire island. They are small, unspoiled towns filled with art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and a popular icecream stop, all set in plantation style buildings from their sugar cane past. Kapaau is home of the original statue of King Kamehameha the Great, considered the unifier of all of the Hawaiian Islands.
Stop 8
Hilo is the biggest town, or small city, on the eastern side of the Big Island and enjoys a scenic setting on the shore of the bay, with a facade of wooden storefronts and copious greenspaces. It sees frequent rain showers and is therefore lush and green compared to Kailua-Kona on the opposite side of the island. It's easy to fill a day of sightseeing in Hilo and some of the key locations are included in the Hilo loop drive, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots and the Kaumana Lava Tube Caves. Allow 2 hours to enjoy the scenic driving loop. You might be surprised to see what celebrities from the 30's, 40's and 50's have visited Hilo over the years. In Hollywood, you get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but in Hilo you get a fig tree named after you on Banyan Drive. Cruise by to see the 50 trees and the plaque names.
Stop 9
Holei Sea Arch is a fitting final stop on the Chain of Craters Road. It is easy to see how lava flows have created a sea shelf, and cliffs. Relentless pounding by the ocean waves have created an arch formation. Recent shifting and movement in the volcanic rock cliffs has meant that the official viewpoint for the Sea Arch has been closed for safety concerns. But the Holei Sea Arch can still been seen. For your safety always obey any closures that have been set up to protect the staff and public in these unstable areas.
Stop 10
Significant for a number of reasons; the bay is a marine preserve conservation area, a popular destination for kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkelling. It's also listed as a National Register of Historic Places on the Island with heiaus (temples) and archeological sites. Kealakekua is an important place in Hawaiian culture and history as it is the location where Captain James Cook met his demise after the first significant contact between the Hawaiian's and the western world. There is a monument to identify the historic events that occurred here. Be aware that there are some restrictions in place if you are kayaking. You must obtain a permit before coming ashore on the beach at Ka'awaloa. Consider a kayaking tour (check permits) where you'll get early access to the bay before many arrive.
Stop 11
Kilauea Iki is a crater within the the larger caldera area. Though the area is inactive today, a half century ago a lava lake filled the crater and sometimes eruption would shoot lava 2000 feet into the sky. The Kilauea Iki Trail is a popular moderately difficult hike that allows you get inside the caldera wall.
Stop 12
The Kohala Coast refers to everything that is north of the Kona Airport. It is an incredibly spectacular area, both stark and harsh, and amazingly inviting. Dry grasses take hold between lavarock outflows. On clear days, views are enjoyed all the way to the top of Big Island giants, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Along the Kohala Coast we'll find most of the major resort properties. But there are also many cultural places to explore too, and those resorts have often restored and provide access to ancient trails, petroglyphs and other historic sites. Popular beaches along the coastal route include Hapuna, Beach 69 and Kua Bay. Continue following 270 north to visit the towns of Hawi and Kapaau.
What’s included
- Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates.
- Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
- Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
- Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
- Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 460+ Points
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
Not included
- Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations
Meeting and pickup
For the Kona and Coffee Coast route, drive south on Aliʻi Drive from Palani Road in Kailua-Kona. The tour heads toward Magic Sands, Kealakekua Bay, and the Place of Refuge, then returns to Kailua-Kona on Hwy 11. After booking, check your email for the “Download Audio Tour”.
For the Kohala Coast and Hawi route, drive north on Hwy 19. The tour takes you onto Hwy 270 for a loop through Hawi, Pololū Valley Overlook, over the mountain to Waimea, and back toward Waikoloa. After booking, check your email for the “Download Audio Tour” and preview the route in the app.
For the Island Circle route, or just the northern half, drive north on Hwy 19 from Kona or Kohala. You can drive in either direction around the island, and the commentary will play based on your location. After booking, check your email for “Download Audio Tour” and preview the route in the app.
This is an app-based self-guided tour, so there is no need to meet a guide. From Kona, drive south on Hwy 19; it becomes Hwy 11 toward the east side, with volcano, mythology, and park-planning audio along the way. From Hilo, follow Hwy 11 about 45 minutes to the park entrance.
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.
- Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
- 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.
- Important Note: Some stops on this tour may require advance reservations or separate admission. These include Akaka Falls, Place of Refuge (Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park), and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including sites such as Devastation Trail, Halemaʻumaʻu, Holei Sea Arch, Kīlauea Iki, and Thurston Lava Tube. Please check official websites before visiting.
- Plan ahead for select stops: A few attractions on the route need advance booking or have limited space for walk-ins, so it’s best to check directly before visiting. Kula Kai Caverns and The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory require reservations, while Huliheʻe Palace and Lyman Museum welcome walk-ins when space allows, with reservations recommended.
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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