Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour
Description
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Get a taste of paradise on Hawaii’s Big Island. This driving tour guides you along the island’s picturesque coast and through lush jungle scenery. Lounge on pristine beaches, hike atop dormant volcanoes, go snorkeling in crystal-clear water, and more—all while learning about the fascinating history of this island and the people who call it home. Plus, learn about Hawaiian history, visit ancient burial grounds, and really get to know this island’s rich culture. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hilo is a town on Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, in the state of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist effects. The bubbling basalt-lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. To the south is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests and the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Note: The tour is over 300+ miles long, with more than 210+ audio stories, and takes about 7-8 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
The deck is a steel grid which creates a singing sound from the tires of cars driving on it.
Quiet peaceful location to just sit and relax
Popular with surfers, this picturesque cove is located less than two miles from downtown Hilo. It’s rocky bottom and occasional strong currents make it less of a swimming beach and more of a great spot for experienced surfers and watching surfing pros. Limited parking; must be able to climb down/up stairs to get to this beach.
Discover this 0.8-km out-and-back trail near Pepeekeo, Hawaii. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 13 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve
World Botanical Gardens and Waterfalls is a commercial botanical gardens with a large waterfall, located between Umauma and Hakalau, at the corner of Leopolino Road and Hawaii Belt Road, State Highway 19, 16 miles north of Hilo, Island of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii.
A lush rainforest attraction with tropical gardens, waterfalls, and family-friendly outdoor adventures like ziplining and suspension bridges. It’s a fun stop for nature lovers looking to explore Big Island’s scenic, greener side.
Small Waterfall
Kolekole Beach Park is a Hawaii county park on the island of Hawaii.
On April 1, 1946 the Big Island of Hawaiʻi was struck by the so-called "April Fools Day tsunami", originating from the Aleutian Islands earthquake. Approximately 160 people on the island were killed. While the greatest number of deaths occurred in Hilo, the school building at Laupāhoehoe was inundated, and twenty students and four teachers were drowned. A monument to the dead now stands on Laupāhoehoe Point.
As you drive 20-minutes north of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, you’ll marvel at the rugged lava fields surrounding you. You may not see it from Queen Kaahumanu Highway, but the Kohala Coast is where you’ll find some of the island’s finest resorts.
Anna Ranch Heritage Center is a former cattle ranch in Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii named for Anna Leialoha Lindsey Perry-Fiske (1900–1995).
The purpose of the Laupahoehoe Train Museum is to preserve, promote and protect the historic, cultural, educational, social, civic and economic interests of the North Hilo and Hamakua districts, while highlighting the history of the railroads on the island of Hawaii.
Get to know this 7.7-km out-and-back trail near Waikoloa Village, Hawaii. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 44 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and trail running.
Picturesque lookout point offering sweeping views of the ocean, sunset & passing whales.
Waikoloa Beach is an area located on the South Kohala coast on the island of Hawaii and is located in the census-designated place of Puako. It can be confused for Waikoloa Village, a CDP in the same "ahupuaʻa" and is also known as "Waikoloa".
One of the Big Island’s most popular white-sand beaches, known for its wide shoreline, clear water, and great swimming conditions. It’s a perfect stop for relaxing, sunbathing, or enjoying a classic Hawaiʻi beach day.
Kekaha Kai State Park, formerly known as Kona Coast State Park, is a beach park located along the north Kona coast on the island of Hawaiʻi. The main beach areas are Maniniʻowali Bay, Makalawena beach at Puʻu Aliʻi Bay, and Mahaiʻula Bay.
Kīholo Bay is located in the ahupua`a of Pu`u Wa`awa`a in the North Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaii. the land surrounding the bay is flanked to the South by a lava flow from Mount Hualalai ca. 1801 and another flow from Mauna Loa in 1859.
Public park with white sand beach & rocky shoreline, offering lifeguard-overseen swimming & surfing.
Small beach & reef with generally calm water, making it a popular place to snorkel.
The Kuamoʻo Burials (also known as the Lekeleke Burial Grounds) is a historic Hawaiian burial site for warriors killed during a major battle in 1819.
Captain Cook is a census-designated place in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, in the United States, located in the District of South Kona. The community, within the land division of Kealakekua, is so named because the post office for the area was located in the Captain Cook Coffee Co. during the early 1900s.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located on the west coast of the island of Hawaiʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaii.
Pāhala is a census-designated place in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 1,356 at the 2010 census.
Kīlauea is an active shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands. Historically, it is the most active of the five volcanoes that together form the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
Kona coffee is the market name for coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world.
The Hawaiʻi Belt Road is a modern name for the Māmalahoa Highway and consists of Hawaiʻi state Routes 11, 19, and 190 that encircle the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Pebble Beach got its name because instead of a sandy beach it's full of pebbles. The pebbles are black so it gives the appearance of a black sand beach but it won't be sandy here.
Centuries-old lava caves & tube systems once used by native tribes for shelter & water collection.
Punaluʻu Beach is a beach between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu on the Big Island of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The beach has black sand made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. This volcanic activity is in the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) is a Mars and Moon ... located on a Mars-like site on the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawai'i Island.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on Hawaii Island (the Big Island). At its heart are the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa active volcanoes. The Crater Rim Drive passes steam vents and the Jaggar Museum, which features volcanology exhibits and a viewpoint overlooking Halema'uma'u Crater. Thick ferns mark the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku). The Chain of Craters Road weaves over lava. Trails crisscross the park.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located in the Kona District on the Big island of Hawaiʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It includes the National Historic Landmarked archaeological site known as the Honokōhau Settlement.
A small but fascinating museum in Hilo showcasing Hawaiian history, geology, and island culture through thoughtful exhibits. It’s a great stop for travelers who want deeper context on the Big Island beyond the scenery.
A sweet stop where you can learn about locally made Hawaiian chocolate and pick up handmade treats. It’s a fun visit for chocolate lovers who want a taste of something uniquely Big Island.
A meaningful museum in Hilo that shares the island’s tsunami history through survivor stories, exhibits, and local records. It’s an insightful stop that offers a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped coastal Hawaiʻi.
A beautiful rainforest park home to one of the Big Island’s most famous waterfalls, plunging dramatically into a lush gorge. The short walking loop makes it an easy and scenic stop for tropical views and classic Hawaiʻi beauty.
A scenic park in Hilo best known for Rainbow Falls and the dramatic lava rock formations of Boiling Pots. It’s an easy stop for beautiful views and a quick look at the power of the island’s waterways.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
- Important Note: Some Big Island attractions along this tour require advance reservations or paid admission, including places such as Huliheʻe Palace, Kula Kai Caverns, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and more. We recommend planning ahead and allowing 1–2 days to enjoy the full tour at a relaxed pace.
- Important: Recent Kona storms caused flooding, debris, and temporary road closures in Hawaiʻi. Conditions are improving, but parts of Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island may still have delays, cleanup, or closures.
- Reservations may be needed: Some stops along the tour require advance reservations or have limited walk-in availability, so guests should verify directly before visiting. Kula Kai Caverns and The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory require reservations, while Huliheʻe Palace and Lyman Museum allow walk-ins subject to space, with reservations recommended.
- Some tours/activities need booking ahead: Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden and Botanical World Adventures allow general admission/day-pass entry, but guided tours and certain activities require reservations. At Anna Ranch Heritage Center, the grounds are free to explore, but the historic home tour is best reserved at least 72 hours in advance.
- Self-guided audio tour via app; no in-person guide provided and no entrance fee included.
Reviews(50)
the Auto tour was very informing. A nice background to the drive. Well worth the money spent. have a good time.
Thank you for taking my Big Island Hawaii GPS driving audio tour. I’m so glad the audio added helpful background to your drive and felt well worth it. For more Hawaiian adventures, check out my All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle, featuring Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and more. I wish you more amazing travels!
This definitely gave us a starting place to know what was available around. Some of the activities we ended up finding we wouldn't have found had we not done this tour. They did well picking a route that is scenic but also easy to follow.
Tyler, I’m so glad you enjoyed my Big Island Hawaii GPS Driving Tour. It’s wonderful to know it gave you a helpful starting point and introduced you to activities you might not have discovered otherwise. I’m especially happy the route was both scenic and easy to follow, helping you make the most of your time on the island. For more Hawaiian adventures, check out my All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle, featuring Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and more. I wish you more amazing travels!
It takes a while to coordinate the route on Google Maps with the dialogue as there are 2 programs running concurrently. It is difficult to toggle between the app with the tour guide infi with the map app. I would prefer one app that did both jobs, rather than a separate subordinate app for the directions.
Hi Stuart, my tour does both the stories and the directions. Can you tell me more about why Google Maps was running? Were you routing to your specific hotel perhaps?
The 7-8 hour estimate for the tour doesn't count any stops you make along the way. It's a big island to drive around! Start early. Tour was informative. There were a few spots that required reservations that weren't marked on the tour. A few things that were closed (tsunami museum) or had far diff hours than listed.
Susan, thank you for the thoughtful review and helpful tips. You’re absolutely right that the Big Island can take much longer than the basic driving estimate once you start stopping at viewpoints, beaches, and attractions. I’m glad you found my tour informative, and I appreciate you pointing out the reservation-only stops and closures like the tsunami museum. I’ll share that with my team so we can review and update the information. I also love that my self-guided tour is now valid forever, so you can explore at your own pace over multiple days if needed.
Couldn't figure out how to get it to work in time. You need this code for this and that. Had to back out of app to get to email code.
Peggy, I’m really sorry to hear that getting started with my Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour felt confusing. If you’re open to sharing a bit more, I’d love to understand where it became difficult—was it downloading the app, redeeming the code from the email, or finding the tour inside the app after entering the code? After booking, an email is sent with step-by-step instructions and a short tutorial video to make the setup easier, but if something still wasn’t clear I’d really like to improve that. Please feel free to reach out as well—I’d be happy to walk you through the setup step by step and help get everything working for you.
Loved having a tour guide without a bus and crowd! An easy way to learn the history of a place and driving directions were good. We used the Hawaii bundle. It would have been helpful to have a zoomed out map that showed all of the available tours and the main points of interest so that we could decide in what order to do the tours and prioritize the things we wanted to see. We ended up missing a couple things we wanted to do because we didn’t have that big picture perspective to use our time wisely.
Amy, I’m really glad you enjoyed exploring my Big Island solo while still getting “the rest of the story.” That freedom—having a guide without the bus or crowds—is exactly what the tours are meant to offer, so it’s great to hear the history and directions worked well for you. I also appreciate your feedback on the Hawaii bundle. A zoomed-out map with all available tours and key points of interest is a valuable suggestion, especially for planning the order of tours and prioritizing must-see spots. I’ll share this with my team as we continue improving the experience. Thank you for taking the time to share both what you loved and what could be better—it truly helps shape future updates.
the audio was good and informative-the only drawback was not starting at the designate starting spot and not being able to just pick up where we were on the road
I’m glad to hear you found my Big Island audio tour informative. To get the most out of my tour, it’s essential to start at the designated starting point and follow the route as it’s designed. This ensures the audio stays in sync with your location. I always recommend setting up the tour in advance to make the experience smoother. For more Hawaiian adventures, check out my All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle, featuring Maui Beach, Oahu, and more.
Great tour and easy to use. My only “but” is that it would have been helpful to know that the excursion into volcano national park was not the main park entrance. We were fortunate that the road was closed and we didn’t spend 40 minutes driving all the way to the end and then discover we had not seen the main park area. It would be helpful to advise the options well before the first entrance to Volcano National Park. The Volcano National Park was incredible - the highlight of our trip to Hawaii!
Jessica, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed my Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour, especially your visit to Volcano National Park—it’s great to know it was the highlight of your trip. I appreciate your feedback about the park entrance, and I’ll be sure to pass that along to my team so we can provide clearer guidance for future travelers. If you're looking for more Hawaiian adventures, check out my All Hawaii Bundle, which features Maui, Oahu, and Kauai tours. I wish you more amazing travels!
The self driving tour doesn't stay on track, repeats and completely detours around popular things to see like Cooks momument.
Hi Randal, I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Immediately after purchase, when you enter the provided password into the app, you’ll see two versions of the tour. Please ensure that you select the correct one so that the audio syncs properly. Our support hours are 9–6 EST, and our products are valid for one year, providing you with ample time to use them or request a replacement/refund if needed.
Lots of information about Hawaii and not very much about actual sights along the way but very professional. Was a little hard to find the starting points. It would be nice if you could pick it up somewhere along the route rather than having to go to the starting point.
Viola, I’m glad you found the information professional and helpful. I understand your point about the starting locations and the focus on the sights along the way. I’ll ask my team to clarify the starting points and refine the guidance so that future travelers can have a smoother experience. If you're looking for more Hawaiian adventures, check out my All Hawaii Bundle, which features Maui, Oahu, and Kauai tours. I wish you more amazing travels!
