Big Island: Self-Guided South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour

19 Reviews 4.53 out of 5 stars Based on 19 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 95% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Big Island of Hawaii, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

2 days (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Come with us as we explore the fascinating volcanic landscape looping around the southern coast of the Big Island!

Shaka Guide is your perfect companion with turn-by-turn directions, information on what to do & see, and a truckload of interesting stories and Hawaiian legends of this amazing island!

Rated the #1 best GPS tour app for Hawaii with over 6,000+ raving reviews and 200,000+ downloads.

Why you need it:

✅ You don't need service because you can download the tours & use them offline

✅ Much cheaper than a tour bus at only $19.99 for lifetime access

✅ Save time planning your trip because we have the best stops lined up

✅ Freedom to stop and go as you please, unlike a tour bus where you are confined to the pre-determined route (no fun!)

✅ Hear cool and fun stories along the way (and some corny joke's that might make you laugh)

*Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

What's Included

  • Take the tour when you want
  • Tours NEVER expire
  • Offline map of the entire island
  • Meals & Refreshments
  • Hotel pick-up and drop off
See 7 moreSee 7 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Day 1

South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour

16 Stops

Day 2

South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour

1 Stop

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • If you want to visit Volcanoes National Park, we recommend budgeting 3-4 hours for this stop. To beat the crowds, it's best to arrive before 10 a.m. or to come on a weekday.
  • Ka'u Coffee Mill is open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. They offer free 20-minute guided tours Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. No reservations required.
  • Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island: Self-Guided South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-102020P22

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.53
19 reviews

Average 4.53 out of 5 stars based on 19 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
11
4 stars
7
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Wailoa River to King Kamehameha Statue SUP Adventure

This is a great adventure for the entire family. The river has a calm serene feeling of feeling as if you stepped back in time....

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
4.7 (3)
from
$133.34

Premium Kona Coast Morning Snorkel

Adventure down the Southern Kona Coast on our fleet of covered boats for everyone’s comfort. Snorkel the pristine Puʻuhonua O Honaunau (The Place of Refuge)...

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
4 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (200)
from
$164.72

Hawaii Volcanoes NP: Private Kilauea Eruption Insights Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Embark on an unparalleled, private 8-hour exploration of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, designed for your group's unique interests and pace. Your expert guide crafts every...

8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
8 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (9)
from
$1,195

Big Island: 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Soar above stunning Hawaiian rain forest filled with cascading waterfalls and a rambling river on the ultimate zipline adventure. Enjoy a 2-hour, guided course featuring...

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (1,063)
from
$276.54

Travelers Who Bought This Activity Also Bought

Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Hawai‘i Island’s only working salt farm, featured on Guy Fieri’s “Guy Hawaiian Style,” is located on a scenic 7-acre oceanfront site in the Hawai‘i Ocean...

1 hourFree Cancellation
1 hourFree Cancellation
1 hour • Free Cancellation
4.9 (884)
from
$27

Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour: Guaranteed or come again free

Why Choose Us for Your Manta Ray Night Snorkel? The strongest light power out of any operator…! Choose us if you want the most manta...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (2,405)
from
$95

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

A must do while in Hawaii! It's a lifetime opportunity to see up close manta rays feeding and interacting with other ocean creatures under the...

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (6,055)
from
$94

Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Our tours depart from the Kailua-Kona pier on the Big Island of Hawaii. Discover the beauty of Kona's underwater world aboard Marian, a 36-foot (10-meter), custom-designed glass-bottom boat....

50 minutesFree Cancellation
50 minutesFree Cancellation
50 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.7 (523)
from
$72

What's Included

Activity name

  • Take the tour when you want
  • Tours NEVER expire
  • Offline map of the entire island
  • Freedom to explore at your own pace
  • Tour Start is Customizable
  • Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
  • Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
  • Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
  • Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
  • Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
  • Meals & Refreshments
  • Hotel pick-up and drop off

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • There’s limited cell service in the remote parts of the island. Be sure to download the tour before you start!
  • If you begin in Kona, the tour will go counterclockwise. If you begin in Hilo, the tour will go clockwise.
  • The tour is designed to explore the south and southwest part of the island during the day and end up at Mauna Kea in the evening. It has the same stories and stops no matter where you begin.
  • If you want to visit Volcanoes National Park, we recommend budgeting 3-4 hours for this stop. To beat the crowds, it's best to arrive before 10 a.m. or to come on a weekday.
  • Ka'u Coffee Mill is open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. They offer free 20-minute guided tours Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. No reservations required.
  • Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.
  • Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Christmas, New Years and the first Thursday of each month. Requires an admission fee.
  • Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is open daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Pack clothes for hiking and swimming. You’ll have the option to do both on this tour.
  • Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
  • The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
  • Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
  • Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
  • Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Hawaii wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Hawaii over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.