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Big Island South Coast Loop Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour
Overview
Explore the southern half of Hawaii’s Big Island with an app-based, self-guided GPS audio driving tour through lava landscapes, black sand beaches, coffee country, and scenic coastal communities.
There’s no in-person guide—your phone leads the way with turn-by-turn navigation, stories, Hawaiian history, and local insight as you drive.
Follow turn-by-turn directions to highlights including Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Ka Lae (South Point), Kaʻū coffee country, and optional stops at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Shaka Guide tours are created by real people who know and experience the destinations they guide, bringing the Big Island to life through authentic stories, Hawaiian history, culture, geology, and local insight. Choose the stops that interest you, skip others, and customize the journey around your schedule.
Download the Shaka Guide app and tour before you go; once downloaded, the audio and map work offline, and GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you drive.
What's Included
- Stories, Hawaiian history, culture, geology, and local recommendations
- Three designated starting areas: Kona, Waikoloa, and Hilo
- Offline map and audio after download
- Flexible itinerary with optional stops and side trips
- Turn-by-turn audio navigation that plays automatically as you drive
- Tour access does not expire
- One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle
- Access to the South Island Epic Coastal Journey in the Shaka Guide app
- Transportation or rental vehicle
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- In-person tour guide
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour
15 Stops
South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour
1 Stop
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- This is a self-guided driving tour. Transportation and a driver are not included, so you’ll need your own vehicle or rental car.
- The tour has designated starting areas in Kona, Waikoloa, and Hilo. Choose the starting point that best fits your trip in the Shaka Guide app.
- Download the Shaka Guide app after booking and use the redemption code provided in your confirmation to access your tour.
- Download the tour over strong Wi-Fi before you begin. Once downloaded, the audio and map work offline, and GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you drive.
- Plan approximately 10–12 hours for a full-day experience. The itinerary is flexible, and travelers who want to spend more time at optional stops can continue the tour over multiple days.
- Stops and side trips are recommendations, not requirements. Skip stops, stay longer, or customize the route around your interests and available time.
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an optional stop and requires a separate National Park Service entrance pass. Park admission is not included with the Shaka Guide tour.
- Admission, parking, tours, or other fees charged by optional third-party attractions are not included and are paid directly to the attraction if you choose to visit.
- The tour’s recommended Maunakea stop is the Visitor Information Station. Driving to the summit is not required and may be subject to separate vehicle, weather, and access restrictions.
- Road and stop access can change due to weather, storms, maintenance, or local conditions. Follow posted closures and signage and skip any location that is inaccessible during your visit.
- Wildlife sightings, including sea turtles at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, are not guaranteed. Never approach, touch, or feed wildlife.
- Accessibility varies by stop. Because this is a self-guided tour using your own vehicle, accessibility depends on your vehicle and the locations you choose to visit. Some beaches, trails, coastal areas, and outdoor stops may not be wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Bring water, sun protection, and a fully charged phone. A car charger is recommended for this full-day route.
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island South Coast Loop Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-102020P22
Traveler Photos
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
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Hawaii customers.
Filter by:
- 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).
- Stories, Hawaiian history, culture, geology, and local recommendations.
- Three designated starting areas: Kona, Waikoloa, and Hilo.
- Offline map and audio after download.
- Flexible itinerary with optional stops and side trips.
- Turn-by-turn audio navigation that plays automatically as you drive.
- Tour access does not expire.
- One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle.
- Access to the South Island Epic Coastal Journey in the Shaka Guide app.
- Transportation or rental vehicle.
- Food and drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- In-person tour guide.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Big Island South Coast Loop Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Big Island South Coast Loop Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Hawaii. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Stories, Hawaiian history, culture, geology, and local recommendations
- Three designated starting areas: Kona, Waikoloa, and Hilo
- Offline map and audio after download
- Flexible itinerary with optional stops and side trips
- Turn-by-turn audio navigation that plays automatically as you drive
- Tour access does not expire
- One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle
- Access to the South Island Epic Coastal Journey in the Shaka Guide app
- Transportation or rental vehicle
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- In-person tour guide
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- This is a self-guided driving tour. Transportation and a driver are not included, so you’ll need your own vehicle or rental car.
- The tour has designated starting areas in Kona, Waikoloa, and Hilo. Choose the starting point that best fits your trip in the Shaka Guide app.
- Download the Shaka Guide app after booking and use the redemption code provided in your confirmation to access your tour.
- Download the tour over strong Wi-Fi before you begin. Once downloaded, the audio and map work offline, and GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you drive.
- Plan approximately 10–12 hours for a full-day experience. The itinerary is flexible, and travelers who want to spend more time at optional stops can continue the tour over multiple days.
- Stops and side trips are recommendations, not requirements. Skip stops, stay longer, or customize the route around your interests and available time.
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an optional stop and requires a separate National Park Service entrance pass. Park admission is not included with the Shaka Guide tour.
- Admission, parking, tours, or other fees charged by optional third-party attractions are not included and are paid directly to the attraction if you choose to visit.
- The tour’s recommended Maunakea stop is the Visitor Information Station. Driving to the summit is not required and may be subject to separate vehicle, weather, and access restrictions.
- Road and stop access can change due to weather, storms, maintenance, or local conditions. Follow posted closures and signage and skip any location that is inaccessible during your visit.
- Wildlife sightings, including sea turtles at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, are not guaranteed. Never approach, touch, or feed wildlife.
- Accessibility varies by stop. Because this is a self-guided tour using your own vehicle, accessibility depends on your vehicle and the locations you choose to visit. Some beaches, trails, coastal areas, and outdoor stops may not be wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Bring water, sun protection, and a fully charged phone. A car charger is recommended for this full-day route.
