Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour
41 Reviews
4.20 out of 5 stars Based on 41 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and TripAdvisor
|
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
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.
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's Included
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales, history, and facts for a memorable journey!
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: One purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Meeting Location
Meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Hilo
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.Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
203 Kilauea Ave
The deck is a steel grid which creates a singing sound from the tires of cars driving on it.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Honoli'i Beach Park (Pass By)
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.
Onomea Bay Trail (Pass By)
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.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Pass By)
The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve
Kolekole Beach Park (Pass By)
Kolekole Beach Park is a Hawaii county park on the island of Hawaii.
19 HI-19
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.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Laupahoehoe Train Museum (Pass By)
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.
Laupahoehoe Point Cemetery (Pass By)
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.
Kohala Coast
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.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Anna Ranch Heritage Center (Pass By)
Anna Ranch Heritage Center is a former cattle ranch in Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii named for Anna Leialoha Lindsey Perry-Fiske (1900–1995).
Hapuna Beach
The largest of the island's white sand beaches, Hapuna Beach has consistently been rated on international Top Ten lists of the islands’ best beaches.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kings Hwy Foot Trail (Pass By)
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.
Buddha Point (Pass By)
Picturesque lookout point offering sweeping views of the ocean, sunset & passing whales.
Waikoloa Beach
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".
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kiholo Bay (Pass By)
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.
Kekaha Kai State Park (Pass By)
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.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (Pass By)
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.
Kailua-Kona
Public park with white sand beach & rocky shoreline, offering lifeguard-overseen swimming & surfing.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hulihe'e Palace (Pass By)
Small beach & reef with generally calm water, making it a popular place to snorkel.
Magic Sands Beach Park (Pass By)
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.
Kahalu’u Beach Park (Pass By)
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.
Lekeleke Burial Ground (Pass By)
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.
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Pass By)
Pāhala is a census-designated place in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 1,356 at the 2010 census.
Honaunau
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.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm Tours & Konalani Coffee Bar (Pass By)
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.
Hawaii Belt Road (Pass By)
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.
87 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd
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.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kula Kai Caverns (Pass By)
Centuries-old lava caves & tube systems once used by native tribes for shelter & water collection.
Black Sand Beach Apparel (Pass By)
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.
Mauna Loa Observatory (Pass By)
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
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.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- 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
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
- 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.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
- Tsunami Warning: Due to a massive earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning has been issued for Hawaii. For the most up-to-date information, visit: tsunami.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour?
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-267535P21
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.20
41 reviews
Average 4.20 out of 5 stars based on 41 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
5 stars
22
4 stars
12
3 stars
3
2 stars
1
1 star
3
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Hawaii customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour?
A:Apr 2025
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).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!.
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!.
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!.
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales, history, and facts for a memorable journey!.
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone.
- Great value: One purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!.
The following is NOT included:
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations.
Q:
What is the minimum age for this activity?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If 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 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible activity?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided 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 2024What's Included
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales, history, and facts for a memorable journey!
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: One purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- 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
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
- 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.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
- Tsunami Warning: Due to a massive earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning has been issued for Hawaii. For the most up-to-date information, visit: tsunami.gov.
