Hawaii: Big Island Self-Guided Driving Tour

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About the activity

Take an unforgettable self-guided driving tour around the south side of Hawaii’s largest island. See the Big Island's volcanoes, jungles, and beaches on your own terms.

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Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets

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Audio guide

English
Start time - Available today

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Valid

365 days
Includes
- Easy-to-use app: download the Action Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Unique password: access your tour on the Action Tour Guide App
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
- All-day support line: Call, chat, or email for help.
- Transportation, parking fee, food/drinks
- National Park/attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Highlights & Description

Highlights

See lush greenery and exotic flora at the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
Make a breathtaking journey up a volcano used by NASA to practice missions
Dive into the fascinating culture and mythology of the ancient Hawaiians
Explore geologic wonders left by Hawaii’s dramatic volcanic past
Experience the Big Island's south side at your own time and pace

Description

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 100+miles-long tour covers the essentials of Yellowstone National Park in 3-5 hours.
Experience Hawaii's Big Island at your own pace with a self-guided driving tour. Stops include Hulihe's Palace, Magic Beach, and the Lekeleke Burial Grounds.
Your tour of the Big Island begins outside the quaint town of Kailua-Kona. As you drive, you’ll see the historic Hulihe’e Palace, once the vacation home of the island’s royalty. Continue south to Magic Beach, where the sand sometimes simply disappears.

After that is Kahalu'u Beach, a perfect place for snorkelers, followed by the sacred Lekeleke Burial Grounds. Next, pass the remnants of Hikiau Heiau, an important religious site in ancient Hawaii. Past that is the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park for those looking to learn more about the island’s history.

See the Honaunau Rodeo Arena and learn all about Hawaii’s cowboys. Next up is Pebble Beach, where you’ll get to know the Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele. You’ll also have the option to check out the Kula Kai Caverns, left by ancient volcanic activity.

Continuing on, reach the startling Punalu'u Beach, which features totally black sand. The route then passes an old sugar plantation, followed by the huge volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Pass by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can explore the island’s volcanoes up close.

After that, drive through the picturesque town of Hilo. Then, cruise through the almost impossibly scenic Liliuokalani Park and Gardens.

Find surfers catching waves next at Honoli'i Beach. After that is Onomea Bay, featuring a spectacular hiking trail with views that can’t be beaten. Then, admire the astonishing flora at the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. Continuing on, you’ll arrive at the surprising sight of the Honohina Hongwanji Mission, a historic Buddhist temple.

Next pass the Laupahoehoe Train Museum before reaching Laupahoehoe Point, a spectacular ocean vista. Don’t forget to snap some photos. Anyone hankering for a snack will definitely want to stop at the Hamakua Harvest Farmers Market before continuing on to the cowboy town of Waimea.

Up next are a pair of great beaches: Hapuna Beach is the largest white sand beach on the island and Beach 69 is beloved by locals, so take your pick.
Then you’ll arrive at the Kings Highway Foot Trail, where you’ll have the chance to see the ancient Waikoloa Petroglyphs. After that are another few scenic overlooks, followed by the beautiful Kekaha Kai State Park. Your tour concludes here, just north of where it began.

Good to know before you go

This tour is a self-guided mobile app tour with a map, audio stories, and images.
Access the tour on the Action Tour Guide app (separate from the Get Your Guide app).
Use the unique password received after booking to download & preview your specific tours before you arrive.
Start at the Starting Point. Follow the tour route. All audio stories play automatically based on your location.
Flexible schedule: Use it on any day and at any time or over multiple days. No need to rebook if your travel plans change.
It has new, extra validity—now yours for an entire year! Use it multiple times over multiple trips!
Driving tours: use one tour per car and connect to the car speakers.
Get support by calling, chatting, or emailing - all day long

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