South Island Epic Coastal Journey Itinerary

The South Island Epic Coastal Journey covers a lot of ground, literally. It takes you on a journey that spans more than 200 miles of Hawai'i Island.

Because this tour packs in a lot over a vast distance, you'll want to make a few key decisions before you start the tour to help you maximize your time:

For those who want to see and do everything mentioned in the tour, we recommend breaking the tour into two or three days so you have more time to visit each spot.
For those hoping to drive the entire loop in one day, we recommend choosing just one (or two) of the major stops.

Tour Highlights

Here are some of the fun things you can do on your trip around the island:

The Kona Coast - Drive through the Kona Coffee Belt and grab some local grindz (food) along the way.
South Point - Check out the southernmost point in the United States!
Punalu'u Beach - Swim at one of the most popular black sand beaches in Hawai'i and look for sea turtles.
Ka'u Coffee Mill - Sample island coffee grown on the southern slopes of Mauna Loa.
Mauna Kea Visitor Center - Come for the sunset and stay for the stargazing atop the world's tallest mountain (measured from its base on the sea floor).

You'll also have the option to visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. To get the most out of your volcano experience, check out Shaka Guide's Volcanoes National Park Tour.

Tour Starting Points

This tour is designed so you can spend the day exploring the south and southwest portions of the island first, then wrap up your epic adventure at Mauna Kea in the evening. If you time it right, you can watch the sunset and stay for the spectacular nighttime display from one of the best stargazing spots in the world.

There are two main starting points:

Hilo - This tour goes clockwise around the island and ends back in Hilo.
Kona - This tour goes counterclockwise around the island and ends back in Kona.

Both directions include the same stops and stories.

The Tour is Customizable

What you choose will really depend on where you’re staying and what you’d like to do.

Like all Shaka Guide tours, you have the ability to stop and go as you please.

Visit the sites you want, and skip the ones you don’t. This suggested itinerary will give you an idea of how long you should expect to spend at each stop and which spots to skip if you have some specific adventures in mind later in the day.

Pro Tip! Fill up your gas tank before you head out. You don’t want to be frantically looking for a gas station at some of the remote points on the island.

Tour Itinerary

*This sample itinerary starts in Kailua-Kona and heads counterclockwise around the island.*

MORNING

Approximately 3-4 hours.

Depart Kona by 8:00 a.m. This tour packs a lot in, and if you want to get to all of it, you’ll need to make the most of your time.

Pro Tip: If you plan to visit Volcanoes National Park, we recommend leaving Kailua-Kona no later than 7 a.m. and heading straight to the park. That way you can arrive before 10 a.m. and beat the crowds. Trust us, the early wake-up call will be worth it.

Cruise down the Kona Coast

Approximate time: 1.5 hours

We will bypass Kailua Town and head straight for South Point on the Hawai'i Belt Road.

Along the way, you'll hear about the area's rich history and drive through this amazing agricultural region known for its world-famous Kona Coffee.

Stop and grab some snacks for the road when we drive through the small towns of Kealakekua or Captain Cook.

Note: If you are interested in exploring the beaches, historic sites and coffee farms in this area, you can always come back on our Kona Big Kahuna Tour!

Stop for fuel and refreshments at Oceanview Shopping Plaza

Approximate time: 10 minutes

You’re in for a long drive ahead, especially if you’re planning on making the trip to South Point to visit the most southern point of the United States.

The Oceanview Shopping Plaza is one of the last places to grab some snacks and water or use the restroom for about 30 miles.

Visit Ka Lae - South Point

Approximate time: 1+ hour(s)

Ka Lae translates in Hawaiian to ‘the point,’ and is the southernmost point of land in the United States.

The area has a desolate beauty all on its own with wind-bent trees and cliffs that feel like the end of the world.

You can visit an ancient fishing heiau, look for migrating whales, watch local fishermen, or cheer on the brave souls taking the 40-foot plunge off the cliff.

Note: If you want to visit Volcanoes National Park and Mauna Kea today, we recommend saving this trip for another time.

Take a look at Mark Twain's Monkey Pod Tree

Approximate time: 5 minutes

This area is a small village called Waiohinu where Mark Twain, while he was here, planted a monkeypod tree.

This little town still exists and is home to a second-generation descendant of the monkey pod planted by the famous author.

A hurricane claimed the original tree in 1956, and today’s tree sprouted from its roots.

Lunch or snack at Punalu'u Bakeshop, Na'alehu Town

Approximate time: 20 minutes

At this point, you might need a bite to refuel, and where better than a bakery that specializes in Hawaiian sweet bread--the Punalu'u Bakeshop!

Make sure you stop by to try some of its famous sweets and treats.

In Hawaiian, Punalu'u means “the volcanic ashes."

It’s the southernmost community in the US with a post office.

There are only around a thousand people living here, and it’s a nice quiet rural town.

AFTERNOON

Visit Whittington Beach Park OR stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Whittington is a peaceful little rest area with picnic tables and excellent views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs.

If you’re short on time, you might want to skip this spot and stay on the road towards Volcanoes National Park. Plus there’s a black sand beach coming up next!

Stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Island of Hawaii

Punalu'u is well-known in Hawaiian culture and legends. It is known as a “Wahi Pana”, or sacred place, and was seen as an oasis in the Ka’u desert.

Punalu'u Beach is famous not only for its black sand but also for its sea turtles.

Green sea turtles are usually all over the place here, sleeping on the beach and swimming next to you in the ocean.

If you see them, be sure to keep your distance. These are protected animals, and getting too close will result in a fine.

Try local coffee at Ka'u Coffee

Approximate time: 15-45 minutes (depending on if you do the guided tour)

Take a short detour to Pahala Town to check out the Ka'u Coffee Mill and get some free samples of this delicious coffee and macadamia nuts at their gift shop.

They also offer free weekday tours twice daily. The tour lasts about 30 minutes.

If you don’t need a midday pick-me-up, skip this spot as it’s a slight detour.

Lava Tree Molds

Approximate time: 10-30 minutes (depending on if you do the hike)

Drive a short loop to see some neat lava tree molds.

Lava trees form when fast-flowing lava moves through a forest and completely surrounds moist trees.

The tree burns up on the inside as the lava cools on the outside, resulting in a lava shell left in the shape of the tree.

Farther up the road, you can do an optional 1.2-mile hike in a kipuka--or a forest that escaped the lava.

Volcanoes National Park

Approximate time: 3-4 hours

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii | Photo by Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes as well as glimpses of rare flora and fauna.

The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's largest active shield volcano.

Check out Shaka Guide's Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Tour. It will take you to all our favorite spots and features more fascinating science, stories and information along the way.

Note: The national park is undergoing major construction, and some roads and buildings may be closed at this time. See the park website for updates.

EVENING

Make a pitstop at Volcano Village

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Volcano Village is the perfect place for a quick stop. You can gas up, stop at some of the cute boutiques or grab a snack at the Kilauea General Store.

If you’re hungry for dinner, there are also some sit-down restaurants you can try.

Check out an acclaimed Orchid Garden

Approximate time: 15 minutes

Moriyasu Akatsuka started the orchid gardens here in 1974 after running a family orchid nursery in Japan.

If you stop at the gardens, you can walk through their greenhouses and view all of the different types of beautiful orchids they raise and ship out to customers across the globe.

Note: The orchid farm has very limited hours, so check the Akatsuka Orchid website if you're interested in stopping.

Try local macadamia nuts at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Chocolate from Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm. @prayitnophotography, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

As we approach Hilo, you have the option to take a quick detour to Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm.

At the retail store, visitors can taste test the farm's many assorted flavors. They also sell delicious dairy-free macadamia nut ice cream by the scoop.

You can also watch a video of the macadamia nut candy being made and walk around their beautiful grounds.

The visitor center is open Mondays - Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Visit Panaewa Zoo

Approximate time: 1 hour

Just outside Hilo is the only rainforest zoo in the US, Panaewa Zoo.

This is a perfect spot to bring the kids!

While you’re there, look for the zoo’s stars--two Bengal tigers. The white one is named Tzatziki, and the orange one is named Sriracha.

The zoo is free to enter and is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily except Christmas and New Year's and the first Thursday of each month.

Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Hawaii | Photo by Robert Linsdell, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

'Imiloa Astronomy Center

Approximate time: 30+ minutes

The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is part of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and is a gathering place that integrates science and Native Hawaiian culture.

They have a visitor’s center with wonderful exhibits, programs and events.

Since Hawaiian society was built on exploration and observation, Hawaiian cultural practices have become an important part of ‘Imiloa’s exhibits.

The center is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Pull over for a look at a Heart-Shaped Cinder Cone

Approximate time: 2 minutes

Pull over on the side of the road, and we’ll tell you where to spot a heart-shaped cinder cone if the weather is clear.

Stargaze atop Mauna Kea

Approximate time: 1+ hours

Stargaze atop Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world--when measured from the ocean floor to its summit.

Astronomers from around the world explore the universe from its peak, and the Hawaiian people go to it in search of ancient spiritual connections.

The visitor center, located 9,000 feet above sea level, is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky.

We recommend arriving at the visitor center right before sunset so you can catch both the sunset and the stars.

The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Note: The road from the visitor center to the summit is unpaved, rough and very steep. This drive is only recommended for those with a 4WD. See Visiting Mauna Kea Safely and Responsibly for important safety information before deciding to drive all the way to the summit.

Return on the Saddle Road

Approximate time: 1 hour

At this point in the day, you will be exhausted! You’ve seen just about every corner of the Big Island, and you’re probably ready to head back to your hotel.

Don’t worry, we’ll guide you back across the island with more stories along the way.

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When you’re in Hawai'i, we ask that you travel pono--or do the right thing. Please act respectfully toward the locals, land and wildlife.

Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants or other animals; and avoid unsafe spots. Hawaii’s natural resources are precious. It’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

Shaka Guide recognizes the use of diacritics in the Hawaiian language including the okina or glottal stop and the kahako or macron. In some instances, these have been omitted on our site to ensure the best online experience for our users since not all online platforms recognize these marks. We understand the importance of these diacritics to preserve the language and culture of Hawaii.

Ready to take the South Island Epic Coastal Journey? Here's everything you need to know before you go!