Mahalo for purchasing the Big Island Tour Bundle!
Click the links below for everything you need to know before you go or scroll to learn more. Here you'll find important trip planning information like attraction entry fees, safety precautions, and useful tips for the tour.
The bundle comes with the following tours:
- • South Island Epic Coastal Journey
- • North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
- • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
- • Kona Big Kahuna Tour
- • Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
COVID-19 UPDATE: Hawaii has reopened to tourists, but a lot has changed. Many attractions remain closed. To check out a list of attractions that are open and closed on Big Island, click here.
South Island Epic Coastal Journey
- • There’s limited cell service on remote parts of the island. Be sure to download the tour in wifi before you go!
- • Start the tour in Kona, Waikoloa or Hilo and travel clockwise or counterclockwise.
- • The tour is the same regardless of the direction you take. The road to Mauna Kea’s summit has recently been reopened but we don’t recommend you go unless you have 4-wheel drive. No joke!
- • You’ll travel through remote parts of the island, however there are several towns where you can get gas and food, such as, Volcano Town, Na’alehu, Kau, and Hilo.
- • There’s no lava flowing in Volcanoes National Park.
- • Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut visitor center and Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo are currently closed.
- • Pack clothes for hiking and swimming, you’ll have the option to do both on this tour.
- • The tour does not include Hilo town. For an in-depth tour of Hilo check out the North Island Jungle Adventure tour.
North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
- • Start the tour in Kona, Waikoloa or Hilo and travel clockwise or counterclockwise. Both directions are the same tour so pick the one that’s best for you!
- • Entrance to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is $20 for adults and $5 for children 6-15; it’s free for children under 6.
- • There’s a $5 entrance fee to Akaka Falls for cars and a $1 fee for pedestrians. This is a must-see spot!
- • Entrance to tour Umauma Falls and Gardens is $12 per person.
- • Wear layers and bring a jacket, temperatures vary drastically across the island.
- • The road to Mauna Kea’s summit has recently been reopened, however the Visitor Center’s stargazing program has been discontinued and the center is currently closed due to COVID 19.
- • The best food stops are in Honoka’a, Waimea and Hilo.
- • If you’re doing the Waipio Valley Hike know that it’s one of the steepest in the world. Because of this, do not drive down into the valley even with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Rather just opt for the hike.
- • We don’t recommend combining this tour with any of our other Big Island tours, there’s just too much to see and do.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
- • There is currently no flowing lava in the park.
- • Due to the 2018 eruption the Jaggar Museum is closed.
- • Entrance to Volcanoes National Park costs $30 per car.
- • There are limited spots for food and drink in the park; be sure to pack water and snacks.
- • Wear layers and bring a jacket, temperatures vary drastically in the park.
- • The park is constantly changing. For updates visit the park’s site here. If you notice any inaccuracies or changes in the tour -- please feel free to reach out!
- • The tour begins at the park’s entrance.
Kona Big Kahuna Tour
- • Start the tour in Waikoloa or Kona (if you join the tour in progress, you’ll miss some stories though!) and travel in a counterclockwise loop, ending in Kona.
- • This tour can only be done in one direction.
- • There’s a guided tour of Big Island Bees that costs $20 for adults and $8 for children, expect to spend about an hour on the tour.
- • The Painted Church has free admission but donations are welcome.
- • Pu’uhonua Honaunau National Park costs $15 per car.
- • The guided tour of Kona Coffee Living Museum costs $15 for adults and $5 for children.
- • Pack snorkel and swim gear! You can visit Kealakekua Bay and Two-Steps — two great snorkel spots.
- • The tour takes about 4-6 hours. Our recommended start time is before 11 a.m.
Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
- • This tour starts and ends in Waikoloa and travels counterclockwise only.
- • The best food stops are in Hawi or Waimea Town.
- • There are no entrance fees to any of the parks on this tour, but you might want to bring some cash for snacks and gifts — there are shops that are cash only.
- • Bring hiking shoes and water.
- • There’s only one hike on this tour: the Pololu Valley Hike. This is a 0.9-mile roundtrip hike that’s considered moderate due to its steep elevation.
- • Kohala Welcome Center is the only public restroom in Hawi Town. It’s open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Have Questions About the App? Reach Out
Send us an email to aloha@shakaguide.com, give us a call 808-201-8138, or visit or FAQs.
