South Island Epic Coastal Journey

Duration
8-12 hrs
Audio Points
191
Tour Stops
15

About The Tour

Take a journey through the southern half of Big Island. Drive across barren lava fields that are wedged between two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. As you travel you’ll come across a black sand beach and local coffee and macadamia nut farms. Take an optional side trip -- don't ...

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Take a journey through the southern half of Big Island. Drive across barren lava fields that are wedged between two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. As you travel you’ll come across a black sand beach and local coffee and macadamia nut farms. Take an optional side trip -- don't worry, we'll guide you -- to Ka Lae (South Point) for cliff jumping and a hike to a green sand beach. End the day at Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in Hawaii, for stargazing.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

•⁠ Drink local coffee at Kaʻu Coffee Farm
•⁠ Visit a black sand beach
•⁠ Stargaze atop Mauna Kea
•⁠ Visit an ancient historic site
•⁠ Get malasadas and sweet bread at Punalu'u Bakery

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Recommended Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Tour Starting Point(s): Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo
Direction: Clockwise or Counterclockwise

For even more fun, combine this tour with our Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour!

All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.

Sample Tour Audio

Paradise Meadows
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Turn Left for Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
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Exit or Kipukapuaulu
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Tour Stops

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Whittington Beach
Lava Tree Molds Drive
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
'Imiloa Astronomy Center - Hilo
Ka'u Coffee Mill
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo - Hilo
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm - Hilo
Kipukapuaulu Hike
Ka Lae (South Point)
Volcano Village
Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway)
Punalu'u Bakeshop - Na'alehu
Paradise Meadows - South Point
View All

Tour Route

View Map

Customer Reviews

(16091)

Hawai’i Day trip

Used the Shaka guide during our day trip on the big island. We knew we wanted to do volcano national park but were able to add great stops along the way from Kona thanks to the Shaka Guide. Highly recommend.

clsargeant8 | 1 day ago | iOS

Fantastic Big Island Audio Tour

This GPS audio tour of the Big Island was the perfect companion as we spent a few days touring the northern coast, Hilo, Mauna Kea, and the southern coast of the island. I loved the informational facts and really enjoyed the Hawaiian music. The narrators voice was very easy to listen to and we liked the optional side trips off the beaten path. I would definitely recommend these tours to anyone looking for a self paced, scenic drive through this beautiful state.

K8Walks | 2 months ago | iOS

Shaka required for exploring!

I can’t rave enough about SHAKA guide. We have used Shaka for Maui, THE BIG ISLAND, Kauai, Yosemite, Sequia National Park, and Kings Canyon. The audio tour genuinely makes 8-10 hour exploring trips worth every minute. I have kids that are 8 and 10 years old, they love Shaka too. We landed in Kona and immediately turned on Shaka to start our Hawaiian vacation. It blows my mind that people still walk up to the ranger desk and ask what they should see when visiting a national park. All you need is Shaka! Can’t recommend enough!

Robin Barker Fox | 2 months ago | iOS
Read Our Reviews

What is an Audio Tour Guide?

Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:

  • GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk.
  • Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
Show More

What is an Audio Tour Guide?

Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:

  • GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
  • The app works offline so even with spotty service we'll get you where you need to go.
  • The app works offline so even with spotty service we'll get you where you need to go.

Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let's explore together.

 

Tour FAQs

Where does the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour go?
This tour takes across the entire island from Hilo on the eastern coast to Kona in the west. One of the best things about this tour — you can start it from either side of the island depending on your travel plans. The tour travels in a loop, ending where you began, but you can also break it up into multiple days, or combine it with our Volcanoes National Park and Kona Big Kahuna Tours. Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour! Kealakekua BayKuamoo BattlefieldKa Lae (South Point)Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach) Kau Coffee FarmPunalu’u Bakery Punalu’u Black Sand BeachVolcanoes National Park (optional side trip, download our Volcanoes National Park tour) Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut FarmMauna Kea Visitor CenterThere’s an optional detour to South Point, where you can cliff jump at the southernmost tip of the United States.For help planning your day check our South Island Epic Coastal Journey suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go!
What should I pack for the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour?
Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day.Layers and a jacket, temperatures vary drastically across the island (pack especially if you plan to visit Mauna Kea)SneakersHiking ClothesWater BottleBug SprayTowelBathing Suit (for Cliff Jumping/ beach hopping)SandalsSunscreenSun Glasses and/or HatSnacksCashCar Charger *Very Important*Phone Mount
What should I budget for the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour?
How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route. Here's a breakdown of some costs: $20.00 per person: Lunch and a local snack$20.00/adults per person: Big Island Bees guided tour (you can also just visit the shop for a free honey tasting)$30.00 per car: Volcanoes National Park entrance (credit preferred)
Can I join the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour along the route?
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from.  If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience. 
Can I take the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour in the opposite direction?
Yes! This is one of the few tours that you can do both clockwise and counterclockwise around the island — it truly depends on what works best with your schedule and travel plans. This tour has three starting points: Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo. All directions are the same tour so pick the one that’s best for you!
Should I do the detour to South Point?
It depends. If you’re looking to cliff jump at the southernmost tip of the United States or hike to the green sand beach then we recommend you make the detour. The detour itself takes about an hour, but plan to spend more time if you're going to cliff jump or hike. The hike is five miles round trip and takes about 3 hours. If not, you might want to skip it and save that time for other activities along the route.
Other Questions? Contact Us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.

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  • North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
  • Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
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  • Grand Circle Island Tour
  • East Oahu Shoreline Drive
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
  • Sunrise at Haleakala National Park Tour
  • Classic Road to Hana Tour
  • North Shore Kauai Driving Tour
  • Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour
  • Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
  • Loop Road to Hana
  • Reverse Road to Hana
  • Poipu and Koloa Driving Tour
  • Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour
  • West Maui Coastline Tour
  • North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
  • Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
  • South Island Epic Coastal Journey
  • Kona Big Kahuna Loop
  • Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour
  • Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour
  • Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour
  • Legendary North Shore Loop

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