Hawaii volcano
KAREN_B
Oct 11, 2026, 10:54:17 AM
Oct 11, 2026, 10:54:17 AM
Great directions on what we were seeing and what to do next for directions. Have used VIATOR several times. Doesn’t disappoint.
About Activity
Unlock the diverse wonders of the Big Island with this all-in-one self-guided audio tour bundle. From volcanic landscapes and rainforest adventures to coastal panoramas and historic sites, explore the island’s most captivating regions on your terms with immersive GPS-triggered storytelling.
Enjoy total freedom: start each tour whenever it suits you, pause for spontaneous hikes or beachside snacks, linger at scenic lookouts, and craft your ideal itinerary without the limitations of group tours. With offline GPS navigation, insider tips, and lifetime access across all five tours, you’ll experience both the most iconic highlights and secluded treasures.
Included tours:
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
• North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
• Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
• South Island Epic Coastal Journey
• Kona Big Kahuna Loop
Simply add the bundle, download the tours, and embark on multiple unforgettable Big Island adventures—all on your schedule, at your pace.
What's Included
Includes
- Take the tour when you want
- Tours NEVER expire
- Freedom to explore at your own pace
- Tour Start is Customizable
- Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
- Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
- All 5 Shaka Guide audio driving tours for Big Island
- Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
- Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
Excludes
- Parking Fees
- Meals
- Car rental
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- The Volcanoes National Park driving tour begins at the park's entrance.
Return
- The Volcanoes National Park driving tour begins at the park's entrance.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Day
1
1
Begin your day with a sweeping view of Kiholo Bay from the scenic viewpoint along the road.
This pristine white sand beach along the Kona Coast is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling or kayaking--making it great for the whole family!
The Huehue lava tube is an enormous and ancient lava tube formed from Hualalai Volcano. Have a look for it on your left-hand side as you’re driving down Mamalahoa Highway. Please note: This lava tube used to be accessible to the public but has been closed off to visitors for safety reasons. So drive-by only.
Check out goat pens constructed out of stones, fishponds and fish traps, petroglyphs, altars, and even a heiau!
We will pass through Kailua-Kona on Ali’i Drive. You are welcome to stop here now to grab a bite to eat, walk around this quaint seaside town, or pick up snacks for the road. Or, feel free to return at another time.
The beach is also known as “La’aloa,” White Sands, or Disappearing Sands, and it got the name from the sand that is pulled off from the beach during the winter or early spring, leaving the lava rock exposed.
Have you ever seen a church on the beach? Well, here you can! Look out for a small white church perched right on the beach. This beach is also a popular surf spot and also a great place to snorkel. In fact, the rock structure to the right of the church is a one-of-a-kind heiau or temple thought to be dedicated to surfing.
Take a walk to learn a bit about Hawaii’s history and the story of one of its most famous kings, Kamehameha III. The walking area has historical signs and markers along the way explaining how Kona has been home to important royal sites since the 1600s.
Pull over for a look at an ancient battlefield and burial ground. While you’re stopped, we’ll tell you the story of this historic spot.
Big Island Bees makes honey from all sorts of flowers that are grown on the island. With over 2,500 hives and 125 million bees, they know their stuff. Stop by to walk through the museum, look at the shop (which has body care products, too!), and sample some of their locally-produced honey -- for free!
Kealakekua Bay is a marine life conservation district. Because the water here is usually calm, underwater life thrives making it a great spot for snorkeling. While you’re there, look out in the distance for a white structure -- that’s the Captain Cook monument commemorating the death of the British sea captain and first European to discover the islands.
Within the park are several historical landmarks like the grounds where the ali’i (royalty) lived within the Pu'uhonua.
Two Step Beach got its name from the lava rock steps you can use to enter the bay. You can access the beach on Honaunau Beach Road, just before the entrance to the Pu'uhonua.
This historic church was built in 1899 by Father John Velghe of Belgium. Unlike the typical stained glass windows that you’ll find in churches, this religious site is completely painted on the inside.
At this point in the tour, you might be feeling a little hungry. As we drive back along South Kona Belt Road, we’ll mention some great lunch options along the route between Honaunau and Kealakekua.
Kona coffee is one of the most renowned java in the world. Here’s your chance to learn about the famous brew and what it takes to fill a mug. At this living history museum, you can take a self-guided tour through the orchard, farmhouse, and coffee mill.
Another great spot to learn about coffee and its importance to this region of Big Island is the Greenwell Farm and Museum. This is a multi-faceted agribusiness using modern farming practices. In addition to growing their own coffee plants, they also buy and process coffee beans from over 300 farmers in the Kona District.
As you drive down the road, you’ll see the Aloha Theatre -- a historic site that was once the place to go in the 1930s for live shows and entertainment. Fortunately, the community has helped to preserve it, and today they still have live performances.
Once you arrive back in Kailua Town, we suggest you hang out for a bit. Stop for a bite to eat overlooking the ocean.
After a full day of exploring, we'll enjoy a leisurely drive back to Waikoloa with more fascinating stories to keep you entertained. When we reach Waikoloa, you'll have the option of visiting a few cultural sites with ancient petrogylphs or rock drawings.
Day 2
Day 2
Day
2
2
We’ll begin our tour in Hilo Town. Although this town may be small, there’s plenty to see and do.
Our tour begins at the King Kamehameha Statue in Hilo. Learn the fascinating backstory of this 14-foot bronze sculpture of Hawaii's first king and how it ended up in Hilo.
Coconut Island is a small beach park in Hilo accessed by a small bridge. This island is also called Moku Ola, which means 'healing island' or 'island of life', and it used to be the home of an ancient temple that was dedicated to healing. Legend has it that swimming around the island three times would heal any ailments or ill feelings.
Liliuokalani Gardens is one of the gems of Hilo Town. This park is known as the biggest edo-style garden outside of Japan! In this serene park you’ll find majestic red bridges over Koi ponds, statues, and pagodas, along with stone lanterns lining the pathways.
Located just a short drive from Downtown Hilo is Rainbow Falls. On sunny days, rainbows appear amid the 80-foot falls, making for some pretty magical views. The broad waterfall - nearly 100 feet in diameter - plunges over a natural lava cave into the river below. Parking at Rainbow Falls and the Boiling Pots requires a paid parking pass. One parking payment covers both locations.
A few minutes down the road, you’ll find Boiling Pots, a chain of overflowing waterfalls that looks like boiling pots of water after it rains. Parking at Rainbow Falls and the Boiling Pots requires a paid parking pass. One parking payment covers both locations.
Kaumana Caves is a massive cave part of a 25-mile-long lava tube created by the Mauna Loa lava flow of 1880. The public part of the cave stretches about 2 miles and quickly goes pitch black as soon as you enter.
Pull over in front of the Hilo Public Library, and take a look at the Naha Stone on the grass outside. In ancient times the Naha Stone was believed to have spiritual powers and that whoever could move or overturn this 5,000-pound rock would then be granted the power to unite the islands. Legend has it that at the age of 30, Kamehameha successfully overturned the stone. He later united the islands of Hawai'i and became its first king.
Onomea Trail is an easy hike that runs along a breathtaking section of coastline with 180-degree views of Onomea Bay. The trail to the bay is short, less than a mile roundtrip, but it’s worth it for the photo opportunities alone! You can also take the fork in the trail to explore Onomea stream where it opens to the ocean.
Stroll through a manicured garden with over 2,500 plant species, then we recommend a visit the nearby Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden. The garden protects the unique and endangered plants of the rainforests and features miles of trails under a canopy of trees. The place is magical!
Arguably one of the most famous waterfalls on the Big Island, you can take a half-mile stroll on a paved path through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns to get a glimpse of this iconic natural wonder.
Ready for another waterfall? Follow the signs for the Umauma Experience and take their self-guided driving tour to see this stunning three-tier waterfall. Stop by the visitor center first to register and grab a map. Then enjoy a scenic drive through a beautiful tropical garden before heading to the spectacular Umauma Falls viewpoint.
When you take this tour, we’ll tell you all about the history of sugarcane in Hawai'i. This industry once flourished on the islands, and railways were a key mode of transportation for this vital export. This museum celebrates the history of the Hamakua Coast and the railroads that connected this Big Island’s sugarcane industry to the rest of Hawai'i and the world.
In 1946, there was a devastating tsunami in this area that killed over 150 people. Many of them were school children. During the tour, you’ll hear the story of this tragic day and learn about a few brave survivors.
Waipi'o Valley is one of the most beautiful and storied valleys in Hawai'i. According to legends, the gods lived in Waipi'o in ancient days. The sacred valley was also the royal center for many ancient rulers on the Big Island and was the boyhood home of Kamehameha the Great.
Well, do we have a treat for you! On our way out of Honoka'a, we’ll guide you to TEX Drive In -- a local spot with hearty plate lunches that will keep you fueled and ready to go for the rest of your journey.
Waimea Town is an artsy farm town known for its quaint bed and breakfasts and cowboy history. Waimea also has lots of amazing restaurants, a theatre, art exhibits, and historic ranches.
The name of this park is Ulu La’au which means "circle of trees" in Hawaiian. It’s a great place for a stroll or a picnic to relax next to a flowing stream.
This quaint plantation-style shopping center features several unique stores including: The Gallery of Great Things, a collection of Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian art; Waimea Coffee Company; and Waimea General Store, offering local gift items and island-inspired souvenirs.
Take a step back in time to the days of the Hawaiian cowboy! Learn about the history of the paniolo and learn why they are such an important part of Hawai'i ranching history. The museum is free and open to the public. Visit their website for details.
The Anna Ranch is a national historic site that harks back to the Big Island’s plantation days. The white, wooden walls contain a lot of stories; it’s been in the same ranching family for five generations and was home to Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske, aka the first lady of ranching.
Here you’ll find two historic houses built in the 1800s. The houses serve as the Parker Ranch headquarters. Explore the grounds and historic homes on one of their self-guided tours. It's a great way to experience what life was like on this iconic ranch throughout the years.
Book a horseback riding adventure at Kahua Ranch Na'alapa Stables and experience the spectacular panoramic views of Waimea's rolling hills. Led by experienced paniolos. Visit their website for details.
After Waimea Town, you’ll embark on your drive across Saddle Road, officially named the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. This is the main thoroughfare on the Big Island that connects Kona in the west with Hilo in the east. Along this 50-minute drive, we'll keep you entertained with more history, geology, and music. We'll also share the inspiring story of the highway's namesake--Daniel K. Inouye.
The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, but Mauna Kea is the tallest when measured from its base on the ocean floor to its summit. Astronomers from around the world explore the universe from its peak, and Hawaiians have many ancient spiritual connections to this special site. For visitors, it is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky and offers a rare opportunity to experience the polar tundra in Hawai'i.
After our visit to Mauna Kea, we'll guide you back to Hilo. If you are staying in Hilo, we recommend checking out the highlights in the app for recommendations of other places to see here in Hilo Town.
Day 3
Day 3
Day
3
3
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whittington is a peaceful little rest area with picnic tables and excellent views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ‘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.
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.
Day 4
Day 4
Day
4
4
How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king?
Explore a large area of ruins from an ancient Hawaiian fishing village in North Kohala
Marvel at a nine-foot-tall golden-helmeted and spear-wielding bronze depiction of King Kamehameha the Great
Visit for a unique and amazing experience of the life and fashion in Big Island
Gaze at the spectacular coastline toward the east and then hike down to see the great Pololu Valley
Gander at rolling hillsides, ranches, and beautiful jaw-dropping vistas while driving on your tour
Visit and shop a wide variety of terrific produce, food and other unique items locally grown and produced
Day 5
Day 5
Day
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5
Stop here to ask a park ranger some questions, fill up your water bottle, or use the restroom. If you didn’t bring a jacket, the gift shop at the Visitor Center usually has sweatshirts for sale. You might want to pick one up here, as temperatures vary drastically across the park.
Stop and stare at a cloud of steam formed from underground water meeting hot volcanic rock.
Learn about the history of the Kilauea Military Camp which dates back almost 100 years. Today, it offers accommodations near the park for military families.
You'll definitely want to stop at these two overlooks for the best views of Kilauea Caldera and Halema'uma'u Crater. Uekahuna is the highest point on the rim and offers spectacular views of Kilauea Caldera, Mauna Loa, and the surrounding area. It is also an important cultural site for Native Hawaiians. Note: The Jagger Museum, which used to be located at Uekahuna, has been relocated to the Kilauea Visitor Center after earthquakes from the 2018 eruptions destroyed the original building. Kilauea Overlook offers visitors the most dramatic views of the caldera and Halema'uma'u Crater. The crater experienced a dramatic collapse during the 2018 eruptions. You can access the popular Crater Rim Trail from either lookout. The trail circles the rim, offering an even closer view of the volcano.
This 1.2-mile hike (roundtrip) is actually a leisurely walk along a paved path where you’ll see more steam rising from the ground. Feel free to hike this now or after your trip down Chain of Craters Road.
Back in 1959, this mile-long crater was a seething lava lake spewing fountains of lava up to 1,900 feet in the air.
This magnificent natural landmark is one of the most popular spots at the national park. There is a well-maintained trail that takes you inside a 600-foot lava tube and through a lush rainforest.
The Kïlauea Iki Trail is technically a 4-mile hike that takes you along the rim of Kilauea Iki and down to the crater floor, where you can feel the pulse of this magnificent volcano from the still-steaming crater floor. If you’re pressed for time, there's a shortcut. Just across the street from Nahuku Lava Tube is a short trail to the bottom of Kilauea Iki Crater. This shortcut takes about one hour to complete. Please know, there is a steep decline through the forest into the crater. Once you get to the crater floor, snap as many photos as you’d like, then work your way back up to the parking area the same way you came.
You’ll feel like you’re on Mars as you take in the terrain on your walk along Devastation Trail. This one-mile trail takes you along the path of a destructive and explosive eruption dating back to 1959. Along the way, you’ll see spots where life is beginning to regrow and find a large barren lava mound called the Pu’u Pua'i Cinder Cone -- a perfect example of how mother nature forms new mountains.
Does seeing the views of massive volcanic craters ever get old? We don't think so! Chain of Craters Road got its name from the handful of massive craters with viewpoints along the road. Puhimau Crater is one of many dramatic holes likely formed around 1500-1800 AD. In our opinion, this gigantic pit crater is one of the best views on the tour. What’s a pit crater you ask? It’s a depression in the ground that forms when a volcano shifts or expands--and surprisingly not the result of an explosion.
More of a stroll than a hike, the Maunaulu Fissure Hike is at the site of a 1969 eruption that spewed lava up to 200 feet in the air, destroying a native 'ohi'a forest in the area. As you walk you’ll see lava trees and a variety of volcanic formations. The trail is marked with stacked rocks. Please do not disturb the rocks or build new stacks.
The overlook is built on Holei Pali, a steep cliff with a 2,000-foot drop. At the Kealakomo Lookout, in addition to the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, you will also have an expansive view of the vast lava flow in 1971 that buried portions of the ancient coastal village of Kealakomo.
One of our favorite stops on the tour, the Pu'uloa Petroglyphs hike tells the story of Hawaii’s past. As you walk along this trail you’ll see ancient petroglyphs or inscribed images on stone. This hike takes about 20 minutes each way and ends at a well-maintained wooden boardwalk that circles many of the 23,000 petroglyphs in this area. In fact, this site is home to the largest grouping of petroglyphs in Hawaii! As you walk, remember to respect the sacredness of this place.
You can view the Holei Sea Arch from the observation area located just past the gate at the end of the Chain of Craters Road. This 90-foot sea arch was formed roughly 500 years ago from an ancient lava tube that hardened as it entered the ocean. And just within the last 100 years or so, the sea arch was sculpted by ocean erosion.
If you have more time to explore, we'll take you on a sweet little side trip across the highway, just down the road from the main entrance.
Language Offered
English - AUDIO
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
Operated by Shaka Guide Apps
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Tour at your leisure
Hilary_R
Aug 24, 2026, 10:16:11 AM
Aug 24, 2026, 10:16:11 AM
Excellent tour with educational highlights along the way. We arrived a day before hurricane Lala so parts of the island were recovering and unavailable to tourists. However we were still able to enjoy our experience.
Big Island Tour
Raymond_S
Jul 15, 2026, 1:32:22 PM
Jul 15, 2026, 1:32:22 PM
Not being tech savvy it took a while for us the understand the operation of program. Once we got comfortable with it the program was great.we learned a great deal about the history of the big island and Hawaii in general
Do the Audio Tour
Deea_S
Jun 29, 2026, 10:08:28 PM
Jun 29, 2026, 10:08:28 PM
The history and locations to stop at were great. We loved the fact that the historical information would stop when we stopped to get out and would pick up where we left off when we got back in the car.
Beautiful valley
Denise_B
Jun 27, 2026, 12:25:19 PM
Jun 27, 2026, 12:25:19 PM
We had a great time. The area is absolutely beautiful. We were able to see wild horses, learn about local culture, animals and plants. The waterfalls were amazing to see. Our tour guide, Seanry (sorry if I spelled that wrong) had tons of local knowledge. It was so peaceful.
Excellent commentary...
Terence_K
Apr 29, 2026, 11:48:01 AM
Apr 29, 2026, 11:48:01 AM
Excellent commentary regarding the historical context. Often difficult to skip stops and navigate within the app as far as directions.
Worth the price and more!
Dan_P
Apr 22, 2026, 6:52:27 PM
Apr 22, 2026, 6:52:27 PM
You won’t regret purchasing these driving tours if you are self-navigating around the island. Great narration, Hawaiian music, stop recommendations and history of the island. We would’ve missed a lot of the stops without it!
Highly Recommend getting this!
Krista_B
Mar 30, 2026, 12:00:00 PM
Mar 30, 2026, 12:00:00 PM
This App is fantastic!. If your plans ever change because of unforeseen weather the is still so much of the island to explore and learn about through the Shaka Guide. Loved the narrator and all the music and stories.
Self guided tour totally worked
Nancy_H
Mar 28, 2026, 8:07:37 PM
Mar 28, 2026, 8:07:37 PM
Our audio tour was VERY informative and spot on! Thank you for helping us understand our own driving tour!
This can be an economic answer to your whole trip or a backup in case other plans fail
cybergrrl
Mar 8, 2026, 5:32:43 PM
Mar 8, 2026, 5:32:43 PM
This isn't for everyone but for some, it's everything. If it's a last minute purchase and install, it's worth it but you'll get much more out of it if you purchase ahead of time and study it a bit so you're ready when you use it. This app gives 5 different areas of the big Island to tour, all with key highlights and many with descriptions and stories. We found we could even mix and match the tours - if we were on one and were running out of time to complete it, we might switch to another that was close and complete that one. Because the app runs on GPS, it will pick up right where you're at on the other tour and carry on from there. The app allows you to stop where you want, for as long as you want, or go on past a particular tourist spot. It gives estimated times to allow for visiting places and sometimes costs. It would be particularly helpful for families who often make unexpected changes in schedules or travel routes. If you just want to go with the flow, sit back and have everything done for you, this app is probably not for you but if you like to have a say in what you do, not have to conform to someone else's set schedule, or want to make changes when needed, this is for you!!
On Big Island we only...
MARYLOU_D
Feb 18, 2026, 2:33:11 PM
Feb 18, 2026, 2:33:11 PM
On Big Island we only used the Volcano Park experience. I didn't need to buy all 5. We did not have enough time for the others. I enjoyed the comments, stories and music provided.
No time to stop at the...
Deborah_H
Feb 8, 2026, 6:06:45 PM
Feb 8, 2026, 6:06:45 PM
No time to stop at the sites. You pass them faster than you can see them. Very disappointing. The upside is the historical information was interesting
We loved it!
ROBIN_R
Feb 1, 2026, 12:35:55 PM
Feb 1, 2026, 12:35:55 PM
This was a fun and informative tour. We learned some history without being overwhelmed. It is very well organized. We will use it for a couple more tours. I found the app a little quirky at first because we have a rental car but once we figured it out it was great. I wish Shaka offered tours in Europe!
Great tour
Helen B
Jan 14, 2026, 7:15:23 PM
Jan 14, 2026, 7:15:23 PM
Great stories and good directions to points of interest. Also good directions to restaurants and road side eats. One poke place we stopped at was so good and affordable!!
Best way to self tour
Tracy_L
Jan 6, 2026, 3:34:30 PM
Jan 6, 2026, 3:34:30 PM
This self driving audio tour bundle was a little confusing at first as I found it through Viator but then was directed to download the Shaka app and pay for the bundle through there. That being said, this app/activity was one of the best things that we did on the Big Island! We had the 5 drive bundle and ended up doing 4 of the them as we explored different parts of the island. The app provides turn by turn directions, is able to know exactly where you are starting from or if you decide to bypass any particular stop off or view point. While driving you are told the history of the area, folk lore, local eating/drink stops that are popular all interspered with island music. Our family of 4 all had a great time listening to the narrator and greatly appreciated having more information/knowledge about areas that we would have simply driven through. We learned a LOT about the island of Hawaii and about the culture in general.
Loved the Driving Guide
Kam_B
Jan 5, 2026, 7:34:18 AM
Jan 5, 2026, 7:34:18 AM
I loved this guide. It helped us get around the Big Island. It gave us a lot of history and step by step turns.
Shaka Guide Tours are Excellent!!
Searching333
Dec 26, 2025, 3:50:52 PM
Dec 26, 2025, 3:50:52 PM
This was an amazing way for us to tour the island and take in so many sights!!! You can stop and start as you please…get out and take pictures, eat, shop or just enjoy the views!! It is very well organized and has tons of information and background stories to really educate you as you drive along! We had rented a car before arriving and using this package of tours was a great bang for the buck!! It is easy to use, just download the Shaka Guide app and you are good to go!! #ShakaGuide Highly recommended!!!
Outstanding Value & Great Experience
lv6567
Dec 17, 2025, 12:41:40 PM
Dec 17, 2025, 12:41:40 PM
Absolutely love this app. Very easy to use. Super entertaining, engaging and informative. The speaker has a wonderful voice. Totally immersive experience that completely transformed our drive around the island.
The best self guided tour possible!
Connie_L
Dec 11, 2025, 2:00:12 PM
Dec 11, 2025, 2:00:12 PM
It is a fantastic way to explore the big island at your own pace. Love learning the history while driving around. My adult kids thought it was money well spent. Would highly recommend
Nicely. Done… great, interesting information and accurate directions!
Jayne_G
Dec 10, 2025, 8:27:26 PM
Dec 10, 2025, 8:27:26 PM
Great information, we throughly enjoyed it. We started with the Shaka tour but the tours are limited to driving in the direction they want you to drive… we download this so we could drive the Saddle Road from Kona to Hilo and then go to the volcano.
We were entertained while...
tolauriehotmailcom
Nov 28, 2025, 10:26:26 AM
Nov 28, 2025, 10:26:26 AM
We were entertained while traveling and following the tour with music and lots of interesting information on the area.
Thrilled with this audio tour bundle by Shaka Guide
Clint_D
Nov 18, 2025, 9:31:05 PM
Nov 18, 2025, 9:31:05 PM
My friends and I ended up only getting to use one of the tours in this Shaka Guide bundle. Still, we were all very impressed with the quality of the app design, the narrator, and the wealth of history and other information provided during the tour. We will definitely be buying more tours by Shaka Guide through Viator.
We Loved Shaka Guide!! 🤙🏻
Venessa_V
Nov 8, 2025, 12:10:10 PM
Nov 8, 2025, 12:10:10 PM
My family and I enjoyed these self guided tours so much! We split our time on the Big Island between Hilo and Kona and this really helped shape our itinerary on the Hilo side, we had certain POIs in mind and Shaka Guide gave us suggestions that weren't even on our radar making for a truly unforgettable vacation. We weren't able to hit every POI however that was part of we liked about it too, we were able to customize it. The app was a little tricky to figure out, I ended up using Google maps instead of the app's GPS but they worked hand in hand just fine, the app is triggered by the GPS so you just need to select your starting point on Google maps and then start your map on the Shaka Guide app and it'll do the rest on its own. We thoroughly enjoyed all the history given and the music in between POIs. We will definitely be using Shaka Guide for our upcoming trip to Maui and Kauai. 🤙🏻
We had a short visit to...
David_H
Oct 19, 2025, 3:22:21 PM
Oct 19, 2025, 3:22:21 PM
We had a short visit to The Big Island and this was an incredible audio tour. We wanted to see a lot while we drove around the island, and this tour was perfect because it gave us history and stories that we never would have discovered otherwise. We loved to hear Hawaiian music in between the stories, rather than our own tunes. It helped immerse us in the stories even more. I highly recommend this app if you are doing a self-driving tour of the island, you won’t be disappointed.
This is a self guided...
Ken_L
Oct 13, 2025, 7:53:09 PM
Oct 13, 2025, 7:53:09 PM
This is a self guided tour you have to figure out where everything is before you turn it on so it can explain the sight, hope your in the right place
We toured the entire...
Kristi_H
Aug 24, 2025, 3:17:42 PM
Aug 24, 2025, 3:17:42 PM
We toured the entire island and enjoyed learning the background/history of the sights Shaka pointed out. We also appreciated the thorough driving instructions.
Excellent
Jet803348
Aug 4, 2025, 8:06:33 AM
Aug 4, 2025, 8:06:33 AM
We bought the bundle of 5 tours for Big Island as we were staying for 8 days, 4 night in Kona and 4 nights in Hilo. While we didn’t do all the tours, it was still the cheapest option. We did the Kohala Coast backcountry tour, the South Coast Island journey (when we were moving from Kona to Hilo) and the Volcanoes Park tour. These guides are excellent and definitely the best way to see the island. The directions are clear and you can just stop where you want for as long as you like and the tour will pick up again when you’re ready to head off. The information given about what you’re seeing is interesting but doesn’t throw so much information at you that your head explodes! Great value for money and I’d recommend them to anyone visiting Hawaii.
Great guide
logtownfarm
Aug 3, 2025, 12:38:11 PM
Aug 3, 2025, 12:38:11 PM
This self-guided tour was very thorough and informative. I planned the entire trip before purchasing and it was a nice way to ensure that I didn't miss anything along our journey. The suggested side trips were the best!
Worked well with lots of...
Mark_W
Jul 2, 2025, 9:46:01 AM
Jul 2, 2025, 9:46:01 AM
Worked well with lots of good information . Very helpful. Well worth it! We did three of the five tours.
Worth the purchase!
Deborah_V
Jun 26, 2025, 10:55:53 AM
Jun 26, 2025, 10:55:53 AM
We chose 3 of the 5 tours and took bits and pieces along the way to make our stops and explore. It was great to use since we downloaded all tours prior to our trip. You just click on the number as you are driving through that particular area to learn about the location and fun facts. We had a few problems with road closures in the National Volcano Park, but we still were able to see what we wanted. It is worth the purchase to learn about things without doing all the research on your own. We made a couple additional stops due to what we learned on the tour. Very cool!
Well worth the money.
O9672YBscottm
Jun 13, 2025, 1:12:02 PM
Jun 13, 2025, 1:12:02 PM
We were only on the Big Island for a day and our main goal was to see the volcano erupting. Didn't get to see it but the driving tour was informative and did a good job of directing and/or pointing out points of interest (POI). It could have used a bit more trivia versus all of the Hawaiian elevator music but it wasn't awful. The program was 'interactive'. The program works off of your GPS and gives you background and ample time prior to your next POI. As mentioned we only had a day so we cut straight across the island from Kona to Volcanos National Park. It was about a 2.5 hour drive. After out time at the volcano, we switched audio tours and it picked up to where we were on the map. We did not need to fast-forward' through a pre-determined path. That was nice. I will use their products in the future.
Great App and a must if you want to explore the island.
rz0dcr
Apr 20, 2025, 6:17:23 AM
Apr 20, 2025, 6:17:23 AM
I’d read about this app and it seemed the perfect solution for me. I had a hire care for the week and I wanted to explore the island without being tied to tour groups and timetables. We used the app extensively and explored the north, south and volcanic area of the island. It’s basically like a sat nav with a tour guide who intermittently provides you with interesting facts along the way. It’s easy to use with step by step instructions to show you how to set up.
🤗 Uncle Shaka was great!
noelia_a
Apr 12, 2025, 2:14:50 AM
Apr 12, 2025, 2:14:50 AM
Enjoyed the history of the island and was able to explore at our own pace. Discovered some cool spots I would have never known about. The music was nice and relaxing.
Great way to tour the island and MUCH better than being in a bus with dozens of people.
Khen825
Mar 31, 2025, 5:01:25 PM
Mar 31, 2025, 5:01:25 PM
Rented a car and took the ride. **didn't see the tip about bringing a charger until after we had started the tour** it's necessary as I was the one who downloaded this for our group and my phone died before the tour ended so BRING YOUR CHARGER :). Super informative and fun. We only had time to do one of the 5 with our days full. It was great and is our second time using these audio tours (did the road to Hana in Maui years ago and loved it too.
Easy and informative
Joann D
Feb 18, 2025, 2:36:07 AM
Feb 18, 2025, 2:36:07 AM
Easily used app and included a wide variety of topics from history to geography to suggestions on what to look for and to do.
Definitely purchase these audio tours again
Norma_V
Feb 1, 2025, 1:54:55 PM
Feb 1, 2025, 1:54:55 PM
Excellent directions and points and interest. Lots of history provided as well. Very descriptive and interesting.
Best purchase of our trip!
Sarah_S
Jan 21, 2025, 11:41:03 PM
Jan 21, 2025, 11:41:03 PM
This exceeded expectations x10! We used the Shaka guide throughout our trip to the big island. It replaced all the research I’d done on my own. From sites to restaurants, history, nature and gorgeous scenic routes. The audio was informative and enjoyable. Just the right balance of info and entertainment for us. We’re generally adventurous, not total tourists and this was the best purchase of our trip!
A BIG SCAM
O4556IQpatriciap
Jan 13, 2025, 12:09:55 AM
Jan 13, 2025, 12:09:55 AM
Today I charged to my Visa card $34.99 for the Epic audio tour. I received the email confirmation and hit the tab GET TICKETS. A message came up and said “Oooooo, an error has occurred, retry “I retried several times, clicked on the help button to no avail, tried two telephone numbers nearly hidden that said “ a non working telephone number, called my credit card who said I have to file a claim after it posts, the website said “ a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours, but there is no way to cancel! BEWARE: nothing but a big SCAM!
Audio tours were enjoyable and a good value
H3172NVjulieb
Jan 2, 2025, 4:37:23 PM
Jan 2, 2025, 4:37:23 PM
We enjoyed the audio driving tours. They were a good value and it was easy to pick and choose what we wanted to see. Because of the audio tour, we visited a part of the Volcano Park we would have missed, and it was one of our favorite parts. We also learned some interesting historical events and legends. The audio did crash while we were in Hilo on the way to some waterfalls, likely due to spotty coverage there. Fortunately we could get Google to direct us to the falls. We would purchase more audio tours from this vendor.
Great guide
Anne_D
Dec 29, 2024, 9:46:46 PM
Dec 29, 2024, 9:46:46 PM
Excellent! Highly recommend this. If you are renting a car, it is informative and full of history and excellent recommendations.
Great self guided tour app
cosmo2012015
Dec 27, 2024, 1:20:36 PM
Dec 27, 2024, 1:20:36 PM
These tours are great. We received a voucher for a free tour from the rental car company. I had mentioned we had planned to drive around the entire Island while we were here and the agent recommended this tour. After listening to the first one we decided to purchase the other four. While we didn't do any one of the tours in it's entirety the program kept up with us as we went around to different points on the island offering lots of local stories as well as points of interest based on where we were at the moment. Highly recommend, well worth the 29.00.
Great way to explore the island(s)
Annette_L
Dec 7, 2024, 2:12:12 AM
Dec 7, 2024, 2:12:12 AM
Shaka guide is a new must for our Hawaii trips! I love that you can learn so much about the island at your own pace. And that you find hidden gems that you might of missed otherwise.
Big Island driving tour
stevensP8649QO
Dec 6, 2024, 11:34:33 AM
Dec 6, 2024, 11:34:33 AM
It was OK. There were a lot of interesting facts in the tour, but we are almost 70, so everywhere we stopped, it spent a lot of time talking about the hikes that you could do. It got tiresome after a while. Other than that, it was OK.
Great tour application
Robert_S
Sep 21, 2024, 1:28:22 AM
Sep 21, 2024, 1:28:22 AM
The route was very efficient and precise. Very interesting information on each stop. Looking forward to the next 4 tours that we h
Can't recommend highly enough! A definitely fantastic way to learn more about the island.
clwiltse
Aug 28, 2024, 2:27:26 PM
Aug 28, 2024, 2:27:26 PM
We absolutely loved this way to learn more about the island. I highly recommend this over a tour in a bus full of people. You can customize it to see what you want to see at the pace you want to see it. it was very informative, great directions, interesting stories, optional Hawaiian music in between info, and good restaurant suggestions along the way. And for the price, you can't get any better way to see and learn about the island. Will definitely use them again in other parts of the country.
Enjoyed the flexibilty
Angela_L
Aug 14, 2024, 9:59:00 PM
Aug 14, 2024, 9:59:00 PM
I was incredibly thankful for this travel experience. The interactive guide maps, fun and interesting information, and delightful music allowed our travel to be more flexible, enjoyable, light hearted, and manageable. Thank you, Viator! Much better than a bus tour! TIP: on the larger tours please listen to the guide and choose only a couple of things to do. Each tour could become two or three day trips all on their own due to the amount of time to travel from one destintion to the next.
Good app for driving around the Big Island
Michael_B
Jul 3, 2024, 2:08:10 PM
Jul 3, 2024, 2:08:10 PM
This app has been great. It has given us an organized way to visit the different areas of the island. The narrator provides stories about the island and its history while you are driving around.
Local gems
Cristie_N
Jun 30, 2024, 3:52:10 AM
Jun 30, 2024, 3:52:10 AM
Big Island Adventure Bundle was fantastic! Loved that we were able to take little detours to experience local gems.
Just what we needed
Rebekah_G
Jun 14, 2024, 2:24:21 AM
Jun 14, 2024, 2:24:21 AM
Great tool for those of us who like to be mostly independent but need a little bit of hand-holding. :). Appreciated all of the historical and cultural information along the drives, and the playlists were a great touch. There were some gems in the small business/restaurant recommendations we wouldn’t have found otherwise. We learned and saw amazing things.
Big Island 30th Anniversary
Lina_J
Jun 11, 2024, 2:04:45 PM
Jun 11, 2024, 2:04:45 PM
Being able to take our time and explore with our be in rush . The history of the Big Island was also great
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