Tour stop
South Island Epic Coastal Journey
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 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 Kau 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
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Drink local coffee at Kau 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
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 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 Kau 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
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Drink local coffee at Kau 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
STARTING POINTS
-Kona-Hilo
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 8:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to South Island Clockwise Driving Tour Preview
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2. Paradise Meadows
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3. Turn Left for Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
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4. Exit or Kipukapuaulu
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5. Turn Right for Volcano Village
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6. Lava Tree Molds & Kipuka Detour
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7. King Tourism
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8. Turn Right for Ka'u Coffee
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9. Ka Lae Intro
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10. Whittington Beach Park Ahead
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11. Na'alehu
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12. Na'alehu Town
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13. Ka Lae
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14. Whittington Beach Park
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15. Punalu'u to Pahala
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16. Turn Left for Ka'u Coffee
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17. Turn left for Lava Tree Molds Detour
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18. Kona Coffee History
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19. Turn Left for Volcanoes Village
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20. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
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21. Turn Left for Zoo
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22. 'Imiloa Astronomy Center Intro
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23. Saddle Road - Foggy with a Chance of Cows
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24. Foggy with a Chance of Cows
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25. 'Imiloa Astronomy Center Turn
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South Island Epic Coastal Journey Map
Explore Tour Map
South Island Epic Coastal Journey Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
Tour stop
'Imiloa Astronomy Center - Hilo
Tour stop
Ka'u Coffee Mill
Tour stop
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo - Hilo
Tour stop
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm - Hilo
Tour stop
Lava Tree Molds Drive
Tour stop
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Meet the Creators
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the South Island Epic Coastal Journey
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Andrew Fowers
Writer/Editor
“I started this business because I believe that when you connect a story to a place, it transforms your journey. It allows you to step beyond being just a tourist and become an informed traveler, fully present in the moment. Our hope is that you come for the guide, but stay for the stories that bring these destination to life.” - Andrew Fowers
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Robin Montgomery
Writer
Favorite Quote:
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” - John Muir.
Andrew Shults
Producer & Data Team Manager
Favorite Quote:
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” - Douglas Adams
Purchase Options
1.
South Island Epic Coastal Journey
$ 19.99
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
South Island Epic Coastal Journey FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Important Update!
Aloha Shaka Guiders!
You may notice some changes along your tour—things like temporary road closures, limited access to certain stops, or areas undergoing repairs. Our routes are designed to guide you safely, but conditions can change, so a little flexibility goes a long way.
Before heading out, check current road and attraction conditions, and follow all posted signs or closure notices. If an area is closed or restricted, please skip it and continue to the next available stop.
As you explore, please travel with care and respect for the land and local communities.
Mahalo for your understanding, and for exploring with aloha 💛
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour go?
This tour takes you 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 Bay
Kuamoo Battlefield
Ka Lae (South Point)
Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach)
Kau Coffee Farm
Punalu’u Bakery
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Volcanoes National Park (optional side trip; download our Volcanoes National Park tour)
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm
Maunakea Visitor Information Station.
There’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!
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 Bay
Kuamoo Battlefield
Ka Lae (South Point)
Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach)
Kau Coffee Farm
Punalu’u Bakery
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Volcanoes National Park (optional side trip; download our Volcanoes National Park tour)
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm
Maunakea Visitor Information Station.
There’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!
2. 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)
Sneakers
Hiking Clothes
Water Bottle
Bug Spray
Towel
Bathing Suit (for Cliff Jumping/ beach hopping)
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sun Glasses and/or Hat
Snacks
Cash
Car Charger *Very Important*
Phone Mount
Layers and a jacket, temperatures vary drastically across the island (pack especially if you plan to visit Mauna Kea)
Sneakers
Hiking Clothes
Water Bottle
Bug Spray
Towel
Bathing Suit (for Cliff Jumping/ beach hopping)
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sun Glasses and/or Hat
Snacks
Cash
Car Charger *Very Important*
Phone Mount
3. What should I budget for the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour?
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Big Island Bees guided tour: $30 per adult, $20 per youth ages 13–18, and $10 per child 12 and under
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: $30 per private vehicle
The park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card or purchase your pass ahead of time.
Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo: $13 per adult and $5 per child ages 3–17 for non-Hawaiʻi County residents; children 2 and under are free
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, and optional purchases along the route.
Prices can change, so check each attraction’s official website for current rates before your visit.
Big Island Bees guided tour: $30 per adult, $20 per youth ages 13–18, and $10 per child 12 and under
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: $30 per private vehicle
The park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card or purchase your pass ahead of time.
Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo: $13 per adult and $5 per child ages 3–17 for non-Hawaiʻi County residents; children 2 and under are free
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, and optional purchases along the route.
Prices can change, so check each attraction’s official website for current rates before your visit.
4. 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.
5. Can I take the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Tour in the opposite direction?
This tour has two starting points: Kona and Hilo.
You can take the tour in either direction depending on where you start. Follow the route and audio in the order provided in the Shaka Guide app so you don’t miss any stops or stories.
You can take the tour in either direction depending on where you start. Follow the route and audio in the order provided in the Shaka Guide app so you don’t miss any stops or stories.
6. Should I do the detour to South Point?
It depends. If you want to visit South Point or hike to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, we recommend making the detour.
The detour itself takes about an hour, but plan for more time if you’re hiking to the beach. The Green Sand Beach hike is about 5 miles round trip and can take around 3 hours.
If those stops aren’t a priority, you may want to skip the detour and save time for other activities along the route.
The detour itself takes about an hour, but plan for more time if you’re hiking to the beach. The Green Sand Beach hike is about 5 miles round trip and can take around 3 hours.
If those stops aren’t a priority, you may want to skip the detour and save time for other activities along the route.
7. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
8. Other Questions? Contact Us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
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.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
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.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.