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)$12 per adult: Panaewa Rainforest Zoo

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.

South Island Epic Coastal Journey

Hawaii

4.9

63639 ratings

Preview Tour Audio

$19.99

South Island Epic Coastal Journey

(63639)

Hawaii

4.9

63639 ratings

Trusted by 50,000+ Shaka Guiders

15 Must-See Stops

6+ hours of Audio

2 Starting Points

Counterclockwise Route

Half-Day Driving Tour

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

South Island Epic Coastal Journey Map

Explore Tour Map

South Island Epic Coastal Journey Stops

Things to do on the Tour Include:

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm - Hilo

Paradise Meadows - South Point

Punalu'u Bakeshop - Na'alehu

Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway)

Volcano Village

Ka Lae (South Point)

Kipukapuaulu Hike

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo - Hilo

View All Stops

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.

Preview Tour Audio

South Island Epic Coastal Journey FAQS

Information

Hawaii.Gov

Big Island Road Closures

Go Hawaii

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.

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.

Purchase Options

This Tour Only

1. South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$ 19.99

Bundle & Save (66% Off)

2. Big Island Tour Bundle (5 tours)

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

$ 22.99
2. North Island Jungle Adventure Loop

$ 19.99
3. Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour

$ 19.99
4. South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$ 19.99
5. Kona Big Kahuna Loop

$ 19.99

$ 34.99 $102.95

Bundle & Save (80% Off)

3. Hawaii Tour Collection (21 tours)

1. Grand Circle Island Tour

$ 19.99
2. East Oahu Shoreline Drive

$ 19.99
3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

$ 22.99
4. Sunrise at Haleakala National Park Tour

$ 19.99
5. Classic Road to Hana Tour

$ 24.99
6. North Shore Kauai Driving Tour

$ 19.99
7. Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour

$ 22.99
8. Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour

$ 19.99
9. Loop Road to Hana

$ 19.99
10. Reverse Road to Hana

$ 19.99
11. Poipu and Koloa Driving Tour

$ 19.99
12. Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour

$ 19.99
13. West Maui Coastline Tour

$ 19.99
14. North Island Jungle Adventure Loop

$ 19.99
15. Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour

$ 19.99
16. South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$ 19.99
17. Kona Big Kahuna Loop

$ 19.99
18. Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour

$ 4.99
19. Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour

$ 19.99
20. Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour

$ 4.99
21. Legendary North Shore Loop

$ 19.99

$ 79.99 $400.79

Reviews

4.9 63639 Ratings

Kansas Couple
15 Feb 2026

My husband and I truly enjoyed exploring the islands. The directions were great and the narration was informative and entertaining. We enjoyed being able to spend as little or as much time as we wanted at each stop. I would highly recommend.

Hummingthrulife8
27 Jan 2026

You will not be disappointed! This was a delightful way to experience the big island. The app works off GPS so it works and gives directions even when you’re in restricted service areas. Info is accurate and incredibly helpful… turn by turn. We LOVED the Kohala tour (STUNNING VIEWS) and listening to the history behind this beautiful island (and lovely music when Uncle isn’t talking). It made the experience really special. We’ll be using this app for the rest of our time here and can’t wait to explore some National Parks on the mainland with the Shaka Guide. Thanks for a great day!

Captain Hokie
04 Jan 2026

Just finished an amazing day at Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, and used the Shaka Guide throughout. We purchased the National Park tour and it just worked - it was really amazing and we can’t recommend it enough!

View All Reviews

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BESTSELLER

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

North Island Jungle Adventure Loop

Kona Big Kahuna Loop

Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour

Reverse Road to Hana

Loop Road to Hana

BESTSELLER

Classic Road to Hana Tour

Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour

Sunrise at Haleakala National Park Tour

West Maui Coastline Tour

Purchase Options

This Tour Only

1. South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$ 19.99

Bundle & Save (66% Off)

2. Big Island Tour Bundle (5 tours)

$ 34.99 $102.95

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

$ 22.99
2. North Island Jungle Adventure Loop

$ 19.99
3. Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour

$ 19.99
4. South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$ 19.99
5. Kona Big Kahuna Loop

$ 19.99

Bundle & Save (80% Off)

3. Hawaii Tour Collection (21 tours)

$ 79.99 $400.79

1. Grand Circle Island Tour

$ 19.99
2. East Oahu Shoreline Drive

$ 19.99
3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

$ 22.99
4. Sunrise at Haleakala National Park Tour

$ 19.99
5. Classic Road to Hana Tour

$ 24.99
6. North Shore Kauai Driving Tour

$ 19.99
7. Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour

$ 22.99
8. Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour

$ 19.99
9. Loop Road to Hana

$ 19.99
10. Reverse Road to Hana

$ 19.99
11. Poipu and Koloa Driving Tour

$ 19.99
12. Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour

$ 19.99
13. West Maui Coastline Tour

$ 19.99
14. North Island Jungle Adventure Loop

$ 19.99
15. Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour

$ 19.99
16. South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$ 19.99
17. Kona Big Kahuna Loop

$ 19.99
18. Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour

$ 4.99
19. Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour

$ 19.99
20. Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour

$ 4.99
21. Legendary North Shore Loop

$ 19.99

Shaka Promises

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Reliable Customer
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South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$19.99

4.9 (63639)

Big Island Tour Bundle

$34.99

~~$102.95~~ 66% off

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
South Island Epic Coastal Journey
Kona Big Kahuna Loop

Hawaii Tour Collection

$79.99

~~$400.79~~ 80% off

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At Shaka Guide our goal is to connect people, with places, through stories. Our team creates immersive, self-guided audio tours that connect travelers with the history and culture of over 85 destinations across the country.

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South Island Epic Coastal Journey

South Island Epic Coastal Journey

About The Tour

South Island Epic Coastal Journey Map

South Island Epic Coastal Journey Stops

Meet the Creators

Gray Gleason

South Island Epic Coastal Journey FAQS

What is an Audio Tour Guide?

Purchase Options

Gift A Tour!

Reviews

Tours Near South Island Epic Coastal Journey

Purchase Options

Gift A Tour!

Shaka Promises

Shaka Promises

Tours Crafted by Real People

Reliable Customer Support

Satisfaction guaranteed

South Island Epic Coastal Journey

$34.99

$79.99

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Download App & Login

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