Where to Listen: the 7 Best Big Island Audio Tours

1.Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 138 reviews · 5 days (approx.) Our pick

You get five Shaka Guide audio driving tours for one car and up to 15 people. The app supplies GPS directions, stories, Hawaiian music, stop ideas, and food tips as you drive. Download everything on Wi-Fi, then explore Kona, Hilo, Kohala, the Hamakua Coast, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at your own pace.

“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.”

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2.Self-Guided GPS Audio E-Bike Tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 131 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $159Best value

You’ll ride a comfortable electric bike through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on mostly paved, downhill or level routes. A GPS audio app explains Pele, lava, forests, and geology as you visit Thurston Lava Tube, Kīlauea Visitor Center, and Keanakakoi Crater Overlook. Bring a charged smartphone, layers, and rain gear.

“Our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and made the tour super enjoyable. Our driver was funny, charismatic and reliable. My friend and I had a great time and left us wishing to visit the Volcano National park again! Thank you for a great experience!”

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3.Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 8 hours to 1 day (approx.) Top rated

GuideAlong’s GyPSy Guide turns your rental car into a private audio tour of Hawaii’s Big Island. GPS-triggered stories, directions, history, food tips, and suggested stops play through your phone as you drive. Follow suggested half-day, full-day, or multi-day routes, or build your own. One purchase covers up to eight people and never expires.

“Great for those with a car and wanting to explore the entire island. Definitely stop at the historic sites- the ones near the Kona coffee tour loop have great little bays and beaches. The cattle area up North looked so beautiful- like a computer screensaver.”

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4.Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Drive 24.5 miles through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with GPS-triggered audio stories about volcanic craters, lava tubes, petroglyphs, Hawaiian mythology, and wartime history. The Action Tour Guide app works offline after setup, costs $16.99 per car group of up to four, and lets you stop, hike, and continue at your own pace.

“After a last minute cancellation for plans to go the national park. My partner and I downsides the self guided tour and we are glad we did. I felt the freedom to stop the tour and do whatever we wanted was nice . All of the places marked must see did not disappoint. We ended our stay at the park and would recommend to everyone visit.ing”

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5.Big Island North Island Jungle Adventure – Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 2 days (approx.)

This self-guided Shaka Guide tour takes you around northern Big Island from Hilo, with GPS-triggered stories, directions, music, and stop tips. Visit waterfalls, lava caves, gardens, historic ranch towns, Waipiʻo Valley, and Mauna Kea. The $15.99 price covers one vehicle of up to 15 people, and you can spread the route over two days.

“Took our time and it was great hearing the history of the island. Lots cheaper than excursions. I would recommend this download.”

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6.Big Island Kohala Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 2 days (approx.)

Drive the Kohala Coast and uplands with the Shaka Guide app as your private audio companion. GPS-triggered stories, Hawaiian music, directions, history, restaurant tips, and an offline map guide you from Pu'ukohola Heiau to Hawi, Pololu Valley, Waimea, and Kohala Mountain Road. Start, pause, skip stops, and spread the route over two days.

“Good directions once we got connected with the start point. A phone charger is essential, the battery goes quickly. The historical information was good. It was awkward turning the audio on and off, unhooking the phone when we exited vehicle, taking photos. Guide did not mention Hapuna Beach charge of $25 just to park car. Lots of hours driving, we gave up after a few.”

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7.Big Island Kona Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · 2 days (approx.)

Drive the Kona Coast at your own pace with Shaka Guide’s GPS audio tour. Follow stories, music, directions, and stop suggestions from Kiholo Bay to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, coffee farms, beaches, and historic sites. The tour works offline, covers up to two days, and costs $15.99 per vehicle group of up to 15 people.

“It was difficult to use. We drove 40 minutes to the starting point and it wouldn’t start. Abandoned it and found our own way. Waste of $15.”

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