• Island of Hawaii - With audio guides providing commentary based on GPS location, travelers can customize their own itinerary along the tour routes to suit their interests and schedule.

Alternatively, trip planners offer suggestions for half, full, or multi-day itineraries.

Here are some highlights:

• Akaka Falls State Park - Akaka Falls, one of Hawaii’s most renowned waterfalls, dramatically plunges 440 feet into a gorge.

The 750-foot trail to the falls is surrounded by lush rainforest, bamboo, ferns, and wild orchids, making it a popular destination. Consider hiking an additional 800 feet to Kahuna Falls, completing the hike in under an hour.

To reach the falls, pass through the charming, former plantation town of Honomu, where visitors can stop for a Hawaiian baked treat, Big Island coffee, or visit the goat dairy.

• Chain of Craters Road - This 19-mile drive descends from the park entrance at about 5000 feet elevation to sea level.

Along the way, travelers can observe the effects of past cinder cones and lava flows.

There are several excellent viewpoints offering both coastal and volcanic rock flow views.

A must-see when visiting Volcanoes National Park.

• Devastation Trail - Aptly named, this easy walk along a paved trail takes visitors through a cinder field.

The trail offers a view of the cinder cone, known in Hawaiian as Gushing Hill, which is no longer active.

Visitors can pick up cinders to feel their lightness and see crystals glistening in the sunlight.

The resilience of vegetation in this barren landscape is remarkable.

• Halema‘uma‘u Crater - Halema’uma’u is the most accessible part of the Kilauea volcano system.

For years, visitors could see gas rising from the crater and a lava lake inside, whose level fluctuated.

After the 2018 eruptions, the crater drained, and the walls collapsed into a deeper, unstable crater. However, in late 2020, lava and gas activity resumed.

Older viewpoints, including the Jaggar Museum, are no longer safe, but there are still areas to view the crater.

Those who visited before 2018 will be amazed by the changes.

Driving on Crater Rim Drive is still possible, reaching Kilauea Military Camp.

• Hamakua Coast - North of Hilo, on the island’s windward side, the Hamakua Coast offers a breathtaking scenic drive.

Abundant rain keeps the rainforest lush and the waterfalls flowing.

The Hamakua Coast features Akaka Falls, Kahuna waterfalls, Onomea Bay scenic drive, tropical botanical gardens, and authentic towns like Laupahoehoe.

While the area retains its plantation-era charm, donkeys no longer carry sugar bags to the shore.

• Hawi - Hawi and its neighbor Kapaau are the northernmost towns on the Big Island and are worth visiting when exploring the island.

These small, unspoiled towns feature art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and a popular ice cream stop, all housed in plantation-style buildings from their sugar cane past.

Kapaau is home to the original statue of King Kamehameha the Great, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands.

• Hilo - Hilo, the largest town on the Big Island’s eastern side, boasts a scenic bayfront setting with wooden storefronts and ample greenspaces.

Frequent rain showers keep it lush and green compared to Kailua-Kona on the island’s opposite side.

A day of sightseeing in Hilo includes the Hilo loop drive, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, and Kaumana Lava Tube Caves. Allow 2 hours for the scenic drive.

Visitors might be surprised by the celebrities from the 30s, 40s, and 50s who visited Hilo. In Hollywood, stars get a Walk of Fame star, but in Hilo, they get a fig tree on Banyan Drive. Cruise by to see the 50 trees and plaques.

• Holei Sea Arch - The Holei Sea Arch is a fitting final stop on the Chain of Craters Road.

Lava flows have created a sea shelf and cliffs, and ocean waves have formed an arch.

Recent volcanic rock shifts have closed the official viewpoint for safety, but the Holei Sea Arch remains visible.

For safety, always obey closures to protect staff and the public in unstable areas.

• Kealakekua Bay - This bay is significant for several reasons: it’s a marine preserve, a popular spot for kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places with heiaus (temples) and archaeological sites.

Kealakekua is culturally and historically important as the site where Captain James Cook met his end after the first significant contact between Hawaiians and the Western world. A monument marks the historic events.

Kayaking restrictions require a permit to come ashore at Ka’awaloa. Consider a kayaking tour (check permits) for early bay access.

• Kīlauea Iki Crater - Kilauea Iki is a crater within the larger caldera area.

Though inactive today, a lava lake once filled the crater, with eruptions shooting lava 2000 feet into the sky.

The Kilauea Iki Trail is a popular, moderately difficult hike that allows exploration inside the caldera wall.

• Kohala Coast - The Kohala Coast encompasses everything north of Kona Airport.

This spectacular area is both stark and inviting, with dry grasses growing between lava rock outflows. On clear days, views extend to Big Island giants Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.

The Kohala Coast features major resorts and cultural sites, with restored ancient trails, petroglyphs, and historic sites.

Popular beaches include Hapuna, Beach 69, and Kua Bay. Follow 270 north to visit Hawi and Kapaau.

• Kailua-Kona - Kailua-Kona is the main town on the island’s western side and a popular hub for visitors.

Located south of Kona Airport, Kailua Bay’s historic waterfront is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants, providing the town’s energy.

Exploring south reveals a mix of vacation accommodations, surfing beaches, historic churches, and cultural sites.

Visit Magic Sands Park to see if the sand is “in” or has disappeared offshore. Many coves are excellent for swimming and snorkeling.

• Liliuokalani Gardens - Situated on a triangular peninsula, Queen Liliuokalani Gardens are named after Hawaii’s last reigning monarch.

The gardens, of Japanese design, honor Hawaii’s first Japanese immigrants with arching bridges, fishponds, rock gardens, pagodas, stone lanterns, and a teahouse.

The setting is idyllic, with views of Hilo, the Bay, and Mauna Kea on clear days. It’s pleasant to drive or stroll through the gardens.

• Pololu Valley Lookout - While exploring the Big Island’s northern tip, follow route 270 past Hawi and Kapaau to the road’s end.

There, the Pololu Valley Lookout offers a scenic view where the Pololu Valley and stream meet the ocean at a black sand beach.

The hike to the beach is steep and often muddy, so ensure you’re prepared before setting out. The views from the top are worth the detour.

• Rainbow Falls - Located on Hilo’s scenic loop drive, Rainbow Falls is easily accessible, with ample parking and paved trails leading to the viewing platform.

Many Hawaiian waterfalls create rainbows in the mist, but these 80-foot falls, 100 feet across, are spectacular in any weather. The best rainbow effect occurs around 10 am on sunny mornings.

The falls are culturally significant, linked to Hawaiian legends of Hina, mother of Maui, and a giant lizard named Mo‘o Kuna.

Continue the loop drive past Rainbow Falls to Boiling Pots and Kaumanu Caves Lava Tube.

• Thurston Lava Tube - The most famous lava tube in the National Park.

Lava tubes form when a strong lava flow stops, and if the lava drains quickly, it leaves an empty space surrounded by new rock.

Thurston Lava Tube is substantial and easy to explore, with lit paths.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Dedicate a full day to visiting the Big Island’s most popular destination. Traveling to Volcanoes National Park from Kona along Highway 11, visitors can learn about the volcanic forces that created the Hawaiian Islands or embrace Hawaiian legends.

Note that due to the 2018 volcanic events, park areas are reopening in phases, and closures ensure public safety. The Jaggar Museum is unlikely to reopen at its original site due to caldera wall instability, but caldera and Kilauea Iki viewpoints are open.

Driving the full length of Chain of Craters Road is highly recommended, descending 4000 feet to ocean level. Along the way, there are fascinating stops and short walks at places like Devastation Trail, Kealakomo, Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Trail, and Holei Sea Arch.

• Waipio Valley Lookout - Waipio Valley offers a breathtaking lookout atop a 2,000-foot sea cliff.

Simply spectacular! From the viewpoint, visitors can see where a 5-mile canyon meets the ocean and enjoy extended views of more sea cliffs.

• Toll free phone, chat and email support
• Buy once, use forever with free updates
• Pre-download and tour offline
• Trip planners available in-app, web, and PDF
• Location-based stories, tips, and directions that autoplay
• GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour with 460+ points
• Flexible routes with suggested itineraries or create your own

• National Park Passes
• Entrance Fees
• Reservations

Experience an unforgettable adventure with GuideAlong’s Audio Driving Tour on Hawaii’s Big Island. This tour will lead you to the island’s renowned attractions such as Volcanoes National Park, the Place of Refuge, and Akaka Falls, along with the best locations for turtle sightings and other hidden gems.

Enjoy captivating behind-the-scenes stories, local insights, and directions that automatically play as you travel, all tailored to your current location.

Explore offline at your leisure, allowing you to spend more time at places that captivate you and skip those that don’t.

• Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location
• Travel at your own pace
• Tours function offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi required
• Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
• Purchase once, use indefinitely! No expiration, includes free updates
• It’s like having a tour guide accompany you on your drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under ‘My Tours’ over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
• Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
• Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
• Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
• Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
• Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
• Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.