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SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS HAWAII

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• 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 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Recommended Start Time: 8:00 a.m. Tour Starting Point(s): Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo Direction: Clockwise or Counterclockwise For even more fun, combine this tour with our Volcanoes National Park Tour! All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.

Sample Tour Audio

Paradise meadows, turn left for macadamia nut visitor center, exit or kipukapuaulu, preview audio.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Whittington Beach

Lava Tree Molds Drive

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station

'Imiloa Astronomy Center - Hilo

Ka'u Coffee Mill

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo - Hilo

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm - Hilo

Kipukapuaulu Hike

• Ka Lae (South Point)

Volcano Village

Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway)

Punalu'u Bakeshop - Na'alehu

Paradise Meadows - South Point

    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. If you see them, be sure to keep your distance. These are protected animals and getting too close will result in a fine. 

Hint: The black sand can really heat up, so bring some water shoes to walk on the beach!

  Whittington Beach is a peaceful little rest area with picnic tables and excellent views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. Occasionally, you can spot the rare hawksbill sea turtles that like to come here around dawn and dusk. If you're short on time, you might want to skip this little detour.

  This is a short, scenic loop drive 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.

While you are in the area, we recommend doing the short hike at Kipukapuaulu which is just a little ways past the Lava Tree Molds loop on Mauna Loa Road.

  Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive shield volcano. Over half of the park is designated the Hawai'i Volcanoes Wilderness area and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities. The park includes diverse environments that range from sea level to the summit of the Earth's most massive active volcano. Climates range from lush tropical rain forests to the arid and barren Kaʻū Desert.

Kīlauea and its Halemaʻumaʻu caldera were traditionally considered the sacred home of the volcano goddess Pele, and some Native Hawaiians still visit the crater to offer gifts to the goddess. In 1790, a party of warriors (along with women and children who were in the area) were caught in an unusually violent eruption. Many were killed and others left footprints in the lava that can still be seen today.

Hours: Volcanoes National Park is open 24/7. The Kilauea Visitor Center and Park Store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: All visitors must have a valid national park pass or partner agency pass or purchase an entrance pass which is valid for 7 days. The fee is $30/vehicle and can be purchased online at Recreation.gov or at the gate with a credit/debit card.  

    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 base to 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.

The Visitor Information Station (VIS) sits at 9,200 feet above sea level and is the best spot to view the night sky. ( We do not recommend you drive past the visitor center to the summit. The road is very steep and rough and only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles.)

The VIS also features a gift shop, restrooms and knowledgeable staff to answer your questions.  

Call (808) 935-6268 get weather conditions on a recorded phone line.

Visitor Information Station (VIS) Hours: Daily  9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

VIS Phone: (808) 934-4550

    The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is part of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is a gathering place that integrates science and Native Hawaiian culture. They have a visitor 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.

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Visit their website for current admission options and prices.

Take a short detour into Pahala Town to check out the Ka'u Coffee Mill and get some free samples of their delicious coffee and macadamia nuts at their gift shop. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They also offer free guided tours M-F at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The tour lasts about 20 minutes. They offer  espresso drinks, smoothies, macadamia nuts and free coffee tasting.  If you don’t need a midday pick-me-up, skip this spot as it’s a slight detour.

    Just south of Hilo is the only rain forest zoo in the US! Panaewa Zoo is free to enter and is open every day except Christmas, New Year's and the first Thursday of each month. 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.

Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Just south of Hilo is another fun touristy stop at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center. Visitors are invited to walk around and learn more about this Hawaiian delicacy. You can also watch a video of macadamia nut candy being made, see their finished products, and taste test the farm’s many assorted flavors. They also serve delicious dairy-free macadamia nut ice cream!

Hours: Daily from 9am to 4pm. (Closed Sundays)

      Even though this trail has a name hard to pronounce, this hike is THE best nature walk in the park. The word "kipuka" in Hawaiian means an older area of vegetation that is surrounded by a recent lava flow.  Think of it like a forest island  surrounded by lava.

W hat you will find here are many beautiful old growth trees with lush tropical vegetation. You will see a huge diversity of rare plants, trees and even animals such as peasants and a type of quail that forage the floors here.

The trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop trail that is located on Mauna Loa Road, just past the Lava Tree Molds Drive. There is parking near the trailhead  and restrooms (vault toilets) at the nearby Kipukapuaulu Picnic Area. The hike should take about 30 minutes and has informative placards for various native plants and trees along the way.

    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. 

While you are at the point, you can visit an ancient Hawaiian fishing heiau or temple, watch local fishermen bring in their catch, spot wildlife like sea turtles and migrating whales, or cheer the brave souls taking the 40-foot plunge off the steep cliffs into the clear water below. It's breathtaking! 

  Conveniently located close to the national park, Volcano Village is the perfect place to fuel up, shop for souvenirs 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.

The Saddle Road, officially named the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, is the main thoroughfare on the Big Island that connects Kona in the west with Hilo in the east. This 50-minute drive has  three optional stops:

1) A rest stop, which we’ll point on the tour; 2) A cinder cone where you can get acclimated to the altitude if you’re embarking on a journey to Mauna Kea; and 3) Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest mountain.

If you’re not planning on visiting any of these places you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the drive.

Note: Keep an eye on your speed! Police monitor this highway closely and frequently hand out tickets to speeding drivers.

    The Punalu'u Bakeshop in Na’alehu is the southernmost bakery in the United States! But that is not its only claim to fame. The small town bakery specializes in Hawaiian sweet bread made from a secret family recipe and baked fresh daily. Free samples! They also feature delicious Portuguese doughnuts called malasadas as well as pastries and other sweets.

Chek out their gift shop and outdoor restaurant. You might even catch some live music! After your meal, take a stroll through their lush four-acre tropical gardens.

Restrooms and electric car-charging stations available.

Bake Shop Hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

    Stop by this farm stand to try local goodies like chocolates, coffee and honey. While you’re there, take a short stroll in the garden while you enjoy your snacks! 

Purchase Bundle & Save

Big Island Tour Bundle

$34.99 $69.98 50% off.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
• North Island Jungle Adventure Loop
• Kohala Coast Backcountry Tour
• Kona Big Kahuna Loop

Hawaii Tour Collection

$79.99 $159.98 50% off.

• SUNRISE AT HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK TOUR
• CLASSIC ROAD TO HANA TOUR
• LOOP ROAD TO HANA
• REVERSE ROAD TO HANA
• SUNSET AND STARGAZING HALEAKALA TOUR
• WEST MAUI COASTLINE TOUR
• GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR
• EAST OAHU SHORELINE DRIVE
• HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONOLULU TOUR
• HONOLULU'S BACKYARD RAINFOREST TOUR
• HEART OF WAIKIKI WALKING TOUR
• LEGENDARY NORTH SHORE LOOP
• North Shore Kauai Driving Tour
• Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour
• Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
• Poipu and Koloa Driving Tour

3 Steps to Buy & Redeem:

Add to cart & checkout, create account during checkout, download app & login, big island hawaii tours.

Very highly recommended!!!!! They take you to sites you would not see otherwise. Enjoyed every minute of it. I will be looking for these tours in other trips in the future. Mahola!

• Luke Hochman
• 4 weeks ago

Highly recommend. Made the drive around the big island hugely entertaining and enjoyable.

• Zach Levine
• 1 month ago

Pretty flawless execution while driving. Used this for a legendary loop 2 tour combo. Big Island South Loop + Volcanoes National park. Didn't use Google maps at all, just had the Shaka app guide me. It made me feel comfortable and like I was really maximizing my vacation time. Well worth the price My only advice would be I wish they provided a sample timeline for each tour (instead of just where the tours stop) and a packing list.

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.
• 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.

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 Bay
• Kuamoo Battlefield
• 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
• Mauna Kea Visitor Center

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 !

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)
• Hiking Clothes
• Water Bottle
• Bathing Suit (for Cliff Jumping/ beach hopping)
• Sun Glasses and/or Hat
• Car 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)  

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.

Other Questions? Contact Us!

Do you have other questions that we didn’t list here? 

Feel free to message us through the in-app chat box,  Facebook Messenger , our  email ,  or give us a call at (808) 201-8138. We will be glad to help and answer your questions as soon as possible!

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Shaka Speed

Luxury Snorkeling Charters

Private Charters

Join us on the Shaka Speed for an adventure along the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. The Shaka Sped's accommodations and the quiet Kohala coast make for outstanding outings.

Scheduled times

We recommend launching at 8am for morning snorkel charters. Earlier launch times available upon request for an additional fee. We also offer afternoon trips, snorkeling & sunset cruises daily & stargazing trips upon request.

8am Launch Morning Snorkel Charter

Please see amenity classes below for pricing.

12:30pm Launch Afternoon Snorkel Charter

4:30pm launch sunset charter, items to bring aboard.

While the vessel provides ample shade, we still recommend wearing both sunscreen and sun protection in the form of a long-sleeve rash guard or sun shirt. Hats also recommended.

Included with your charter

All snorkeling equipment is included, plus coolers, ice & an onboard BBQ grill.

Water, juice, soda, chips, & pretzels, all snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, lotion, shampoo & conditioner on-board.

Big Kahuna Holo Holo

Complete catering options, champagne, and cabana beach towel service, in addition to all of the items included in 'Holo Holo'.

The Scout 275 LXF

The newest addition to our fleet is a head-turner, loaded with innovations, options, & upgrades. Get ready for an epic adventure on the water.

Luxury Options for Versatility in Style

The 275 LXF features two live bait wells at stern on either side of the innovative wave gate that folds down to the deck for unbelievable transom access for easy water entry/exit off the swim platforms with dive ladder or pulling in your big catch. When upright, the wave gate is complete with hydraulic fold down seating for added comfort. Relax on plush upgraded cushioned seating under the custom forward deck shade canvas while enjoying fresh local cuisine and glass of champagne or an ice cold local brew. Additional comfort upgrades include an incredibly spacious private porcelain marine head with overboard discharge pump, bow forward seating hydraulic back rests, console cooler, stylish interior appointments, built-in fish boxes, and deluxe folding helm chairs

Experience the Difference

The Scout is equipped to handle almost any accommodation request. Equipped with surround sound BT JL audio speakers, sync your phone and cue up your favorite playlist. Take advantage of the on board Kenyon grill, refrigerator and freezer for a fresh meal on the water. In the evenings, enjoy sunset and stargazing with custom soft-toned LED cockpit courtesy lighting for ease of navigating stern to bow and relax on the fully upgraded luxury cushion seating with ample room for a full party of 6.

Equipped with fuel efficient twin Yamaha 200 Hp Outboards, there's almost no destination along the Golden Coast we can't reach. The unique versatile design allows for variable fishing setups depending on your goals, including rocket launchers, cranking Taco outriggers with 14 ft poles, 4 stainless steel flush mount rod holders, upgraded Garmin displays for enhanced fish tracking capabilities, and under gunnel rod storage for backup gear.

Our History

About the big island shaka.

40' sailing catamaran | Woody Brown fiberglass-over-wood design

USCG 6 passenger vessel | freshwater shower | seating lounge | covered cabin | trampoline nets

How should I tip my crew?

Tipping is common in the sailing and yachting world. Gratuities in appreciation for excellent service are greatly appreciated. The general recommended amount is 20% of your charter fee.