TourTruth score 6.9 out of 10
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Big Island Kohala Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour
TourTruth score 6.9 out of 10
Average
6 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Big Island of Hawaii
- 2 days
- Updated November 2, 2026
Drive the Big Island Kohala Coast with GPS-guided stories, offline maps, and the freedom to stop and explore at your own pace.
About this tour
Trade a fixed tour schedule for a scenic drive along the Big Island Kohala Coast, where green shoreline, rolling hills, and tree-lined roads lead toward Waimea Town. This self-guided audio tour turns your car into a flexible island guide, with stories, travel tips, music, and GPS directions playing as you go.
Begin and end in Waikoloa, following the route clockwise. An offline map, turn-by-turn directions, and recommendations for activities and restaurants help you find worthwhile stops without relying on a live guide. Pause whenever a view catches your eye, then continue at your own pace. The route also includes the moderate, 0.9-mile round-trip Pololu Valley Hike; bring water and hiking shoes if you plan to walk it. Hawi and Waimea Town are noted for food stops, while the Kohala Welcome Center is Hawi's only public restroom.
Download and redeem the tour in the Shaka Guide app before arrival, using strong Wi-Fi or cellular data, and enable your phone's location services. Then set out on the Big Island Kohala Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour and explore the island's northern scenery on your own terms.
Highlights
- Follow the green Kohala Coast and rolling, tree-lined hills
- Drive the scenic Kohala Mountain road toward Waimea Town
- Hear local stories, travel tips, and music as you drive
- Stop and explore at your own pace with GPS directions
- Take the moderate 0.9-mile round-trip Pololu Valley hike
What's included
Included
- Self-guided audio tour with automatic GPS-triggered narration
- Offline map of the entire island
- Turn-by-turn GPS directions
- Activity and restaurant recommendations
- Tour access that does not expire
- Flexible start time and pace
Not included
- Meals and refreshments
- Crowded group tour
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.67 / 5 · 6 reviews
Important information
- Tour starts and ends in Waikoloa and travels clockwise only
- A smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app is required
- Download the app and redeem the tour before arrival; strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is needed to download it
- Enable location services on your device
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- Bring hiking shoes and water for the moderate 0.9-mile round-trip Pololu Valley hike
- The Kohala Welcome Center is the only public restroom in Hawi Town; open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Some shops may accept cash only; consider bringing cash for snacks and gifts
- Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits
- Wheelchair accessible; transportation and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller; infants must sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals are allowed; nearby public transportation options are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Waikoloa and follows a clockwise route.
What do I need to use the audio tour?
Use a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app. Download the app and tour before arrival, and enable location services.
Does the tour work without internet?
Yes. After downloading the tour, its map and audio can be used offline.
Can I take the tour at my own pace?
Yes. Start when you want, stop along the way, and explore at your own pace. Tour access does not expire.
Is there a hike on the route?
The route includes the moderate Pololu Valley Hike, a 0.9-mile round trip. Bring hiking shoes and water.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.67 from 6 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.9.
Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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4.7
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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