Hawaii · SELF-GUIDED TOURS

15 Self-Guided Tours in Hawaii to Build a Day Around

44 tours  ·  from $10 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 self-guided tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

Haleakala Sunrise Best Self-Guided Bike Tour - Why the Shuttle Changes the Ride
Cycling Tours, Guided, Haleakala Sunrise Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Maui

Haleakala Sunrise Best Self-Guided Bike Tour

1.Haleakala Sunrise Best Self-Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 745 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $272Our pick

Leave Haiku before dawn for Haleakala’s summit, watch sunrise above the clouds, then ride a custom mountain bike downhill from 6,500 feet. Guides such as Eddie Buddy, Corey, and Russell provide safety tips, history, and humor. A shuttle covers part of the route before a second ride toward Makawao and Haiku.

“We left our condo an 2 am to arrive at 3. It sounds like a sacrifice but it was well worth it. Beautiful sunrise, focus on safety, great tour guide. But the extras made it special. First, Don gave us history and sense of place with a large dollop of humor. You need that early in the morning. Second, a surprise side trip gave us what will be one of my 5 all-time favorite photos. Well worth the investment of time, energy and money!”

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Best Haleakala Downhill Self-Guided Bike Tour with Maui Sunriders - The upper ride: steering, braking, and big views
Cycling Tours, Downhill, Guided, Haleakala Sunrise Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Maui

Best Haleakala Downhill Self-Guided Bike Tour with Maui Sunriders

2.Best Haleakala Downhill Self-Guided Bike Tour with Maui Sunriders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 496 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $139Top rated

Start at 6,500 feet on Haleakalā, coast through Maui’s uplands, pause in Makawao, and finish in Paia. Maui Sunriders supplies a front-suspension bike, helmet, gloves, weather gear, route map, and roadside help. Guides such as Remy, Dane, Matthias, and Roy handle the drive and safety briefing while you ride the route at your own pace.

“Amazing time biking down this mountain. The views were insane and ending in Paia was wonderful! Highly recommended”

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Chief's Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour - What the $9.99 actually buys
Guided, Pearl Harbor Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Oahu

Chief’s Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour

3.Chief’s Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 407 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $9Best value

Use a provided multimedia device and map to explore Pearl Harbor National Memorial at your own pace. Jamie Lee Curtis narrates the tour, with earphones to keep. Admission to the memorial is free, but the USS Arizona Memorial boat shuttle costs $1 and must be reserved separately or requested through the standby queue.

“Knowing the number who died then seeing all the names puts it into more of a reality. What a great way to always remember all the lives lost that horrible day.”

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Self Guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall - A Scenic Drive Through Manoa Valley
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking & Trekking in Oahu, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Oahu, Walking Tours, Waterfall Tours

Self guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall

4.Self guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Walk with a local guide through Manoa Valley’s lush rainforest to Manoa Falls, then ride to Puʻu ʻUalakaʻi State Park for broad views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, and Oahu. Guides such as Robert, Arlaine, Hema, and Cortina are known for explaining local plants, history, and customs. Expect mud, mosquitoes, and slippery rocks.

“Beautiful view. Hike was a bit challenging with lots of slippery stones. Otherwise great and knowledgeable leader”

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Haleakala Express Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui - The first switchbacks deliver the excitement
Cycling Tours, Guided, Haleakala Sunrise Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Maui

Haleakala Express Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui

5.Haleakala Express Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 271 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $146

Start at 6,500 feet outside Haleakala National Park, coast downhill on a Kona mountain bike, and continue through Upcountry Maui toward Makawao and Haiku. Guides such as Kimo, Dan, Tim, and Nico add local stories during the drive. The ride is self-guided, with some sections handled by shuttle because of local road restrictions.

“This excursion came highly recommended by friends and we’re so happy we did it! Kimo was a great tour guide up and down the mountain - very knowledgeable, personable, and had lots of stories to tell :) Amazing views and cool activity to partake in. Definitely check out the local towns - so much to see and do ❤️”

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Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu - Lanikai Beach: the easy-to-love first stop
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Oahu, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Oahu

Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

6.Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 249 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $110

Start at Kailua Beach Adventures on Kailua Road, collect a single or double kayak, snorkel gear, dry bag, and beach equipment, then paddle toward Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands without a guide. You get about five hours to explore, with bikes available for ages 13 and up.

“We were so glad we did self guided and could relax at each island and go at our own pace-a lot is included for the price which is great-dry bag, cooler, bike rental, beach chairs, all inclusive. We were super fortunate that the monk seal decided to nap on the beach of the island and we got to see him up close-awesome! Lots of sea turtles we also saw while kayaking and we snorkeled and saw beautiful fish and a sea turtle eating off the reef. A super fun day! Highly recommended!”

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Manoa Falls Rainforest & Self-Guided Hike - The shuttle from Waikiki
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Manoa Falls Rainforest & Self-Guided Hike

7.Manoa Falls Rainforest & Self-Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 227 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Travel by shuttle from select Waikiki hotels to Manoa Falls, then follow a self-guided rainforest trail through eucalyptus trees, streams, mud, and rocky climbs. Kaimana Tours provides water, bug spray, and a walking stick. Drivers such as Matthew, Steve, Orlando, and D share local stories before giving you time to hike at your own pace.

“It was a great trip. Our driver was very friendly and knowledgeable. The hike was more than what we expected. Had a great time”

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Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours - Poipu, Koloa, Waimea, and Na Pali coverage
Audio Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Kauai

Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours

8.Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · 4 days (approx.)

Download four Shaka Guide audio tours and explore Kauai by rental car at your own pace. GPS-triggered stories, music, directions, viewpoints, beaches, food stops, cultural sites, and hiking suggestions cover the North Shore, Wailua, Waimea, Na Pali, Poipu, and Koloa. The tours work offline, never expire, and cost $27.99 for your whole group.

“Easy to use, great, interesting narration. I would definitely purchase again for other destinations.”

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Shaka Guide Maui "Classic" Road to Hana Audio Driving Tour - Start in Kahului, then fuel up in Paia
Audio Tours, Guided, Road to Hana Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Maui

Shaka Guide Maui “Classic” Road to Hana Audio Driving Tour

9.Shaka Guide Maui “Classic” Road to Hana Audio Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 210 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.)

Drive Maui’s Hana Highway with Shaka Guide’s private audio tour for up to 15 people. The app uses GPS for directions, plays stories and Hawaiian music automatically, and works offline after download. You choose your stops, from Twin Falls and black-sand beaches to Pipiwai Trail and Oheʻo Gulch.

“This app is a fantastic audio guide that provides driving instructions, as well as tons of historical and cultural information. It keeps you on track, whether you stop and visit a site or reverse direction to see something that was missed. We also enjoyed the cultural music that filled in the time between narrations.”

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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai - North Shore route: Haena, Anini, and Hanalei
Audio Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Kauai

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai

10.Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · 6 to 20 hours (approx.)

GuideAlong’s Kauai audio tour turns your rental car into a private guide. Download the app and hear location-based stories, directions, history, food tips, and stop suggestions as you drive. Follow half-day, full-day, or multi-day routes, or build your own around Hanalei, Waimea Canyon, Poipu, and the Na Pali Coast.

“Best money I spent in Kauai. We explored the island, learned where all the good spots were and enjoyed a history lesson in between each stop. This was my first guidealong purchase and I will now buy one for EVERY trip! Freedom to explore on your own with a local expert in your pocket!”

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FUV Self Guided Island Adventure Tour - Getting comfortable behind the controls
Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Kauai

FUV Self Guided Island Adventure Tour

11.FUV Self Guided Island Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet TJ at Kauai Island Car Rentals in Lihue, learn to handle your open-air FUV, then follow a phone-based route or choose your own stops. In about four hours, you can reach Kapaʻa, Poʻipū, Old Koloa, Lawaʻi Beach, Opaekaʻa Falls, and Wailua Falls. Pickup help may be available, including from the cruise port.

“We are 6 seniors who never driven an FUV. TJ greeted us and after giving us thorough instructions on operating them, we practiced several minutes cruising an open parking lot until we felt comfortable. We were nervous at first but once we had the map on our phones in the phone holder, we took off and had four hours of cruising through the beautiful countryside and visiting beaches and the arboretum. It was a blast! We highly recommend this adventure. The vehicles feel very safe to drive and ride in. Try it!”

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Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours - Day 1: Kona, coffee country, and the western coast
Audio Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in the Big Island

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

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

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

Drive the Big Island with five GPS-guided Shaka audio tours covering Kona, South Kohala, Hilo, the Hamakua Coast, the southern shore, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Download the routes before you go, then follow turn-by-turn directions, stories, music, food tips, and optional stops at your own pace.

“Excellent directions and points and interest. Lots of history provided as well. Very descriptive and interesting.”

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Self-Guided GPS Audio E-Bike Tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Through fern forest and around the crater
Audio Tours, Cycling Tours, Guided, National Parks, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in the Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Tours

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

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

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

Ride a comfortable e-bike through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on a mostly downhill route. Your GPS audio app explains Pele, lava, forests, and geology as you reach Thurston Lava Tube, Kīlauea viewpoints, and bike-only sections near Keanakakoi Crater. Bring a charged smartphone, warm layers, and rain gear.

“We had a great time. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the park. The tour was well organized from start to finish. The 25 dollar entrance fee to the park was not included in the price of the tour which we were not notified of at the time of purchase.”

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Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app - Kauai Coffee Company: an easy first stop
Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Kauai, Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Coast Tours

Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app

14.Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 116 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.)

Drive from Poipu through Kauai’s coffee country, historic sites, Waimea Canyon, Kokeʻe State Park, and Nā Pali overlooks with GPS-triggered stories, music, and directions from the Shaka Guide app. Download it before leaving Wi-Fi, then stop, skip, pause, or resume whenever you like. One purchase covers your vehicle, up to 15 people.

“Nice to have Hawaiian music and stories about the stops. Hints about fees and eating places helpful.”

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Haleakala Summit Best Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui - Stop 2: The first 15 miles downhill
Cycling Tours, Guided, Haleakala Sunrise Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Stargazing & Mauna Kea Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Maui

Haleakala Summit Best Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui

15.Haleakala Summit Best Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $238

Start in Haiku, ride by shuttle to Haleakala’s summit, and explore the crater with an NAI-certified guide before cycling downhill. You’ll ride a custom Kona bike for about 15 miles, tackle the famous 29 switchbacks, pass through Makawao, and finish back in Haiku. Guide Kimo is known for clear safety advice and engaging Maui stories.

“The guided tour is much better. If you booked a self guided my recommendation is to switch to a guided bike tour”

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New in Self-Guided Tours

★ 4.5Maui “Reverse” Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour14 reviews
★ 4.5Maui “Loop” Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour39 reviews
★ 4.0Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Audio Tour10 reviews
★ 4.5Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Maui31 reviews
★ 4.5Maui Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour6 reviews
★ 4.0Haleakala Sunrise Self-Guided Audio Tour9 reviews
★ 3.5Self Guided Electric Bike and Snorkel Explorer3 reviews
★ 3.5Self-Guided E-Bike Kapalua Jungle Adventure TourFrom $1355 reviews
★ 3.5Ultimate Hawaii Road Trip: 4-Island Self-Guided Audio Tours8 reviews
★ 4.5Kauai Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour23 reviews
★ 4.5North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour13 reviews
★ 4.0Kauai Poipu and Koloa Town Self-Guided Audio Tour4 reviews
★ 4.5Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour29 reviews
★ 4.5Big Island Kohala Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour6 reviews
★ 4.0Big Island Kona Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour5 reviews

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