Help with route to/from Volcano/Hilo (Gypsy/Shaka)

Question

We have an eight day trip planned for early March. It will be my husband and I, 17 year old daughter and grandma. We are staying in a VRBO for Kailua-Kona, but have booked one overnight trip to the Volcano/Hilo area. My original plan was to do either Guide Along or Shaka GPS Guides, taking the northern route there and the next day driving the southern route back to Kailua.

With so much to see along the northern route, would it make more sense to do that as its own day trip another day and just drive the southern route to/from to spend more time in Hilo/Valcano area. Or take Highway 200 there and the Southern route back, saving the northern drive for its own day. Or should we stick with our original plan, but limit how many places we stop at.

Since grandma will be with us, we won't be doing a ton of hikes on the way there or back, but would certainly stop at the viewpoints or shorter walks (we will be doing one of the hikes near the Volcano).

Also, has anyone done both the GyPSy and Shaka? Which one is better? We have done several GyPSY ones and really liked them. I came across recommendations for Shaka, so trying to see which one would be better.

I would welcome any ideas on planning this overnight trip to maximize what we see (but also not cram too much into the two days).

Answer

It sounds like you're planning a great trip to the Volcano and Hilo areas! With your travel group—including your 17-year-old daughter and grandma—it’s wise to balance sightseeing with some relaxation to ensure everyone enjoys the trip without feeling rushed. Here’s a breakdown of your options and some thoughts on the best route to take, along with your choice between GyPSy and Shaka Guides.

Route Planning: The northern route (through Waimea, up and over the mountain) offers a lot of scenic views, but it can be a bit longer and more winding. It’s also a route where you’ll be tempted to make many stops, and since you’re traveling with grandma, it could become a more leisurely but lengthy day. The southern route, on the other hand, is generally flatter and faster, with fewer winding roads, so it might be more comfortable for longer travel times.

Considering your group, here are a couple of options for optimizing your two-day trip:

Option 1: Northern Route for a Day Trip and Southern Route Both Ways: If you’re keen on seeing the northern route but want to spend more time in Hilo and the Volcano area, you could drive the southern route both ways and dedicate a separate day to exploring the northern route. This way, you won’t feel rushed when you’re driving through areas like the Waipi’o Valley or checking out the scenic viewpoints along the way. On the southern route, you’ll pass through the southern part of the island, including interesting stops like Punaluu Black Sand Beach and the southernmost point in the U.S.
Option 2: Highway 200 to the Volcano and Southern Route Back: If you want to minimize driving on your overnight trip and reduce the number of stops, this could be a good compromise. You’d drive Highway 200 (the saddle road) to the Volcano, which will give you a more direct route. Then, you could take the southern route back for a more leisurely drive, allowing you to explore on the way back. This option is also less demanding on grandma and gives you the flexibility to stop at key sights without having to rush.
Option 3: Stick with Your Original Plan, But Limit Stops: If you prefer to stick with your original plan, you can certainly do the northern route to Hilo and the southern route back. However, since you’re not planning on doing extensive hikes, limit the number of stops to major viewpoints or scenic areas that don’t require a lot of walking. You can focus on places like the Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and the Kilauea Volcano area. This will keep the day manageable and allow you to focus more time on enjoying Hilo and the Volcano itself.

Which Guide: GyPSy or Shaka? Both GyPSy and Shaka provide excellent guided audio tours, and it comes down to personal preference based on the type of commentary you enjoy. Since you mentioned you’ve used GyPSy before and liked it, it’s worth considering whether you want to try something new with Shaka or stick with what you know. Here are some differences to help you decide:

GyPSy Guides: If you’ve already enjoyed the GyPSy app on other trips, you’ll probably find their Volcano/Hilo guide just as informative and enjoyable. GyPSy is known for offering detailed commentary about historical sites, local culture, and nature spots. The app automatically triggers commentary based on your location, which makes it convenient as you drive. If you’re already familiar with GyPSy, it’s a safe bet that you’ll enjoy their guide for the Big Island.
Shaka Guide: Shaka is another great option and is widely praised for its upbeat and engaging commentary. One unique feature of Shaka is that it has a more personalized touch with local stories and lore. The app is also highly rated for its ease of use and flexible stops, which can be a great option if you want to tailor your trip to specific places you’d like to visit (and skip some you don’t). It’s an excellent choice if you want a more casual, storytelling vibe.

Both guides have their strengths, and they’ll both enhance your experience with interesting facts and history about the places you’ll visit. If you’ve already used GyPSy and liked it, there’s no harm in continuing with that, but Shaka offers a different style that might be fun to try out if you're looking for something new.

Maximizing Your Overnight Trip: To make the most of your time in the Volcano and Hilo areas without overpacking the schedule, I suggest focusing on a few key highlights that don't require long hikes. Since you plan to visit the Volcano, here are a few ideas for short, easy stops that will give you a good overview of the area without tiring everyone out:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: The Kīlauea Visitor Center is a great place to start. You can also do a short walk on the Kīlauea Iki Trail (this one is about 1-2 hours long but not too strenuous), or explore the Thurston Lava Tube. The Crater Rim Drive is another easy way to see the volcano and surrounding area without too much walking.
Akaka Falls State Park: If you’re traveling on the northern route to Hilo, Akaka Falls is a short, easy walk to a stunning waterfall that shouldn’t be missed.
Rainbow Falls: A quick stop on the way to Hilo, this waterfall is an easy walk and beautiful photo op.

Remember, with grandma in tow, keeping the pace comfortable and ensuring plenty of breaks will make for a much more enjoyable trip. It’s all about balancing the scenic drives with relaxing stops!

Help with route to/from Volcano/Hilo (Gypsy/Shaka)

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