Big Island: VW Buggy Rental for Self-Guided Island Drive

Summary

Open-air buggy drive across Big Island beaches towns & coffee farms

You’ll feel pure freedom driving an open-air VW buggy around Hawaii’s Big Island. Choose your route with help from local tips, stop at beaches or coffee farms, and enjoy beach gear included in your rental. It’s less about seeing everything and more about feeling every mile—windows down, playlist up.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to grin so much just from driving. Picking up the VW buggy on the Big Island felt like getting handed the keys to summer itself. The guy at the rental place (I think his name was Mike?) ran us through a map and circled a few beaches he liked best, then showed me how to pop off the soft top if we wanted more sun. He laughed when I asked about the stick shift — apparently it’s a common question. I could smell sunscreen and coffee as we loaded up the cooler they gave us (free, which was nice). There’s something about that first moment you pull out onto Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway with nothing but blue sky overhead and your own playlist humming from your phone charger.

The Big Island buggy isn’t fast in a racing way, but it feels quick because everything’s open — wind in your hair, salt on your lips, even my sunglasses tasted gritty after an hour. We stopped at a random fruit stand outside Captain Cook (the woman running it had this gentle way of talking story, told us which mangoes were sweetest that week), then drove down to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau. It was hot enough that I actually used the beach umbrella they packed for us. At one point my friend tried to fold herself into the back seat and we both cracked up — apparently those seats are “for smaller adults,” which is true if you’re not tall like her.

We didn’t have any set plan — just followed whatever looked good on the map or smelled good from the road (the coffee farms near Holualoa are wild, by the way; you catch these earthy whiffs as you pass). The buggy can go anywhere a regular car can, so we never worried about getting stuck or missing out. At one point I realized I’d forgotten how long we’d been out there — time gets weird when you’re chasing sun and surf instead of schedules. Still think about that view coming down into Kailua-Kona with all that light bouncing off the ocean.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rent and explore Big Island by buggy

• Call to schedule buggy pickup time
• Pick up your chosen VW buggy
• Receive maps and sightseeing tips
• Load optional beach gear and cooler
• Drive to historical sites and beaches
• Tour coffee farms and towns
• Return buggy after rental period

Top questions

How many people fit in a Big Island buggy?

Buggies come in 2-seat and 4-seat options; back seats fit smaller adults best.

Is there an automatic transmission option?

Yes, some buggies are fully automatic; others are manual stick-shift.

Can I take the buggy off-road or on lava trails?

No, buggies must stay on paved roads and parking lots—no off-roading allowed.

Are beach chairs and towels included?

Yes, request beach chairs, towels, umbrella, and cooler at booking for no extra charge.

What times can I pick up my buggy?

Pickup is by appointment only between 8am–2pm; no walk-ins accepted.

Do I need special insurance to rent?

You need full coverage auto insurance or can purchase coverage through RentalCover.com.

Is there storage space for bags or beach gear?

The 2-seat buggy has extra storage behind seats; 4-seaters have some open storage too.

What’s included

Your day includes a street-legal VW Manx-style buggy (manual or automatic), maps with local suggestions for stops around Big Island, plus free use of beach chairs, towels, umbrella, and cooler if you ask ahead—just pick your pickup time and hit the road with everything you need for exploring at your own pace.