Dune Buggy Rental on Big Island: Eight Hours, Your Route

Eight hours, your own route: beaches, coffee farms, coastal towns, and no tour bus schedule

Rent a street-legal dune buggy on the Big Island for eight hours and set your own pace across beaches, historic Hawaiian sites, Kona coffee country, and scenic overlooks. You pick the route, the stops and how long to stay. The buggy comes with removable soft top, maps of local attractions, and optional beach gear on request. Pickup is in Kailua-Kona by appointment. Two-seat and four-seat models in automatic and manual transmission are available subject to availability.

The experience

You arrive with a rental agreement and a map instead of a tour itinerary. The buggy, a classic Meyers Manx-style open-air vehicle, sits ready in Kailua-Kona, and you drive it on paved roads anywhere the island takes you: down to black-sand beaches, through the famed Kona coffee country, past historic and ancient Hawaiian sites, along coastal overlooks, into small towns. No fixed stops, no rushing from one marked spot to the next, no bus full of people on the same schedule. The removable soft top means you can drive with the sun or drop it for full open air, and the eight-hour window is long enough to cover real ground without feeling compressed.

Choose between a two-seat buggy with extra storage behind the seats, or a four-seat model: either manual transmission or fully automatic, depending on what you're comfortable with and what's available on your rental date. If you want beach chairs, towels, an umbrella and a cooler for a long stop along the coast, request them when you book and they come with the rental at no extra charge. The operator provides a map marked with attractions and can point you toward what's worth the detour. You're responsible for the route, the timing and the decisions. That's the trade-off for not being herded through a predetermined day.

You'll need a valid driver's license and be at least 21 to rent. Full-coverage auto insurance is required: either your own or a supplemental policy you can purchase through the rental company. The buggy has GPS tracking, so off-road driving isn't an option. Stick to paved roads and parking lots. If you have children along, booster seats are available. The only real constraint is the entry and exit: you need to be able to lift your leg about 30 inches over the side of the buggy to get in and out.

What’s included

• Eight-hour rental of a street-legal dune buggy (two-seat or four-seat model, automatic or manual transmission).
• removable soft top.
• maps and guidance on local attractions.
• beach chairs, beach towels, umbrella and cooler upon request at no extra charge.
• child booster seats available.

Options for this experience

3 options

"Tang" 2-Seat, 8-Hour, Kona & PierUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · No fixed timeYellow "Tang" buggy with a rental of up to 8 hours. Seats two, with room behind the seats for optional beach gear. Duration: 8 hours. "Tang" has a stick shift, not an automatic transmission. (See the "Honu" buggy.)

"Mako" 4-Seat, 8-Hour, Kona & PierUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · No fixed timeBlue "Mako" buggy with a rental of up to 8 hours. Seats four, with a bench seat in the back. No room for optional gear for four passengers. Duration: 8 hours. "Mako" has a stick shift, not an automatic transmission. (See the "Honu" buggy.)

"Tiki" 4-Seat, 8-Hour, KonaUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · No fixed timeDuration: 8 hours. Call or email to schedule a pickup time; no walk-ins. Pickup times available are 8, 9, and 10 am. through the booking platform. "Tiki" has a stick shift, not an automatic transmission. (See the "Honu" buggy.) Maps are included, and we go over places to see.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Big Island Buggy

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full free day and want to explore the Big Island on your own terms: no guide narration, no set stops, no group pace. The eight-hour window and self-guided format suit someone who knows what they want to see and prefers to linger where it interests them or skip what doesn't. The automatic transmission option removes the manual-driving barrier if you're not comfortable with stick shift.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

157 verified traveler reviews

5 ★156

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I drive the buggy wherever I want on the Big Island?

The buggy is street-legal and can drive on all paved roads and parking lots across the island. Off-road driving on dirt or lava roads is not permitted. The buggy has GPS tracking and attempting off-road excursions carries a $500 charge.

What's included in the eight-hour rental?

The rental includes the buggy itself, a map of local attractions, and the removable soft top. Beach chairs, towels, an umbrella and a cooler are available at no extra charge if you request them when you book. Child booster seats are also available.

Do I have to book a specific model, or can I choose between the two-seat and four-seat buggies?

You can choose between a two-seat buggy or a four-seat model, and between automatic and manual transmission. The four-seat automatic is the only fully automatic option. Vehicle selection is subject to availability on your rental date.

What happens if I need to cancel or if the weather turns bad?

Cancellations within 24 hours of your reservation are non-refundable. If inclement weather occurs on your rental day, the operator will make a refund decision that morning. Brief showers and storms are common on the Big Island and typically pass quickly.

Do I need my own car insurance to rent the buggy?

You need full-coverage auto insurance. If you don't have your own, you can purchase a supplemental liability and collision damage waiver policy through the rental company at checkout.

Where do I pick up the buggy, and can it be delivered?

Pickup is in Kailua-Kona by appointment only. Optional paid delivery to other locations on the Big Island can be arranged in advance. Contact the operator for availability and pricing.