New Hawaii GPS Guide
There is so much to see on this beautiful island and many ways to experience it. That is why we have partnered with the VoiceMap mobile application. Then we found some of the best local tour guides to create Audio Tour Hawaii and this new GPS guide that works right on your phone!
8 Questions for choosing a GPS Guide
While the concept of an audio tour is familiar to most travelers, much has changed throughout the years. If you have been to a museum or art gallery, you have certainly used them before. Even those double-decker bus tours often use a GPS guide. But if you have never used one, here are a few questions to ask before choosing.
Youʻve probably experienced one before, at a museum or National Park. They give you the headphones and handset. Itʻs like that, but on your phone.
Activities can start to add up. Audio tours offer an inexpensive way to explore on your own.
We are starting with three different routes for the GPS guide. Every tour has free scavenger hunts and quizzes.
Like everything else, it depends on the particular tour. But the operational costs are significantly less, so you save a lot.
The VoiceMap travel app is free to download and easy to use. Just enter the code after downloading and set off.
Several other audio guides are on the market, and many attractions like the Aviation Museum include them with admission.
That is a drawback of most mobile travel apps. However, with AT.Hi works with local guides and shares a good percentage of each tour.
They are all relatively easy to use. The order may change, but choose the tour, download the app, enter the code, then have fun.
Donʻt worry. We know that isnʻt enough to answer those questions. So if you havenʻt skipped ahead, weʻll address each of those questions and share some helpful information no matter how you decide to travel.
What is a GPS Guide or Mobile Tour?
Weʻre going to narrow it down in this part. Not the kind of audio guide where you must actively follow along. Those are the ones you have to enter a number, scan a QR code, go to a website, etc. Theyʻre great for their purpose. Donʻt get us wrong.
But weʻre talking about the type of GPS guide where you put in some headphones or connect to a Bluetooth, and it takes care of the rest. There are a few of those on the market, but weʻll get into that later.
Why are audio tours so popular now?
No matter which type you mean, most audio tours work well in quiet places like museums and the Arizona Memorial. They allow those who want to learn more to do so without impacting the experience of others. Each GPS guide also gives the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Not only that, but they are getting significantly better. Now companies like Audio Tour Hawaii let you download the tour, put your phone in your pocket and explore. GPS trigger points automatically play as you approach the destination and offer turn-by-turn instructions.
Where can Hawaii audio tours take you?
Almost everywhere. Diamond Head Crater has their own. There are several other walking tours on the market, with more coming shortly. Every attraction at Pearl Harbor offers them and sometimes includes them with admission.
There are also several that can show you around the islands in your rental car. If you prefer to use pedal power, you can find some GPS guide bicycle tours.
Brand new routes from Audio Tour Hawaii!
We have recently partnered with VoiceMap to create a few of our own. They are a free mobile application you download straight to your phone. This app offers tours worldwide so that you can use it repeatedly. We design the route and find the best local guides to narrate.
We are starting with a Walking Tour of Waikiki. That route is built around part of the free historic trail that runs through the City. There are also two self-driving GPS guide tours for you to choose from. While they are not ready yet, we also have a few self-guided bicycle tours in the works.
Waikiki Walking Tour (Part 1) and Historical Trail
Waikiki is full of visitors today but is also a favorite of Hawaiian Kings and Queens. We built a GPS guide to help expand on the free historic trail while giving you food, activity, souvenir recommendations, and much more.
We share the royal history of the area, as well as some of the Hawaiian place names. Malia narrates this tour, and she has been in the industry for longer than we are allowed to say. You will love her almost as much as we do by the end of the route.
Pearl Harbor Through Historical Honolulu GPS Driving Tour
Decided the best way to visit Pearl Harbor is on your own? No worries. That works really well for many people. So weʻve built a GPS guide from the Memorial through Downtown Honolulu, with stops at the Punchbowl Cemetery, Kamehameha Statue, and two scenic mountain lookouts.
You will learn about Hawaiian and American heroes throughout the day. Kapena is your local guide for this tour. He is an entertainer, a Veteran, born and raised in Hawaii, and he has been giving guided Pearl Harbor Tours for years.
South Shore Self Driving Beaches and Hiking GPS Guide
Ready for the fun part? Because this is it. Like all of our offerings, this South Shore Beaches and Hiking GPS guide is built on an accessible base, but you can add all the adventure you want! Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are along the route.
Not only are there hiking opportunities, but we end the day at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens. Your guide on this tour grew up along the route and has been giving tours for years. Uncle Eddie is a family man, grandfather, and avid surfer, heʻs also an incredible person!
How much are Hawaii GPS guide and audio tours?
That is one of the best parts! These audio tours cost about 1/10th of the price of a typical tour. Weʻre debuting the Waikiki Walking Tour at only $4.99! Thatʻs less than a cup of coffee. Itʻs the same price as “the other guys,” and there are 20 times the stories, not to mention the free quizzes and scavenger hunts.
That price will increase in 2023, but donʻt worry, it will only be $3.00, but itʻs undoubtedly worth it. The self-driving GPS guide costs $14.99, no matter the route, which is about what you will spend on a plate lunch. Weʻll even show you a few spots to get one along the way.
Are the GPS guide and mobile applications free?
That answer depends on which one you choose. All of the routes by Audio Tour Hawaii work with GPS trigger points. We share stories, as well as turn-by-turn instructions during the narration. So you can put your phone in your pocket and go.
For the self-driving GPS guide routes, we suggest having the passenger follow along with the map and, of course, drive the speed limit. But you can even use these as a solo traveler, in a taxi or rideshare, and we offer discounts for locals, military, and bulk purchases.
What are other GPS guide tours available?
You may have heard of ShakaGuide, GyPSy, or one of the other mobile apps and GPS guide tours. Many of them are rated quite highly and very popular with visitors. Some have music, and some do not. As we mentioned earlier, some work with GPS, and others have you manually input a location.
Unfortunately, many of those are not so loved by locals for various reasons. We are hoping to help bridge the gap. You will never have to worry if we are taking you somewhere off limits or on private property where you havenʻt been invited. Between narrators and logistics, Audio Tour Hawaii has about 100 years of combined experience in the Hawaii hospitality industry.
Are you still supporting locals with a GPS guide?
That also depends on which one you choose. One of the most popular apps was started locally and has now branched out to new locations. Others have no connection to this place other than extracting revenue. There is certainly a different impact than a traditional tour with a personal guide.
We have teamed up with local tour professionals to share each GPS guide route and excursion. Most are born and raised in Hawaii, and each has a personal connection to the place they share. The VoiceMap mobile travel application hosts the tours, which work online and offline.
How do you use a mobile GPS guide?
With Audio Tour Hawaii, itʻs as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4 explore. First, you choose your tour, then redeem it on the VoiceMap application. Afterward, enter the unique code for your route and download the tour. Thatʻs all. It is that simple. Every GPS guide route is handicapped accessible, but you can add all types of adventures.
You can start from the beginning or join anywhere along the route by resuming from your nearest location. If you choose to join mid-route, listen to the opening story before you begin. You can even listen to the stories virtually from the comfort of your own home.
We handle the routes, and VoiceMap built the app.
Mobile applications might be all the rage right now, but they are not easy to build especially reliable ones. So we decided to leave that to the professionals. Thatʻs why we work exclusively with VoiceMap.
They are a worldwide travel and tour mobile application available on all platforms. One of the best parts is that you donʻt have to worry about losing service. Just make sure to charge your phone. Also, they have added hyperlinks so you can easily access the free extras like the Historical Trail.
Use VoiceMap where ever you travel.
One of the most fantastic things about VoiceMap is that they work with local guides, museums, and businesses to provide routes and narration. Just like us! That is one of the reasons we wanted to work with them. You can go from Argentina to Uzbekistan with them, and of course now available in Honolulu!
They have worked with Ian McKellen and the Official London Theatre for thespians and fans of the stage. That tour takes you around London’s historic West End, and he shares personal stories along the way. They also partnered with the San Francisco Chronicle to show you Golden Gate Park. So we are incredibly excited to get together and show you Honolulu, Hawaii.
Stay tuned for more GPS guide routes…
But this is just the beginning. We have launched our first three audio tours, but three more are already in the pipeline for 2023. Stay tuned for a Downtown and then part 2 of the Waikiki walking tour. Donʻt worry, we wonʻt make you wait long for a North Shore self-driving tour.
After that, you can look forward to some bike and hike tours and maybe even some local guides on the neighbor islands. If you want to tell us your story, feel free to reach out.
Audio Tour Hawaii is not just for visitors.
Are you new to the neighborhood? Maybe you represent a school group or parent looking for kid-friendly activities? We have created fun scavenger hunts perfect for a variety of ages. You can even use it for tour guide training with the free quizzes that measure retention.
We offer local, military, and bulk discounts to help save even more money. Learn place names, local history, new spots for food, drinks, and desserts. Explore some of the most famous places in Hawaii on your own, but not alone with Audio Tour Hawaii.
Is a GPS guide better than a traditional tour of Hawaii?
That totally depends on you and the circumstance. There are several regulations tour companies need to follow in Hawaii, which means we canʻt take you everywhere. However, a GPS guide will never be the same as a personal private guide. Although we think we came pretty close.
Most people like a little variety in their experience and do a little of each, which is another reason we have partnered up to create Audio Tour Hawaii. Why wouldnʻt you want the best of both worlds?
Audio Tour Hawaii
AT.Hi offers great GPS audio tours by local guides.
As always, mahalo nui loa for checking out the Things to do on Oahu Blog. Make sure to follow us on social media for updates and ideas for your family vacation to Hawaii. Donʻt forget to share with your family and friends.
We hope this post helped you prepare for your adventures in Oahu and the new GPS guide. Hopefully, you will choose Audio Tour Hawaii or AT.Hi for your self-guided excursions. But no matter what, enjoy your vacation, and thank you for reading. If you have more questions, weʻve posted some more answers.
Recommended Private Tours
Prefer a personal guide? Check out our private tours.
Ad-free blog brought to you by:
Subscribe for more Things to do on Oahu
Keep up to date with all things Hawaii, stay in touch, get special offers and much more!
