# Big Island Hawaii Gypsy Guide — user reviews > 81 indexed App Store user reviews of Big Island Hawaii Gypsy Guide by GyPSy Guide LLC, rated 4.90/5 from 762 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-island-hawaii-gypsy-guide/id982839825/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-island-hawaii-gypsy-guide/id982839825.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 699 · 4★ 39 · 3★ 8 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 7 ## What do users think of Big Island Hawaii Gypsy Guide? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Excellent guide - 👍 Informative and entertaining - 💡 Helpful directions and suggestions - 🚗 Enhances driving experience - 🌴 Provides great insights into Hawaiian history and culture **Cons** - 🐛 Issues with map navigation - 🔇 Mispronunciation of Hawaiian words - 🚫 Lacks information on some key locations **Commonly reported bugs** - Inconsistent audio playback when driving in opposite direction - Difficulty accessing audio clips not near current location **Most requested features** - Add Hawaiian music during gaps - Provide more information on Saddle Road - Improve map functionality to allow scrolling ## Newest reviews (15 of 81) ### 5/5 — Best “Private” Tour Guide *2020-02-17, version 3.0.1* We had a time box, so we picked only the stops that most interested us. We loved being able to discover great new things, and skip what we wanted. We even took our own stops and detours along the route and the guide caught up as soon as we returned to the route. Super high quality. ### 5/5 — Best Big Island guide ever! *2020-02-15, version 3.0.1* If you are going to the Big Island, don’t go without this app! It is such a great guide to the sites, history, and culture of the Island. There are many places you would not know they are even there without the app. Worth every penny and more. ### 5/5 — Totally recommend! *2020-02-10, version 3.0.1* We used this app on Maui and the Big Island! Very informative and useful tips traveling throughout. We named the guide “Dave”...he does a great job! (Would love to know his real name!) ### 5/5 — Best purchase *2019-12-19, version 3.0.1* We recently went to the Big Island and stumbled upon this app. Having used it on the road to Hana in Maui, we knew we liked the idea of it. This was most helpful for a list of reasons but the top two are: 1. Works without cell signal. I lost service a lot and this kept working as it’s based on your GPS. It kept us talking in the car about the fun facts and learning as we were driving significant distances. 2. It told us places to turn off and things to see that we wouldn’t have known about without a lot of research. Well worth the money, recommend to all driving on the big island! ### 5/5 — Awesome.. *2019-11-29, version 3.0.1* Gypsy Island was extremely helpful!! I can’t imagine driving around without it. Everything was spot on, made our trip extra special. ### 5/5 — LOVE this app!!! *2019-11-05, version 3.0.1* This Gypsy Tour app is the BEST THING EVER!! We had the best time and the guides were dead on point for sightseeing and driving around the big island of Hawaii! Like having your own personal tour guide, with tips and scenic routes all perfectly laid out. Do yourself a favor and get the full island tour (but break it into 2 days like he recommends). So much fun! Felt like an old friend by the time we were done!! ### 5/5 — So helpful!!! *2019-10-04, version 3.0.1* Best trip around the island!! So informative and helpful. Enjoyed all of the stories and tips. Will recommend ### 5/5 — So worth it *2019-09-25, version 3.0.1* This tour is really great and so well done. You miss the guide when you explore on your own!! ### 5/5 — Soooo perfect. For us *2019-09-24, version 3.0.1* Love this ### 5/5 — Awesome App! *2019-09-08, version 2.7.0* Used this app to tour the Big Island of Hawaii and it was fantastic! Great information, took us to all the hot spots and was so entertaining. Will definitely be using the guide on my next vaca. ### 5/5 — Best Investment!! *2019-09-05, version 2.7.0* We went thru 2 tanks of gas in our rental Jeep and circled the island almost twice. This app teaches you the history of the island along with what stops are the best and which ones are ok to skip. Used the Maui and Grand Canyon apps in the past. They’ve never disappointed!!! ### 5/5 — But this app! *2019-08-01, version 2.7.0* This app really enhanced our trip around the Big Island. The info is great - deep and layered and funny and just the right amount of it. It made a great trip even greater. ### 5/5 — Amazing! *2019-07-22, version 2.7.0* Not even the price of one cocktail, this app has made our whole trip!! Can’t say enough about it-quality, thorough, detailed—no ads/endorsements—super authentic and totally worth it!! Will look for these guys on ALL future vacations. Bought the road to Hana, and Big island tours, and I feel like I should send them a check!! 10 out of 10! Thanks folks!! ### 5/5 — Best app ever! *2019-07-22, version 2.7.0* Amazing app that allowed us to learn so many new and unusual details about this beautiful island. ### 5/5 — Best $10 I ever spent *2019-07-21* First time to review any app. GyPSy is precisely what makes modern technology so amazing. Perfect (i.e. not cheesy) and good-humored narration offering a wealth of knowledge. Really made us feel more like travelers than tourists. For us, we enjoyed it best by opening Pandora (we chose IZ station) and then opening GyPSy. Any time narration started, the music would soften but you could still hear it in the background. Can’t recommend this experience highly enough. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Don’t buy it if you have the one for Maui *2019-07-10, version 2.7.0* We covered Maui and then went to Big Island. We liked the Maui app so much that we bought this however this was a real let down I terms of many areas: 1. Majority of commentary is same as Maui specially on long drives 2. It does not have some key points - green sand beach; captain cook’s landing; 3. Does not have much of info for kona side of island. ### 1/5 — Did not work *2018-03-13* This app does not work... it sucks **Developer response:** Sorry you didn't get to enjoy the tour, as many of our other users have. Although the app has a simple interface, you can always call our toll free number at any time to get assistance with phone settings or vehicle pairing support. ### 2/5 — Good info, BAD Pronunciation! *2024-12-28, version 3.5.3* Being a native of the Big Island, I was curious if there was anything new that I could learn about my beloved home. I liked the facts mentioned and the accuracy of the gps directions. HOWEVER, I was appalled at the narrator’s mispronunciation of ALL the Hawaiian words and place names he used!!! HOW CAN WE CORRECT THIS??? It needs to be done immediately to not continue to spread misinformation! ### 2/5 — So close to greatness, but misses the mark. *2020-03-20* The voice is pleasant. Reminds me of Tom Bosley. Cadence is great. Information is good. There are MANY UX/UI problems. 1. You can’t scroll around the map for an upcoming point or a point you passed. The map refocuses on where you currently are. 2. When you pass a point on the map going the opposite direction of the tour, autoplay of that clip doesn’t work. Ok I know it will be problematic if the clip says “the little blue church is coming up on the left.” And I’m traveling the opposite direction. I’m smart enough to know “oh, I’m traveling the opposite direction, so the little blue church is on the right and maybe I just passed it. Do I want to turn around?” Thats MUCH more useful than nothing. 3. If you want to play a clip ad hoc without being close to the waypoint, the UX is super glitchy. You tap on a green dot and nothing happens, or maybe the audio player pops up but nothing plays. Super Aggravating. Workarounds: You can run this app in a simulator and fake your location information- it’s the same way people used to cheat at Ingress before ninantic figured it out and added protections. The thing is, why would GypsyGuides make it so hard just to play an audio clip? Just let me scroll the map and play the clip I want. :( **Developer response:** The things you have made in your review are not glitches - they are design choices. For your own safety you are not supposed to be touching the map while driving - we cannot encourage distracted driving. That's why it plays automatically. The location centers in driving mode so as it is always easy to see where you are and where upcoming commentary points are with just quick glance. Yes, the commentary points have arrows inside them to indicate the direction they are programmed to play. 90% of the island has different commentary depending which way you drive. There are a couple of areas where the commentary only goes in one direction. The arrows make that very clear, as do the tour descriptions. You can tap commentary points manually to play them. Then tap the play button when the media player opens. The tour has a "browse" mode. This allows you to go anywhere on the tour map and play audio manually. Most people use that before they go, or to replay stories they enjoyed when they have finished. Its always recommended to listen to or read the tours instructions for the best possible experience. ### 2/5 — Delay your trip significantly *2018-10-30* We used the app to drive south from Kona to volcano park and north to north coast and Akaka falls. Both trips were delayed by 2hours than it should be. We followed the app and drove the much longer route with not much to see on the way. There are not much to see on big island and for major sites there are road signs telling you where to go or you can just use the google map to get your destination 2 hours earlier. 90% of the volcano park is also closed, but this app hasn’t been updated yet. It is a totally wastes of our time. The road to Hana one is the only app you should use. **Developer response:** Sorry that it sounds like you didn't enjoy the tour or the Big Island. Not sure how you calculate 2 hours longer to follow the tour routes? The idea of the tour is that it takes you on scenic driving routes and tells you about the things to see and do along the way and shares stories about the areas you visit. Then its up to you to decide what you want to stop and explore further. If you just want the fastest way then Google Maps and reading the road signs might be better for you. The tour was updated months ago with information that the NPS will reopen Volcanoes National Park in stages as they deem each area safe for visitors and damage is repaired. ### 2/5 — This app is a must have! *2018-03-07* This app made all the difference during our recent trip to the Big Island. We took a lot of day trips during our vacation. The app kept us informed of upcoming points of interest as well as the history of the area. We liked the app so much, we’ve recommended it to other vacationers that we ran into, as well as, friends of ours who were headed to the Big Island. The only trouble I had was initially getting my phone connected to the sound system in the rental car. But, that problem had more to do with the rental car and my phone, not the app. ### 3/5 — Saddle Road? *2019-09-25, version 3.0.1* A previous reviewer said the guide could use more info on the Saddle Road. Fact is, there is zero info on the Saddle Road and not much on the highways leading to it. Want to drive to Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea? Better get a different guide. Still give it 3 stars for the good info on the covered areas. ### 3/5 — Good but misses few key places *2019-04-26, version 2.5.1* We used this app at Maui and it was great. So when we visited the Big Island, it was obvious to have this and we paid for the app. While the directions were great in most places, this app completely missed Maunakea! Thankfully we checked Google / TripAdvisor and went there. It's a place that you can't miss in Big Island ### 4/5 — Few things *2020-03-14* The Saddle Road is new ! Awesome drive, but watch for laser radar !!!! Also 1 of coffee mills just north of Kona is closed !! Thanks ### 4/5 — Loved it! *2019-09-20, version 3.0.1* We used the app to explore the Big Island. Great points of interest. Recommended to several people during our ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Big Island *2025-07-21, version 3.5.3* Amazing App! We enjoyed everything about it… thank you ### 5/5 — A Must For The Hawai’ian Islands! *2021-05-12, version 3.5.1* Excellent historical and sightseeing info and out-of-the-ordinary locales. We used both the O’ahu and Big Island tours. Paired with our windshield mounted GoPro made for awesome touring videos we were able to show our friends and family once home. Just wishing they’d expand their coverage to our neck of the woods (US Mid-Atlantic region). Perhaps one day... ### 5/5 — Fantastic Guide for our trip *2021-03-30, version 3.0.1* This app is amazing! We have found so many hidden gems and gotten so much great advice listening to the guide as we drive around the island, and learned so much great history. ### 5/5 — MUST HAVE- best tour guide ever *2021-03-24* We have now bought two tours(Road to Hana was the first one, and The Big Island, the second) only wish we had known more up front about it being a package when we did the first. All in all still was the best $15 spent on any tour! Narrator is amazing to listen to, enjoy his stories, and in depth knowledge of Hawaiian history. His storytelling tempo of the tours is very nice, and his sense of humor appreciated! Very easy to use! Absolutely love this app! ### 5/5 — A pleasant surprise! *2021-02-26, version 3.0.1* My sister recommended the app and knowing there would be some extended driving on the Big Island, I decided to buy it. It has been very educational and the touring tips have been spot on. We just finished the history of Hawaii segment. Fascinating! ### 5/5 — Excellent travel companion *2021-02-10, version 3.0.1* Covered 95% of the sites I wanted to see on the Big Island. Saved tons of hours of research and supplemented the long drives with relevant histories and added even more stops than I originally planned to do. ### 5/5 — Must Have *2020-12-29* My family and I are avid travels and love road trips, we are not planners and typically just go where the winds blow us. This trip however we downloaded Gypsy and I’ll NEVER travel with out it again. We drove the complete island and hands down the best parts were where the app sent us. Not to mention we learned so much US history and local history. The story telling is great, the narrative is amazing, and it’s fun. If you’re on vacation this is a must have 10-star app. ### 5/5 — Guide for Big Island *2020-04-01, version 3.0.1* This app is amazing and would consider it a necessity for any trip to the Big Island. Was able to take a self-guided tour around the island using the app and learned about Hawaiian history and saved money by going at it on my own verses using a bus tour! I definitely plan to use Gypsy Guide again! ### 5/5 — Must Have *2020-02-29* If you are visiting the big island this is the best app I ever seen I did compare to others nothing came close on Feb 14 my wife and I celebrated our 38 Anniversary we are very active using this app was such a blessing not only did we travel the entire island but the information and education was far the must informative I ever heard about the history of the Hawaii and the island, it also gave reference point to all turns even described what was around the turns, I Connor say enough about good this app is. We drove over 800 miles in 4 days. The only thing it did not have was the southernmost point Naalehu, Big Island, Hawaii but we founded ourself my advice get this app it’s great. ### 5/5 — Don’t Leave Home Without It!!!! *2020-02-28* We first heard about GyPSy Guide when we went from Banff to Jasoer. We found it incredibly informative and entertaining. So on our first trip to Hawaii, I got the island package and first used it on Kauai. I really can’t say enough superlative words about the app. It was obvious on the road to Jasper how it worked because there was only one road, but it worked just as beautifully with choices. “Fred” helped us choose where to go, gave us lots of information about the history, culture, geology, and flora/fauna and weather. It tells you what is a must see and what to do or pass up depending on time. He speaks with humor and has a good voice. I like how he reminds of previous stories and continues them at various points. It was great for our 2 days on Oahu and then the 7 days on the Big Island. “Fred” even did a great job of explaining not only what to see in Volcano National Park and how to use our limited time wisely, but also about the important geology, history and biology related to the park. I seriously will purchase every single one available for every road trip or vacation we do from now on!!!! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*