The 3 Best Tours at Kualoa Ranch (from an Oahu local who’s done them all!)
The undisputed Hollywood Backlot of Hawaii, Oahu’s Kualoa Ranch has more than a dozen awesome movie tours to choose from. Here’s how to decide.
One of the most breathtaking and historic places on the island of Oahu, Kualoa Ranch is nestled on the island’s lush windward side. The private nature reserve spans 4,000 acres of emerald valleys, towering mountains, and stunning coastline.
Kualoa Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is deeply tied to Hawaiian culture and the accomplishments of the early Hawaiians.
It is also a working cattle ranch and farm!
But beyond its natural beauty, Kualoa Ranch is most famous as Hawaii’s Hollywood backlot. The ranch has served as a filming location for some of the world’s most famous Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Blockbusters like Jurassic World, Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla, and Jumanji were all filmed here, along with the TV show Lost.
The ranch’s Jurassic Valley is particularly famous for its role in the Jurassic Park series, where visitors can see Godzilla’s massive footprints and other iconic film sites up close.
With its spectacular scenery, deep cultural history, and famous Hollywood movie sites, I consider Kualoa Ranch one of Oahu’s must-visit destinations.
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But there are more than a dozen different tours to choose from at Kualoa Ranch. So which one is best?
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will likely blow on mai tais, poke, and shave ice. All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
Sometimes, the hardest part of visiting Kualoa Ranch is deciding which tour to do!
As an Oahu resident, we bring friends and family to the ranch every time they visit. And over the years, we’ve done nearly all of the tours.
Today, I’m sharing my top three favorite Kualoa Ranch tours to help you decide how to spend your day at this incredible place on Oahu.
But before I dive in, it’s worth noting that we’ve never done a BAD tour at Kualoa Ranch. Every tour we’ve done has been super fun and the guides are always excellent. And none of the tours have been repetitive; we’ve visited different sites within the ranch on each tour.
So the good news is, you really can’t make a bad decision here. And there’s no need to limit yourself to just one tour, it’s possible to do several tours in a single day.
Now, let’s get started!
1. The 2-Hour UTV Raptor Tour
If you want thrills and stunning views, the 2-hour UTV tour through Jurassic Valley is the way to go.
You get to drive your own all-terrain vehicle through rugged trails, crossing suspension bridges, splashing through mud, and stopping at iconic film sites along the way.
Each “Raptor” can hold 2-6 people and you’ll need to have at least 2 people in your party to book this tour. My husband loves the self-driving part, and we’ve done this one twice with 4 people each time, which is perfect for seating (but you can squeeze more!).
Note: The minimum driver age is 21.
As you drive through the ranch’s beautiful scenery, you’ll stop several times for the tour guide to share behind-the-scenes stories about the various filming locations.
Fair warning, you will get VERY dirty on this tour. So wear dark clothing and bring a change of clothes if you plan to do something afterward. But that’s all part of the fun.
They do provide helmets, goggles, and the branded Kualoa Ranch turquoise face gaiters. The gaiters make a nice souvenir and are essential for keeping dirt and dust out of your mouth along the drive.
Tip: The front-seat passenger gets the dirtiest on this tour. The driver gets a little shielding thanks to the steering wheel, and the back seat passengers only get the leftover dirt that doesn’t stick to the front seat passengers. So, if you’re worried about getting super dirty, sit in the back.
When my sister and her family visited, my pre-teen niece and nephew absolutely LOVED this tour. It’s especially great for kids their age and older, though you can book it for kids as young as 5.
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- What makes it special? It’s the most exciting way to explore Kaʻaʻawa Valley, home to legendary movie sets and jaw-dropping scenery.
- Best for: Adventure seekers and Jurassic Park fans.
- Down Sides: This is the Ranch’s most expensive single tour, so it adds up for a family of four.
2. Hollywood Movie Sites Bus Tour
For a more laid-back (i.e., dirt-free) experience, the movie sites tour is a fantastic option.
This guided bus tour takes you through some of the most sacred places in Hawaiian history while showcasing famous filming locations from movies like 50 First Dates and Jurassic World.
You’ll ride in an open-air bus, stopping at sculpture gardens, famous backdrops, and even the original Jurassic Park gates.
The Movie Sites tour is the perfect, affordable overview of Kualoa Ranch if you just can’t decide which tour to do. On this tour, you also get to explore inside the historic WWII Army bunker that the UTV tour just drives by.
- What makes it special? You’ll get a deeper dive into famous Hollywood movie sites while learning about the ranch’s deep Hawaiian roots.
- Best for: Movie buffs, anyone with limited mobility, and families looking for a relaxed, informative tour.
- Down Sides: The only downside to this one is that it’s a typical bus tour, so it’s a larger group than the other tours.
3. Ocean Voyage Catamaran Tour
For a different perspective, the Ocean Voyage tour takes you out on a catamaran into Kaneohe Bay, where you’ll see the stunning coastline from the water.
The tour starts with a small boat ride across the 800-year-old Moli’i fishpond, one of the ancient Hawaiian fishponds still in use today. From there, a short walk through the jungle leads to Secret Beach, where you’ll board the catamaran.
Once aboard the catamaran, the 45-minute out-and-back cruise across gorgeous Kaneohe Bay includes views of Mokoliʻi Island (Chinaman’s Hat) and spectacular views of the Ko’olau mountain range in the distance.
You’ll also learn about medicinal plants and tropical fruit grown on the ranch for a taste of traditional Hawaiian agriculture.
- What makes it special? It’s a great way to experience the ranch’s natural beauty from the ocean while learning about ancient Hawaiian fishponds and Hawaiian culture.
- Best for: Those who love the ocean and want a unique, relaxing experience.
- Down Sides: If you’re prone to seasickness, you might want to skip this one.
Quick Tips for Kualoa Ranch Tours:
Those are my three favorite tours! Here are a few more tips to make the most of your day.
Due to high demand, the tours at Kualoa Ranch do sell out fast. Especially the most popular ones (like the three I’ve listed here), so be sure to book in advance!
The best place to book is directly on the Kualoa Ranch website. If you don’t have a rental car, you can also book transportation when you book your tour.
If you do have a rental car (and you should for exploring the island!), they also have plenty of free parking.
Discount Hawaii Car Rental
For rental cars in Hawaii, go to the local experts. They’ll find you the best rate among all the major companies with no booking fees. And their customer support is top-notch.
The ranch has a fun gift shop with a wide variety of movie-themed souvenirs (I love it almost as much as the fabulous gift shop at the Dole Plantation).
Inside the gift shop, Aunty Pat’s Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks if you need a bite to eat while you’re there. The ranch’s location is a little remote, and there’s not much else in the immediate area, so it’s nice that they have something on-site.
But do yourself a favor and drive 30 minutes north after your tour and hit the cafe at Kahuku Farms.
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So Which Tour Sounds Best to You?
Kualoa Ranch is a fantastic way to spend a day and deserves a spot on every Oahu Bucket List.
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Whether you choose the ATV tour, the movie sites tour, the Ocean Voyage, or one of the many other tours, get out of Waikiki and experience the most beautiful part of Oahu with a visit to Kualoa Ranch.
Looking for more great things to do nearby? Start Here:
15 Can’t-Miss Stops on a Day Trip to Oahu’s Iconic North Shore
A Guide to Oahu’s Insta-Famous Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
25 Awesome Things to Do on Oahu That Won’t Cost You a Dime🌺
