Kualoa Ranch is one of Hawaii’s premier tourist destinations, famous as a filming location for Jurassic Park.
Once a sacred place accessible only to royalty, it is also known as one of Oahu’s most powerful spiritual spots!
Spanning a massive 4,000 acres, the ranch offers a variety of activities to experience, including horseback riding and ziplining.
However, even if you don’t participate in the activities, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy your time, from taking photos in the great outdoors and visiting spiritual spots to interacting with tortoises and ponies at the mini zoo!
As one of Hawaii’s top tourist attractions, it’s well worth spending a full day here.
All Activities at Kualoa Ranch
Some activities have age and height restrictions, and they are extremely popular and tend to be crowded.
While all of them are fantastic, be sure to book your activities in advance!
Horseback Walking Tour
When you think of Kualoa Ranch, the horseback riding experience is easily the most popular activity.
What sets this apart from ordinary horseback riding is the chance to explore breathtaking spots that have appeared in movie scenes you’ve surely seen before!
The horses are well-trained and will automatically follow the one in front, so there’s no need to worry.
It’s a full two-hour tour, so while you’ll have a great time, expect to be a little saddle-sore afterward!
Participation requirements for the horseback tour are: age 10 and up, minimum height of 137 cm (4’6″), and maximum weight of 104 kg (230 lbs).
UTV Raptor Adventure Tours
The thrilling Raptor tour is an adventure the whole family or group of friends can enjoy together.
It’s like a group version of a dune buggy, and you’ll take a short driving test before heading out on the trail.
You’ll race through the vast grounds of Kualoa Ranch in a six-passenger 4WD vehicle, visit movie filming locations, and enjoy a constantly exciting ride!
Even if you have children who can’t drive an ATV, the whole family can safely enjoy this tour together.
This two-hour tour takes you deep into Kualoa Valley, allowing you to drive through the jungle.
You might get splashed with mud, so be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, like long pants and sneakers!
For the Raptor tour, drivers must be 21 or older, and passengers must be at least 5 years old.
Hollywood Movie Sites Tour
This is a movie site tour that explores Kualoa Valley, where numerous films have been shot.
It’s not just Jurassic Park; over 50 movies have been filmed here, so everywhere you look, you’ll see a landscape that seems familiar.
Famous movies filmed here include Jurassic Park (1993), Pearl Harbor (2001), 50 First Dates (2004), Godzilla (2014), and Jurassic World (2015).
Interestingly, Kualoa Ranch also appeared in the Japanese remake of 50 First Dates (2018).
With the world of movies unfolding before your eyes, you’re sure to feel the excitement of stepping right into the films!
This 1.5-hour tour takes place on a large bus, with stops at key locations for photo opportunities, making it an easy and family-friendly option for everyone.
There are no specific participation requirements for the Movie Sites Tour.
Jurassic Adventure Tour
This tour focuses on the most popular locations among the many movie sites at the ranch.
Its main feature is the chance to see the behind-the-scenes locations from Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom!
For fans of the Jurassic series, this is the ultimate dream tour.
Instead of the bus used for the movie sites tour, you’ll venture through the jungle in a custom jeep on this 2.5-hour course, getting an in-depth look at popular filming locations.
Participants for the Jurassic Adventure Tour must be 3 years of age or older.
Jungle Jeep Expedition Tour
This jeep tour takes you on a bumpy, thrilling ride through the jungle.
It’s an interactive experience where you can encounter wild cattle, pick and eat mountain apples, and connect with nature.
The tour takes you to the top of a hill in Kualoa, where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the valley.
Riding in a special jeep over hilly terrain is more exciting than you can imagine!
Depending on the driver, you might enjoy a leisurely ride to take in the scenery, or you might find yourself hanging on for dear life on a bumpy adventure! (It’s all in good fun, of course.)
But all the drivers are friendly and full of hospitality, so everyone is guaranteed to have a great time.
The tour is 1.5 hours long and is a family-friendly option that’s easy to join.
Participants for the Jungle Jeep Expedition Tour must be 3 years of age or older.
Ocean Voyage Adventure
This is a tour where you’ll cruise around Kaneohe Bay on a catamaran.
It’s designed for those who want to enjoy the scenery from a boat without a swimming component.
The tour departs from Secret Island, so you can enjoy the beach as well, adding another layer of fun beyond the boat ride.
The views of the Koolau Mountains and Mokoli’i (Chinaman’s Hat) from the ocean are truly exceptional.
Experience the luxury of feeling the refreshing sea breeze while taking in the spectacular views from the open-air deck of the boat!
You can often spot sea turtles in the coral reef areas and fully enjoy the beautiful waters of Kaneohe Bay, also known as the “Angel’s Sea.”
The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, with approximately 45 minutes on the boat, making it an easy tour for families to join.
There are no specific participation requirements for the Ocean Voyage Adventure.
Kualoa Grown Tour
This is an experiential tour where you ride a trolley to learn about and sample Hawaiian agricultural products.
You’ll get to see pineapple, starfruit, sugarcane, bananas, papaya, coffee, mango, cacao, noni, and more, all grown at Kualoa Ranch!
The main event of this tour is getting to taste raw macadamia nuts!
Since they are usually eaten roasted, this is a rare opportunity to experience the natural sweetness of a raw macadamia nut.
The tour is 1.5 hours long and is an easy, family-friendly option.
There are no specific participation requirements for the Kualoa Grown Tour.
Secret Island Beach Activities
Secret Island is a place where you can relax and have a private beach all to yourself.
It’s a secret beach owned by Kualoa Ranch, which is not accessible to the general public.
This area is near the famous Kaneohe Sandbar and is known for its beautiful, clear waters!
You can enjoy ocean activities like canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relax in a hammock surrounded by untouched nature.
While it’s one of the lesser-known activities at Kualoa Ranch, this tour is highly recommended if you want to play on a private, uncrowded beach.
This is a relaxing three-hour plan, and since the ocean in this area is calm, it’s a great activity for families.
Please note that this tour only operates in the morning.
There are no specific participation requirements for the Secret Island tour.
Jurassic Valley Zipline Tour
This is one of Oahu’s largest zipline courses, featuring seven exciting runs.
With ziplines up to 400 meters (a quarter-mile) long and drops of up to 30 meters (100 feet), soaring through the air with the majestic Kaaawa Valley below is truly exhilarating!
It’s a thrilling activity where you can truly feel the immense power of nature with your whole body!
There’s a bit of walking between each zipline, and the terrain in the forest can be uneven with some uphill sections, so be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
There are also great photo spots and points of interest along the way, so you can enjoy more than just the ziplining.
This tour is very popular and has limited capacity, making it difficult to book. If you’re interested, be sure to reserve your spot well in advance!
The duration is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, but it can vary depending on conditions and the season.
Participation requirements for the Zipline tour are: age 7 and up, minimum height of 142 cm (4’8″), and maximum weight of 127 kg (280 lbs).
Malama Experience Tour
This tour allows you to learn about “malama,” the cherished Hawaiian value of care and compassion.
You will learn about the culture of Kualoa and the importance of preserving the beauty and wonder of Hawaii for future generations.
As part of this, the tour includes hands-on experience planting or harvesting taro (kalo), which was a vital source of nutrition for the Hawaiian people.
You will also learn about ancestral wisdom through activities like re-thatching or cleaning a traditional Hawaiian hale (grass hut) and tending to la’au lapa’au (medicinal plants).
This is an activity where you will get wet, so be sure to bring a towel and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
Participants for the Malama Experience Tour must be 5 years of age or older.
Electric Mountain Bike Tour
This is a tour where you can enjoy riding an electric-assist mountain bike on off-road trails.
You’ll ride for about 10 km (6 miles) through the hilly terrain of Kualoa Ranch. It’s a bit of a workout, but the feeling of exhilaration is exceptional!
The route takes you through the jungle forest, and advanced mountain bikers can even tackle more challenging trails deeper in the woods.
With breaks at scenic spots along the way, this tour offers one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Kualoa Ranch.
There can be a lot of mud splatter, so be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
The tour is two hours long and generally visits the same spots as the movie sites tour.
Participation requirements for the E-Mountain Bike Tour are: age 10 and up, minimum height of 145 cm (4’9″), and maximum weight of 114 kg (250 lbs).
Recommended Ways to Enjoy Kualoa Ranch
Here’s a quick guide to enjoying Kualoa Ranch even without participating in the paid activities.
Use this as a reference for when you just want to stop by for 30 minutes to an hour.
Take Photos at Scenic Spots
Kualoa Ranch actually has numerous photo spots!
It feels wonderful to walk around and take pictures in such beautiful scenery.
Especially when you take a photo with the Koolau Mountains in the background, you’re guaranteed to get a professional-looking shot with any camera!
Look for the Kualoa Ranch signs—they mark the best photo spots!
Visit the God of Opportunity
The area around Kualoa Ranch has long been believed to possess a mystical power, making it one of Oahu’s most powerful spiritual spots.
One recommended power spot here is the God of Opportunity!
It is said that paying your respects here will bring you the good fortune of never missing the opportunities that come your way in life.
There’s a story related to the famous Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, which says there were originally eight.
The deity said to have missed the boat of the Seven Lucky Gods is this very God of Opportunity!
That’s why he’s riding a sea turtle instead of a boat!
Though he’s a god who literally missed his chance, it is said that if you make a wish while holding his forelock, you’ll be able to seize life’s opportunities!
Look for Dinosaurs from Jurassic Park
Kualoa Ranch became a world-famous tourist destination after being featured as a filming location for Jurassic Park.
These days, it’s even starting to be called “Jurassic Valley.”
As a result, you’ll actually find dinosaur models placed all over the property!
Kids love it because they can see models of the popular dinosaurs from the movies.
The gift shop also sells plenty of Jurassic Park merchandise, making souvenir shopping fun too.
Interact with the Animals
If you’re an animal lover, be sure to interact with the creatures at Kualoa Ranch!
In addition to the horses from the riding activity, you can also see goats, donkeys, pigs, and tortoises at the mini zoo.
All the animals are gentle and friendly, so it’s sure to be a wonderful experience.
Kualoa Ranch: General Information
| Name | Kualoa Ranch |
| Address | 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Admission | Free (Activities are charged separately) |
| Closed | None |
| Time Required | From 20 minutes |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
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