What do Jurassic Park, Lost, and 50 First Dates all have in common? They were all filmed at Kualoa Ranch aka Jurassic Park Hawaii! If you’re planning to visit Oahu, I highly recommend spending some time at Kualoa Ranch. I went during my one week trip in Oahu, and it was easily one of the best things we did.
Jurassic Park Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Kualoa Ranch
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About Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 acre Private Nature Reserve. The reserve got its start in 1850, when King Kamehameha III sold 622 acres to Dr. Gerritt P. Judd which included Mokoli’i, the small island known as “Chinaman’s Hat.” Later, Judd’s son purchased more land in the from Queen Kalama’s land holdings to increase the area to the 4,000 acres it is today.
Although it’s known as Jurassic Park Hawaii, there have been tons of other films and shows filmed on the property. Kong Skull Island, Jumanji, Pearl Harbor, and Godzilla are just some of them. Kualola also serves as a venue for private events and weddings.
The reserve aims to protect the lands from development by offering tour and activities that are sustainable and compatible with the environment. Continue reading to see what tours they offer.
How to Get to Kualoa Ranch aka Jurassic Park Hawaii
Driving
Kualoa Ranch is about 45 minutes from Waikiki.Kualoa suggests getting to the ranch 45 minutes prior to your tour, and I believe that’s to accommodate for traffic and road construction. If your tour is 11:45 AM attempt to get to the ranch by 11:00 AM and you’ll probably actually get there at 11:15 AM. If you leave at 11:00 AM to get there by 11:45 AM, there’s a good chance you’ll miss your tour.
Tour Transfer
Kualoa also offers transfers from Waikiki to their property for certain tours.The tours eligible for transfers are Jurassic Adventure Tour, Ocean Voyage Tour, UTV Raptor Tour, Jungle Expedition Tour, Hollywood Movie Sites & Ranch Tour, Jurassic Valley Zipline, E-Bike Tours, Horseback Tour, Best of Kualoa Experience Package, and the Half Day Package.
Tour transfers cost $30 per person + tax. As there is no door-to-door service, you’ll want to find the nearest pick up location to your accommodation. Pick up locations are, Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, and The Modern Honolulu.
Tours Available at Kualoa Ranch
2-Hour UTV Multi-Passenger Raptor Tour
There are two options for the 2-hour UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch. You can choose to take a narrated tour in which case your group will be driving with the tour guide, or you can choose to ride without narration. I took the non-narrated tour, but still learned plenty about the lands during our stops.
Tour Cost: Adults $144.96 + tax | Children (5-12) $69.95 + Tax
Hollywood Movie Sites & Ranch Tour
Aboard a vintage school bus, you’ll explore Ka’a’awa Valley also known as Hollywood’s “Hawaii Backlot.” See the boneyard from Kong Skull Island, Godzilla’s massive footprints, and more during this 90 minute tour. You’ll also learn about Hawaiian culture and get to stop by an actual WWII bunker.
Tour Cost: Adults $51.95 + tax | Children (0-12) $36.95 + tax
Book Hollywood Movie Sites Tour
Jurassic Valley Zipline
Over the course of 3 hours, you’ll journey to the top of Ka’a’awa Valley over the course of 7 tandem lines, 2 suspension bridges, and 5 short hiking nature trails. Lines range from 200 feet to nearly quarter of a mile. You must be at least 18 to do this tour if not accompanied by an adult, and meet the following specs:
- Height: 4’8” – 6’9” (1.4m – 2.05 m)
- Waist: 22” – 50” (55cm – 127cm)
- Upper Thigh: 18” – 28” (45cm – 71cm)
- Weight: 70 and 280 pounds (32kg – 127kg)
When I make it back to Oahu, this tour is on the top of my list. I went zip lining in Costa Rica, and after the fear subsided I had a great time. I would love to take this tour next time I’m in Oahu.
Note: This tour doesn’t usually operate on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Tour Cost: $174.95 + tax
Ocean Voyage
Kualoa Ranch’s Ocean Voyage tour starts off exploring the Moli’i fishpond where you’ll learn about sustainable fishing practices, Kualoa’s Oyster farm, and stewardship practices. Afterwards, make your way to “Secret Island” to board a catamaran for a 40 minute sail of Kaneohe Bay.
Note: The tour doesn’t run on Sundays or Federal Holidays.
Tour Cost: Adults $51.95 + tax | Children (0-12) $36.95 + tax
Secret Island Beach Tour
Kualoa’s Secret Island Beach Tour is the second tour I took while in Oahu. If you want the chance to experience a beach in Oahu without having to fight hoards of tourists for a spot, then this tour is definitely for you.
Tour Cost: Adults $51.95 + tax half-day, $114.95 + tax full-day | Children (0-12) $36.95 + tax half-day, $69.95 + tax full-day
Jurassic Adventure Tour
During the Jurassic Adventure Tour, you’ll spend 2.5 hours exploring iconic film locations of the original Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in the Kualoa, Hakipu’u and Ka’a’awa Valleys. The tour takes place in an open air vehicle and does get bumpy. This tour is not recommend for those with back issues or expecting mothers. Minimum age for this tour is 3.
Tour Cost: Adults $139.95 + tax | Children (3-12) $69.95 + tax
2 Hr Horseback Walking Tour
Enjoy a leisurely ride through the valleys and pastures of Kualoa. You’ll get to take in the beauty of the ranch and Ka’a’awa valley aka the valley that makes Kualoa Jurassic Park Hawaii. Again the minimum age for this tour is 10, with a height minimum of 4’6″ (1.4m) and maximum weight of 230 pounds (104kg).
Tour Cost: Adults $144.95 + tax | Children (10-12) $89.95 + tax
E-Bike Tour
There are two different E-Bike tours available at Kualoa Ranch, novice and intermediate. The beginner tour is about 6 miles and the intermediate tour is about 9.5 miles. During both rides you’ll have the chance to stop for photos in the picturesque Kualoa valley. The minimum age for this tour is 10, and guest must be between 4’6” – 6’5” (1.4m – 2m) and weigh between 85 – 250 pounds (38kg – 114kg).
Tour Cost: Adults $119.95 + tax | Children (10-12) $89.95 + tax
Book Beginner E-Bike Tour | Book Intermediate E-Bike Tour
Jungle Expedition Tour
During this 90 minute tour, you’ll climb aboard an open-air vehicle to explore Hakipu’u rainforest. The ride does get bumpy, so it’s not recommend for those with back issues or expecting mothers. Guests also have the option of completing a small hike to the scenic overlook with views of the famous Ka’a’awa and Hakipu’u valleys. The minimum age for this tour is 3.
Tour Cost: Adults $51.95 + tax | Children (3-12) $36.95 + tax
Malama Experience
If you’re looking for something more hands on, and are interested in sustainability, then the Malama experience may be for you. Over 2 hours, you’ll learn about kalo (taro) and its importance to the Hawaiian people. Depending on the needs at the time, you’ll also get hands on helping with activities like thatching Hawaiian hale, cleaning, planting, and harvesting kalo, or tending to the laʻau lapaʻau (medicinal plants). Beach attire is best for this tour, and a towel for drying off after rinsing in the ocean or streams.
Note: This tour only operates Tuesdays and Fridays.
Tour Cost: Adults $51.95 + tax | Children (3-12) $36.95 + tax
Aloha Aina Tour
Another tour with an emphasis on Hawaiian traditions is the Aloha Aina Farm Tour. This tour explores Moli’i, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond believed to be between 800 and 1,000 years old. You’ll learn about early fishing methods, and the current fishing practices used. Aboard a trolley, you’ll get to take in the beauty of the tropical fruit and flower gardens of Moli’i.
Tour Cost: Adults $51.95 + tax | Children (0-12) $36.95 + tax
Packages
Best of Kualoa Experience Package
The best of Kualoa package features 3, 90-minutes tours and a lunch buffet. The tours included in the package are the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour, Jungle Expedition, and the Aloha Aina Farm Tour. Check-in is at 8:00 AM and the tour lasts until about 3:00 PM.
Tour Cost: Adults $149.95 + tax | Children (3-12) $99.95 + tax
Kualoa Half Day Package
The Kualoa Half Day Package includes the Ocean Voyage Tour, the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour, and a buffet lunch. The tour starts at 9:45 AM and ends around 2:30 PM.
Note: This package is unavailable on Sundays or Federal Holidays
Tour Cost: Adults $120.37 + tax | Children (3-12yrs) $83.72 + tax
Tips for Visiting Kualoa Ranch – Jurassic Park Hawaii
Definitely plan on booking in advance! I actually had to rearrange our itinerary to fit in our visit. The tours we took stared filling up about 3 weeks in advance. Also, I overheard one of the employees talking to a couple interested in taking a tour, and she said they were completely sold out for the day and that they only had two available for the next day.
On another note, give your self plenty of time to get to get to your tour. Kualoa Ranch is about 45 minutes from Waikiki, but there’s often traffic, construction, and there was actually a one-way section that took us about 10 minutes to get through.
FAQS
How much does it cost to visit Kualoa Ranch?
Tours range from $51.95 USD – $174.95 USD + tax for adults, and $36.95 USD – $99.95 USD + tax for children.
Can you visit Kualoa Ranch without a tour?
Unfortunately, no. The property is massive and there’s tons of tours happening at all times. It wouldn’t be very safe to wander around given the terrain. Also, all tours on the ranch are guided.
What is Kualoa Ranch known for?
Kualoa Ranch is known for being the real life Jurassic Park. On the property, there’s signs detailing filming locations for different movies and TV shows. I saw some for Jurassic World, Lost, and Kong Skull Island.
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