My Kualoa Ranch Experience: The 3-Hour Deluxe UTV Tour on Oahu

There are certain places you visit in Hawaii that make you stop for a second and think, how is this place even real?! Kualoa Ranch was absolutely one of those places for me.

Located about an hour from Waikiki, Kualoa Ranch is a stunning 4,000-acre private nature reserve filled with mountains, valleys, jungle, farmland, ocean views, Hawaiian history—and some VERY recognizable movie locations.

Kualoa is often referred to as Hollywood's Hawaii Backlot, and once you get there, you immediately understand why. Movies and TV shows have been filming here for decades. Some of the biggest names you may recognize include Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla, Pearl Harbor, 50 First Dates, Soul Surfer, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, LOST, Hawaii Five-0, and many others.

And yes—you can actually go out into those valleys and stand where some of those scenes were filmed.

Getting to Kualoa Ranch from Waikiki

We were staying in Waikiki, so instead of worrying about renting a car and driving ourselves, we booked Kualoa Ranch's transportation.

We had an early morning tour, which meant an EARLY wake-up call, but honestly, taking their transportation made it so much easier. Their buses are big charter-style buses, and ours wasn't completely full, so we were able to spread out and relax for the drive.

It took us about an hour or so to get from Waikiki to the ranch, and considering how early we had gotten up, it was really nice to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Once we arrived, we had roughly an hour to an hour and a half before our actual tour began. At first that might sound like a long time, but I actually loved having it. There is plenty to look at while you're waiting!

We walked around the property, learned a little bit about the ranch and its history, checked out the gift shop, wandered around the grounds, saw the horses, grabbed some food, and just took in our surroundings.

And trust me, you'll want time to take it all in. You arrive and you're immediately surrounded by these MASSIVE green mountains. Pictures truly don't do it justice.

There's So Much More to Kualoa Than Movies

One thing I really appreciated is that Kualoa Ranch isn't just a movie-set attraction. The ranch has a history and story that goes far beyond Hollywood.

During our experience, our guide shared the history of the land and the work being done to preserve and care for Kualoa for future generations.

I loved that our tour wasn't just, Here's where this movie was filmed, now let's move on.

You actually learn about the ranch itself, the Hawaiian history of the area, and why protecting this incredibly special place matters.

Which Kualoa Ranch Tour Should You Do?

This is another thing I LOVE about Kualoa Ranch: you don't have to experience it the same way we did.

There are so many different tours and activities depending on whether you're adventurous, want something laid-back, are traveling with kids, or are mainly there because you love the movies.

They currently offer over 15 different tours and experiences, giving you plenty of unique ways to explore and experience Kualoa Ranch. So if riding around in a UTV doesn't sound like your thing, don't cross Kualoa Ranch off your list. There are plenty of other ways to experience it.

We decided to go all out and book the 3-Hour Deluxe UTV Tour, and I am SO glad we did.

The Deluxe tour takes you farther into Kualoa's property to explore hidden valleys, incredible viewpoints, filming locations and parts of the ranch.

One of the things we liked about our tour was that we could actually drive the UTV ourselves. But if driving one yourself doesn't sound appealing, don't worry. Kualoa also offers UTV ride-along experiences where their team does the driving and you can sit back and enjoy everything around you.

Get Ready to Get Dusty

Before we headed out, everyone received a neck gaiter to wear. And let me tell you—USE IT.

The UTV trails can get DUSTY. We were so thankful to have them because once you're riding behind other UTVs on those dirt roads, that dust can start flying everywhere.

The gaiter also ended up being such a fun little souvenir to take home afterward!

Riding Through Kualoa Ranch

Each tour has a guide leading the group, but something I thought was SO cool was that even though our guide wasn't physically riding inside our UTV, we could still hear him through the speakers.

As we drove through the ranch, he would explain what we were seeing, tell us stories about the area, talk about the history and point out different filming locations.

We'd also stop at different points throughout the tour so we could get out, look around and take pictures.

And every single time I stepped out of that UTV, I swear the views somehow got better.

You have these towering green mountains surrounding you, open valleys in front of you and scenery that legitimately looks like it belongs in a movie. Which, I guess, makes sense considering it DOES.

And Then Came Jurassic Park

Okay, this was my favorite moment!

I absolutely LOVE the Jurassic Park movies, so of course before this trip I had to binge-watch them all—naturally.

Driving through the same valley where scenes from Jurassic Park and Jurassic World were filmed was completely surreal.

One of the most iconic Jurassic Park scenes filmed at Kualoa is from the original 1993 Jurassic Park, when the Gallimimus dinosaurs come stampeding through the valley. You know the scene.

And suddenly I was standing in the actual place where part of one of my favorite movies was created. So surreal!

Kualoa's movie sites also include recognizable places such as the Jurassic World bunker, Kong: Skull Island boneyard, Jumanji dance-fight area, Godzilla footprints and other movie locations throughout the property.

My Favorite Jurassic World Location

But one filming location topped EVERYTHING for me.

In Jurassic World, there's a scene where Claire, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, goes to inspect the Indominus rex enclosure. Parts of that iconic enclosure area were filmed within Kualoa Ranch.

Standing there knowing that I was in a place where scenes from Jurassic World had actually been filmed was a total PINCH ME moment.

For someone who loves those movies as much as I do, it was such a cool feeling. And I'm so glad I watched the movies again right before we went because everything was fresh in my mind. I recognized things immediately, which made the experience even more fun.

So there's your little travel tip: If you're visiting Kualoa because you love a certain movie, WATCH IT AGAIN BEFORE YOUR TRIP! It makes seeing the locations so much more exciting.

It's Not Just Jurassic Park

Of course, Jurassic Park was the highlight for me, but what kept blowing my mind was hearing how MANY movies and shows have used Kualoa Ranch.

You're driving along and your guide casually points out, This is where they filmed...

And it's another movie you've seen a hundred times: Jumanji, Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, LOST, Hawaii Five-0, and so many more.

It really gives you an appreciation for just how iconic this landscape has become without most of us ever realizing it.

But the Scenery Was Honestly My Favorite Part

As exciting as the movie locations were, something surprised me: Kualoa Ranch itself might have been even more impressive.

I can wholeheartedly say that it is one of the most stunning places I've ever been.

There were moments when I forgot about the movie locations completely because I was just staring at the mountains around us.

The pictures don't capture the scale of it, and they don't capture how green everything is. They don't capture what it's like to be riding through these enormous valleys with those dramatic mountain ridges towering over you.

It truly feels unreal.

And our crew made the experience even better. You could tell how much they genuinely enjoyed bringing people out there and teaching visitors about the ranch, its history, Hawaiian culture and the responsibility they have to preserve such a beautiful place.

That made the experience feel like so much more than just another excursion.

Would I Recommend Kualoa Ranch?

A MILLION TIMES YES.

The 3-Hour Deluxe UTV Tour was truly one of my favorite things we did on Oahu, and I would HIGHLY recommend putting Kualoa Ranch on your itinerary.

If you're comfortable driving a UTV and want a little more adventure, I absolutely loved the Deluxe experience. But even if the UTV isn't for you, please don't skip Kualoa altogether.

Choose whatever experience sounds the most like YOU. Because in my opinion, the important part is simply getting out there and experiencing this incredible place.

Between the Hawaiian history, the movie magic, the adventure and some of the most jaw-dropping scenery I've ever seen, Kualoa Ranch is an Oahu experience I would recommend NOT TO SKIP.

Planning an Oahu or Hawaii Vacation?

If Hawaii is on your bucket list and you're wondering where to stay, which island is right for you, which excursions are actually worth it, what needs to be booked ahead of time, or how to fit everything into your itinerary, I'd LOVE to help.

I've experienced so many of these places myself, and I have tons of personal recommendations, tips and advice that I love sharing with my clients, including experiences like Kualoa Ranch!

My goal isn't just to book your hotel and send you on your way. I want to help you create a Hawaii vacation that actually fits you and includes those little I cannot believe I'm really here moments.

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