Kualoa Ranch on Oahu: Everything You Need To Know
If you’re in search of an adventure, Kualoa Ranch has an array of exciting outdoor activities to offer. Whether you’re looking to experience the Island of Oahu by land, sea, or even sky, the ranch has several tours of each variety to choose from.
ATV outings, Helicopter tours, and ocean kayaking are only a few of the phenomenal attractions that the ranch has to offer. We’ll cover each of these and more here, as well as all the information you’ll need to begin planning your Kualoa Ranch visit.
Directions, Parking, Transportation
Kualoa Ranch sits right about the middle point of Oahu’s windward shore. To find it, head north on Highway 63 out of Honolulu. In Kaneohe, exit onto Highway 83 and drive for about twenty minutes and you’ll see a large, paved driveway and signs for Kualoa Ranch, where you’ll turn left. The trip will take about 45 minutes.
From Ko Olina, take the H1 east and exit onto the H3. In Kaneohe, exit onto Highway 83 and head north for around 20 minutes. The drive will take about an hour in total.
The address for Kualoa Ranch is 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744. There is plenty of parking on site.
Kualoa Ranch Shuttles
Alternatively, Kualoa Ranch also offers shuttles from popular lodging areas in Waikiki. These pick up at 7:00-7:35 a.m. or 10:00-10:30 a.m. Returning shuttles depart from 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
And, if you're taking Shaka Guide's Grand Circle Island Tour - we'll guide you to Kualoa Ranch on the route!
Kualoa Ranch | Photo by opapaty via Pixabay
Weather
Most of Hawaii only has two seasons, a wet winter from November to March and a dry summer from April to October. In the Kualoa Ranch area, daily high temperatures generally stay between 77 and 84 all year-round. There’s an average of 15 days of rain per month plus or minus two or three days based on the season. This region is much rainier than areas like Ko Olina or Waikiki, but activities and tours run rain or shine. Rainy days at the Kualoa Ranch also make for some truly epic photos!
Tours
The ranch offers a wide variety of tours across the 4,000-acre property and surrounding area. These adventures are truly remarkable experiences that you won’t ever forget. We’ll detail your options in this section.
Photo by Jennifer Boyer / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
UTV Tours (2 HOURS)
- ADULT $144.95
- CHILD (5-12) $69.95
UTV tours drive through trails and paths deep into the remote regions of the tropical valleys surrounding the ranch. The tours last between one and two-and-a-half hours. UTVs differ from ATVs in that they seat up to 6 individuals and allow you to take pictures. While this tour is protected from potential rain, we recommend bringing sunglasses or wearing the protected glasses provided. There UTV kicks the dirt up and the experience can get dusty. But, it won’t ruin your fun!
Horseback Riding at Kualoa Ranch | Photo by Audreywilson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Horseback Tours (2 HOURS)
- ADULT $144.95
- CHILD (10-12 yrs) $90
If you’re looking for something with a bit more yee-haw, you can take one of the two horseback riding tours that the Kualoa Ranch offers. These tours allow you to explore the valley of Oahu and Kualoa Ranch. Pants and sunscreen are strongly encouraged, and closed-toe shoes are required. There are one-hour and two-hour tour options.
Couple tandem kayaks in Kaneohe Bay | Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority - Ben Ono
Kayak Tour
Price: $110
For this Kayaking adventure, you’ll depart from the beach that borders the Kualoa ranch and paddle into the Kaneohe Bay. From there, you’ll make your way along Mokoli’i Island and then continue on to Secret Island, where you’ll make a stop to explore on foot. You’ll make a quick second stop at a sand bar and then head back to shore.
Jungle Expedition Tour (90 Minutes)
- ADULT $51.95
- CHILD $36.95
If you’re a fan of Jurassic World, Kong Skull Island, or Jumanji (2017), you might consider taking a tour through the jungle that served as sets for each of these films. This guided tour seats sixteen passengers in the back of a custom jungle jeep for a 90-minute expedition into a tropical valley. The bumpy ride is all part of the fun of this tour–hold on tight!
Secret Island Activites
Half-day
- ADULT $51.95
- CHILD $36.95
Full-day
- ADULT $114.95
- CHILD $69.95
You can book a trip to the Secret Island Beach for a half-day or whole day. Secret Island is not an actual island, but more of a peninsula, since it is connected to Oahu by a thin stretch of land, which. On the beach, you’ll have kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, a ping-pong table, beach volleyball, horseshoes, and hammocks to use at your leisure! The whole day option also includes lunch.
Trolley Tour (90 Minutes)
- ADULT $51.95
- CHILD (3-12) $36.95
If you’d like to see the ranch grounds and experience the food grown on the farm, the taste of Kualoa Farm Tour offers a trolley ride through the ranch and samples of the fruits grown on the premises. You’ll also be taken to see an 800-year-old ancient Hawaiian fish pond.
Photo by Shrie Bradford Spangler viaFlickr; CC BY 2.0
Hollywood Movie Filming Sites Tour (90 Minutes)
- ADULT $51.95
- CHILD (3-12) $36.95
Oahu has been the site of several film sets over the years. And few places in Hawaii have been used as much as Kualoa Ranch and surrounding Ka’a’awa Valley. On this tour, a vintage school bus will take you to several filming locations which feature props from original motion pictures like Jurassic Park, Godzilla, You, Me & Dupree, and 50 First Dates.
Zipline Tour (3 Hours)
- ADULT $174.95 (plus 4.712% tax)
Kualoa Ranch also offers zip lining across the “Jurassic Valley” (AKA Ka’a’awa). You’ll sore across the canopy while looking down on and cultural sites and film locations. There are seven tandem ziplines, two suspension bridges, and three short nature trails.
Electric Mountain Bike Tour (2 Hours)
- ADULT $119.95
- CHILD (10-12) $89.95 + tax
You can also explore the beauty of this area via e-bikes. These electric pedal-assisted bikes are a great way to experience the Ka’a’awa Valley. There are one and two-hour tours available.
Aunty Pat’s Cafe
If you’re hungry after your adventure, the Aunty Pat’s Cafe offers Hawaiian-style foods including breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials like Kualoa loco-moco, Kualoa Grown grass-fed beef, and banana-taro bread.
A look At the mountains around Kualoa Ranch | Photo by Prayitno, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
FAQ - Kualoa Ranch
Do I need to be on a tour to visit the ranch?
You can stop by the ranch and visit the immediate area around it including Aunty Pat’s Cafe. However, to experience the valleys, you’ll need to book a tour.
How do I book?
You can book tours from the Kualoa Ranch website. You’ll want to make your reservation two to three weeks ahead of time as tours can fill up.
What should I wear? What should I bring?
If you’re going on any of the land-based adventures, you’ll want to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. For kayaks or secret island beach, be sure to bring a swimsuit and towel. You’ll also want sunblock for any of the activities and plenty of water.
How much time should I expect to spend?
Tours last between one and three hours. The secret island beach experience can last an entire day, however. Keep in mind if you’re shuttling that the final pick up is at 3:45.
Gaze at Chinaman's Hat from Kualoa Ranch | Photo by Prayitno, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
RELATED: Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide and Famous Oahu Film Locations You Can Actually Visit
Interested in taking a trip to Oahu?
Download our Grand Circle Island Tour, Legendary North Shore Loop Tour, East Oahu Shoreline Drive Tour, Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour
EAST OAHU SHORELINE DRIVE
TikTok
