Do you know Kualoa Ranch? It is a place on the island of Oahu in Hawaii where you can fully enjoy the great outdoors. Here, “ranch” refers to a large farm with vast pastures, and it is also called Kualoa Farm. The magnificent Kualoa Ranch will surely become a wonderful memory of your trip to Hawaii. When sightseeing on Oahu, be sure to visit this Kualoa Ranch.
1. One of the Most Popular Tourist Spots on Oʻahu
Kualoa Ranch is a hands-on activity spot where visitors of all ages—from children to seniors—can fully enjoy a wide range of experiences.
This ranch is also home to three mountains and two valleys, and is famous as a spiritual “power spot.”
While Oʻahu has many tourist attractions, Kualoa Ranch’s popularity is due to reasons like these.
Name: Kualoa Ranch
Address: 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Cafeteria: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Closed: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Official/Related Website: https://www.kualoa.jp/
2. Activities You Can Enjoy at Kualoa Ranch
Buggy
Kualoa Ranch is also well-known as a filming location for movies.
Why not hop on an off-road buggy to tour the filming sites or race through the mountain trails?
A guide will lead the way, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.
However, as the latter part of the course includes rough terrain, it’s best to participate in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.
Movie Location Tour
Oʻahu Island is also famous as a movie location, so in addition to the buggy tour we introduced earlier, there are also movie location tours. You can comfortably ride a bus and visit filming spots. You’ll get to see the locations of famous movies like Jurassic Park and Godzilla, as well as some of the props used in filming, which makes it a very popular tourist attraction.
Horseback Riding
One activity you can’t miss when enjoying Kualoa Ranch is horseback riding. While it’s something you can do at a ranch, the scale and atmosphere are completely different, so we recommend giving it a try! There are two course options—1 hour or 2 hours—and both take you to scenic viewpoints. Riding leisurely on horseback, you’ll be able to truly feel the vast natural beauty of Hawaii.
Taste of Kualoa
This tour lets you learn about Hawaiian crops while tasting various farm products grown at Kualoa Ranch. You’ll ride a trolley around the grounds, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone. It has a bit of the feel of a school field trip, but that makes it a fun and unique activity too.
3. Tours Combining Activities are Recommended
Most people who visit Kualoa Ranch come to Hawaii for sightseeing. To make the most of your short stay, many tours are available that combine different activities, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of them. These package tours often include transportation, making them even more convenient. You can choose from half-day or full-day tours, depending on your schedule, so select one that fits your itinerary.
4. Tourist Facilities at Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch has what is said to be the largest visitor center on Oahu’s east coast. From the cafeteria attached to it, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. There’s also a gift shop, making it a great place to buy souvenirs or keepsakes from your visit.
There’s a lunch house where you can enjoy meals, and you can also go kayaking to a nearby uninhabited island. At Kualoa Ranch, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature to your heart’s content.
5. Access to Kualoa Ranch and Admission Fees
Kualoa Ranch is about 40 kilometers from Waikiki, roughly a 50-minute drive. First, take the H1 westbound, then after about 9 kilometers, merge onto Likelike Highway. Head north for 12 kilometers, then enter Kahekili Highway. Continue west along the road, and you’ll arrive. Parking for 100 cars is available.
You can also get there by bus. From Ala Moana Shopping Center, take bus number 55. The ride takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you use a package tour, you can take advantage of shuttle services from major hotels—just confirm when making your reservation.
Admission is free, so even if you just want to take photos of the breathtaking scenery or enjoy a meal, Kualoa Ranch is worth visiting.
◎ Enjoy a Full Day of Fun at Kualoa Ranch
When you come to Kualoa Ranch, you should try as many activities as you can. Even if you join a full-day package tour, you’ll likely wish you could stay longer by the end of the day. That’s how captivating Kualoa Ranch is—it’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.
On your next trip to Hawaii, be sure to include a plan to fully enjoy Kualoa Ranch! It’s certain to give you a Hawaii experience unlike any other.
Hawaii is full of wonderful places to visit, so start by checking out other popular destinations, including Kualoa Ranch.