Nestled towards the northeastern coast of Oahu, Kualoa Ranch is only a short drive away from popular areas like Waikiki and Downtown Honolulu. The region is filled with rainforests, open fields, private beach escapes, cliffsides, and adventures you can embark on. The most popular sections you can visit at the Ranch are listed below:
The northern section of the ranch is filled with dramatic green cliffs and wide open fields, which have been featured in countless movies and TV shows.
Tucked between lush mountains and the sea, Hakipuʻu Valley is a rainforest region rich in Hawaiian legends, cultural traditions, and unspoiled natural beauty.
This 800-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishpond is one of the oldest operational ponds in the state. It showcases traditional aquaculture and acts as a living piece of history.
A secluded beach paradise located at the edge of Kualoa Ranch, Secret Island is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing.
Kualoa Ranch is the only place on Oahu where you can stand in the middle of an iconic movie backdrop like the field in Jurassic Park, among dozens of other movies. It’s a mix of real Hawaiian scenery and blockbuster history you can’t find anywhere else.
Kualoa Ranch has been the site for more than 70 Hollywood films since the 1950s.
Blockbusters include:
Popular TV shows that have used Kualoa Ranch’s landscapes as a backdrop include:
Kualoa Ranch has a dedicated Land Stewardship Department overseeing environmental conservation and land management. They are responsible for weed encroachment, outplantings, and planting endangered flora species to increase biodiversity and preservation, among other things.
Practices such as organic farming, seasonal agriculture, and maintaining sustainable grazing standards, along with ethical animal farming, make the Ranch a lasting, self-sustaining cattle ranch that will endure for generations to come, in line with Kualoa Ranch’s and Hawaii’s traditions and values.
Community building and environmental education through programs, community groups, and initiatives led by Kualoa Ranch foster a deep-rooted love for nature, biodiversity, and preservation, with an immersive approach to learning.
Kualoa Ranch’s principles also align with giving back and building a community, which is why it has partnered with multiple organizations and local brands to collaborate and increase its impact on a grassroots level.
Much of the land is preserved as a private nature reserve to protect it from urban development. This ensures its valleys, coastline, and cultural sites remain intact for future generations.
Kualoa Ranch sits about 45 minutes northeast of Waikiki, in Kāne‘ohe on Oahu’s east coast.
The ranch spans roughly 4,000 acres, stretching from the Ko‘olau Mountains to the ocean. Its vast landscape includes three distinct valleys: Kualoa, Ka‘a‘awa, and Hakipu‘u, each with its own terrain, history, and cinematic appeal.
Kualoa Ranch was founded in 1850 by Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, making it over 170 years old. The land, however, holds deep historical importance that dates back centuries; it was once considered a sacred place for Hawaiian royalty and an area of spiritual training for ancient chiefs.
The ranch’s diverse terrain, from jungle valleys and open fields to rugged coastlines, makes it a versatile filming location. Its privacy and lack of modern development preserve its natural look.
Kualoa Ranch is one of Hawaii’s most famous filming locations, featured in over 70 Hollywood movies and TV productions. Some of the most well-known include Jurassic Park & Jurassic World, Kong: Skull Island, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, LOST, and Hawaii Five-0. You can actually visit many of these filming spots during your Kualoa Ranch tours.
Yes! The ranch continues to serve as an active filming location for major movie studios and television networks. Its breathtaking landscapes, dramatic mountain backdrops, and ocean views make it a favorite among filmmakers even today.
Kualoa Ranch is privately owned by the descendants of Dr. Gerrit Judd, who purchased the land from King Kamehameha III in 1850. It has remained family-owned for over a century.
The ranch offers a wide variety of guided experiences, ranging from sightseeing tours, adventure tours, family-friendly tours, jungle exploration tours, and relaxation tours. Each tour highlights a different side of the ranch, from Hollywood history to Hawaiian culture and breathtaking scenery.
Yes, the land is maintained as a private nature reserve. This ensures the valleys, the fishpond, and the coastline are preserved from development and remain as close to their natural state as possible.
Yes, Kualoa Ranch is home to an active cattle ranch, along with an ongoing aquaculture practice in its fishpond. The team practices sustainable farming, blending tourism with active stewardship of the land.
Secret Island is a private beach area within Kualoa Ranch, tucked away on the shores of Kaneohe Bay. It offers visitors a peaceful retreat with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and relaxing beach time as part of select Kualoa Ranch tours.
In Hawaiian, “Kualoa” means backbone, referring to the ridge-like shape of the Ko‘olau Mountains that frame the valley. The name also holds spiritual significance in ancient Hawaiian history.
No, Kualoa Ranch is a protected private property, and self-guided exploration is not allowed for safety and conservation reasons. Visitors can, however, enjoy the visitor center, gift shop, and café before or after their guided tour.
Beyond its fame as “Jurassic Valley,” Kualoa Ranch is a place where Hawaiian culture, history, and natural beauty come together. It’s one of the few places on Oahu where visitors can truly experience untouched landscapes and learn about the island’s deep cultural roots, all while being part of a working ranch and film location.
