Are you looking for the best things to do in Oahu with kids? Keep scrolling to read my honest review of the Kualoa Ranch UTV tour.
This article on Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
One of the most popular Oahu attractions is Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Our family recently did the Kualoa Ranch UTV tour, and it was a blast!
On the tour, you enjoy amazing views while riding through ancient Hawaiian history. This is why it’s one of our favorite activities on Oahu. The scenery alone is worth every penny!
Plus, there are plenty of other fun activities that will keep everyone entertained throughout your stay at Kualoa Ranch. And did I mention they have Jurassic Park Hawaii tours?
We had an absolute blast exploring everything that this beautiful ranch has to offer. It’s truly a magical place where memories are made, and I hope you have as much fun as we did during your visit!
Scroll down to hear what I loved about our experience at Kualoa Ranch on Oahu.
Already know you’d like to book? Get your Kualoa Ranch UTV tour tickets HERE.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
History of Kualoa Ranch
We learned on our Kualoa Ranch UTV tour that the ranch was founded by Dr. Gerritt P. Judd back in 1850. He came to Hawaii from the mainland to help treat Native Hawaiians who were battling diseases and new illnesses.
Seeing how Waikiki and Honolulu were quickly developing, Judd decided to purchase Kualoa Ranch to preserve the sacred land. He paid $10,000 for the 4,000-acre property.
While owned by Dr. Judd’s descendants, the Kualoa Ranch Foundation, a non-profit established by the family, manages the land.
They offer tours and activities, event rentals, and commercial activities. When you book a Kualoa Ranch Oahu tour, it helps keep the land at Kualoa undeveloped and pristine for future generations.
Kualoa Ranch Tours
There are a TON of different Kualoa Ranch tours to choose from besides the UTV Oahu tour. So, if someone in your party wants a different experience, you can probably find something for them here!
And if you’re pretty energetic, you can also do more than one tour in a day. Just be sure to leave time to refuel with food and drinks in between.
Here are some of the best Kualoa Ranch tours besides the UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch:
- Movie Set Tour, Jungle Jeep Expedition & Farm Tour (ages 3+)
- Kualoa Ranch Movie Tour (all ages)
- Kualoa Ranch Zipline Tour (ages 6+)
- Jurassic Valley Horseback Riding Tour at Kualoa Ranch (ages 10+)
- Jurassic Valley Bike Tour Adventure at Kualoa Ranch (ages 10+)
- Kualoa Ranch Secret Island (all ages)
- Kualoa Ranch Catamaran Cruise at Kaneohe Bay (all ages)
Some of these tours even include stops at actual filming locations, giving guests a chance to see where iconic scenes were shot.
What to Know about the Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour Before You Go:
Here is everything you need to know for this UTV Oahu tour.
How to Book the Kualoa Ranch Raptor Tour
All the Kualoa tours are pretty popular, so it’s really important that you reserve your tour ahead of time. If you just show up, the tour you want might be sold out!
And keep in mind that kids must be at least 5 years old to do this UTV tour on Oahu. The ranch doesn’t budge on this rule, both for your safety and theirs.
This Oahu UTV tour was sold out all summer. We booked our tickets a few months in advance. And it’s really easy to book online and get your Kualoa Ranch tickets HERE.
Some tours also offer round trip transportation from Waikiki, which is perfect if you’re not planning to rent a car on Oahu.
Parking at Kualoa Ranch
Thankfully, there are TONS of parking spots at Kualoa Ranch. Plus, it’s all free parking, too. Just avoid the places designated for their tour vehicles, which are clearly marked.
Arrival
They will ask you to arrive 45 minutes before your tour time. That’s so you’ll have plenty of time to check in. This gives you a chance to use the restroom, sign the waivers, and get fitted for your helmets ahead of time.
If you didn’t bring a water bottle, you can head into Aunty Pat’s Cafe. They sell all kinds of drinks, snacks, and even plates of food for the whole family.
We had plenty of time to do all this, plus say hi to the horses and take some fun photos. You can even see Blue from Jurassic World in a cage in the back of the waiting area!
About 15 minutes before your UTV Jurassic Park tour, the drivers will gather and watch a safety video.
This includes training and safety guidelines so everyone knows how to operate the vehicle properly and what to expect on the trail.
Jurassic Park UTV Tour
While this is called an Oahu UTV tour, you’ll actually be in a UTV. The main difference is that the UTV can seat up to 6 people, has doors, and has a roof. It’s sort of like the “glamping” version of riding a UTV in Hawaii!
Kualoa Ranch’s multi passenger UTV models are great for families or groups that want to ride together, making the experience more interactive and super fun for everyone.
This is also a 2-hour Oahu Jurassic Park UTV tour that covers a LOT of ground. You’ll explore all three valleys at Kualoa Ranch: Kualoa Valley, Ka’a’awa Valley, and Hakipuʻu Valley. There will be times when you’re driving for 10-15 minutes to get to the next stop.
As part of the adventure, you’ll even be crossing seasonal streams and driving along dusty trails, so get ready for an off-road experience!
You’ll be making several stops at either scenic viewpoints or movie sites. But you won’t be stopping at every movie site or photo op. Kualoa Ranch is huge ,and there’s not enough time to see everything in a 2-hour UTV Hawaii Oahu tour.
Be prepared to get very, very dusty. It’s a brilliant idea to either wear a mask or a bandana while on the Kualoa Ranch UTV tour. Otherwise, you’ll probably breathe in a lot of dust or get dirt in your mouth.
You can try requesting the first UTV (right after the guide) to reduce the dust. Or my friend was in the very back and said it was pretty awesome!
Food Options for Your Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour
If you’re trying to figure out where to eat at Kualoa Ranch, you’ll want to set aside time to enjoy lunch at Aunty Pat’s Cafe. Almost all of their food is grown locally at Kualoa Ranch. And the food is GOOD.
You’ll need to stand in line to order your food and then wait for it to be cooked. We visited on Thanksgiving Day, and it was the busiest day since 2019. It took about 90 minutes to order and eat the food.
But they also have grab-and-go options where you don’t have to wait in the grill line. When we were there, I saw prepackaged sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.
There’s even a gift shop on-site where you can pick up snacks, drinks, and Kualoa Ranch souvenirs to remember your tour experience.
The Highlight of this UTV in Oahu Tour and What You Should Look Out For
Our family was seriously blown away by how cool this Jurassic Park Oahu UTV tour is! It’s perfect for people who want to feel adventurous without skydiving or jumping out of a plane!
I think everyone in our family liked something different about the Jurassic Valley Kualoa tour.
My husband loved driving the UTV around the property. It gave him a chance to test out his driving skills from his track days and playing video games.
Just remember, anyone driving a UTV must present a valid driver’s license at check-in to be allowed behind the wheel.
My kids really had fun taking pictures as we raced around the property!
My favorite part was taking family photos at some of the filming locations and scenic spots. Plus, it was amazing to just soak in the lush green valleys and the epic coastline views.
And we all really appreciated our tour guides! They provided a ton of information about Kualoa Ranch. They even wove in important Hawaiian myths and legends that took place at or near this Hawaii ranch.
Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour Tips for Families
Here are some tips to fully enjoy your UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu.
Kualoa Ranch: What to Wear
They require closed-toe shoes and strongly recommend long pants. Our family wore athletic shoes and jeans. It was a bit hot while we were waiting for the tour to start, but once we got into the mountains, we were pretty comfortable.
They have goggles you can borrow, but you’ll probably want to use sunglasses instead. You’ll get dust in your eyes from the dusty trails, so just be sure to wear something to cover them.
Wondering what to wear to Kualoa Ranch? Opt for comfortable, durable clothes that you don’t mind getting covered in dust. Layers work great since the weather can shift as you travel through the valleys.
Because my family likes to be “extra,” we ordered Jurassic Park shirts from Etsy. You can have them say whatever you want, but we thought it’d be cute to do Daddy Saurus, Mommy Saurus, and Brother Saurus shirts!
Whatever clothes you wear, keep in mind that they will either be covered in dust or mud.
We visited in November 2021, and face masks were required during check-in and anytime we went inside the building. Masks were optional when we were outside. Now things should be back to normal.
What to Bring
You might want to bring some baby wipes or makeup remover cloths to help clean off your face after the Oahu UTV tour. They have outdoor sinks where you can wash up afterward, but I found it easier to use a wipe.
Reef-safe sunscreen is also a brilliant idea because you’re out in the sun all day. It’s essential to protect your arms, neck, and face from UV rays.
You’ll also want to make sure to bring cash so you have tipping money to tip your tour guides!
And if you think you’ll want to head to Kualoa Beach right after (which I definitely recommend), be sure to pack a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes.
How Much Does it Cost and Where is it Located?
Kualoa Ranch is located in Kaneohe on the North Shore, and it’s about a 45-minute drive from Waikiki. It can be much longer during thick traffic, so be sure to check before you go.
Kualoa Ranch UTV Raptor tour tickets are $145 for adults (ages 13 and older) and $74 for children (ages 5-12). Kids must be at least 5 years old to participate.
Pricing and tour availability are subject to change, so it’s always best to check the latest updates before you book your tour.
Kualoa Ranch on Oahu FAQs
Children must be at least 5 years old to participate in a Kualoa UTV tour. It’s a liability issue, so there are no exceptions. If you’re wondering how many kids can ride in one vehicle, the UTVs typically seat up to six passengers depending on weight and group size.
Yes! If you aren’t renting a car on Oahu, you can pay a bit more to take the Kualoa Ranch shuttle from Waikiki. The round trip shuttle is convenient and gives you more flexibility when planning your day.
Kualoa Ranch is definitely the premier spot for a Jurassic Park Hawaii tour. Almost all of their tours on Oahu stop at Jurassic Park filming sites or include props from the movie franchise.
Some of the most popular movies and TV shows filmed at Kualoa Ranch include Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, 50 First Dates, Finding Ohana, Godzilla, Hawaii Five-0, Lost, and more.
The Oahu Jurassic Park UTV Tour is about two hours long.
Yes, absolutely! This Oahu ranch is totally worth visiting. From the Jurassic UTV tour to the secret island tour, there are so many fun things to do at the Kualoa Ranch!
So, is the Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour Worth It?
I think the Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour is absolutely worth it. We had a total blast on this Raptor Adventure. We’re already talking about doing some of their other multi passenger UTV experiences the next time we visit Oahu.
Our entire family had fun riding in the UTV and seeing famous Oahu filming locations. This was hands-down one of our favorite tours and activities in Hawaii, and I love that many kids as young as five can join in on the fun.
It is one of the best tours in Oahu! If you want to go on a Jurassic Park tour in Hawaii, why not try out this UTV tour Oahu has to offer?
Hopefully, this Kualoa UTV tour review helped you see why it is perfect for your Oahu trip!
Looking for more things to do in Oahu Hawaii? Find out the best Oahu luaus, Kualoa Ranch movie tour review, Kualoa Ranch Jungle Expedition, how to visit secret island at Kualoa Ranch, coolest Oahu boat tours, top Honolulu tours worth booking, and fun Oahu snorkeling tours.
