4 Best ATV Tours in Oahu

One of the things to consider when planning how to see everything there is to see in Oahu is transportation. Due to the island's characteristics, with many natural areas, it is not always easy to reach some of its attractions. In these cases, the best solution is to book an off-road tour.

This way, you can book tours to Kualoa Ranch, take a circular route around the island, go on an off-road expedition along the east coast or even take a tour of a botanical garden.

Film lovers will find some of the locations from one of the most famous film series of recent years in Oahu: Jurassic Park. Specifically, the filming location is at Kualoa Ranch.

As you would expect, any traveller can book a Jurassic Park tour in Oahu, some of which are done in off-road vehicles. In fact, there are several different tours on this theme.

It's worth knowing that some are included in the Oahu Go card, and don't worry if you arrive with a vehicle that isn't suitable for all types of terrain, as you wouldn't be able to do the tour with it anyway. The park provides vehicles and guides.

Kualoa Ranch is one of the best places on the island of Oahu for off-road tours. It is a private nature reserve located in a unique setting that leaves no one indifferent.

This is where many films have been shot, such as Jurassic Park and many scenes from the famous series Lost. And it's no wonder, as its incredible landscapes are truly spectacular.

Just 39 km from Honolulu, the Kualoa Ranch nature reserve is made up of the Kualoa, Kaʻaʻawa and Hakipuʻu valleys. It is also close to Kāneʻohe Bay, where another nature park is located: Kualoa Regional Park.

Join the guide in their 4x4

With this option , the guide will drive the 4x4 so that you and your family can enjoy the experience in the most comfortable way possible.

On this impressive tour through the jungle, crossing fields, streams, hills and unique cliffs, you will see the settings of some of the most acclaimed films and series of recent times.

These include Pearl Harbor, Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Lost, Godzilla and, of course, all the films in the Jurassic Park series.

• Price: The approximate price per adult is £140, while children pay around half price.
• Duration: 2.5 hours.
• Transport: Off-road vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: The duration.
• Disadvantages of this option: The route is very bumpy.

Drive an ATV Raptor

This option offers you the chance to drive the best vehicle for this type of expedition. The Raptor ATV is an open vehicle with all the safety features you need to enjoy the most adventurous experience possible.

You will travel along dirt roads that are impossible to navigate with other types of vehicles, cross streams and enjoy the authentic jungle of Oahu.

In addition, with this expedition you will also have the opportunity to see some of the film locations we mentioned in the previous activity.

• Price: The approximate price per adult is £145, while for children it costs around £70.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Transportation: ATV Raptor.
• Advantages of this option: You can drive.
• Disadvantages of this option: It will be too short.

Tour in the heart of the Kualoa jungle

This expedition is every bit as good as the other off-road tours at Kualoa Ranch. It is the most economical way to visit many of the places we have reviewed so far.

This option is especially designed for groups, but that doesn't mean that if you are travelling alone you can't join one of them. There are always places available, and it's a great way to meet people.

The originality of this tour lies in the possibility of sharing the vehicle with up to 15 other people. Imagine the fun you can have! This is thanks to the Jungle Jeep, the big boy at Kualoa Ranch, which will take you and your friends on a tour of the authentic Kualoa jungle.

• Price: The approximate price per adult is £60, while for children it costs around £40.
• Duration: 1.5 hours.
• Means of transport: Jungle Jeep.
• Advantages of this option: The price.
• Disadvantages of this option: It can be a little dizzying.

Although there are many tours of Oahu, few can compare to the full-day off-road tour.

This is one of the most comprehensive expeditions you can find on Oahu. The idea is to take a circular tour of the island to get as general an overview of Oahu as possible.

During the tour, there are about 16 stops and you even have the option of going snorkelling in Oahu.

On this tour, you will have a guide who will not only take you around the island, but also explain each of the points of interest you will see.

Here are some of the most common stops on this comprehensive off-road tour of Oahu:

• Diamond Head: this is usually the starting point and is located next to Waikiki, one of the best beaches in Oahu. Depending on the date of the tour, you may be able to see the sunrise from this spot.
• Kahala Scenic Route: in addition to being the place chosen by several millionaire families to build their spectacular homes, this route offers some of the best sea views in Oahu.
• Sandy Beach Park: from here you can enjoy unparalleled views of Kalama Valley, Koko Craterand, of course, Sandy Beach Park.
• Makapu'u Point: this stop is designed so that you can see Rabbit Island's crater and cliffs.
• Windward Coast: the tour continues on its way to Kualoa. The guide will explain all the secrets of the island while you admire several waterfalls, cliffs and forests.
• Kualoa Park: if you've taken one of the Jurassic Park tours on Oahu, you'll already be familiar with the area. Not only were several films in the series shot here, but you can also see one of the island's most iconic landmarks: Chinaman's Hat.
• North Shore: leaving Honolulu behind, the North Shore is possibly the most attractive part of Oahu. The tour usually stops in the area for lunch and then continues on to see places such as Waimea Falls, Waimea Bay and Rockpile. Those who want to go snorkelling will have the opportunity to do so on the beaches in this area.
• Haleiwa Town: still on the north coast, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the island's most traditional surfing towns. Although you won't have time to try your hand at this sport, it might inspire you to book a surfing lesson in Oahu.
• On the way back to Waikiki: heading back south, the route makes several stops at places such as the

Dole Plantation
and a farm specialising in coffee cultivation.

Interesting details

Price: This type of off-road tour can cost around £120 per person.

• Price: This type of off-road tour can cost around £120 per person.

• Duration: between 10 and 11 hours.

• Advantages of this option: You get to see a large part of the island in a single tour.

• Disadvantages of this option: The stops have a fairly short time limit.

You can rent an off-road vehicle in Honolulu or book a tour and explore the east coast of Oahu along one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

The route passes between impressive cliffs and practically deserted coves. You will also pass some of the most impressive volcanic craters in Oahu, many of which are filled with water.

On the way, you will have the opportunity to drive through some of the natural parks you will encounter along the way, such as Kualoa Regional Park (not to be confused with Kualoa Ranch, which is private), which is known for its rich wildlife, especially its many water birds.

This park is located in Kāneʻohe Bay, which has a pristine white sand beach from where you can see Mokoliʻi, a small basalt island open to the public.

Interesting details

• Price: The rental prices for an off-road vehicle in Oahu vary depending on the model you choose. They can range from £200 to £300 per day. A private tour, on the other hand, can cost a little over £250.

Duration: around 6 or 7 hours, although as it is private, you can negotiate with the company.

• Means of transport: Off-road vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: Enjoy one of the most beautiful roads in the world and have the option of taking detours along dirt roads that lead to places that are otherwise difficult to access.
• Disadvantages of this option: As it is not a group tour, the final price per person will be slightly higher.

If your adventurous spirit calls you to explore the less travelled areas of the island, this tour of one of the valleys least altered by human hands is the place for you. Accompanied by a native guide, you will not only discover the lush nature of the area, but also learn a great deal about ancient Hawaiian culture and myths.

This tour will take you deep into some of the valleys on the north coast, travelling along jungle trails in a comfortable, modern 4x4.

As a curiosity, on the route you will also be able to see some defensive structures built during World War II, which can serve as a complement to tours of Pearl Harbor to better understand how the conflict affected this archipelago.

Since the vehicles only have 8 seats, I recommend booking well in advance. I assure you that you will not regret it.

Details of interest

• Price: Around €100 per person.

• Duration: About 2.5 hours, but keep in mind that you will be departing from Haleiwa on the North Shore.

• Means of transport: Off-road vehicle.

• Advantages of this option: Discover a little-visited part of the island.

• Disadvantages of this option: It departs from the North Shore itself.

Most of the tours offered by off-road tours in Oahu can also be done on your own by renting one of these vehicles. However, the organised option has several advantages.

Although it is true that renting an off-road vehicle allows you to manage your time at each place as you wish, some of the destinations can be difficult to reach, especially if you are not familiar with the island.

Thus, venturing into the rainforest or even into a nature park is not easy. Despite the signs, you will always run the risk of getting lost.

On the other hand, having a guide will not only avoid this potential problem, but they will also be able to solve any other mishaps. Not to mention, of course, their role in explaining everything you are seeing.