Jurassic Park Tours in Oahu: all you need to know

If you're a film buff and you're planning a trip this holiday season, I can't think of a better destination than the wonderful archipelago of Hawaii, specifically the island of Oahu, home to its capital, Honolulu, and one of the most cinematic valleys in the world.

Oahu is full of activities and things to do, but if you want to spend a whole day touring the scenes that gave life to the Jurassic World saga, I can't think of anything better than taking one of the many tours that are organised. You can tour the Jurassic Valley on horseback, fly over it in a helicopter or zip line, or tour it in different types of group transport. Everything is adapted for you to have a great time, are you going to miss it?

Oahu is one of the most visited islands by tourists who come to Hawaii and it is partly because it has the best nature tours around. The jungle and wilderness terrain take over much of the island and it is precisely for this reason that it was chosen for the filming of many of the Jurassic World movies.

That's why, on the west side of the island, you'll find the famous Kualoa Ranch, a large ranch that gives access, among other things, to the entire Jurassic Park complex. If you want to live this experience, one of the best ways to do it is through one of its classic tours.

You can either hire a tour with transfer to the ranch, or make your own way to the entrance to Kualoa. From here, you can book one of the most popular tours among tourists, which will take you and a group of about 15-20 people to all the most famous film locations.

The huge gateway to the Jurassic reserve, the cages used for the dinosaurs, the great meadows of the brontosaurus and much more await you.

Interesting details

• Price: around €130 per person.
• Duration: these tours usually last an average of two and a half hours.
• Means of transport: in an old van without windows so that you can see everything well.
• Advantages of this option: you are guaranteed to see all the sets with transfers included and a guide who explains everything.
• Disadvantages of this option: perhaps it is a little short if you want to go deeper and spend more time in the natural environment.

Within Oahu, the Kualoa Ranch is where all the film sets and locations that have been made on the island are located.

That's why, if you're a fan of the Jurassic saga, but also want to see the other places like the bunkers of Lost, the ruins of Kong or the sets of Jumanji, you don't have to give up anything, as there are tours that take you through all these film locations.

As well as being able to visit all the places that were chosen to bring the popular dinosaurs to life, the tour will take you and a group of around 20 people around all the other iconic locations. When you arrive, you can get off the bus, walk around the site for a few minutes to get a closer look and take photos.

Within Oahu there are a multitude of sightseeing bus tours, but if you want to soak up all the cinematic appeal, this type of group tour of Kualoa Ranch is the one for you.

Interesting details

• Price: Approximately €60 per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts two hours.
• Means of transport: the transfers to the different locations will be done in a group bus.
• Advantages of this option: not only will you be able to see the Jurassic Park scenes, but also other locations from films and series such as Kong or Lost.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are only interested in the Jurassic World saga, this tour may not be enough for you.

The Kualoa Reserve has numerous types of tours and itineraries to suit all tastes. If your goal is to get deep into the jungle and see not only the specific locations, but also the entire environment of the valley where the landscapes were filmed, one of the most comfortable and exciting ways to do it is by jeep.

The terrain throughout the Jurassic Valley area is quite uneven, which is why getting around by jeep may be the best option. If you are coming with friends or family and would prefer a more intimate experience, this tour option is ideal as the jeeps can usually accommodate a maximum of 5 to 6 people.

As well as being able to quickly reach all the places marked on the map, you will be able to explore the jungle area of the valley in a very exciting and authentic way and get some spectacular views.

Details of interest

• Price: around €150 per person.
• Duration: these tours usually last around three hours.
• Means of transport: in an all-terrain jeep that can drive through the jungle terrain.
• Advantages of this option: it is a very entertaining tour to do with a group of friends or family and immerse yourself in the world of Jurassic Park.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for everyone as it is not accessible for babies or people in wheelchairs.

If adventure and thrills are your thing and you already have a bit of experience of being on four wheels, one of the most incredible experiences you can have when it comes to seeing the locations of Jurassic Park is through a tour where a guide will take you and your small private group on an off-road quad.

The terrain of the valley and the natural complex that is the ranch is quite difficult to do in any other form of transport if you want to get off the beaten track. That's why they have designed this type of off-road tour of the island where, guided by a guide, you can drive a powerful quad through the jungle and reach all the mythical film locations.

And don't worry if you have small children or if you're not very good at driving. You'll be supervised by the guide at all times and there's even the option of two people on one of the quads.

Details of interest

• Price: around €180 per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts about two hours.
• Means of transport: Each person can hire their own quad bike during the tour.
• Advantages of this option: It is a different and exciting way to get to know the Kualoa Ranch and the Jurassic Park locations in a private and intimate way.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you don't like driving and thrills, you won't feel comfortable.

Seeing the entire Jurassic Valley of the Kualoa Preserve by bus is fun enough, but wouldn't it be great to be able to ride through it at the trot of native horses? If the thought has already made your eyes light up, let me tell you that such tours do exist on Oahu and are ideal for all nature and animal lovers.

During a tour of about two hours you can take a horseback ride through the Jurassic Valley area and gallop across the plains where the great dinosaurs of the movies used to roam. You will also be able to reach the most emblematic sites in the company of these friendly animals.

As you might have guessed, the terrain of this natural environment is not easy to walk and one of the oldest and most valued ways to get to know it is to get on a beautiful horse. If you don't know how to ride or are afraid of riding, don't worry; a guide will be with you and your group at all times and will choose the best horse for you.

Interesting details

• Price: this experience costs around €150 per head.
• Duration: these are usually 2 hour rides. You will be able to see everything without overtaxing the horse's condition.
• Means of transport: a beautiful horse native to the island.
• Advantages of this option: it is a tour that offers you a souvenir beyond the Jurassic Park locations. You will be able to ride through the mythical locations and experience the thrill and therapy of horseback riding.
• Disadvantages of this option: It can be a bit tiring as being on a horse for two hours can be a strain on the legs and buttocks.

If you are interested in doing some eco-tourism in Hawaii and you don't want to miss out on the wonderful experience of seeing the sets and locations where Jurassic Park was filmed, one of the best ways to do it is by riding an electric bike that will take you quickly and enjoyably along the film route.

On this type of tour, you'll have everything you need to spend an entertaining half day. You'll have a guide who will also be on a bike and, as well as showing you all the places, will check that all the bikes are working properly.
You'll also have a helmet and protective gear in case you fall off due to uneven terrain.

If you don't feel like you're not fit enough for two hours of cycling, don't worry! The bikes on these tours are electric, so if you start to feel tired, all you have to do is turn on the engine and continue cycling through the Jurassic Valley in an ecological and sustainable way.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours cost around €120 per person all-inclusive.
• Duration: the tours usually last two hours.
• Means of transport: an electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: it is an ecological and fun alternative to see the whole of the Jurassic Park environment.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you don't know how to ride a bike, even an electric one, you may find it hard to keep up with the pace.

Do you like thrills and excitement and want to do adventure sports during your stay in Hawaii? Then Kualoa Ranch has prepared for you a kind of tour around the Jurassic Valley that will surely leave you breathless; zip lining! Don't forget that, although many of the locations used for the film had to be adapted, the natural environment where it was filmed is a chaotic and almost untouched jungle.

There is no better way to see all those fantastic views from where Alan Grant glimpsed the majestic dinosaurs than by sliding down the rope of a zip line and flying over the green jungle.

But don't think it's all about speeding through the trees. Normally this type of tour has a whole circuit that runs through the scenes of the film and mixes short walks with thrilling jumps into the void that will fill you with adrenaline while you get to know in depth how the famous saga was made.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours cost around €180 per head.
• Duration: they last around 4 hours and include a short introductory safety briefing.
• Means of transport: On foot and via zip lines.
• Advantages of this option: it is an ideal option for people who like adrenaline and exciting sports while discovering the natural environment of Jurassic Park.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for everyone as it is not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, children under 7 years old and people with reduced mobility.

What would you say is one of the most famous scenes from the film Jurasic Park? You're probably thinking of the mythical helicopter ride that brought the main characters to the fascinating theme park in the first few minutes of the film.

If you want to experience this ride first hand and see from above the great and impressive natural scenery that was filmed, you should know that you can hire one of the helicopter tours available in Oahu.

If you like heights, you'll have the time of your life as a little kid climbing into a helicopter and flying over all the terrain and plains you've seen so many times on the big screen. You'll also be able to reach one of the most challenging locations on the tour, the Jurassic Falls, an impressive waterfall that Spielberg used for his films and which can only be reached by helicopter.

Details of interest

• Price: around €300.
• Duration: the helicopter tour usually lasts about two hours with a landing at the waterfall.
• Means of transport: a helicopter.
• Advantages of this option: it is an unforgettable experience and allows you to privately reach the privileged surroundings of the whole of Jurassic Park.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not recommended if you are afraid of heights and the price is a little high.

If you are determined to come to Hawaii and the island of Oahu to experience first-hand the Jurassic World scenes, you should know that, despite always boasting pleasant temperatures, there are months that are more recommendable.

Normally, none of the extremes are good in the archipelago. On the one hand, in winter, it can get very rainy and cold, while in summer the heat and humidity are a bit uncomfortable for hours of wandering around the jungle of Kualoa Ranch.

That's why it's best to go to Ouha in April or November, i.e. spring and autumn, when the weather will be much milder and more stable and you'll find it pleasant to do outdoor activities, whether it's tours of the Jurassic Park complex or enjoying all the water sports on offer, for example, with all the surfing lessons available on Oahu.

Oahu has a lot to offer. From paradise beaches, 5 star resorts, rural tourism and adventure sports. However, although you can access all of these activities on your own, there is no way you can access the amazing Jurassic Park locations without hiring a guide.

And it's not just a matter of sightseeing; the Kualoa Ranch environment is so vast and wild, you need a guide to get to all the sights and do some of the best hiking around. In addition, you have a wide variety of tour options so you can choose the one that suits you best and let yourself go and enjoy yourself like a child. It's definitely worth investing in one of these experiences.

If, in addition to wanting to see the surroundings of Jurassic Park, you are interested in the world of cinema and history in general, don't forget that you are on one of the islands most filmed by Hollywood and, moreover, in one of the key scenarios of the Second World War, so, in addition to tours of Kualoa Ranch, you can also attend, for example, the best tours of Pearl Harbor.

The tours that take you to the Jurassic Park locations and the entire Jurassic Park Valley have the main advantage that they offer the same experience in a lot of different ways.

This means that while some of these options may not be suitable for, say, children or pregnant women (such as quad biking or ziplining), you can always find a family-friendly option aboard a bus or jeep. Oahu with kids and families has flexibility and hundreds of activities to have a great time.

Kualoa Ranch is on the east side of the island, in an area that, despite being very touristy, has little to offer in the way of hotels. Most likely you will have decided to stay in accommodation in the capital, Honolulu. If so, and you want to take a tour of the Jurassic Park scenery, you're probably wondering how to get there.

Well, if you've booked a private tour option, you don't need to worry, as most include a hotel pick-up option. However, if you want to take one of the many tours offered at the ranch, you will have to get there by your own means.

One of the most popular, cheapest and easiest ways is to take the number 60 bus, which leaves from the downtown station and drops you off at the gate in less than an hour.

It usually leaves every half hour and the ticket is less than €3. If you want a more comfortable option, you can take a taxi, but be warned it's around €70 or, if you want to explore on your own for the rest of the days, another option would be to hire a car and drive yourself.

If Steven Spielberg chose this island to film his masterful Jurassic saga, it must be for a reason. Be sure to come and discover the charms of the island of Oahu, a place that will win you over and take you back in time to prehistoric times.