Kualoa Ranch is a stunning 4,000 acre private nature reserve on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. If you want relaxation, beautiful scenery, and visit famous filming locations then this is the place for you!
Kualoa is one of the most historically significant areas on Oahu since it was a very sacred place for the original Hawaiians.
The ranch has more than 600 heads of cattle, 100 horses, and 200 sheep. The property stretches from the steep forested mountains to the crystal clear waters of the ocean. Kualoa has also been the filming location for over 70 Hollywood movies! They include hits such as Jumanji, Kong Skull Island, Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, and 50 First Dates.
In our opinion, horseback is the best way to see it!
Horseback Riding at Kualoa Ranch
The horseback riding here is absolutely amazing. Everything about the tour is very well organized. You check-in, go through some safety talks, and the guide will select a horse for you based on your abilities.
The ranch is set up for riders of all skill levels. Their horses are very well behaved, and are great for people who’ve never been on a horse before. They also have two little storage bags on the saddle that will easily fit your phone along with some water bottles.
There are two options for the length of your ride: 1 hour or 2 hour. There are so many beautiful locations at Kualoa Ranch that the two hour tour is a must!
You’ll get to see Jurassic Valley in detail, the full Kualoa Ranch movie tour, and the full range of scenery from forest to valley to mountains. Do the two hour tour and you will not regret it!
Pro Tips for Your Trip to Kualoa Ranch
1. Once you’re on the horse you don’t get off until the end of the tour. Make sure you sunscreen up appropriately! Most of the tour will be in direct sunlight.
2. If you ask your tour guide, he or she will gladly take some pictures of your group while riding.
3. Kualoa Ranch is about 40 minutes from Waikiki. If you’re leaving during rush hour, then budget an extra 10 minutes for Waikiki/Honolulu traffic.
4. The air conditioning in the gift shop and food area is very weak. If you don’t like the heat, then make sure you bring some ice cold water to help cool you down.
5. The tour can be very windy as the ocean winds blow into the valley. Make sure you don’t wear any loose-fitting hats.
6. Don’t bring a DSLR camera unless you’re an experienced rider. It’s hard to take both hands off the saddle and take good pictures. Plan on using a small point-and-shoot camera or your phone for photos.
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