There's No Attraction In The World Quite Like This One In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published January 06, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
On the windward coast of Oahu, far away from the hustle and bustle that is Waikiki, there is a vast, beautiful ranch that is as beautiful as it is exciting. This is Kualoa Ranch, and it is an absolute must-visit for everyone who travels to – or lives in – Hawaii. From horseback riding and ATV tours to boat excursions and zip lining, these nine activities available at Kualoa Ranch are absolutely incredible, to say the least. And with so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect activity – whether you’re seeking a thrilling adventure or a family-friendly activity.
Though there are few private beaches in Hawaii, the only way to legally visit the stunning and surreal Secret Island is to book a tour through Kualoa Ranch. Spend the afternoon hanging out on the beach and enjoying the scenery.
Kualoa Ranch has played host to a variety of film and television productions throughout the years, and the best way to see the filming locations and sets remains is to take a movie sites tour through the ranch. Movies filmed at Kualoa include 50 First Dates, Jurassic Park, Soul Surfer, Along Came Polly, The Hunger Games, Godzilla, and George of the Jungle, as well as several television shows.
Photographed is the set of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.
Boasting the best horseback riding tours on Oahu, Kualoa Ranch is the place to go for a leisurely - and picturesque - horseback ride through the ranch’s stunning mountain trails. With one and two hour tours, you’re sure to experience the island from an entirely new perspective.
This tour takes guests through stunning gardens, and to the Moli’i and ’Apua fishponds, located at the southern end of Kualoa Regional Park. The larger of the two fishponds, the Moli’i fishpond encompasses 125 acres and ranges in depth from 4 to 30 feet, making it one of the largest fishponds found throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
The impressive fishpond - which was first built between 600 and 960 years ago - is one of only a few early royal fishponds that remain operational; Moi (threadfish), ‘ama’ama (mullet), and awa (milkfish) are raised in the Moli’i fishpond.
Spread across three stunning valleys and more than 4,000 acres, countless incredible food products are grown, harvested, and sold by Kualoa Ranch. Guests will have the opportunity to visit shrimp and tilapia ponds, an oyster farm, tropical fruit gardens, and lush ranchlands.
Perhaps one of the coolest ways to experience the Hawaiian rainforest is to book a zipline tour. While ziplining is often considered an adrenaline-pumping activity suited only for true adventures, that is simply not the case; ziplining tours in Hawaii are safe for those of all ages. The incredible zipline canopy tour at Kualoa Ranch features seven ziplines ranging in length from 200 feet to a quarter mile.
For a fun, easy activity perfect for the whole family, consider hopping aboard Kualoa’s Ocean Voyage Catamaran Tour, where you can hope to see manta rays, sea turtles, and if you’re lucky, dolphins.
For an epic eco-adventure, check out Kualoa’s Jungle expedition. Leading guests deep into the heart of Hakipu’u Valley along mountain trails through a Hawaiian rainforest and across dry streambeds, this adventure is perfect for the entire family - the tour is recommended for children three years of age and older.
Guided ATV tours take guests on a journey through the beautiful Ka’a’awa Valley, even stopping at the most famous movie sites along the way - it’s like two tours in one! With one and four hour tours as well as single and multiple passenger ATVs, you’re sure to find a tour perfect for you.
