Introduction
Hawaii’s landscapes have served as filming locations for hundreds of movies and television shows, and movie site tours offer a chance to see some of those recognizable locations in person.
Blue Hawaiian Activities offers two dedicated movie site tours, one on O’ahu and one on Kaua’i, and the experiences are very different.
On O’ahu, the Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour spends 90 minutes exploring famous filming locations throughout Ka’a’awa Valley. On Kaua’i, the Highlights & Movie Sites Tour combines filming locations with scenic and cultural stops during a full-day island tour.
Other adventures through Ka’a’awa Valley, including zipline, horseback and UTV tours, also travel through landscapes featured in well-known movies and television shows.
Blue Hawaiian Activities books all of them. Here’s what to know when choosing the movie site experience that’s right for you.
Key Takeaways
- Blue Hawaiian Activities offers dedicated movie site tours on O’ahu and Kaua’i.
- The Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour explores famous filming locations throughout Ka’a’awa Valley in 90 minutes.
- The Kaua’i Highlights & Movie Sites Tour combines movie locations with scenic and cultural stops on a full-day island tour.
- Ka’a’awa Valley can also be explored by zipline, horseback or UTV, with several experiences traveling through landscapes seen in well-known movies and television shows.
The O’ahu tour stays in one valley
The Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour is a 90-minute guided tour through Ka’a’awa Valley at Kualoa Ranch, often called Hollywood’s Hawaii Backlot.
More than 200 movies and television shows have been filmed at Kualoa Ranch since the 1950s. Along the way, guests see locations associated with productions including Finding ‘Ohana, Kong: Skull Island, Jumanji, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and Godzilla.
The tour travels through the valley aboard a vintage school bus with live commentary in English, offering a behind-the-scenes look at filming locations, recognizable landscapes and movie memorabilia.
Guests should be comfortable walking on unpaved or uneven terrain. Check-in is required 30 minutes before the scheduled tour time, and all guests must sign a liability waiver before participating.
The Kaua’i tour combines movie sits with island highlights
The Kauai Highlights & Movie Sites Tour combines recognizable filming locations with scenic and cultural stops across the island. The tour runs Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00am until approximately 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
Movie connections include Opaekaa Falls from Blue Hawaii, Kapa’a Town from Jurassic Park, Kilauea Point Lighthouse Overlook from Lilo & Stitch, and Tahiti Nui in Hanalei Town from The Descendants.
The full-day itinerary also includes the Birthing Stone and Poliahu Heiau, Lydgate Tasting Room, Hanalei Town, Hanalei Pier and Hanalei Valley Overlook.
A local guide shares Hawaiian history, legends and local insights throughout the day. Chilled bottled water, local treats and chocolate samples at Lydgate Tasting Room are included. Lunch is on your own in Hanalei.
Other ways to explore Ka’a’awa Valley
Movie fans can experience Ka’a’awa Valley in several ways beyond the traditional movie sites tour.
The Jurassic Valley Zipline takes guests through landscapes associated with Jurassic Park, Jurassic World and Jumanji. The three-hour adventure includes seven tandem zipline sections, two suspension bridges and five short hiking nature trails.
Our comparison of zipline tours in Hawaii by island sets it against the rest.
The Scenic Valley Horseback Riding Tour offers a slower-paced way to explore the valley. The two-hour ride travels through a working cattle ranch and past WWII bunkers and locations associated with productions including 50 First Dates, Jurassic Park and Lost. Riders must be at least 10 years old, at least 4 feet 6 inches tall and weigh less than 230 pounds. Pregnant guests may not participate.
The UTV Raptor Tour travels through the ranch’s scenic terrain in multi-passenger UTVs. Vehicles accommodate 2 to 6 guests, with a minimum rider age of 5.
Our guide to ATV and UTV off-road tours covers it in full.
Looking for a specific movie location?
If seeing a location from a particular movie is at the top of your list, check the tour details before booking. Hawaii’s filming locations are spread across different islands and properties, and not every experience visits the same sites.
Jurassic Park fans have several options. On O’ahu, the Jurassic Valley Zipline and Scenic Valley Horseback Riding Tour explore Ka’a’awa Valley, where scenes from the franchise were filmed. On Kaua’i, the Kaua’i Highlights & Movie Sites Tour visits a location associated with the original film.
Other productions highlighted across these experiences include Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla, Blue Hawaii, Lilo & Stitch and The Descendants.
If a particular filming location is important to you, our concierge team can help you choose the experience that best matches what you’d like to see.
Conclusion
Hawaii’s movie site experiences range from a focused 90-minute tour through Ka’a’awa Valley to a full day exploring scenic and filming locations across Kaua’i. You can also experience some of O’ahu’s famous movie landscapes by zipline, horseback or UTV.
The right choice depends on how much time you have, the type of experience you’re looking for and whether there’s a particular movie or filming location you’d like to see.
Ready to explore Hawaii’s famous filming locations? Book your Hawaii movie site tour with Blue Hawaiian Activities or let our island concierges help you find the right experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the O’ahu and Kaua’i movie site tours?
The O’ahu Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour is a 90-minute guided experience focused on filming locations within Ka’a’awa Valley at Kualoa Ranch. The Kaua’i Highlights & Movie Sites Tour is a full-day island experience that combines filming locations with scenic, cultural and sightseeing stops around Kaua’i.
Where can I see Jurassic Park filming locations in Hawaii?
Both O’ahu and Kaua’i have locations associated with Jurassic Park. On O’ahu, several experiences travel through Ka’a’awa Valley at Kualoa Ranch, including the Jurassic Valley Zipline and Scenic Valley Horseback Riding Tour. The Kaua’i Highlights & Movie Sites Tour also visits a location associated with the original film.
How long is the Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour?
Both O’ahu and Kaua’i have locations associated with Jurassic Park. On O’ahu, several experiences travel through Ka’a’awa Valley at Kualoa Ranch, including the Jurassic Valley Zipline and Scenic Valley Horseback Riding Tour. The Kaua’i Highlights & Movie Sites Tour also visits a location associated with the original film.
How long is the Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour?
The Hollywood Movie Sites Ranch Tour is approximately 90 minutes and travels through Ka’a’awa Valley aboard a vintage school bus with live commentary from a guide. Guests should arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled tour time.
What does the Kaua’i movie sites tour include?
The full-day Kaua’i tour combines movie locations with island sightseeing. Stops include Opaekaa Falls, Kapa’a Town, Kilauea Point Lighthouse Overlook, Hanalei Town, Hanalei Pier and Hanalei Valley Overlook, along with cultural and food-related stops. Lunch is on your own in Hanalei.
How much does a Hawaii movie site tour cost?
Prices vary depending on the tour and experience. Check the individual activity page for current pricing, or contact Blue Hawaiian Activities for help comparing available movie site tours and experiences.
