Introduction
ATV and UTV off-road tours in Hawaiʻi come in several different formats, and the type of vehicle can determine which experience works best for your group.
Options range from two-seat side-by-sides and multi-passenger UTVs to automatic 4×4 ATVs and stand-up ATVs that each rider operates independently.
Age and driver requirements vary considerably between vehicles, so families in particular should check those requirements before choosing a tour.
Blue Hawaiian Activities offers ATV and UTV adventures on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island, with options for families, couples and individual riders.
Key Takeaways
- ATV and UTV off-road tours are available on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island
- Vehicle options include two-seat side-by-sides, multi-passenger UTVs, 4×4 ATVs and stand-up ATVs
- Driver minimum ages vary by tour, generally ranging from 16 to 21
- Some multi-passenger UTV tours allow children as young as 4 or 5 to ride with an adult
- Age, weight, driver’s license and health requirements vary significantly by vehicle and tour
Pick the Vehicle Before You Pick the Island
Rider minimum ages vary widely depending on the vehicle. Some multi-passenger UTV tours accommodate children as young as 4 or 5, while the Stand Up ATV Adventure requires riders to be at least 16.
Driver minimums vary separately, generally ranging from 16 to 21, and some tours have additional requirements when the driver is carrying a minor.
For families and mixed-age groups, start by checking the youngest rider’s age and then compare the vehicle, driver requirements and seating configuration. Our O’ahu family activity guide also compares activities by age.
Two-Seat Side-by-Sides You Share With Another Rider
The ATV Off-Road Adventure at Coral Crater on Oʻahu runs on a specially designed technical course and takes approximately 50 minutes, including a short safety briefing and about 45 minutes of driving.
Each vehicle holds two people, and driving time is shared between riders. Guests who want a vehicle to themselves can add an Empty Seat Charge for a solo ride.
Drivers must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license. Riders must be at least 6 and ride with an adult driver, with a maximum weight of 275 pounds per person. Participants are weighed at check-in.
A face covering for dust and mud and closed-toe shoes are required.
The activity page does not recommend participation for guests with pre-existing injuries or back, neck or heart conditions and states that pregnant guests cannot participate. The recommended maximum height is 6’4″.
Transportation to Coral Crater is not included, so guests staying in Waikīkī should plan for the drive to the park.
Multi-Passenger Side-by-Sides, Where a Child Can Ride Along
Multi-passenger UTVs can be a better fit for families and mixed-age groups because one adult can drive while younger guests ride as passengers.
UTV Raptor Tour, Kualoa Ranch, O’ahu
The UTV Raptor Tour runs approximately 2 hours, including training and a safety briefing, in open-air Raptor vehicles that hold 2 to 6 people depending on the group.
The minimum rider age is 5, and drivers must be at least 21 with a valid driver’s license. Guides lead the vehicles through scenic valleys and remote areas on dirt roads, dusty trails and seasonal stream crossings.
The multi-passenger vehicles allow families and groups to ride together, talk and take photos during the experience. Tours operate rain or shine, so be prepared to get dirty and consider bringing a change of clothes.
Blue Hawaiian Activities recommends the UTV Raptor Tour for mixed-age groups looking for an Oʻahu off-road adventure.
Kapalua ATV Adventure, West Maui
The Kapalua ATV Adventure runs approximately 2 hours in four-seat side-by-sides through the West Maui Mountains.
Riders must be at least 7. Trails include switchbacks and riverbed crossings, with elevation climbs of up to 2,000 feet.
The activity page describes this as a guided tour rather than a thrill ride, and guests should expect to get very dirty and possibly soaking wet.
Drivers must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license and at least 25 when carrying passengers under 18.
Pregnant guests and those with recent surgeries or neck, back or knee problems may not participate.
Kohala UTV Adventure, Hawai’i Island
The Kohala UTV Adventure departs from Hawi and runs approximately 2.5 hours from check-in to return.
The route travels from the coast toward the mountains through private lands, with scenic terrain and waterfalls along the way.
Riders must be at least 5, and drivers must be at least 21 with a valid driver’s license. Participants should be able to walk over uneven ground and sit upright for at least an hour. The activity is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems or for pregnant guests.
Pricing varies by driver and passenger configuration, so check current rates when booking.
Deluxe ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim, Hamakua Coast
The Deluxe ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim combines off-road riding with time at a private waterfall and swimming pond on a 5.5-mile course.
Guests can choose between automatic 4×4 ATVs and two- or four-seat side-by-side UTVs.
Driver requirements depend on the vehicle. ATV drivers must be at least 16 with parental permission and a parent or guardian participating in the tour, while side-by-side drivers must be at least 18. Weight limits are 350 pounds for front seats and 250 pounds for rear seats.
Children ages 4 to 11 ride with a parent or guardian. Guests ages 12 and older may also have the option to ride with a guide, with a parent or guardian participating in the tour.
Closed-toe shoes, pants and a shirt are required. Guests with a history of neck or back injuries and pregnant guests may not participate.
The experience includes approximately 45 minutes at the waterfall and pond.
Kilohana UTV Adventure, Kaua’i
The Kilohana UTV Adventure runs approximately 3 hours, including about 2.5 hours of riding, from Kilohana Plantation.
Kawasaki Mule UTVs seat up to 6 guests, making this a good option for families or groups that want to ride together. The route climbs toward the rim of Kilohana Crater and travels through the ʻIliahi estate, with a refreshment stop along the way.
Riders must be at least 7, and drivers must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license. Qualified guests may switch drivers at designated points during the tour.
Pregnant guests and those with certain heart or spinal conditions or recent surgeries may not participate. The activity also advises against participation for guests with neck, back or knee problems.
A light snack is included.
Stand-Up ATVs Are a Different Machine
The Stand Up ATV Adventure at Coral Crater on Oʻahu uses stand-up all-terrain vehicles that each participant rides independently over trails with twists, turns, obstacles and berms.
The minimum age is 16. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and that adult must participate in the activity rather than watch from the sidelines.
The tour runs approximately 50 minutes, including about 30 minutes of driving, with a maximum weight of 275 pounds.
Helmet, goggles, knee pads and elbow pads are provided, and secure closed-toe shoes are required.
The activity is not recommended for pregnant guests or participants with heart problems, back problems or other serious medical conditions.
This is a good option for teens and adults who want to operate their own individual machine.
Age, License and Health Restrictions Side by Side
ATV and UTV participation requirements vary by vehicle and operator, so check the restrictions for your specific tour before booking.
Driver ages generally range from 16 to 21, depending on the vehicle. Most driving experiences also require a valid driver’s license, and some have additional requirements when carrying passengers under 18.
Rider ages vary even more. Some multi-passenger UTV experiences accommodate children as young as 4 or 5, while the Stand Up ATV Adventure requires every participant to be at least 16.
Weight limits apply to some tours and may vary by vehicle or seating position.
Health restrictions are common on off-road activities, particularly for guests with neck or back conditions, recent surgeries or other conditions that could be aggravated by rough terrain. Pregnancy restrictions also apply to many ATV and UTV experiences.
Footwear and clothing requirements vary, with several tours requiring closed-toe shoes and some requiring additional protective clothing.
Review the specific activity requirements for everyone in your group before booking.
Conclusion
The best ATV and UTV off-road tours in Hawaiʻi are the ones whose vehicle, age requirements and driving rules fit your group.
For mixed ages, consider a multi-passenger side-by-side such as the UTV Raptor Tour, Kapalua ATV Adventure, Kohala UTV Adventure or Deluxe ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim.
For guests who want more time behind the wheel, the ATV Off-Road Adventure lets two riders share a two-seat vehicle, while the Stand Up ATV Adventure gives each participant their own machine starting at age 16.
Ready to get dirty? Book with Blue Hawaiian Activities and our concierge team can help you find an off-road experience that fits your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ATV and UTV off-road tours in Hawaii?
Blue Hawaiian Activities recommends the UTV Raptor Tour at Kualoa Ranch for mixed-age groups on Oʻahu, while the Kapalua ATV Adventure offers a side-by-side experience in the West Maui Mountains. On Hawaiʻi Island, the Kohala UTV Adventure combines off-road riding with private scenery and waterfalls, while the Deluxe ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim adds time for swimming at a private waterfall. On Kauaʻi, the Kilohana UTV Adventure accommodates up to six guests per vehicle.
How old do you have to be to drive on an ATV tour in Hawaii?
Driver minimum ages vary by tour and vehicle, generally ranging from 16 to 21 years old. The Deluxe ATV Tour requires drivers to be at least 16 for its 4×4 ATVs and 18 for its side-by-sides. The ATV Off-Road Adventure and Kapalua ATV Adventure require drivers to be at least 18, while the UTV Raptor Tour and Kohala UTV Adventure require drivers to be at least 21. Kapalua also requires drivers to be at least 25 when carrying a passenger under 18. Check the requirements for your specific tour before booking.
Can kids ride on a UTV tour in Hawaii?
Yes. Several multi-passenger ATV and UTV tours in Hawaiʻi allow children to ride with an adult. Minimum rider ages include 4 on the Deluxe ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim, 5 on the UTV Raptor Tour and Kohala UTV Adventure, 6 on the ATV Off-Road Adventure and 7 on the Kapalua ATV Adventure and Kilohana UTV Adventure. The Stand Up ATV Adventure requires participants to be at least 16.
Do you need a driver’s license for an ATV tour in Hawaii?
Yes. The ATV Off-Road Adventure, UTV Raptor Tour, Kapalua ATV Adventure, Kohala UTV Adventure, Deluxe ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim and Kilohana UTV Adventure require drivers to have a valid driver’s license. Review the requirements for your specific activity before booking, particularly for experiences with different vehicle or driver-age requirements.
Can you do an ATV or UTV off-road tour in Hawaii while pregnant?
Pregnancy restrictions apply to many ATV and UTV off-road tours in Hawaiʻi due to the nature of the terrain and activity. Several of the experiences in this guide specifically prohibit or advise against participation during pregnancy. Check the participation requirements for your specific tour before booking.
