Exploring Kualoa Ranch by UTV Is the Ultimate Island Adventure

Flanked by the jagged peaks of the Koolau Mountains, the property now called Kualoa Ranch has long been considered sacred, serving as a legendary pu‘uhonua (place of refuge) where people sought out safety in ancient times. Centuries ago, Hawaiian royalty also used the grounds for training, training kings in the warrior skills needed to assume their leadership. But in 1850, King Kamehameha III sold around 662 acres (268 hectares) to the missionary doctor and close friend Gerritt P. Judd under one condition, according to my tour guide: Judd could never sell the land nor develop on it. Over time, the family continued acquiring adjacent property until Kualoa Ranch totaled the 4,000 acres (1,619 hectares) it spans today—and it’s still run by Judd’s descendants.

The drive from Honolulu—not included in the tour, so you do have to make your own way there—took just under an hour, but it was straightforward and scenic, winding through the Koolau Mountains and along the water. It was close to the 2pm start time when my friend and I pulled into the spacious lot and headed over to the front desk to find where our tour group would be meeting. There, we were swiftly handed gaiters (tube-shaped scarves to cover our nose and mouth), plus helmets and goggles to keep us protected from the dust we were about to encounter. The routes here can often be wet and muddy, but, as it hadn’t rained in a couple of weeks, the valley was unusually dry. Weather aside, my comfortable workout clothes and sneakers made sure I was ready for whatever was coming my way.

Then it was time to meet our group: We were going to be shown around by two guides and accompanied by eight other visitors, which made for a fun but still small-group vibe. After a quick safety briefing, we hopped into our assigned UTV, or Utility Terrain Vehicle, which has the ability to tackle nearly any terrain—perfect for a place like Kualoa Ranch.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Kualoa Ranch

Even as someone who doesn’t have much experience in these sorts of recreational 4WD vehicles, I didn’t feel too intimidated and could instead focus on having fun. After all, the UTVs were already set up—all we had to do was accelerate and brake, and the maximum speed we’d hit was just 15 mph (24 kph), which makes this a great option for adventurous families, too.

And since the recent weather had been dry and sunny, the vehicles stirred up plenty of that aforementioned dust, meaning the gaiters really came in handy. Typically though, the mountains draw in rainclouds, their peaks veiled in a trademark mist, causing more mud splashes and wet stream crossings—I’d recommend visiting in winter for a muddier experience, and summer if you’d prefer to not get splashed.

However, one thing to keep in mind with a summer visit is that—as with most Hawaiian afternoons—the sun was beating down on us and it got quite hot under the helmet. Thankfully, at each stop, we were able to take them off to get a breather. Do be sure to pack lots of water and sunscreen since this isn’t provided by Kualoa Ranch. Don’t worry about carrying it, though, as the vehicles have plenty of space to store a backpack or water bottle.

Throughout the afternoon, one of the coolest parts of the tour was that we drove past numerous filming locations and props, with three opportunities to stop and explore on foot. Though most other tours at Kualoa Ranch will hit the same stops, the UTVs definitely allow for a more unique, thrilling way to get there. The first stop was along the floor of Kaaawa Valley where Jurassic Park’s Dr. Alan Grant and the two kids ran from a stampede of Gallimimus in a well-known scene. (You also have the chance to take a playful yet fitting picture with a dinosaur arm puppet the guides brought.)

Another was a stunning vista point of Kualoa Ranch’s secret beach and Chinaman’s Hat, a small offshore basalt island called Mokolii in Hawaiian. In a time where popular hikes and beaches feel overcrowded and few things are left a secret—well, except to locals only—riding through the expansive nature of Kualoa Ranch really did feel incredibly unique.

Related: 9 Must-Visit Filming Locations in Hawaii

An added bonus was that, at every stop, our guides wove in snippets of Hawaiian history and culture—however, emphasis on the snippets! This is definitely an adventure tour, not a history tour. Even so, a particular highlight was when Marlito, who grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii, told us a moolelo—or oral tradition—his mother used to recite, of the tragic love story behind the endangered endemic ohia lehua tree. Many of these stories have been passed down through generations, to explain Hawaii’s flourishing nature.

Later, he cracked open a few kukui nuts, offering a taste to each guest. While he joked about how kukui nuts are a natural laxative, he also mentioned how they have many uses for Hawaiians, from medicinal to spiritual. As we made our way back to the starting point—you travel through the ranch in a convenient loop—we wove through the working ranch’s farmland, where cows and calves peacefully grazed … and paused for several cows crossing our path. This is their home, not ours, after all.

After an afternoon spent zipping through lush rainforests, past grazing cows, and up to the scenic overlooks, it was hard to believe that we had only covered about half of Kualoa Ranch’s property. It seems the family continues to keep their promise of neither selling nor developing on the land.

By the end of the tour, we were sweaty and dusty but completely exhilarated. I’m not sure when I’ll next get to experience this side of Kualoa Ranch, but I’ll feel forever grateful to know what’s deep in the valley on the island I call home. And if I have any loved ones visiting the island anytime soon, I know exactly where I’ll take them for a true adventure—and not just for the fun pop culture film references or quick thrill of a UTV ride, but so they can gain a deeper appreciation of the island.

This tour was provided courtesy of Viator.