ATV Tours in Oahu

One of the things to consider when planning how to visit all there is to see on Oahu is transportation. Due to the characteristics of the island, with its many natural areas, it is not always easy to get to some of its attractions. In these cases, the best solution is to hire an off-road tour.

You can book a tour to Kualoa Ranch, take a circular route around the island, go on an off-road expedition along the east coast or even take a tour of a botanical garden.

Film lovers will find on Oahu part of the locations of one of the most famous sagas of recent years: Jurassic Park. Specifically, the filming location is at Kualoa Ranch.

Of course, any traveller will be able to book a Jurassic Park tour in Oahu and some of them are done in an off-road vehicle. In fact, there are several different tours with this theme.

It's worth knowing that some are included in the Oahu Go Card and don't worry if you arrive with a vehicle that isn't all-terrain, even if you wanted to, you wouldn't be able to do the tour with it. Vehicles and guides are provided by the park.

Kualoa Ranch is one of the best locations on the island of Oahu for off-road tours. It is a private nature reserve in a unique location that leaves no one indifferent.

This is where a lot of movies have been filmed, such as Jurassic Park or many of the scenes of the famous series "Lost". And no wonder, its incredible landscapes are a spectacle.

Just 39 km from Honolulu, the Kualoa Ranch nature reserve is made up of the Kualoa, Kaʻaʻawa and Hakipuʻu valleys. It is also touching the bay of Kāneʻohe, where another nature park is located; Kualoa Regional Park.

Join the guide in his off-road vehicle

With this option, the guide will be the one driving the off-road vehicle so that you and your family can enjoy the experience in the most comfortable way possible.

Through this breathtaking drive through the jungle and across fields, streams, hills and cliffs, you will be able to see the scenes of some of the most acclaimed films and series of recent times.

These include Pearl Harbor, Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Lost, Godzilla and, of course, all the instalments of the Jurassic Park saga.

• Price: The price per adult is approximately 140 euros, while for children it costs about half that.

• Duration: 2.5 hours.

• Means of transport: All-terrain vehicle.

• Advantages of this option: Duration.

• Disadvantages of this option: The route is very bumpy.

Drive an ATV Raptor

This option offers you the possibility to drive the best vehicle for this type of expedition. This is the ATV Raptor, an open vehicle but with all the safety features that will allow you to live the experience in the most adventurous way possible.

You'll go over dirt roads that are impossible to cross with other types of vehicles, cross streams and enjoy the authentic Oahu jungle.

In addition, this expedition will also give you the opportunity to see some of the film locations mentioned in the previous activity.

• Price: The price per adult is approximately 145 euros, while for children it costs around 70 euros.

• Duration: 2 hours.

• Means of transport: ATV Raptor.

• Advantages of this option: You can drive.

• Disadvantages of this option: It will be short.

Kualoa Jungle Tour

This expedition is second to none of Kualoa Ranch's other off-road tours. It is the most economical alternative to visiting many of the places we have reviewed so far.

This option is especially for groups, but that doesn't mean you can't join one if you're on your own - there are always places available, and it's a great way to meet people.

The originality of this tour lies in the possibility of sharing a cabin with up to 15 other people- imagine what it can be like! This is thanks to the Jungle Jeep, the big Kuala Ranch Jeep with which you and your friends will travel through the real jungle of Kuala.

• Price: The price per adult is approximately 60 euros, while for children it costs around 40 euros.
• Duration: 1.5 hours.
• Means of transport: Jungle Jeep.
• Advantages of this option: Price.
• Disadvantages of this option: It can be a bit dizzying.

While there are plenty of tours of Oahu, few can compare to a day-long off-road tour.

This is one of the most comprehensive expeditions you'll find on Oahu. The idea is to take a circular tour of the island to get as much of an overview of Oahu as possible.

There are about 16 stops along the way and you'll even have the chance (optional) to do some snorkelling on Oahu.

For this tour you will be accompanied by a guide who will not only take you around the island, but will also explain each of the points you are going to see.

Here are some of the most common stops on this complete off-road tour of Oahu:

• Diamond Head: this is usually the starting point and is located next to Waikiki, one of the best beaches on Oahu. Depending on when you do the tour, you may be able to see the sunrise from this point.
• Kahala Scenic Route: In addition to being the place chosen by several millionaire families to establish their spectacular homes, during this route you can enjoy some of the best ocean views from Oahu.
• Sandy Beach Park: from here you can enjoy unparalleled views of the Kalama Valley, the Koko Craterand, of course, Sandy Beach Park.
• Makapu'u Point: this stop is designed to give you a view of the Rabbit Island crater and cliffs.
• Windward Coast: the tour continues on the way to Kualoa. The guide will explain you all the secrets of the island while you contemplate several waterfalls, cliffs and forests.
• Kualoa Park: if you've been on one of the Jurassic Park tours of Oahu, you'll already know the area. Not only were several films from the saga filmed here, but you can also see one of the most iconic places on the island: Chinaman's Hat.
• North Shore: Leaving Honolulu aside, it is probably the North Shore that holds the most attractions on Oahu. The tour usually stops in the area for lunch and then continues on to see sites such as Waimea Falls, Waimea Bay and Rockpile. Snorkellers will have a chance to snorkel off the beaches in this area.
• Haleiwa Town: still on the north coast, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most traditional surfing towns on the island. Although you won't have time to practice this sport, it might be an incentive to book a surfing lesson in Oahu.
• On the way back to Waikiki: heading back to the south of the island, the route makes several stops at places such as the
  Dole Plantationor a farm specialising in coffee cultivation.

Interesting details

• Price: This type of off-road tour can cost around 120 euros per person.
• Duration: between 10 and 11 hours.
• Advantages of this option: You cover a large part of the island in the same tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: The stops have a time limit that is not very long...

You can rent an SUV in Honolulu or hire a tour and drive along Oahu's East Coast on one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

It winds past breathtaking cliffs and virtually deserted coves. Along the way, you'll pass some of the most impressive volcanic craters on Oahu, many of them filled with water.

On the way, you'll have the opportunity to drive through some of the natural parks you'll come across along the way, such as Kualoa Regional Park (not to be confused with Kualoa Ranch, which is private), which is known for its rich wildlife, especially for its multitude of waterfowl.

The park is located in Kāneʻohe Bay. The bay has a pristine white sandy beach from where you can see the islet of Mokoliʻi, a small basalt island open to the public.

Details of interest

• Price: Prices for renting an SUV on Oahu vary depending on the model you choose. They can range from €200 to €300 per day. A private tour, on the other hand, can cost a little over €250.
• Duration: about 6 or 7 hours, although as it is private you can negotiate with the company.
• Means of transport: All-terrain vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: Enjoy one of the most beautiful roads in the world and have the option of taking a detour on dirt tracks that lead to places that are otherwise difficult to reach.
• Disadvantages of this option: As it is not a group tour, the final price per person will be somewhat higher for you.

If your adventurous spirit begs you to venture into the off-the-beaten-path areas of the island, this tour through one of the most untouched valleys on the island is the place for you. Accompanied by a native guide, you'll not only experience the lush wilderness of the area, but you'll learn a great deal about ancient Hawaiian culture and myths.

This tour will take you into some of the valleys of the North Shore, travelling along jungle trails in the middle of the jungle in a comfortable, modern SUV.

As a curiosity, on the route you will also be able to see some defensive structures erected during World War II, which can serve as a complement to the Pearl Harbor tours to better understand how the conflict affected this archipelago.

As the vehicles only seat 8, I recommend booking well in advance. You won't regret it.

Details of interest

• Price: Around €100 per person.
• Duration: About 2.5 hours, but bear in mind that you leave from Haleiwa on the North Coast.
• Means of transport: All-terrain vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: To be able to discover a little-visited part of the island.
• Disadvantages of this option: You leave from the North Coast itself.

Most off-road tours on Oahu can also be done on your own by renting a Jeep. However, the organised option has several advantages.

While it's true that by renting an off-road vehicle you'll be able to manage your time at each location as you please, some of the destinations can be difficult to reach, especially if you don't know the island well.

So, getting into the rainforest or even a natural park is not easy. Despite the signs, you always run the risk of getting lost.

On the other hand, the presence of the guide will not only avoid this possible problem, but will also be able to solve any other setbacks. Not forgetting, of course, his role in explaining everything you are seeing.