Kualoa Ranch Ocean Voyage Tour Review
On our last trip to Honolulu, we booked the Kualoa Ranch Ocean Voyage Tour in Oahu. This 90-minute adventure takes you on a scenic boat ride around Kaneohe Bay, offering sights of Mokoli’i Island, Hakipu’u and Kualoa valleys, and the Ko’olau mountain range. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your tour!
You’ll start your journey at the famous Kualoa Ranch, known for its movie filming locations and rich Hawaiian history. The tour combines two exciting parts: a fishpond cruise and an ocean voyage on a catamaran.
The Ocean Voyage Tour runs multiple times a day, from morning to afternoon. You can pick a time that fits your schedule and Kualoa Ranch runs it rain or shine!
What You Need to Know
Before you set off on your Kualoa Ranch Ocean Voyage Tour, there are a few key things to know.
Where to Check-In
You’ll find the check-in area for your ocean voyage at Kualoa Ranch. The ranch is located at 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744. When you arrive, look for signs pointing to the tour check-in desk.
Make sure to bring:
- Your photo ID
- Your tour voucher
The staff will ask to see both of these when you check-in. They might also ask for some info for contact tracing. It’s a good idea to arrive about 15-20 minutes early. This gives you time to park, find the check-in area, and fill out any needed forms.
Important Items to Bring
Pack smart for your ocean voyage! Here’s a quick list of must-haves:
- Sunscreen (reef-safe is best)
- Sunglasses
- Hat or visor
- Light jacket or windbreaker
- Water bottle
- Camera or smartphone for photos
- Motion sickness medicine (if you get seasick)
Wear comfy clothes that can get a bit wet. Shorts, t-shirts, and sandals or water shoes work well. Don’t forget to bring some cash for tips or snacks afterwards too.
Understanding the Weather and Ocean Conditions
Hawaii’s weather is usually great, but it can change quickly. Check the forecast before your tour day. Even if it looks sunny, bring a light jacket. The ocean breeze can be cool.
Ocean conditions can vary too. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medicine about an hour before the tour. The crew will tell you if the water is choppy that day.
Remember, all sales are final. There might be cancellation penalties if you change your mind. It was actually raining during our tour slot, and they were still running the tour! We ended up getting pretty wet, but thankfully we had our raincoats with us and still had a blast.
What You’ll See on the Kualoa Ranch Ocean Voyage Tour
Seeing Fish and Turtles
As you cruise along, keep your eyes peeled for marine life. The waters of Kāneʻohe Bay are teeming with colorful fish and sea turtles.
You might see:
- Bright yellow tangs darting through the water
- Graceful sea turtles swimming by
- Silvery needlefish skimming the surface
Don’t forget to look down! The water is so clear, you can often spot fish right from the boat.
If you’re lucky, you might even see a Hawaiian green sea turtle pop its head up for air.
Understanding Hawaiian Aquaculture
On our Kualoa Ranch Ocean Voyage Tour, we started with a boat ride on the Moli’i Fishpond, one of Hawaii’s largest and oldest. Built between 600 and 960 years ago, the pond ranges from 4 to 30 feet deep, perfect for raising fish.
As we cruised around the 125-acre pond, we learned about Hawaiian aquaculture practices.
The tour guides explained how ancient Hawaiians used fish ponds. These ponds were a smart way to farm fish right in the bay. You’ll see some of these ponds during your trip too.
Our guides shared interesting facts about:
- How fish ponds work
- What kinds of fish were raised
- Why aquaculture was important to Hawaiians
It’s a fun way to learn about traditional fishing methods and how Hawaiians managed this sustainable food source. It’s a great way to connect with Hawaii’s past and see how ancient practices still matter today.
Movie Filming Locations
For movie buffs, the Kualoa Ranch Ocean Voyage Tour also offers a chance to see some famous filming locations. The bay and the surrounding areas have been featured in several blockbuster films.
As we went through our tour, our guides pointed out different spots that have been used in movies and TV shows over the years.
While not as extensive as the Kualoa Ranch Movie Tour, the Ocean Voyage tour still gave us a fun behind-the-scenes look at different movie filming locations too. We learned cool facts about how they film in such a remote location.
Fun fact: We loved our experience so much that we ended up booking the Kualoa Ranch Hollywood Movie Tour for the very next day! Read about it HERE.
Catamaran Ride in Kaneohe Bay
After the fishpond part of the tour, our group walked to the Secret Island (picture above!) and boarded the catamaran. During this part of the ocean tour, we explored Kaneohe Bay and see panoramic views of the Koolau mountain range. The bay is relatively shallow, making the water appear a brilliant turquoise that was just stunning!
While the weather was pouring rain when we took our tour, the catamaran itself is stable and comfortable.
One of the highlights of the catamaran ride is the chance to see “Chinaman’s Hat” (Mokoli’i Island) up close. This small, conical island is a well-known landmark in Oahu and is often photographed from afar, but the catamaran ride gave us a unique vantage point. The island got its nickname because it resembles the peasant’s hat worn by rural farmers in China, but it’s also a significant site in Hawaiian mythology.
Looking for More Fun Things to Do in Hawaii?
- 14 Best Oahu Hikes & Top Trails for First-Time Visitors
- Where to Buy the Best Malasadas in Oahu, Hawaii
- Aloha Kai Luau at Sea Life Park Review – Our First Time!
- Kualoa Ranch Movie Tour – Our Jurassic Park Backyard Experience
- 15 Best Ice Cream Shops in Oahu to Beat the Hawaiian Heat
Subscribe to DWELL and get new travel ideas delivered straight to your inbox! In addition, follow along on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram to get all the latest updates!
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. Content is written by Michelle Schmidt and/or team of dwellbymichelle.com.
