The Jurassic Park Franchise Was Mainly Filmed in Hawaii!
The Jurassic Park franchise is one of the most iconic franchises in Hollywood. The Hawaiian islands have provided THE perfect backdrop for this stunning franchise which revived dinosaurs from extinction, both in the movie and in the minds of millions of fans. In the iconic films, the islands shown are located just off the coast of Costa Rica. The very first time they show the island is when all the main characters fly in on a helicopter. The audience is shown the gorgeous views of a Hawaiian island. The original Jurassic Park film (1993) changed the way we use CGI in films forever (in terms of dinosaur CGI). The CGI used in that film holds up to this day, 31 years later, in 2024. The franchise was filmed in many locations around the world but mainly in Hawaii, on the islands of Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. Some other locations included California, British Columbia, England, and Malta (but that was in the newer Jurassic World movies, namely Fallen Kingdom and Dominion). I remember watching the original Jurassic Park movie as a kid, and I was thoroughly mesmerized by the film, the cinematography, the scenery, and, of course, the dinosaurs.
Original Jurassic Park Filming Locations:
The first Jurassic Park movie (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg, was primarily filmed in Hawaii, on the islands of Oahu and Kauai, and some scenes in California.
Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle” and served as the primary filming location for so many scenes in the movie. Here are some key sites:
Manawaiopuna Falls:
It is prominently featured in the shots where the helicopter lands near a waterfall, specifically in the arrival scene when John Hammond, Dr. Alan Grant, and his team first arrive on the island. Because of its iconic appearance in the original film, it is often referred to as “Jurassic Park Falls.”
Jurassic Kahili Ranch:
This is a working cattle ranch that was used for a couple of scenes in which we encounter the Brachiosaurus. This range also offers a couple of tours that highlight its appearance in movies throughout the years.
Limahuli garden:
This place makes an appearance in the opening scene, where a park employee gets attacked by a velociraptor. It is a botanical garden that is a top-rated tourist attraction on the island.
Hanapepe Valley:
This body is shown in many areas shot to showcase the lush valley that depicts the dense jungles of Isla Nublar in the movie. The best way to experience this valley is with one of the helicopter tours we offer. It gives you great views of the valley as well as the famous “Jurassic Falls.”
Na Pali Coast:
This location offers dramatic cliffs that were featured in the aerial shots throughout the franchise. It is a stunning coastline that serves as a great reminder that Hawaii’s natural beauty is unparalleled and offers immense cinematic significance. If you want to visit this location, you can take a boat tour, or you can hop on one of our helicopter tours to fully appreciate this breathtaking landscape. You can see it exactly as it is shown in the movies if you choose one of the helicopter tours we offer.
Oahu has contributed significantly to the film as well.
Kualoa Ranch:
It is perhaps one of the most famous locations in Jurassic Park. This ranch hosted many key scenes, including the Gallimumus stampede scene. It is an expensive 4000-acre nature reserve that offers guided tours to tourists.
Ka’a’awa Valley:
This is a picture of the valley that provided a stunning backdrop for many sequences during the movie.
Manoa Falls:
The lush greenery surrounding Manoa Falls also contributed to the jungle scenes in the movie. This location exemplifies the diverse ecosystems found in Hawaii and offers an extraordinary hiking experience. The trail to Manoa Falls is relatively easy and accessible for all kinds of hikers, which makes it the perfect spot if you want to immerse yourself in nature while also recalling scenes from the movies.
Jurassic World Filming Locations
Jurassic World is the fourth installment in the Jurassic franchise, released in 2015. It instantly became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, and it features stunning locations primarily shot in Hawaii
Kualoa Ranch in Oahu:
As mentioned above, it is one of the most iconic filming locations in the Jurassic franchise. It features dramatic landscapes that have served as the backdrop for many iconic scenes. In Jurassic World, it was used to show Owen Grady’s bungalow and the Indominus Rex paddock.
The movie also featured Jurassic Kahili Ranch, Na Pali Coast, Manawaiopuna Falls, and Manoa Falls. Many of the original locations were used, which served as a great callback to the original. Fans of the franchise have praised all the callbacks to the original, as they hit them with so much nostalgia.
The tours we offer:
There are a number of Jurassic franchise-related tours you can take to fully immerse yourself in all of the locations in the movies. There are also tons of outdoor activities you can take part in.
In the heart of Oahu, we have tours that take you all around the Kualoa Ranch. This ranch has been featured in many movies and TV shows. It was most recently featured in Kong: Skull Island as well.
We offer 2-hour long rides in UTV Raptors and ATV Raptors.
We also offer a proper “Hollywood movie sites tour,” which includes information about all the sites used and a visit to them. The tour is guided and can last up to 2.5 hours.
We have a specific “Jurassic Adventure Tour” that focuses specifically on the Jurassic Franchise and lasts around 2.5 hours. Die-hard fans of the Jurassic franchise have reviewed this tour as one of their favorite experiences of all time. The Jurassic Park tour is relatively affordable and should be on your bucket list, especially if you are a Jurassic Park and Jurassic World fan.
There is a “Jurassic Jungle Jeep Expedition,” which has also been reviewed very well. This tour lasts around 90 minutes.
The helicopter tour which shows you all the locations around the island where the movies were filmed is our most popular one to date.
Get in touch with us today for more information about the tours and to check availabilities on specific tours and dates.
Some Fun Facts:
- Jurassic Park (1993) and its sequel, Jurassic World (2015), were mostly filmed in Hawaii, where you can see the islands’ amazing landscapes. Some of the most famous places to visit are Kualoa Ranch on Oahu and various spots on Kauai, like Manawaiopuna Falls, also known as “Jurassic Falls.”
- Kualoa Ranch is like “Hawaii’s Backlot” because it’s been used in a lot of movies and TV shows. You can see places like the Indominus Rex paddock and the log where Dr. Grant and the kids hide from the Gallimimus herd. They even have tours that let you explore these famous filming locations.
- During the filming of the original Jurassic Park, Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai in 1992 and caused extensive damage to the sets. So, director Steven Spielberg moved some of the filming to Oahu, specifically Kualoa Ranch, where they shot many of the most memorable scenes.
- Keopuka Rock: Also known as “Jurassic Rock,” this rock off Maui was featured in a helicopter scene in Jurassic Park. It’s a really cool spot to visit, and it’s even been in other movies!
- Halona Beach Cove: This beach was featured in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and it’s also been in other movies. It’s a beautiful place, and it’s a great spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.
- Hawaii’s Ecosystems: Hawaii’s diverse ecosystems provide a perfect backdrop for the Jurassic franchise. From lush rainforests to rugged coastlines, there’s something for everyone. This variety enhances the visual storytelling of the films and draws tourists interested in both nature and cinema.
FAQs:
1. How much of Jurassic Park was filmed on Kauai?
A huge chunk of the original Jurassic Park was filmed on Kauai. You’ll recognize places like Manawaiopuna Falls, Hanapepe Valley, and those breathtaking scenes along the Na Pali Coast. They totally captured the island’s stunning natural beauty and dramatic landscapes.
2. Where was Jurassic Park 2 filmed in Hawaii?
The Lost World: Jurassic Park was mainly filmed on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. You’ll recognize places like Kipu Kai Beach and the lush forests that set the perfect scene for all the action-packed scenes in the movie!
3. Which are the best months in the year to do the Jurassic tours?
If you’re looking for the perfect time to go on a Jurassic tour in Hawaii, April and November are the best months. The weather is usually mild and stable during these times, so you can enjoy all the outdoor activities you want.