Movie Locations Day Tour

Kauai: Hawaii Movie Tour runs through Roberts Hawaii. Rated 4.8 across 123 reviews. Runs 6 hours (approx.). From $189.

Check park access before you go. Stops inside state parks (Waimea Canyon, Koke'e, Wailua River and Secret Falls) follow current DLNR notices and can be closed. Check the booking page for which stops are running on your date.

Overview

Roberts Hawaii runs this six hour bus circuit around Kauai with one thread connecting every stop: the movies filmed on the island. Movie clips play on board as the bus approaches each location, so travellers watch the scene and then look out at the real spot where it was shot. Guides add island history along the way, and several reviewers said they learned as much about Kauai itself as about the films.

The route works through Wailua Falls, Hanamaulu Beach, Opaekaa Falls, Kilauea Lighthouse and Hanalei Pier, with several sights passed from the window, including Wailua River State Park, Kapa'a Town Park, Kalalea Mountain, 'Aliomanu Beach and Hanalei Valley. Stops are short, around fifteen to twenty minutes each, with free admission throughout.

The tour suits movie buffs, first time visitors who want an orientation to the whole island, and families. Children under 4 travel free on an adult's lap. It runs with a minimum of six adults and caps at twenty two travellers, so it can cancel if numbers are low. Expect a relaxed, seated day of sightseeing rather than a hike.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from select hotels is included. Pickup from Poipu carries an additional $11.00 charge per person, and there is no service from the Hanalei or Princeville areas.
2. Wailua FallsA 15 minute stop with free admission to view the falls.
3. Hanamaulu BeachA 15 minute stop with free admission.
4. Opaekaa FallsA 20 minute stop with free admission. Along the way the bus passes Wailua River State Park, Kapa'a Town Park, Kalalea Mountain and 'Aliomanu Beach.
5. Kilauea LighthouseA 15 minute stop with free admission, passing Hanalei Valley en route.
6. Hanalei PierA 15 minute stop with free admission.
7. ReturnThe bus heads back toward pickup points, with the full experience running about 6 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape the day, from pickup fees to lunch timing.

• Bring a snack. The lunch stop comes partway through a long day on the road. One reviewer was very hungry by the time the stop arrived and recommended bringing a snack.
• Pace and fitness. The listing asks for a moderate physical fitness level, though the day is mostly seated with short stops at each location. Reviews describe a relaxing, entertaining pace rather than anything strenuous.
• Dress for stops. Some stops include sandy, uneven or unpaved paths, per the listing. Comfortable shoes and sun protection make sense for the short walks at falls, beaches and the lighthouse.
• Enjoy the clips. Movie clips play on board as the bus reaches each filming location. Several reviewers said seeing the scenes on screen matched with the actual spot was a highlight of the tour.
• Good first day. One reviewer recommended this tour early in a Kauai trip because it orients you to the whole island. Another used it as a relaxing wind-down at the end of a vacation, so it works in either position.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and the listing states that a weather cancellation brings an offer of a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum of six adults to run, and cancellations for low numbers or poor weather come with an offer of a different date, a different experience or a full refund. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and ADA vehicle reservations must be made at least 48 hours ahead, with some stops not ADA accessible and no lift deployment possible at Moloaa Bay, the Gilligan's Island location. Pickup from Hanalei and Princeville is not offered, and Poipu pickup costs $11.00 extra per person. One reviewer felt there were too many unnecessary stops.

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