What to Wear on the Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour: Dust, Shoes & Packing

Booking choice: The UTV Raptor tour, from $162 per person. Check dates Compare the options below

Two hours in an open-air UTV on the windward side of Oahu means dust in dry weather, mud in wet weather, sun either way, and no restroom stops. What you wear decides how much you enjoy it.

The quick answer

Wear clothes you do not mind getting stained by red dirt, closed-toe shoes with grip, and sunglasses. Bring a bandana or buff for the dust, a light rain jacket, water, sunscreen and a way to secure your phone. Use the restroom before you set off.

Trail shoes, sunglasses, a bandana, a water bottle and a rain jacket — The UTV kit: shoes, sunglasses, bandana, water and a rain layer.

What should you wear on the Kualoa UTV tour?

Old or dark clothes that can take red dirt: the ranch describes the tour as dusty and dirty, and the route crosses seasonal streams.

Shorts or light trousers and a T-shirt are fine in the heat. Red Hawaiian dirt can stain pale fabric, so leave the white linen at the hotel.

Dressed for the dust? Check dates for the UTV Raptor tour.

Check dates for the UTV Raptor tour

Which shoes are best?

Closed-toe shoes with grip, such as old trainers or trail shoes.

You will step in and out of the vehicle on dirt and possibly mud at the photo stops. Flip-flops slip off and give no protection. The ranch requires closed-toe, closed-heel shoes on its e-bike, horseback and zipline tours, so if you are combining tours, wear them anyway.

A UTV wheel splashing through a muddy stream — Stream crossings can splash the whole vehicle.

Do you need goggles or a bandana?

Bring sunglasses at least, and a bandana or buff for your nose and mouth on dry days.

The ranch suggests appropriate clothing, footwear and sunglasses. In a convoy, the vehicles ahead kick up dust, so a bandana makes the ride more comfortable; contact lens wearers will appreciate wraparound glasses.

What if it rains?

Tours go out rain or shine, so pack a light rain jacket or poncho; the dust simply turns to mud.

The windward coast catches passing showers, and they rarely spoil the tour. One guest who rode through on-and-off rain said it did not take away from the experience at all.

A lush valley at sunset with a red-dirt road — Showers pass quickly on the windward side.

What should you pack?

Pack light: you ride with everything you bring.

Water: guests recommend carrying a bottle
Sunscreen and a hat that will not blow off (or leave it in the car)
Sunglasses and a bandana or buff
A light rain jacket
A phone strap or pouch
Your voucher, photo ID and the driver's licence
A change of clothes and a towel for the car seat

Packed and ready? The UTV tour includes your helmet and the safety briefing.

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Explore the UTV Raptor tour

Can you take your phone or camera?

Yes, and you will want to, but keep it secured while driving and ready at the stops.

The ranch asks guests to keep devices secured during the ride. One guest's advice: have your camera ready for spots you might not get to stop at, as a passenger rather than the driver.

Are there restrooms and lockers?

Yes, at the ranch before and after the tour, but there are no restroom stops during the two-hour ride.

Self-service lockers cost $5 for the day, and the café and gift shop are next to the Ticket Office, so leave anything you do not need there.

A forested valley at Kualoa Ranch — Two hours in the valleys, with no facilities on the trail.

What about after the tour?

Plan to change or at least wipe down before getting back in the car, and bring a towel for the seat.

If you are heading to the beach afterwards, Secret Island at the ranch or Kualoa Regional Park across the road are the easiest places to wash off the dust. See getting there and back from Waikiki.

Adding a beach afternoon? Check dates for Secret Island at the ranch.

Check dates for Secret Island beach

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear sandals on the Kualoa UTV tour?

It is a poor idea: wear closed-toe shoes with grip for the dirt and mud at the stops.

Will my clothes get dirty on the UTV tour?

Probably. The ranch calls it a dusty and dirty adventure, and red dirt can stain pale fabric.

Do they provide helmets?

Yes. A helmet is included with the UTV tour.

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Prices are from-prices in USD with tax and can change. Kualoa Ranch listings on Viator are non-refundable, so check the driver and age rules before you book.