O'ahu Filming Locations: Movie and TV Scenes You'll Recognize

October 5, 2026

By The Real Hawai'i team

Even if this is your first trip to O'ahu, parts of the island may look strangely familiar. For decades, filmmakers have come here for its jungle valleys, dramatic cliffs and perfect beaches – and for the ability to stand in for everywhere from a dinosaur island to a remote castaway beach. Spotting filming locations is a fun way to explore, and many of them are on the routes our tours already take.

Here are some of the best-known locations, what was filmed there and how to visit respectfully.

Kualoa: The Valley of the Dinosaurs

On the windward coast, the sheer, jagged ridges of Kualoa are probably the most filmed landscape in Hawai'i. Kualoa Ranch, a large private working ranch, has hosted many productions over the years, including:

• Jurassic Park (1993) and Jurassic World (2015)
• 50 First Dates (2004)
• Godzilla (2014)
• Kong: Skull Island (2017)
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
• The TV series Lost

You can see the famous ridges from the highway and from Kualoa Regional Park, where the small island of Mokoli'i sits just offshore. The valleys themselves are on private land, so to walk in the footsteps of the dinosaurs you'll need to join one of the ranch's own tours. Our Circle Island Tour passes right by this stretch of coast.

Halona Cove: From Here to Eternity

The small cove beside the Halona Blowhole lookout on the southeast shore is where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr filmed the famous beach scene in From Here to Eternity (1953). It is often called Eternity Beach. The view from the lookout is the best way to enjoy it; the climb down is steep and the water can be rough. Read our full post on Halona Blowhole and Eternity Beach.

The North Shore: Castaways and Surf Films

• Mokule'ia. The long, quiet beaches of Mokule'ia on the far North Shore were used for the beach camp of the plane-crash survivors in Lost.
• Pipeline and the North Shore surf breaks. The surf film Blue Crush (2002) was filmed on the North Shore, with its big-wave scenes set at Pipeline.
• Turtle Bay. The resort at Turtle Bay was the setting for the comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).

Plan your visit with our North Shore O'ahu guide.

Honolulu: Hawaii Five-0 and More

Honolulu itself has starred in many productions, most famously the police drama Hawaii Five-O and its 2010 reboot, Hawaii Five-0.

• 'Iolani Palace. The only official royal residence in the United States, home of Hawai'i's last monarchs. It appeared in the original Hawaii Five-O series as the team's headquarters, and it is well worth visiting for its own history.
• Ali'iolani Hale. Across the street, with the golden King Kamehameha statue in front, this historic government building appeared as headquarters in the reboot.
• Pearl Harbor. The 2001 film Pearl Harbor was filmed in part at the harbor. Today the Pearl Harbor National Memorial tells the real story of December 7, 1941, and is a moving visit in its own right.

Windward Beaches and Estates

The 1980s series Magnum, P.I. was filmed on O'ahu, and the estate known as "Robin's Nest" was a private oceanfront property in Waimanalo. It is a private home, so please enjoy the area's beautiful public beaches instead of looking for it. The film 50 First Dates used several O'ahu locations besides Kualoa, including Sea Life Park on the southeast coast.

Why Filmmakers Love O'ahu

O'ahu packs an extraordinary variety of scenery into a small island. Within an hour's drive, a film crew can find rainforest valleys, rugged lava coastlines, mountain cliffs, white-sand beaches and a modern city. Add reliable weather, an experienced local film workforce and an international airport, and it is easy to see why the island has played so many roles. The original Hawaii Five-O ran for twelve seasons, from 1968 to 1980, and introduced millions of viewers to Honolulu; productions have kept coming ever since.

A Little History of Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa's role in movies is only a small part of its story. The land has been owned by the same family since the mid-1800s, when Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, an advisor to the Hawaiian Kingdom, purchased it from King Kamehameha III. It is still a working cattle ranch today. The wider Kualoa area is also culturally significant to Native Hawaiians, and its valleys and ridges carry names and stories far older than any film.

Filming Locations at a Glance

Tips for Visiting Filming Locations

• Respect private property. Many locations, such as Kualoa's valleys and private estates, are only accessible through official tours or not at all. Never cross fences or "kapu" (no trespassing) signs for a photo.
• Remember that people live here. Some locations are in quiet residential neighborhoods. Park legally and keep noise down.
• Stay safe at coastal sites. Cliffs and coves that look calm on screen can be dangerous in real life. Read our ocean safety tips.
• Bring your camera. Recreating a famous shot is half the fun. Our photography tips will help.
• Look beyond the screen. Many of these places have Hawaiian names, histories and cultural meaning far older than any film. Your guide can share the stories.

Combine Filming Locations with a Tour

Filming locations are a natural part of a day exploring O'ahu, because the scenery that attracts film crews is the same scenery visitors come to see. Our private tours regularly include filming locations alongside scenic lookouts, cultural sites, beaches and local food. Tell your guide which films or shows you love, and we'll build them into the day where we can.

See the Circle Island Tour for the most locations in one day, the South Shore Tour for Halona and the southeast coast, or browse all of our private O'ahu tours.