Kauai Movie Location Tour: Pirates, Elvis & Descendants Sites

Stand at the exact spots where Hollywood filmed Pirates, Elvis and The Descendants

A full-day private guided movie location tour of Kauai departs from Lihue in a luxury SUV, visiting four major filming sites (Wailua Falls, Opaekaa Falls, Kīlauea Point Lighthouse and Hanalei Bay), where films including Pirates of the Caribbean, Blue Hawaii and The Descendants were shot. Your guide, fluent in English or Spanish, shares behind-the-scenes stories and local knowledge at each location. The tour includes locally sourced drinks and snacks, air-conditioned transport, and runs approximately 7 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Wailua Falls15m
2. Opaekaa Falls15m
3. Kīlauea Point Lighthouse15m
4. Hanalei Bay15m

Tour Kauai's famous movie locations

• Visit Wailua Falls
• See Opaekaa Falls
• Explore Kīlauea Point Lighthouse
• Stop at Hanalei Bay
• View Pirates of the Caribbean location

The experience

What draws filmmakers to Kauai? The same waterfalls, bays and cliffs that have stood in for everywhere from the Caribbean to a tropical island in a Disney film. This tour takes you to four of those locations in sequence, starting with Wailua Falls: the backdrop for Fantasy Island, Castaway Cowboy, The Amazing Race and Tropic Thunder. You'll stand at the same vantage point where those scenes were shot, with your guide walking you through what the camera captured and what the island actually looks like when the crew packs up.

From there the route moves to Opaekaa Falls, where Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawaii, then to Kīlauea Point Lighthouse, which appears in Lilo & Stitch. The final major stop is Hanalei Bay, where scenes from Dragonfly and The Descendants were filmed. A luxury SUV handles the driving between stops, keeping you comfortable in air conditioning while your guide (a local who knows the stories behind each location) fills in the details: which actors stood where, how the natural light changed the mood of a scene, what the place looks like now versus how it appeared on screen. Drinks and snacks made locally are included along the way.

The tour runs about 7 hours total, which is the span needed to move between these four locations without rushing and to spend real time at each one. You'll choose your guide's language (English or Spanish) when you book. Pickup from your Lihue accommodation is included, so the day starts and ends without you arranging transport.

What’s included

• Private luxury SUV with air conditioning.
• locally sourced drinks and snacks throughout the day.
• in-person guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• pickup from your Lihue accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesUp to age 85

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Kauai Luxury Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the actual filming locations of movies you've watched and hear the stories behind how each scene was shot. The private SUV and single guide mean the pace stays unhurried, so you have time to absorb each location instead of moving quickly through a group schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Which movies were actually filmed at Wailua Falls?

Wailua Falls appears in Fantasy Island, Castaway Cowboy, The Amazing Race and Tropic Thunder. The tour visits this location first and your guide explains which scenes were shot at the falls and what the filmmakers were after when they chose this spot.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Locally sourced drinks and snacks are provided throughout the day, but you'll want to plan a meal separately or bring your own.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs approximately 7 hours from start to finish, covering all four major filming locations with time to spend at each one and hear the behind-the-scenes stories.

What is Kīlauea Point Lighthouse used for in movies?

Kīlauea Point Lighthouse was filmed for Lilo & Stitch. The tour includes this stop so you can see the actual lighthouse and understand how it appeared in the film.

Can I choose between English and Spanish for the guide?

Yes. When you book, you'll select whether your guide speaks English or Spanish for the full day. The tour operates in whichever language you choose.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup from your Lihue accommodation is included. The luxury SUV will collect you and return you at the end of the 7-hour tour, so you don't need to arrange separate transport.