To be honest, I’m a huge fan of the Disney movie Moana, and the theme song in particular has always been one of my favorites. The world completely fell in love with the animated hit back in 2016. The story of a brave island teenager setting sail across the vast ocean captured millions of hearts. Now, the magic is coming to life in a brand-new way. A live version of Moana is officially on the horizon!
Fans have been buzzing with excitement ever since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced the live-action project. The internet immediately lit up with questions about how the studio would pull off such a visually stunning movie in real life. Naturally, the breathtaking island landscapes play a massive role in the story’s overall charm. The ocean is practically a main character itself!
To capture the enchanting oceans and islands featured in the animated film, the Moana live-action film locations were gathered in Hawaii. If you’d like to learn more, we will focus specifically on the gorgeous island of Oahu, Hawaii, where the real-world magic happened.
Table of contents
When Was Moana Live-Action Filmed?
Where Is the Film Moana Set?
Moana Live Action Filming Locations in Hawaii
Other Top Places to Visit on Oahu
When Was Moana Live-Action Filmed?
For the Moana movie live action, the production timeline was actually quite fast-paced and highly structured. Filming officially kicked off on July 29, 2024. The film began production in the studio sets in Atlanta, where the crew used massive indoor water tanks and giant green screens to shoot the challenging action sequences. They then traveled to Hawaii for on-location filming.
Release Date of the Live-Action Moana
The live-action trailer for Moana was released on March 24, and the film is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026. This summer also marks the 10th anniversary of the original animated film.
The film was originally scheduled for release in the summer of 2025, but since the animated sequel Moana 2 is set to be released in November 2024, the live-action film has been postponed to 2026 to avoid a scheduling conflict.
Where Is the Film Moana Set?
The story takes place on the island of Motunui. This is a fictional island, but it remains deeply rooted in real history, real geography, and real traditions. The creator drew inspiration from the ancient Polynesian cultures of the South Pacific, a beautiful region that includes the real-world nations of Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, and Hawaii.
Thousands of years ago, the people of the Pacific were among the world’s greatest navigators. Relying solely on the stars, ocean currents, and the wind, they sailed across the vast, boundless oceans. They built massive double-hulled canoes capable of withstanding extreme storms.
Moana Live Action Filming Locations in Hawaii
Hawaii is the perfect setting for depicting the ocean in films, with Oahu serving as the primary location for live-action productions. It boasts lush tropical forests, spectacular jagged mountain ranges, and pristine beaches. Based on the available information, we have identified three specific filming locations.
Pokai Bay Beach
Pokai Bay served as the filming location for the sailing scenes in the movie, particularly the canoeing scenes in the animated film. Located on the leeward (west) coast of Oahu in the local town of Waianae, Pokai Bay is a true hidden gem. Most tourists flock to Waikiki, leaving this beautiful western beach peaceful and quiet.
If you visit Pokai Bay today, you will find a peaceful, family-friendly beach. It is a fantastic place for swimming and paddleboarding. Because the waves remain so gentle, it is highly popular with local families teaching their kids how to swim. You might even spot a protected Hawaiian monk seal resting on the warm sand or sea turtles gliding through the clear blue water. Just be sure to give the wildlife plenty of space and respect the local environment!
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is arguably the most popular filming location in Hawaii for Hollywood movies. Often referred to as “Hawaii’s Hollywood Backlot,” this massive 4,000-acre private nature reserve sits beautifully on the windward east coast of Oahu. While Pokai Bay provided the perfect ocean setting, Kualoa Ranch offers the dramatic, towering green mountains you see standing tall in the background of Motunui. The jagged, emerald peaks of the Koʻolau Mountain Range look like a prehistoric paradise. The steep cliffs feature deep ridges carved by thousands of years of heavy rainfall.
Kualoa Ranch has hosted dozens of massive blockbuster films and television shows over the years. Movies like Jurassic Park, Kong: Skull Island, and Jumanji all utilized these stunning valleys to create movie magic. The ranch operates several fantastic guided tours that take you deep into the Kaʻaʻawa Valley to view the actual filming sites.
You can ride an open-air ATV, jump on an electric e-bike, or take a vintage school bus tour to view the locations up close. Even if you are not a huge movie buff, the ranch remains incredibly beautiful. They also operate as a working cattle ranch and agricultural farm. Taking a guided tour here gives you a deep, profound appreciation for the raw natural beauty of Oahu.
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley, located on the North Shore of Oahu, is a magnificent botanical and cultural wonder that embodies the essence of the tropical jungle. Waimea Valley features a fully paved, family-friendly walking trail that winds directly through lush gardens packed with vibrant tropical flowers and ancient, towering trees. Colorful peacocks wander freely across the lawns. Along the shaded path, you will see traditional Hawaiian living sites, known locally as hale. These historical structures are built entirely from natural materials like wood, grass, and woven coconut fibers. They look incredibly similar to the village huts seen in the movie. It is a brilliant place to learn exactly how ancient Polynesians lived off the land and thrived in harmony with nature.
At the very end of the trail, you are rewarded with a stunning 45-foot waterfall known as Waimea Falls. When the weather conditions are safe and the water flow is steady, on-duty lifeguards actually allow visitors to swim in the deep pool at the base of the falls. Floating in the cool, fresh water surrounded by steep rock walls and dense greenery feels absolutely magical. It is the perfect spot to channel your inner wayfinder and feel connected to the island. After your walk, you can grab a refreshing Hawaiian shave ice near the entrance to cool down.
Other Top Places to Visit on Oahu
Oahu’s appeal goes far beyond its role as a movie location; this famous Hawaiian island is brimming with stunning scenery.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Found on the breezy northern coast, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a 42-acre park that operates as a massive, interactive living museum. You can walk through six distinct island villages representing Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, and Aotearoa.
Here, you’ll have the chance to watch a professional performance of the traditional fire knife dance, as well as a fun demonstration on how to peel a coconut by hand.
Waikiki Beach
Of course, you can’t miss the famous Waikiki Beach, which attracts visitors from all over the world, so expect it to be a bit crowded. This iconic beach also faces the Honolulu skyline, offering postcard-perfect views. You can get a longboard, paddle out, and catch a wave while looking back at the iconic Diamond Head crater towering over the city skyline. Walking down Kalakaua Avenue at sunset, listening to live ukulele music, is a vibe you just cannot beat.
Hanauma Bay
This is a great place for families with children to visit, offering the chance to see a wide variety of marine life and learn about underwater ecosystems. This highly protected marine reserve is naturally situated within a sunken volcanic crater, and the water remains crystal-clear year-round. If you want to see real, living versions of the colorful sea creatures from the animated hit, you must book a ticket to Hanauma Bay.
Do you know the interesting name of Hawaii’s official state fish? Here you’ll see the humuhumunukunukunukuapua’a, also known as the reef triggerfish. Even more unique is snorkeling among coral reefs, exploring the underwater world, and swimming safely alongside graceful green sea turtles.
Waimea Bay
Finally, you need to take a highly scenic drive up to Waimea Bay on the famous North Shore. The entire atmosphere here shifts drastically depending on the time of year. During the summer, the ocean goes completely flat, leaving behind a massive, natural swimming pool. But when winter arrives, massive swells generate aggressive waves that often reach 30 feet high!
In the summer, travelers can challenge themselves by jumping into the ocean from the rocks at Waimea Bay. In the winter, brave professional surfers take on the massive winter waves.
FAQ
Who is playing the live-action Moana?
Catherine Laga’aia, a newcomer actress and singer from Australia, will play the lead role of Moana. As for the demigod Maui, he will be portrayed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who also provided the voice for Maui in the animated version. John Tui plays Chief Tui, Frankie Adams plays Sina, and Rena Owen takes on the beloved role of the wise Gramma Tala.
Is there a live-action Moana trailer?
Yes! Disney officially dropped a teaser trailer that immediately sent the internet into an absolute frenzy. The trailer prominently features the beautiful scenery of Hawaii and sparkling blue waves, and even includes a brief snippet of the classic song “How Far I’ll Go.”
Has Moana 3 been confirmed?
As of now, Disney has not officially confirmed the production of a third animated film. However, the live-action version is set to be released in July 2026.
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