Finding a luau on Oahu – Reviews, Discounts, Locations & Schedules

If you are planning to catch a luau on Oahu, you’re in for a treat. Many of the longstanding Oahu luaus offer grand productions with set stages and many entertainers.

If you’ve never been to a luau, you should expect a buffet dinner and a Polynesian music and dance show. For more insights for first-timers, see our article – What to Expect from your First Time to a Hawaiian Luau.

We’ve created this Oahu luau guide to help you choose the right luau to plan into your Oahu vacation itinerary. We’re including all the important details to consider — location, reviews, schedules and where applicable, discounts.

We’ll list the luaus geographically — going around Oahu in a clockwise manner. While we’re talking about geography, its important to note that the bigger luaus are outside of Waikiki. Don’t panic though if you are staying in Waikiki, as several luau companies offer transportation options to make the process stress free.

North & East Oahu

Toa Luau at Waimea Valley
Address: 59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Note that Toa Luau offers both mid-day and evening showings.
Link: Toa Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor and Yelp
Discounts: TBD
Transportation from Waikiki: none
Notes: Tropical setting in Waimea Valley by botanical gardens. (See our article on Waimea Valley and the swimmable Oahu waterfall.) Each luau ticket includes entrance into the valley for exploration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Paniolo, A Hawaiian Cowboy Luau
Address: Turtle Bay Resort p 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731
Schedule: Wednesdays
Link: Paniolo, A Hawaiian Cowboy Luau
Reviews: TBD
Discounts: TBD
Transportation from Waikiki: none
Notes: This luau is set at the stables at Turtle Bay Resort.

Polynesian Cultural Center *Go Visit Hawaii’s Top Oahu Luau Pick*
Address: 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, Hawaii 96762
Schedule: Open Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
Link:   Polynesian Cultural Center
Reviews: Go Visit Hawaii’s review of Ali’i Luau, TripAdvisor reviews
Discounts: Save 10% or more when you book directly online with the Polynesian Cultural Center when you book at least 10 days in advance online.
Transportation from Waikiki: Available option
Notes: A visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center is more than just a luau. A long, but excellent day starts by arriving around noon to explore the various Polynesian villages and presentations. See the floating canoe pageant. Then have dinner at the Alii Luau with luau entertainment. Finish the night with their spectacular evening show, HA: Breath of Life. If you happen to visit on a rainy day, most of the venues, including the luau and evening show are set in covered, but open air pavilions, so, if it rains, you are covered. Alcohol is not served at this venue.

Aloha Kai Luau at Sea Life Park 
Address: 41-202 Kalaniana’ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96785
Schedule: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
Link: Video overview of Aloha Kai Luau There are three seating options with the best being the Gold Package. The Silver Package is the next best option and the Bronze Package is the least expensive. Note that Gold and Silver packages include passes to Sea Life Park.
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Transportation from Waikiki: Available option. Note the option for early arrival to allow time to explore Sea Life Park.
Notes: This luau has a very unique setting with ocean on one side and mountains immediately on the other side. This luau has been in operation for many years, but it changed its name to Aloha Kai Luau in 2023.

Waikiki & Honolulu

Pa’ina Luau Waikiki at Waikiki Beach Marriott
Address: 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Schedule: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Links: Pa’ina Waikiki Luau and Waikiki Beach Marriott’s page about this luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Notes: This luau is located in Waikiki at the Waikiki Beach Marriott. This is Waikiki’s newest luau which opened in June 2023.

Experience Nutridge
Address: Nutridge Street, Honolulu, HI 96822
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Link: Experience Nutridge
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Transportation from Waikiki: Available option
Notes: Tropical, ridge setting by Pu’u Ualaka’a State Park. Described as “no big production” and a luau that focuses on sharing Hawaiian culture.

Queens Waikiki Luau at International Marketplace
Address: 2330 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Schedule: Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Links: Three seating options – Front Row Seating, Middle Row Seating and Back Row Seating
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Notes: Very convenient location in the heart of Waikiki in a courtyard setting.

Aha’aina Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel – Waikiki
Address: 2259 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Schedule:  Mondays and Thursdays
Link: Royal Hawaiian Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Notes: Held at the oceanfront Coconut Grove of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village – Waikiki
Address: 2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815
Schedule: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Link: Starlight Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Notes: Set on the lawn fronting the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort.

Diamond Head Luau – Honolulu/Waikiki – Reopening in 2024
Address: 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Schedule: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Link: Diamond Head Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: This luau purchase also includes tickets to the Waikiki Aquarium. Best pricing for VIP package.
Notes: Beachfront setting on the lawn by the Waikiki Aquarium. Luau price includes tickets into the aquarium valid for 14 days after the luau.

Ka Moana Luau at Aloha Tower (new location at historic Aloha Tower)
Address: 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu , HI 96813
Schedule: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Link: Ka Moana Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: Best, direct pricing for the Celebrity Package with table service and closest seating to the stage here.
Transportation from Waikiki: Available option
Notes: Outdoor setting at the historic Aloha Tower. This luau offers several organic options on their menu. Note that this luau moved, in name only, from Sea Life Park to Aloha Tower.

Central and West Oahu

Germaine’s Luau
Address: 91-119 Olai St, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Schedule:  Open Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Link: Germaine’s Luau
Reviews:  TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: From time to time, they offer discounts if you book directly with them online, so check their website.
Transportation from Waikiki: Available
Notes: None

Fia Fia at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club
Address: 92-161 Waipahe Place, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Schedule: Tuesdays only
Link: Fia Fia
Reviews: Go Visit Hawaii’s review, TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Transportation from Waikiki: None
Notes: Oceanside lawn setting

Paradise Cove Luau
Address: 91-119 Olai St, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707 (It’s in Ko Olina Resort.)
Schedule: Daily
Link:  Paradise Cove Luau
Reviews: We have been to this luau, see our review for Paradise Cove. For other opinions, see TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews.
Discounts: For many years, the Hawaii entertainment coupon book has had coupons 25% off coupons for up to four adults. We have confirmed that the 2023 digital edition have that coupon.
Transportation from Waikiki: Available
Notes: Beachside setting.

Chief’s Luau at Wet n’ Wild
Address:400 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
Link: Chief’s Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews – Note that some of the older reviews are based on the former Sea Life Park location. In January 2018, this luau moved across the island to Wet ‘n Wild.
Discounts: TBD
Transportation from Waikiki: Available option
Notes: We haven’t been to this luau, but we have been to Fia Fia which was lead by the same person, Chief Sielu Avea, who is a superb master of ceremonies and performer.

Ka Wa’a – A Luau at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Address: 92-1185 Ali’inui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707 (It’s at the Aulani resort which is part of the larger Ko Olina Resort.)
Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Link: Ka Wa’a Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews
Discounts: TBD
Transportation from Waikiki: None
Notes: Lawn setting on the grounds of the Aulani Resort.

Mauka Warriors Luau
Address: 94-1211 Kunia Rd, Wahiawa, HI 96797
Schedule: Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Link: Mauka Warriors Luau
Reviews: TripAdvisor reviews
Discounts: Best, direct pricing for the closest seating to the stage with the “Royal Package” can be found here.
Transportation from Waikiki: Available
Notes: Lawn setting near the golf course at the Hawaii Country Club

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Final thoughts and tidbits:

• Some of the Oahu luaus at the hotels are more “pop up” in nature, while others have permanent stages and structures. The bigger luaus tend to have more permanent settings. The biggest production luaus are Polynesian Cultural Center, Germaine’s Luau and Paradise Cove.
• We have not listed pricing for each luau option because pricing can and does change without notice. Additionally, some luaus have numerous options based on amenities and seating location. From each link you should be able to navigate to a pricing page or to contact information for more details.
• Almost all luau options have different pricing packages. If your budget allows, we recommend the highest end options as they’re generally not too terribly more expensive. The seating nearest the stage offers the best view of the Polynesian dancers. Beyond the upgraded seating, the higher-end experiences usually come with better perks.
• Schedules are subject to change.
• This page was updated December 2023.

Have you been to a luau on Oahu? Which one did you go to? How did you like it?