The 7 Best Big Island Luaus by Location (2026)

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Expectations are high when you book a night out for a luau. A Polynesian luau is a dinner show at its finest. You should be awed by the dancing, entertained by the MC, captivated by the stories, and satisfied by the delicious food. 

As a luau may be your most expensive dinner out on the Big Island, let us help you pick from the best Big Island luaus for you. You can book your luau with confidence and ease using our booking links below. We earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for being so supportive!

Before we dive in, a quick note on pricing. We include prices here, but we’ve experienced price changes often in the past year. We’ll update prices regularly, but the price listed here may differ from the price you see when you click the booking button.

Want to cut to the chase? Here are quick links to the best Big Island luaus:
Luau at the Mauna Kea Resort, general and premium seating
Hawai’i Loa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid, Wed & Sat shows, best family luau
Sunset Luau on A-Bay is a great location with an open bar and is perfect if you’re staying at the Waikoloa Hilton or the Marriott.
He ‘Ohana Kakou luau in downtown Kailua-Kona, Sun, Tue, Wed, & Thur
Hale Hoaloha Luau at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast: Friday only
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona Resort, Mon, Tue, Wed, & Fri
Feast and Fire Luau at the Kona Outrigger Resort, Mon & Thur

The Best Luaus in Hawaii: Video

We’ve visited luaus on each island to bring you the best! We get to the Big Island at the 17:30 minute mark in the video below and highlight our favorites.

Big Island Luaus: Kohala Coast Resorts

These Big Island luaus are located on the Kohala Coast. If you’re staying in Waikoloa or in one of the many fine resorts and vacation rentals along this coast, these luaus will be a convenient drive for you.

The luau at Mauna Kea is the furthest north. It is 10 miles (17 minutes) from Waikoloa Beach and 33 miles (40 minutes) from downtown Kailua-Kona.

Lū‘au at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Drive up the Kohala Coast to the luau on the jaw-dropping Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea) Beach. The Mauna Kea Resort luau is popular for its traditional Hawaiian food and the intimate setting. You will hear ancient Hawaiian stories mixed with Polynesian dancing. They have both general seating tickets and premium seating tickets.

Highlights include:

• Table-service
• Traditional, gourmet Hawaiian cuisine
• Sunset at Kauna’oa Beach
• Complimentary mai tai and hosted bar

Why we love this luau: the beach location, with ocean views and excellent food. The price tag and lack of an open bar are disappointing.

• Location: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (click for directions)
• Length: 2.5 hours
• Days Available: Tuesdays and Fridays
• Price: starting at $180

Hawai’i Loa Lū‘au at Fairmont Orchid

Also located on the Kohala Coast (but not as far up as the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel) is the Hawai’i Loa Lu’au at the Fairmont Orchid. This luau is known as the best family luau on the island.

This Polynesian luau is all about the story. Follow a family from Tahiti as they journey to Hawaii, with the lively beat of the toere drum. The luau is popular for its smaller venue, excellent food, and Samoan fire dancers, who are always a hit.

Highlights include:

• All-you-can-eat buffet
• Open bar, but can get long lines and limited drink options
• Traditional hula dancing to live music
• Traditional Hawaiian food plus local favorites
• Play traditional games before the show

Why we love this luau: The luau is well-regarded for its dancers’ and entertainers’ performances. We recommend you arrive early, as the Fairmont Orchid is a beautiful resort on a lovely part of the coast.

• Location: Fairmont Orchid (click for directions)
• Length: 2 to 3 hours
• Days Available: Wednesday and Saturday
• Price: starting at $214

Sunset Luau at Waikoloa Marriott Resort

Conveniently located at the Waikoloa Marriott Resort (see our full review here), the Sunset Luau is the luau to book for jaw-dropping sunsets over A-Bay. The lei greeting, great food, and fire knife dancing have put this luau on our list.

A big bonus for a Big Island luau is that your ticket includes an open bar.

If you’re staying in the Waikoloa Resort area, this is the luau to book!

Highlights include:

• All-you-can-eat buffet
• Open bar, all night
• Traditional hula dancing and fire knife dancing
• Traditional Hawaiian food plus local favorites
• Lei greeting

Details for Legends of Hawai’i Lua’au:

• Location: Waikoloa Marriott on A-Bay (click for directions)
• Length: 3.5 hours
• Days Available: Monday and Wednesday
• Price: $209 for general seating and $261 for premium seating

Hale Hoaloha Luau at the Mauna Lani Resort

We are big fans of the Mauna Lani Resort, as featured in our review video here. If you’re staying at the resort or a nearby vacation spot, this is the luau for you!

This is another Island Breeze Production luau, so you can expect excellent performers, an original show, and great food.

The biggest downside with this luau is that it is available on Friday nights. Seasonally, they have Monday nights available. I hope you’re visiting the Mauna Lani on Fridays.

Highlights include:

• All-you-can-eat buffet
• Lei greeting with all the tickets
• Complimentary drinks with an Ohana Package (standard)
• Open bar with the Ali’i Package (premium)
• Traditional hula dancing and fire knife dancing
• Traditional Hawaiian food plus local favorites

Details for Hale Hoaloha Luau at the Mauna Lani:

• Location: Mauna Lani Resort (click for directions)
• Length: 3.5 hours
  • 5:30 pm – Check-In Begins
  • 5:45 pm – Preliminary Activities
  • 6:00 pm – Dinner Service
  • 7:00 pm Hale Hoaloha Performance Begins
• Days Available: Friday and seasonally on Mondays
• Price: $220 for the Ohana Package and $270 for the Ali’i Package

Learn more and shop the two ticket prices at the button below.

Keep exploring the Kohala Coast:

• Kona vs Waikoloa: What’s the Best Place to Stay on the Big Island
• The 15 Best Things To Do In Waikoloa
• Stargazing on the Kohala Coast

Big Island Lū‘aus: Kailua-Kona

We feel the luaus around Kailua-Kona are the most classic on the island. Plus, they are conveniently located in Kailua-Kona or just south at the Outrigger Kona Resort. The Outrigger Kona Resort is 7.5 miles or 15 minutes south of downtown Kailua-Kona.

Island Breeze Luau – He ‘Ohana Kakou

Located in downtown Kailua-Kona on the beautiful Kamakahonu Beach, He ‘Ohana Kakou luau is a favorite Polynesian luau for the whole family. The luau features a presentation of the Royal Court. The history and storytelling are a favorite of this luau.

Highlights include:

• All-you-can-eat buffet and full bar
• Open bar
• Fire-knife dancing finale

Why we love it: The location in Kailua-Kona is convenient, and the show makes this a popular luau, plus the open bar is included. For the price, some don’t feel the show and the food meet expectations.

• Location: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel (click for directions)
• Length: 2.5 hours
• Days Available: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Price: $175

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at Royal Kona Resort

Located at the Royal Kona Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Voyagers of the Pacific Luau is best known for its traditional Hawaiian hula dancing and spectacular Samoan fire-knife dancing climax. Take in stories of how the Polynesians set out to discover the islands of the Pacific.

Highlights include:

• All-you-can-eat buffet and full bar
• Oceanfront seating overlooking Kailua Bay
• Fire-knife dancing finale

Why we love it: The location on Kailua Bay and the show make this a popular luau. A common review is that the food taste doesn’t match the quality of the show.

• Location: Royal Kona Hotel (click for directions)
• Length: 3 hours
• Days Available: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Price: $178

Feast and Fire Luau at the Kona Outrigger

A relatively new luau, the Feast and Fire Luau is located at the Kona Outrigger Resort. Although it’s new, it has received strong reviews, particularly for its outdoor location. But in the event of rain, you’ll be moved to an inside location that isn’t nearly as magical. 

Highlights include:

• Pre-luau activities with Hawaiian craft demonstrations and hula lessons
• Open bar with beer, wine, and mai tais
• Private and general seating available
• Buffet dinner
• Fire dancing

Why we love it: If you’re not big on sharing a table with people you don’t know, the private seating option here is key.

• Location: Kona Outrigger Resort (click for directions)
• Length: 2-3 hours
• Days Available: Monday and Thursday
• Price: $185 for general seating and $225 for preferred seating

Keep exploring Kailua-Kona:
The 21 Best Things to do in Kona (+ tips to know before you go)
Where to Stay in Kona: the 7 Best Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Tried and Tested: The 6 Best Manta Ray Night Snorkel (or Dive) in Kona

Big Island Luau FAQs

Are the luaus outside?

Yes, rain or shine, all these luaus are outdoors in the beautiful Hawaii weather. They will continue with the show if the rains come, so be mentally prepared. They do their best to keep you comfortable. The only exception is the Feast and Fire Luau as noted above.

Are luaus worth it on the Island of Hawaii?

It depends on your expectations. Luaus can be a great experience, a memorable part of your vacation. Or, they can be a disappointment and something you wish you hadn’t done. But the key is to know what to expect and what you’ll enjoy.

If you go to Vegas for the shows, then a luau is up your alley, so find your type and book early! If you’re not worried about the price and want just to enjoy an evening show, you’ll probably love a luau.

But if you’re on the fence, here are some reasons most people end up feeling disappointed. Given the high price, they expect the food to be better. But these luaus cater to 100+ people, often buffet style, and include traditional dishes, so this probably won’t be the best meal you have on the island.

If you expect a gourmet meal for the steep cost and don’t care much about entertainment, a luau might not be the right activity for you. But don’t worry, we’ve included some alternatives below. 

Best Big Island luau for families 

While all luaus on the Big Island are family-friendly, one stands out. The Hawai’iloa Lū‘au at Fairmont Orchid is a great show for kids. The activities before the show are great, the outdoor location is beautiful, fire-knife dancing is always a hit, and the price point is decent, all making this a great family-friendly luau.

Is it better to go to a luau on the Big Island or Oahu?

While both islands have great luaus, if given the choice, going to a luau on the Big Island is a better option. You can find a good luau that is conveniently located near your vacation rental or resort, so you don’t have to travel too far. 

While Oahu has excellent luaus, some of the best are located away from where most people stay, so you’ll have to spend extra time and effort to get to and from your luau. For example, Toa Luau is incredible, but it’s located on the north shore of the island. If you’re staying in Waikiki, the drive to the luau will take you approximately an hour. Same with the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is located on the North Shore, so it is a 60-minute drive away.

Check out the list of our favorite luaus on Oahu and the other Hawaiian islands. 

What to expect at a luau?

A luau has two main components: the feast and the entertainment. Most luaus follow the same format: arrival and pre-show entertainment, a dinner (buffet, family-style, or plated), and the main luau show. Luaus typically last 2-3 hours, though the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu is a full-day affair. 

Traditional luau food

Luau food includes traditional Polynesian crops and dishes introduced by missionaries, whalers, and plantation workers from all over the world. For example, a luau will always include poke, poi (pounded taro root), kalua pork, Lomi lomi salmon, and lau lau.

One of our favorite parts is the unearthing of the kalua pig from the imu (underground oven).

Luau entertainment

On the entertainment front, most luaus feature dancing from a mix of Polynesian islands. Fire-knife dancing is a Samoan tradition, not a Hawaiian one. It is fun to see the various dances from each Polynesian nation. But some luaus, like the Old Lahaina Luau, is strictly Hawaiian in dancing, food, and storytelling.

Here are luau traits to pay attention to when booking:

• Price – luaus range from $115 to $280 plus taxes and fees. Most luaus will cost you $180 per person. Prices have increased this year.
• Hawaiian or Polynesian dancing – if you want to see fire dancing, then check out a Polynesian show.
• Food – the more expensive luaus will be table service, with some showcasing a chef’s skill. Larger luaus will be served buffet style.
• Drinks and Cocktails – in our experience, table-service luaus include an open bar with cocktails, beer, and wine. Large luaus will include drink tickets and a cash bar. Expect long lines at the bar for large luaus.
• Location – beachfront, sunset views, a small grass lawn at your resort, and an amphitheater performance at a luau venue are all possible locations to choose from.
• Activities – participate in coconut husking, a hula lesson, lei-making, spear throwing, and other cultural activities before or during the dinner show. The large luaus typically include a fun assortment of activities for you and your kids.

Big Island Luau Alternatives

If you are a first-time Hawaii visitor and can’t get into a luau, we say don’t sweat it. We have a list below of alternative cultural and entertainment activities. For a deeper cultural experience, try one or more of the following activities:

• Take a Hawaiian outrigger canoe ride
• Visit a museum, like the Pacific Tsunami Museum (Hilo) or Hulihe’e Palace (Kona)
• Hula dancing lessons are available at resorts and at shopping centers.
• Hula shows are available at most malls and outlet centers for free.
• National Historical Parks like Kaloko-Honokohau and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau

And if you are interested in all of our other favorite activities on the Big Island, be sure to check out our full list of Big Island tours & activities. From a private waterfall swim to manta ray night snorkeling, we cover the best of the best.