Toa Luau Review: Authentic Hawaiian Luau
It is time we finally give a Toa Luau Review! The Toa Luau is our favorite Oahu luau. The location, luau size, the food, the performers, and the fire-knife dancing are all top notch. This is our go-to luau recommendation for Oahu visitors. It is worth the drive to Waimea Valley on the North Shore.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Activity Overview
Toa Luau did not compensate us to attend or provide a comped luau package. Our Toa Luau Review is our own opinion. We attended on their Silver Package. Our three- and seven-year-olds attended, and I brought my mom and dad!
Toa Luau Highlights
- 3-hour duration
- 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM shows are available, Monday-Friday
- The Toa Luau is in the lush Waimea Valley on Oahu’s North Shore (click for directions)
- Intimate luau setting with about 160 guests
- Fun and lively demonstrations and activities start the luau. Arrive when they open for coconut husking, knife twirling, poi ball twirling, hula lessons, and more activities.
- It was one of the best fire knife dancing performances we have seen! The energy from the performers was contagious, and we all got into the luau show.
- Free parking is available. You must drive yourself or take a taxi, Uber, or bus
- All ages are welcome! Children 0 – 4 years old are free.
- The 12:30 PM matinee is our preferred time as we toured Waimea Valley in the morning, a waterfall swim with changing rooms was available, and we got the family back to Waikiki for late afternoon beach time!
Toa Luau Review
After a few years of hearing stellar reviews from readers, we got a chance to visit the Toa Luau in Waimea Valley. We had heard that the production team and some performers were veterans of the Polynesian Cultural Center. They took their experience at the PCC to build out a fun and authentic Hawaiian luau in our favorite spot on the North Shore.
We recommend this luau to friends and family who visit Oahu for the reasons listed below. While we have our favorite luaus on Oahu, this one is our top recommendation.
- The luau is well priced. The Silver Package is a reasonable price for the family, and children 0 – 4 years old are free.
- There are two shows a day, making this convenient to attend. You can slip the luau into your day on Oahu’s North Shore.
- The food is served at the table, no buffet, and it is tasty. The fresh menu offers a good selection of Hawaiian luau food with Western favorites.
- The location! We will talk a lot about the location. The luau is the most authentic in Hawaii thanks to the area in Waimea Valley, a sacred valley with Hawaiian hales (houses), taro fields, and temples. Waimea Valley is owned and operated by a Hawaiian non-profit.
- Your luau ticket includes entry to Waimea Valley within seven days. While this is only a $26.50 per person savings, it is a nice perk. That is why Toa Luau can compete in the Toa Luau vs. Polynesian Cultural Center debate!
- The luau is a good size, with around 160 guests. It is small enough for everyone to have a good seat and participate in the activities before the luau.
Drawbacks of the Toa Luau
No luau is perfect! Here are some of our drawbacks to attending the Toa Luau.
- The Toa Luau does not prepare or serve an imu-cooked pig for its kalua pork. We didn’t see an imu on the property, but they used an above-ground oven for cooking demonstrations.
- Getting to the Toa Luau can be tricky. Leave Waikiki or Honolulu by 3:30 PM for the evening show to avoid rush hour traffic. If you are taking an Uber, taxi, or bus, go to the matinee show, as those modes of transport are hard to get in the evening on the North Shore.
- Toa Luau does not provide transportation from Waikiki. However, this Oahu shuttle company, not associated with Toa Luau, does. We have not used them, but we wanted to share the option.
Check out these resources if you want to spend more time on the North Shore:
The Best North Shore Oahu Hotels and Vacation Rentals
21 Amazing Things to Do on Oahu’s North Shore
6 Best & Accessible Oahu Waterfalls: swimming, parking, and more
Toa Luau Pricing
Toa Luau tickets start at $135 for the Silver Package. Click the booking button below for all the prices, like the Gold Package and discounts.
The Toa Luau, like most Oahu luaus, sells ticket tiers. The Gold Package is an upgrade from the Silver Package in that the Gold has table seating closer to the stage. You will be seated on the lower level, closer to the stage. Gold includes two drink tickets, compared to one with the Silver ticket.
Location and Seating
The Toa Luau is located in Waimea Valley. Waimea Valley alone is worth a visit, as it is the safest spot for a waterfall swim on Oahu. The lush valley is home to a Hawaiian-owned and operated non-profit. The valley is a botanical garden with an authentic Hawaiian village, taro patches, cultural demonstrations, local crafts, farmers market, and more. There is even an ancient heiau (temple) on the hill overlooking the valley, the Pu’u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site.
See our video below on touring Waimea Valley. Your Toa Luau ticket includes access to Waimea Valley and the waterfall swim within three days of the luau. That is a great deal!
When we went to the Toa Luau, we made a day of it. We arrived two hours before the luau to explore the valley, see the waterfall (which was closed due to a lack of rain on our luau visit), and play ancient Hawaiian games.
The setting for the Toa Luau is a pavilion in Waimea Valley, connected to the main visitor center. The luau starts in the courtyard for activities, games, and demonstrations. The setting is serene, with large jungle trees and valley views.
Toa Luau: Cultural Experience & Activities
Upon arrival at the Toa Luau, you have your choice of activities to watch or get involved in. Grab a drink with your drink ticket and have some fun. This is also a good time for pictures.
We participated in the following Polynesian activities:
- Coconut husking
- Headband weaving
- Knife dancing (learning to spin a stick)
- Paint on tattoos
- Māori poi ball twirling
- Hula lessons
After the activities, Toa Luau’s MC talked story and led some demonstrations as all the guests gathered around the outdoor, traditional cooking fire. The cooks (men were only allowed to cook in Hawaii) shared how to milk a coconut, climb a coconut tree, and cook on an umu (above-ground oven).
The traditional kava ceremony was held in the pavilion as dinner was served. Samples of kava were passed around for those interested in tasting.
Looking for more to add to your itinerary? Try these cultural activities:
– The 8 Best Pearl Harbor Tours: from budget to luxury, we have you covered
– Hawaiian Waikiki Catamaran Sail: Better Than a Luau
– The 5 Best Oahu Luaus: Our Honest Reviews
Toa Luau Food & Dining Experience
Our family was very impressed with the food quality at the Toa Luau. The luau is table service, no buffet here. Traditional Hawaiian luau food is served with more Western options.
Here is the Toa Luau menu:
- Pupukea Green Salad – Mixed Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Candied Mac Nuts & Papaya Seed Dressing
- Island Mac Salad
- Kalua Pork
- Lomi Tomate
- Grilled Shoyu BBQ Chicken
- White Rice with Furikake
- House-Made Haupia
- Local fruits
- White cake with coconut frosting
- Water and Iced Tea
Toa Luau Entertainment & Performances
The Toa Luau has a fantastic group of performers and drummers. The whole team is energetic, funny, and wonderful dancers. The show was more memorable than other luaus we’ve visited.
The Toa luau is a Polynesian show. The performance will take you to the main Polynesian islands to show their style of dancing. The luau mixes in an MC who provides stories and jokes between islands. This luau performance is standard in Hawaii. What makes it good is the small venue, drummers, and the quality performers.
Once your drink tickets are spent, the cash bar takes cash or a credit card. I found the drinks to be well-priced and of good quality. They have local beers on draught.
Toa Luau Review: Booking Tips
If you decide to attend the Toa Luau, I recommend booking two to three weeks in advance of your arrival on Oahu to get the time and date you need for your itinerary. The luau, especially during the summer, can sell out.
I recommend booking early for the Silver Package, as that sells out first.
If this Toa Luau review didn’t convince you to attend, check out our other favorite Oahu luaus. If you want to visit the North Shore, consider a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We even have a review on the PCC Super Ambassador Luau Package!
We share all our vetted tours and activities in our Tours & Activities Directory. We will help you find the right tour for your Oahu vacation!
Have a great trip to Oahu!
Check out more activities nearby:
We are affiliate partners with the Toa Luau, which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website, you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!