Maui is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world, with a rich culture, friendly locals, and incredible food.
So it’s no wonder why it’s one of the top tourist destinations in the world. However, if you really want to experience Maui the way it’s supposed to be, we highly recommend going to a Hawaiian luau.
A luau will give you valuable insight into Hawaiian culture, and is sure to give you an experience you’ll want to do more than once. Without further ado, we present you with the top Maui luaus on the island!
Best Luaus in Maui
| Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort | Maui Feast at Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau in Wailea | Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Luau Show | Best Luau Dinner | Best Value Luau | |
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| Location: | Te Au Moana Luau, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea Beach Resort | Andaz Maui Resort | Maui Nui Luau at Black Rock, 2605 Kaanapali Pkwy Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa |
| Start: | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 4:30 or 5:00 PM |
| Duration: | 3 to 4 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Includes: | 3-course meal served family style at your table, fresh flower lei (subject to availability), kukui nut lei or carved wooden necklace, pre-show music & entertainment | Traditional Lei greeting, complimentary valet parking, pre-show cultural activities, family-style meal, open bar, commemorative photo, entertainment | Photo opportunity, flower lei or substitute, Kalua pig cooked in the imu, live Hawaiian music and on-stage demonstrations, Tihati Production’s presentation of “Maui Nui, alcoholic beverages |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Maui Luaus For 2026
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- Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort
- Maui Feast at Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau in Wailea
- Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
- Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma’alaea Harbor on Pride of Maui
- Feast at Mokapu Luau
- South Maui: Gilligans’ Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner
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Maui Luau Reviews
1. Best Luau Show: Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Location: Te Au Moana Luau, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea Beach Resort
- Start Time: 5:00 PM
- Includes: 3-course meal served family style at your table, fresh flower lei (subject to availability), kukui nut lei or carved wooden necklace, pre-show music and entertainment
If you’re looking for a fun or romantic evening out having dinner at a nice restaurant, I have the perfect alternative for you.
The Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort is perfect if you have the evening free and want to experience Hawaiian culture like never before.
I admittedly knew very little about the beautiful state’s history, and learning in this entertaining, passionate way was simply magical! The tour starts out by meeting a the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort on Maui, where we were greeted by friendly staff and lead to our table.
While we could smell the amazing food cooking, we sat down and enjoyed the ‘Te Au Moana: The Ocean Tide’ performance! Through dance, music, and storytelling, we learned quite a bit about Polynesian history and culture – my favorite was the fire knife portion!
TE AU MOANA LUAU, Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, MAUI
As we watched these captivating, intricate performances, we enjoyed a delicious, all-you-can-eat buffet consisting of all kinds of Hawaiian specialties.
This is perfect if you aren’t very well-versed in Hawaiian food and would like to try an array of flavors without committing to entire dishes.
The beautiful blue ocean sitting in the background really set the mood for a lovely, relaxing evening filled with amazing people and learning opportunities.
They do have a bar as well, so you can also wash everything down with a refreshing margarita or other tropical drink!
The dancers even invited us up on stage with them, which only added to the fun and welcoming vibes we experienced throughout the tour! Definitely give this one a shot if it’s your first time in Hawaii!
More Information & Tour Booking
2. Best Luau Dinner: Maui Feast at Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau in Wailea
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 3 hours
- Location: Andaz Maui Resort
- Start Time: 6:00 PM
- Includes: Traditional Lei greeting, complimentary valet parking, pre-show cultural activities, family-style meal, open bar, commemorative photo, entertainment
Maui is consistently ranked as one of the best places to visit in the world, thanks to its breathtaking scenery and tropical landscapes.
However, you’d be remiss to not enjoy one of the best luau experiences on the island – offering invaluable insight into local culture and history.
The Maui Feast at Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau in Wailea is the perfect one to attend, where you will learn about classic Hawaiian values while enjoying a delicious dinner and cocktails with a view.
Your tour starts by meeting right at the event lawn located at the Andaz Maui Wailea Resort, complete with amazing views overlooking the expansive blue ocean!
Blending authentic Hawaiian culture with modern sophistication, you’ll instantly feel like a VIP in a warm and welcoming setting. We even received a traditional lei greeting, which really set the tone for a fun and educational experience.
We were then treated to a family-style dinner where we got to enjoy a feast consisting of fresh-caught seafood, tropical fruits, locally-sourced ingredients, and plenty of Hawaiian dishes.
The entertainment was equally as impressive, from hula dancing and traditional chants, to the impressive Polynesian fire knife dance! Our host did a great job transmitting the history of how Polynesians first arrived in Maui, through seemingly countless trials and tribulations.
Aside from the amazing food and entertainment, I have to mention the delicious tropical cocktails that I probably had a bit too many of.
I recommend choosing the classic seating upgrade or premium seating for either front or second-row seats! You’ll get prime views of the luau, and for the slightly increased cost, I did find it to be worth it.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Best Value Luau: Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 3 hours
- Location: Maui Nui Luau at Black Rock, 2605 Kaanapali Pkwy Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
- Start Time: 4:30 or 5:00 PM
- Includes: Photo opportunity, flower lei or substitute, Kalua pig cooked in the imu on the luau grounds, live Hawaiian music and on-stage demonstrations, Tihati Production’s presentation of “Maui Nui, alcoholic beverages, parking
If you have a few hours free during the evening, one of the best ways to spend it is surely at an authentic luau! This next one is one of Maui’s best, balancing culture, cuisine, and entertainment against the beautiful backdrop of Kaanapali Beach!
The Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa guarantees a fantastic evening featuring cultural stories, how-tos, and an array of different performances.
Just like with the other tours, you’ll have to head to the resort location as there are no included pickups and drop-offs. However, you’ll most likely be very close to the starting point, as it’s close to most of the main hotels, anyway.
Upon arrival, we received the traditional Lei greeting, then proceeded to enjoy the imu ceremony and enthralling Polynesian dance show!
Maui Nui Luau 2022
The family-style buffet dinner was absolutely incredible, and gave me the opportunity to try some traditional Hawaiian dishes I may not have otherwise tried.
I loved the salmon dishes, poke, Kalua pork, noodles, and as it’s all-you-can-eat you can try everything they offer! It’s a nice way to sample different flavors so you know what to order for the next days in Maui!
Something also really special about this tour, was that we were able to see the cliff divers jump off at Black Rock! The sun was setting, enveloping everything in a gold veil, as they dove into the ocean below.
It was a thoroughly magical evening, with everything going off without a hitch – I highly recommend it!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Best Small Group Luau: Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma’alaea Harbor
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: 101 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku
- Start Time: 5:00 PM
- Includes: Dinner, alcoholic beverages, delicious food, open bar, micro-brewed beer, blended drinks
This next tour is quite a bit different from any of the others I’ve covered on this guide, and is perfect if you are on a slightly tighter schedule.
Rather than heading to a resort like you would with the other tours, this one involves you boarding a gorgeous catamaran for a serene sunset cruise!
The Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma’alaea Harbor combines many different thrilling experiences, so if you’re short on time in Maui, I can’t recommend it enough.
Start things off by meeting up with them right next to the Coast Guard Station near the North Loading Dock, where you’ll then be escorted onboard the Pride of Maui.
This one has a slightly more “party” vibe to it, including an open bar that offers craft beer, wine, and plenty of tasty blended drinks.
I will say that the actual “luau” part of the tour is not as comprehensive of the others, but this makes sense when you consider the tour is shorter and in a more confined space.
Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise | Pride of Maui
As we cruised out over the water, we took in a beautiful sunset, and even got to see some breathtaking humpback whales breach!
Honestly, that alone would’ve been worth it or me, but combined with a delicious dinner, open bar, and an amazing hula show, and it’s simply unforgettable.
Our dinner consisted of many different traditional Hawaiian options, including honey-glazed chicken, stir-fried veggies, BBQ ribs, pork, and much more.
The entertainment was top-notch, along with the captain and crew’s attention to detail, welcoming demeanor, and views of the water and mountains.
Watching the luau dances in the open air with the nice sea breeze made it feel like we were really lounging around in paradise. Don’t pass this opportunity up!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Best Food: Feast at Mokapu Luau
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Location: Bumbye Beach Bar, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea
- Start Time: 5:30 PM
- Included: Alcoholic beverages, dinner, professional digital photo
Are you sick of falling into tourist traps when in Hawaii? It is an easy thing to do, especially if you’re trying to find an “authentic” Hawaiian food restaurant.
With the Feast at Mokapu Luau tour, you don’t have to worry about that – instead, enjoying a delicious array of typical dishes so you can sample at your leisure!
Upon arriving to the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, I knew we were in for a real treat with their renowned grassy lawn and views out over the beach! You’ll be escorted after arriving to your own table, so you don’t have to worry about sharing with strangers (unless you want to).
This is one of the best locations for a luau, filled with culture and world-class entertainment that makes it feel like the time flies by.
Right from the very beginning of the experience, I noticed that every member of the staff was very kind with specific attention to organization. Not only that, but it definitely has a more “elegant” feel to it, making it a nice little alternative to a romantic dinner in the city.
I wouldn’t specifically recommend it for families with children, only because it did seem more tailored to adults. The 3-course plated dinner came hand-served to our table, and the servers were incredibly attentive, bringing us handcrafted cocktails at just the right moment.
I loved the ahi poke, the Kalua pork, sweet potato mash, and the strawberry coconut haupia, which apparently was very authentic. There’s really nothing that I can think of that would improve upon this experience, as it was simply phenomenal!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. South Maui: Gilligans’ Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Location: 470 Lipoa Pkwy, Kihei
- Start Time: 5:00 PM
- Included: Live entertainment including musicians, dancers, some audience participation and a fire knife finale, All you can eat and drink Hawaiian buffet
While there’s nothing patently “wrong” with more commercial luaus (in fact, they can be a blast!), there’s definitely something to be said for the privately-owned alternatives.
The South Maui: Gilligan’s Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks tour is an authentic, more intimate luau that gives excellent insight into Polynesian culture. If it’s your first time in Maui, please don’t pass up this quintessential Hawaiian experience in the open air!
There are plenty of luaus I’ve been to that unfortunately don’t guarantee a great view of the scenery and/or the performers. The people who own this luau make it clear that they prioritize the quality of each visitor’s experience, ensuring everyone has a fantastic view!
Not to mention, every single staff member is very welcoming and there to make sure everyone is having a nice time! Upon arrival, we were kindly escorted to our table by one of the show’s performers, who were friendly and upbeat.
After settling in, our server arrived to our table to take our drink order from the open bar! That’s right – you have essentially all the tropical cocktails, wine, beer, and soft drinks you could ask for at no extra cost!
After that, we all made our way to the buffet, which featured plenty of traditional Hawaiian dishes like kalua pork, lomi lomi salmon, Molokai sweet potato, and of course, sweet rolls with honey butter!
After dessert, we watched the Samoan fire dancers, tons of different dancers and musicians, and so much more! It’s a ton of fun, delicious, and overall a fantastic way to learn about Hawaiian culture and history in a gorgeous setting!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner
Tour Highlights:
- Duration: 3 hours
- Location: Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali
- Start Time: 5:30 PM
- Included: Dinner Buffet menu includes bread service, Pupus, 8 different entrees to try, dessert station, and an array of different tropical drinks, beer and wine.
You may not typically equate the Westin with fire, knives, or dancers, but you get all 3 with this next tour! The Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner tour has it all, in a night of performances that showcase the culture and stories of Hawaii.
If you’d like an enthralling introduction to Hawaii’s background, look no further than this one. Sitting against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific’s rich blue-green waters, the luau takes place in one of the most beautiful places on the island!
It’s perfect for photo ops, so before the show begins make sure you snap some shots of the ocean vistas! With the sound of ukuleles and delicious aroma of Hawaiian dishes filling the air, you’ll instantly be immersed in quintessential “Hawaii”.
While the tour is definitely a feast for the senses, you’ll get to partake in a real feast just moments after sitting down and sipping on some drinks!
The Hawaiian buffet is a great opportunity to try dishes you may not have otherwise, from tender kalua port and fresh poi, to tasty coconut and chocolate desserts. I loved every single dish, but of course, the highlight of the evening was the Wailele Luau.
As the sun sets over the horizon, the stage bursts to life with a wonderful variety of performances that all pay homage to Hawaiian heritage. From hula dances to intense fire-knife performances, each act relays a story that will teach you more about the islands’ spirit and history.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Maui Luaus and Which Ones Are Worth Your Money
The best luau in Hawaii is on Maui, and it does not have a fire dancer. Old Lahaina Luau leaves out the fire-knife on purpose, because that act is Samoan, not Hawaiian.
That tells you what Maui luaus are about. Less spectacle, more story, and on the good nights, the best food and hula in the islands.
How Maui luaus are different
Maui leans traditional where Oahu leans loud. The big Oahu shows are pan-Polynesian variety nights with beach games and fire-knife finales, and most Maui luaus dial that back toward Hawaiian hula, chant, and history.
Old Lahaina Luau is the benchmark, and has been since 1986. It is the most authentically Hawaiian luau in the state, and almost everyone who ranks these things puts it at number one.
Here is the catch that trips people up. Old Lahaina has no fire dancing, by choice.
If a spinning fire-knife is the image in your head when you picture a luau, you want a resort show like Drums of the Pacific or Myths of Maui instead. Both are fun, both are less authentic, and that is a fair trade if fire is what the kids came for.
And if you have done a few luaus already, Maui is also where you can skip one entirely and put the $230 toward a sunset sail out of Maalaea or Lahaina Harbor. Same ocean, same sunset, fewer plates of mac salad.
What the 2023 fire changed
You cannot talk about Maui luaus without the fire. The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire destroyed the town and killed about a hundred people, and it reshaped what is left.
Old Lahaina Luau survived. The grounds sit on the north end of Lahaina near Mala Wharf, and the buildings were spared while homes burned around them.
It reopened in March 2024 and now runs seven nights a week again. About half its staff lost their homes, so booking a seat is one of the more direct ways a visitor puts money into the recovery.
Its sister luau, the Feast at Lele on Front Street, was destroyed in the fire and has not reopened. If you see it for sale, that is an old listing.
One thing to know before you go. West Maui is open and wants visitors, but the historic core of Front Street is still fenced off and rebuilding, and some areas are local traffic only.
Go, spend your money, and visit with respect. That is what the people who live there are actually asking for.
When to book and when to go
Book Old Lahaina the moment you know your dates, ideally two to three months out. It seats 440 a night, runs every night, and still sells out, so this is not a same-week decision.
The resort luaus are easier, but still book two to three weeks ahead in peak season. Peak is roughly December through March and June through August.
Most shows run about three hours, starting around 5 or 5:30 and wrapping by 8:30 or 9. Get there at the start for the imu ceremony, when they uncover the pig from the underground oven.
The light is the bonus. Maui sunsets over the water are the reason these are evening events, so face west and bring a camera.
The luaus worth booking
Maui splits into two luau zones, West Maui around Lahaina and Kaanapali, and South Maui around Wailea. Pick by where you are sleeping, because the drive between them runs 45 minutes or more.
Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina
This is the one to book if you can get in. It is table service and traditional floor seating on lauhala mats, oceanfront, with the best food of any luau in the state.
The show is pure Hawaiian, hula and chant and the real history of the islands, including the hard parts most luaus skip. Expect about $230 a head, no fire dancing, and a waitlist.
Drums of the Pacific, Kaanapali
Drums runs at the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali and is the easy crowd-pleaser of West Maui. Resort setting, simple parking, high-energy fire dancing that kids love.
Standard seating is around $202 for adults and $101 for kids, with a VIP tier higher. It is mid-range for Maui and a safe pick when Old Lahaina is booked out.
Myths of Maui, Kaanapali
Myths is the value play. It runs at the Royal Lahaina Resort, with a buffet, an open bar all night, and a fire-knife finale, usually at a lower price than the big names.
It will not match Old Lahaina on food or authenticity. But for an affordable family night with fire dancing and free-flowing mai tais, it does the job seven nights a week.
Maui Nui Luau, Kaanapali
Maui Nui runs at the Sheraton on Black Rock and has a trick the others do not. Every night a diver lights the torches along the cliff and leaps off Puu Kekaa, the Black Rock point, as the sun drops.
The luau itself is a straightforward buffet with an open bar. It is also one of the easier West Maui shows to grab online, which matters on the nights Old Lahaina is full.
Feast at Mokapu, Wailea
On the south side, Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz is the upscale pick, and the only Maui luau whose food rivals Old Lahaina. It is plated rather than buffet, with craft cocktails and chef-driven dishes.
The show leans into Hawaiian values and the story of the first Polynesian settlers in Wailea, with a fire finale. It is pricey, polished, and the move if you are staying on the south side.
Grand Wailea Luau, Wailea
The Grand Wailea runs a luxury luau on a lawn above Wailea Beach. Private tables, hula lessons, poke and kalua pork alongside resort-style plates.
It is built for guests who want the full high-end Wailea night without leaving the resort. Convenient and comfortable, if not the most authentic show on the island.
What it costs and how to plan
Plan on $160 to $260 a head for the big Maui luaus, with Old Lahaina around $230 and the Wailea luxury shows at the top. Myths of Maui is the budget end.
Match the luau to your hotel. If you are in Kaanapali or Lahaina, stay west, and if you are in Wailea or Kihei, book a Wailea show, because nobody wants a 45-minute drive home after three mai tais.
Most Maui luaus sit at the resorts themselves, so getting there is usually a walk or a short drive, not a shuttle run like on Oahu. If you are driving in, factor in resort parking or valet, and a designated driver if you plan to lean on that open bar.
Sort out the fire-dancing question before you book. Old Lahaina and the purist shows skip it, while Drums, Myths, and the Wailea luaus all bring the fire.
Know what is going on the plate, too. The standards are kalua pig from the imu, lomi lomi salmon, poi, chicken long rice, and haupia for dessert.
The gap between a good luau and a forgettable one is usually freshness and care, not the menu itself.
A few things worth doing:
- Book Old Lahaina first, months out, then fall back to a resort luau if it is full.
- Bring a light layer, since it cools off oceanfront after sunset.
- Carry cash for the sunset photos, which most luaus print and sell that night.
- If you are in West Maui, eat and shop at the surviving Lahaina businesses too, since the town runs on it right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Lahaina Luau open after the fire?
Yes. The grounds survived the August 2023 fire, it reopened in March 2024, and it now runs seven nights a week, though it books two to three months ahead.
Which Maui luau has the best food?
Old Lahaina Luau and the Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz, by a clear margin. Both do table service or plated dishes rather than a buffet line, which is most of the difference.
Which Maui luau has fire dancing?
Drums of the Pacific, Myths of Maui, and the Wailea luaus all include a fire-knife performance. Old Lahaina deliberately does not, because the fire-knife is a Samoan tradition, not a Hawaiian one.
West Maui or South Maui, where should I book?
Book wherever you are staying, since the drive between Lahaina and Wailea is 45 minutes or more each way. West Maui has Old Lahaina and the Kaanapali resort shows, while Wailea has the upscale Andaz and Grand Wailea luaus.
Is it respectful to visit Lahaina right now?
Yes, and the community is asking visitors to come back. Spend at surviving businesses, book Old Lahaina, and stay out of the fenced rebuilding zones and local-only areas.
How far ahead should I book a Maui luau?
Old Lahaina, two to three months. The resort luaus, two to three weeks in peak season, which is December through March and June through August.
Food
Entertainment
Value
The Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort is our Editors Choice for the best Luau in Maui
