Best Luau On Oahu – How To Plan A Day At The Polynesian Cultural Center

UPDATED MAR 2020. Experiencing a luau is one of the highlights of a visit to Hawaii but with so many to choose from it is hard to know which one is the best option. In today’s post, I am sharing a guide on what is, in my opinion, the best luau on Oahu. It’s a place that takes you far beyond just a touristy gimmick and instead immerses you in Polynesian culture. You’ll have a full day out, try a lot of new foods, be entertained, and most of all get great value for money.

Best Luau On Oahu – How To Plan A Visit To The Polynesian Cultural Center

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FAQ for visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center

Where is it located?

North Shore, about 1 hour drive from Waikiki.

How much does it cost?

Tickets range from $90 – $250 depending on the package.

How can I book a visit?

Through their website – Polynesian Cultural Center.

What is a Luau?

A Luau is a traditional feast with entertainment and no visit to Oahu is complete without experiencing one.

Which is the best Luau on Oahu?

You can’t beat the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore.

What makes it the best?

The Polynesian Cultural Center is more than a Luau.

It’s a complete cultural experience that offers great value for money with all they jam into the experience.

The cultural exhibits

During the afternoon you can visit the park full of interactive exhibits on Polynesian culture.

It is designed for each island to have an exhibit. Each one hosts a demonstration of culture as well as activities you can participate in.

When the demonstration starts you are able to learn about the culture through stories, songs, and dance. After the short demonstration is over, you can move to the surrounding area to practice them for yourself and learn more.

Each demonstration is brief and they run frequently. There’s enough time to see them all throughout the day.

There is also a canoe pageant during the afternoon which is well worth stopping for.

The feast

You work up an appetite going through all the exhibits which is good because it’s time to feast.

When you arrive at the Luau section you are welcomed with a lei greeting and shown to a table. Light music plays as you wait for everyone to arrive and meet those who are seated with you.

At the buffet, you can choose from seafood, meats like Kaluha Pork, salads and poi. There is something for everyone and you can even get a smoothie served in a pineapple!

The entertainment is a mix of singing, dancing, and talking story in an open and relaxed atmosphere.

The best part – Ha! Breath of Life show

After the luau is where the real treat happens and it comes in the form of the Ha: Breath of Life show.

Photography and videography are prohibited so I do not have any pictures to share of the show, but let me just say that it is a must-see while you are on the island.

I have been twice and love it because the performances are just incredible. You’ll get to see a show that combines all the different elements of the cultures you have spent the day learning about.

The fire knife dancing is really cool to see and I also love the mesmerizing Tahitian dance. The whole production is awe-inspiring and really gives you the feeling of being taken on a journey.

Which ticket to choose

I chose the Ali’i Luau Package which included entrance to everything I’ve talked about.

There are a lot of ticket options to choose from though, so check their website to see which would be best for you.

They offer transportation from Waikiki which you can add on to your package for an additional fee.

Tips for visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center

It’s a long day of sightseeing.

I got there at noon and finished around 9pm after the show ended. You need to factor in the one hour drive each way if you are staying in Waikiki as well.

The full day is what makes it such great value for money in my opinion.

You don’t just get rushed in for a feast and some fire spinning, you get a completely immersive cultural experience.

Where to stay on Oahu

I recommend staying in Waikiki because it’s got such an energetic buzz to it and there’s always something going on. I have stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and enjoyed my stay there.

If you would prefer to stay on the North Shore, I recommend staying at Turtle Bay Resort. It’s everything your Hawaiian resort dreams are made of.

Otherwise, if you’d prefer guesthouses or another hotel, I recommend searching on Booking.com. I use it to book accommodation when I travel and can always find a great deal through their site.

I hope this can help you plan your own visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center to experience the best Luau on Oahu.

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