Kaanapali Luaus Compared: Which Ka'anapali Beach Luau Is Best?

Huaka'i is set directly on the sand-side lawn of Hilton Vacation Club Ka'anapali Beach, so the ocean sits behind the stage for the whole show. It runs about 2.5 hours with a Hawaiian-inspired buffet, an open bar with mai tais, live island music, and a Polynesian revue. The venue is fully ADA accessible, and there are gluten-free options on the buffet every night. In bad weather, the show moves to the resort ballroom rather than being cancelled outright.

• Price: from $203.26 per adult for General Admission; $237.14 for VIP seating
• Kids: from $81.31; infants are free
• Choose it if: you want an oceanfront luau with an open bar and fewer logistics.
• Skip it if: the biggest stage spectacle matters most. Drums of the Pacific is the larger production.

Drums of the Pacific has run at the Hyatt Regency at the south end of Ka'anapali for more than three decades. The revue travels through Hawai'i, Tahiti, Samoa and Aotearoa (New Zealand) before the Samoan fire knife finale. At roughly 300 seats, it is one of the larger Ka'anapali shows, which suits first-time luau guests and groups.

Choose it if: you want the most theatrical production, or you are staying at the Hyatt.
Skip it if: you want an intimate, quieter evening.

This is the only Ka'anapali luau staged beside Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock). Just before the show, a torch lighter climbs the rock at sunset and dives into the ocean, a nightly Sheraton tradition. The luau itself is shorter and simpler. The ticket includes a buffet and two drink tickets, with a cash bar after that.

Choose it if: you want the cliff dive and sunset photos.
Skip it if: an unlimited open bar matters to you.

Also searched as: Ka'anapali Sunset Luau at Black Rock, Sheraton Ka'anapali Luau.

The Westin sits mid-beach, a few minutes' walk from Whalers Village and the other big resorts. Wailele is a mid-sized show of roughly 275 seats that follows the classic format: lei greeting, imu unveiling, buffet, and a fire knife finale.

Choose it if: you are staying mid-beach and want to walk to dinner.

Myths of Maui has run since 1980 on the oceanfront lawn of the Royal Lahaina Resort at the north end of Ka'anapali. It keeps a traditional shape: imu ceremony, all-you-care-to-eat buffet, open bar, then a Polynesian revue that ends in fire. Kids 3 and under eat free.

Price: from $208.94 per adult and $130.10 per child.
Choose it if: you want tradition and you are staying at the north end around Kāʻanapali Shores or Honokowai.