Te Au Moana Luau Review – Wailea Beach Marriott Resort
Review by Krystal | Experienced: June 2026
Booked Through: Viator
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| 🌺 Entertainment | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🍽️ Food | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| 🌅 Venue & Atmosphere | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 💰 Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| ❤️ Overall Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
👨👩👦 Best For: First-time luau guests • Families • Couples • Travelers wanting a traditional Hawaiian cultural experience
Would We Attend Again? No, but potentially we would see another Luau.
Overview
Attending a traditional Hawaiian luau was something we wanted to experience during our time on Maui, especially since half of our group had never attended one before.
We chose the Te Au Moana Luau at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort because of its beautiful oceanfront setting and strong reputation.
While the dinner was enjoyable, the real highlight of the evening was the outstanding performance. The storytelling, music, and dancing made this a memorable cultural experience and one we're glad we included in our Hawaii itinerary.
Booking & Arrival
We booked our luau through Viator, and everything about the booking process was simple.
Our scheduled check-in time was 5:10 p.m., and we arrived at the resort parking area around 5:07 p.m.
What we didn't anticipate was how long it would take to park and walk through the resort to reach the luau grounds.
By the time we arrived around 5:25 p.m., many of the pre-show activities were already underway.
Unfortunately, we missed the lei-making and temporary tattoo stations, the appetizers had already been served, and the line for the open bar was quite long. It took us another 15–20 minutes just to get a drink before finding our seats.
Looking back, we'd absolutely recommend arriving earlier than you think you need to.
The Experience
Once the performance began, the storytelling, traditional Hawaiian music, and dances were engaging from beginning to end. Every performance felt polished and meaningful, giving us a deeper appreciation for Hawaiian culture and history.
The oceanfront setting only added to the experience, creating a beautiful backdrop for the show.
One aspect of the evening did feel like a missed opportunity, though.
The performance began just as the sun was setting. Because the venue overlooks the ocean, many guests, including us, found themselves torn between watching the performers and trying to capture one of Maui's beautiful sunsets.
We couldn't help but think the evening would have flowed better if there had been a short break built into the schedule to allow guests a few minutes to enjoy and photograph the sunset before the performance began.
Dinner & Drinks
The food was good, but it wasn't the highlight of the evening.
There was a nice variety of options, and everything we tried was enjoyable. If we were assigning a letter grade, we'd probably give the meal a solid B. Nothing was disappointing, but nothing particularly stood out as memorable either.
One small detail that felt a bit unusual was the traditional pig presentation taking place just moments before dinner service. Because of the timing, it seemed unlikely that the pig being presented was actually what guests were about to be served.
It certainly didn't affect our enjoyment of the evening, but it was something we noticed.
Price & Value
Luaus are one of the more expensive activities you'll find in Hawaii, so expectations naturally run high.
For us, the value came from the cultural experience and entertainment rather than the meal itself.
If you're attending primarily for the food, you may leave a little underwhelmed.
If you're attending to experience Hawaiian music, dance, storytelling, and tradition in a beautiful setting, we think you'll leave satisfied.
What We Loved
- Beautiful oceanfront location
- Outstanding cultural performances
- Engaging storytelling
- Talented musicians and dancers
- Friendly atmosphere
- Great introduction to Hawaiian traditions
What Could Be Better
- Arriving on time still wasn't early enough to enjoy all the pre-show activities.
- The open bar line moved slowly before the show.
- The timing of the performance competed with one of Maui's most beautiful sunsets.
- The food was good, but not especially memorable.
Would We Attend Again?
No. We're very glad we included a luau during our Hawaii trip, and Te Au Moana delivered a wonderful cultural performance in a stunning setting.
If we wanted to attend a Luau again, we'd look for another option to see a different perspective; however, after experiencing this one, I personally don’t feel the need to seek out another.
Windows of Travel Tips
- Arrive 20-30 minutes earlier than your scheduled check-in time to allow for parking, walking through the resort, and enjoying the pre-show activities.
- Plan time to visit the lei-making and cultural activity stations before finding your seat.
- Bring your camera; the oceanfront setting is beautiful.
Continue Planning Your Hawaii Trip
🏝️ Read our Complete Hawaii Trip Report
🏡 Read our Maui Vacation Rental Review
🤿 Read our Molokini Crater & Turtle Town Snorkeling Review
🍽️ Read our Best Restaurants We Tried in Hawaii
🎥 Watch our Maui YouTube Vlog (Videos coming soon!)