Experience Laie
Laie is a small coastal town on the northeastern coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Even though it’s a rather small town, it still has a lot to offer! Adventure in the mountains and on the beaches around the Oahu shore, lots of culture and history in the Polynesian Cultural Centre, and fun events in the town - Laie is a great destination for travelers visiting Oahu!
The waterfalls around the region of Laie make for some amazing photos and unforgettable experiences. And of course you can enjoy some amazing watersport activities in Laie. It’s also a great starting point for adventures all around the island of Oahu. We’re sure that you will have an amazing time during your stay in Laie!
- Our favorite beach: Lāʻielohelohe Beach Park
- Our favorite restaurant: Hukilau Cafe
- Our favorite watersport in Laie: Surf lessons in Laie
Language and currency in Laie
English and Hawaiian (the native Hawaiian tongue) are both recognized as legal languages in Laie on the island Oahu. You can get by with English wherever, so don't worry. However, you will make a lot of people happy if you take the time to learn some simple Hawaiian phrases like Aloha (Hello and Goodbye) and Mahalo (Thank You) (Thank You).
You can simply convert your money for U.S. dollars at any of the city's many banks. Tourist-oriented regions in Oahu also have a high acceptance rate for credit cards.
Getting around in Laie
Getting about in Laie and the island of Oahu is a breeze with the island’s reliable public transit system and taxis. In addition, ridesharing apps such as Uber are widely used in Laie and can take you just about anywhere. There are also a lot of tour operators offering day tours taking you to the main sights of the island from Laie.
Are you interested in visiting some of the more secluded beaches and wild areas? Getting around Laie by car is the most convenient option in this case. There is a big variety of cat rental agencies, and you can easily compare and reserve one online.
Best things to do during your holidays in Laie
The charming town of Laie on the Hawaiian island of Oahu is a popular destination for watersport activities and tourists from all over the world. It is also famously known for its rich culture and for being a predominantly mormon community.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The most famous attraction in Laie is the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s like a cultural history theme park, displaying a lot of the rich Polynesian culture. In an open space, you can walk through typical villages and learn so much about traditions, customs, art and culture of the past civilizations of Hawaii. In the restaurant of the Center you can also try some of the typical dishes, some of which are prepared in traditional ground ovens.
Lāʻie Point State Wayside
This Beach Park at the end of Laie is a great spot to enjoy the view over the rocky shore and deep blue sea. At Lāʻie Point State Wayside you can even visit a bird sanctuary to learn a lot about local species of Oahu. With the mountains of the island in the back and the sea in front of you, it’s a great place to be in awe of the unique nature of Oahu. For those of you brave enough, it’s also a popular spot for cliff jumping and has even been a distinct setting in movies!
Laie Hawaii Temple
This Mormon Temple in Laie is one of the most famous Churches of Jesus Christ. Set on a hill and in front of the Pacific Ocean, it has a unique view over the coast of Oahu. The Visitor Center of the Laie Hawaii Temple attracts tourists from all over the world, regardless of their religion. Please be aware that only Mormons are allowed inside of the actual temple and to take part of any ceremonies that take place in this temple. But the architecture and grounds of this temples are already worth a visit.
The best watersports in Laie
Laie is especially popular for all kinds of watersports. Some of the best watersports in Laie are Kayak and Snorkeling. We have plenty of options for you to choose from to have an unforgettable experience during your holidays in Oahu!
You can rent kayaks and explore some amazing places like
Kaneohe Bay,
Kahana Rainforest and
Kaneohe Bay at your own pace. Paddling on your own kayak is a fun and eco-friendly way to explore the coastal regions of the island of Oahu. And at the same time you stay fit and move your body!
Another watersport activity Laie is famous for is surfing of course! We also offer a surf lesson with experienced instructors, who will be happy to teach you how to catch waves. You can also book a surf lesson to improve your surfing skills and finetune your technique with the help of experienced surfers! You can book group or private lessons for the surfing in Laie!
What and where to eat in Laie
It would be a shame to visit Laie and not taste some of the native cuisine. Poke is certainly one of the most well-known. It's usually a bowl with thinly sliced fish, which is only natural in a place like Hawaii with so much fresh seafood. You must go to the Pounders Restaurant if you are in Laie and want to have some tasty Poke.
Poi donuts are another common Hawaiian snack. Poi donuts can range from traditional sugar-glazed versions to more exotic flavors like mango, all of which are created with a sweet dough derived from taro. Hukilau Cafe is the place to go if you're in Laie and need some authentic Poi donuts or some other delicious snacks.
If you need some hangover food, nothing beats a traditional Loco Moco! It consists of a beef patty, gravy, a fried egg, and rice. Delicious, right!? The greatest Loco Moco in Laie can be found at the Seven Brothers!
Enjoy the beautiful beaches around Laie
The northshore of Oahu is famously known for the white sand beaches and rocky cliffs. Surfers love the many great surfspots along the coast of Oahu, but there are also beaches with calmer waters. There are many beautiful beaches around Laie, and we have found the best ones for you!
Lāʻielohelohe Beach Park
This incredible beach just south of the Polynesian Cultural Centre in Laie is a very popular beach amongst locals. Thanks to the cliffs to both sides of this beach and the palm trees surrounding it, it makes for an incredible setting. The white sand is super soft and perfect to relax on. The sea of Lāʻielohelohe Beach Park is a bit rougher, so that it attracts bodyboarders and surfers. Sit on the beach and enjoy watching the pros catching some waves!
Hukilau Beach Park
This beautiful beach park in Laie is perfect for families with kids! The long stretched sandy beach is easily accessible, and you don’t need to walk far to reach the beach. Just behind it there is also a grassy area, if you prefer relaxing there instead of the sand. The water at Hukilau Beach Park is rather calm, especially during summer. The calm water is also the reason why it’s popular with swimmers and snorkeling enthusiasts. But even though it’s a nice beach for swimming, it doesn’t get too crowded.
Clissold's Beach
Clissold's Beach is a rather local’s beach in Laie. It’s easy to reach from the town, and a great spot to enjoy some beachy adventures with kids. The rather small sandy beach with grassy areas behind it is protected from strong waves. This makes it a great beach for swimming and very safe for smaller kids. Residents love coming here to wind down and relax, but even though it’s such a beautiful beach, it’s never too crowded!
Whatever you decide to do during your holiday in Laie, we promise you will love the boat tours and watersports. Sunshine and a lot of fun are guaranteed! For any further tips or requests, feel free to contact us anytime.