Lau

Lau is a cryptid rooted in the folklore of the Solomon Islands, described as a mysterious aquatic being with a human-like torso and elongated, finned arms, said to dwell near coral reefs and coastal shallows. Divers and fishermen tell of glimpses beneath boats—pale forms that vanish in powerful bursts of speed, sometimes accompanied by strange clicks or warbling calls. Some legends portray Lau as protective, warning islanders of storms by circling canoes or driving fish toward nets; others see it as a trickster that lures men underwater to drown. With no evidence beyond fleeting sightings and old oral histories, the Lau continues to hover between spirit and creature, embodying islander respect for the sea’s profound, unpredictable vitality.