Kauna’oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach), Big Island, HI: Complete 2024 Visitor Guide
Kauna’oa Beach, popularly known as Mauna Kea Beach. An incredible slice of tropical paradise on the Kohala coast of the Big Island of Hawaii!
Kauna’oa Beach, Big Island, is fronted by a stunning, intense blue, Kauan’oa Bay, and backed by the luxurious Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, one of Marriott’s Autograph Collection resorts.
With finely powdered, white sands and typically calm, ocean waters allowing for fun water activities, Kauna’oa Beach regularly appears in the top 10 US beaches list!
Despite all the accolades, Mauna Kea Beach is relatively uncrowded, for a simple reason: very difficult to find parking unless you come in early (about 8:00 am).
While all Hawaiian beaches are open to the public, Mauna Kea Beach is virtually a private beach for the sprawling Mauna Kea Resort, and they allow only 40 parking spaces for the general public.
Having visited Kauna’oa Beach multiple times, we’ll share with you all the tricks to get to this stunning beach, and once there, what are the best things to do, from outrigger canoeing to night time viewing of the graceful manta rays!
Snorkeling Captain Cook at Kealakekua Bay should definitely be on your Big Island itinerary: check out our guide to the best Captain Cook snorkel tours!
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Kauna’oa Beach Directions
Set on the sunny Kohala Coast of Big Island, Kauna’oa Beach is about 30 miles north of the tourist hub of Kailua Kona.
Take the scenic Highway 19 past Kekaha Kai State Park and Hapuna Beach to Mauna Kea Beach Drive (mile marker 68), which winds down to the ocean and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (expand the Kauna’oa Beach Map below for additional details).
Look for a lava rock wall with Mauna Kea on the side, and enter.
At the gate, ask for a public parking pass to the Mauna Kea Beach.
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Kauna’oa Beach Parking
Knowing there are only 40 public parking spots, the first time we visited Mauna Kea Beach, we arrived early, about 7:30 am, and had no trouble getting one.
You still have to pay for parking (as of this writing, $20) at the machine near the parking spot.
What if you can’t come early? Plan on a weekday, and try to come around lunchtime then, hoping someone will be leaving. Or try the below options.
Valet Parking at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
The second time we visited Mauna Kea Beach, we came around 4:00 pm, and all the spots were gone (there was a sign at the gate to that effect).
The kids were hungry, and we opted for valet parking instead ($40 at that time), and let the guards at the security gate know we were here to try their restaurant.
If you eat at one of the restaurants, which we did for early dinner, you can get partial validation ($20 credit).
We just stayed back after dinner, and spent some time at Mauna Kea Beach as well! We enjoyed a fabulous sunset, and later viewed manta rays after dark from the Manta Ray point.
Parking at Hapuna Beach State Park
Your last option is to use the neighboring Hapuna Beach, which has ample public parking ($10 / vehicle for non-residents).
Enjoy Hapuna Beach and walk down along the coast to Mauna Kea Beach, about a mile (15 minutes roughly). Not only do you get to enjoy a beautiful coastal hike, you’ll also save $10 in parking!
Don’t forget, Hapuna Beach State Park gate closes at 8:00 pm, allow plenty of time to get back. Hiking along the coastal trail after sunset will be tricky as well.
Kauna’oa Beach Map
The Kauna’oa Beach map below shows the location of Kauna’oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach), and the main attractions nearby. Please expand the map for details.
Kauna’oa Beach Access
From the public parking lot at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to Kauna’oa Beach is roughly 1/4 mile or about 5 minutes walk on a nice, shaded path.
Kauna’oa Beach Reservations
Kauan’oa Beach doesn’t need any reservations.
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Kauna’oa Beach Amenities / Facilities
Location: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743
Lifeguard: No
Beach Amenities: Restrooms, showers
Food Nearby: Mauna Kea Resort restaurants
Parking: Paid parking, Mauna Kea Resort or Hapuna Beach parking lot
Directions: North on Highway 19 from Kailua Kona, left on Mauna Kea Beach Drive at mile marker 68
Picking a beach to visit backed by a ritzy resort has some perks, like clean restrooms, showers, rentals and food options.
The downside? Resort prices!
The Hau Tree at the Mauna Beach Resort is beachside and casual, offering snacks, lunch, dinner and drinks.
Next to the restaurant is a concession stand (you don’t have to be a hotel guest to rent) with beach umbrellas, snorkeling gear, boogie boards, and gear for many other water activities.
Best Things to Do at Kauna’oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)
Though small at about 1/2 a mile long, Kauna’oa Beach is a perfect picture postcard, with finely powdered, white sands, turquoise blue waters, and swaying coconut palm trees bordering the beach.
Visiting this beautiful beach is one of our favorite things to do on the Big island!
As to be expected, with a resort backing the beach, you’ll see a large number of beachside, cabana chairs with beach umbrellas, lining the side of the resort.
But more unusual for a beach so beautiful, we found it relatively uncrowded, especially after visiting the neighboring Hapuna Beach, equally beautiful, but busy!
The warm waters of Kauna’oa Bay are typically calm, especially in summer, and you’ll find all kinds of people enjoying water activities.
But note that no lifeguards on duty here, so enter the water at your own risk.
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1. Snorkel at Mauna Kea Beach
Mauna Kea Beach, as shown in the below aerial photo, has extensive coral reefs on either end. When the waters are calm, which is usually the case, these reefs provide for some excellent snorkeling.
The reef on the southern side (your left, facing the ocean) is a bit easier to get to, and better for beginning snorkelers and kids.
The reef on the northern side is more extensive, but you need to swim out further along the lava rock wall to under the viewpoint for the best coral reefs, more for the experienced snorkeler.
In either case, I recommend you wear fins to help you.
We saw lots of beautiful tropical fish including yellow tangs, butterflyfish, wrasses and goatfish.
To recognize and identify these beautiful fish, refer to our Hawaiian fish snorkeling guide.
If you are looking to buy personal snorkeling gear instead of renting, check out these light travel-ready ones that we love to take to Hawaii!
2. Swim at Mauna Kea Beach
Mauna Kea Beach slopes gently into the ocean, with the result that you have shallow waters with a sandy ocean floor for some distance from the shore.
When waters are calm, the beach is excellent for a refreshing dip or swimming laps along the shore.
Winter waters are usually too rough, and without lifeguards to consult, entering the water is too risky. Often, treacherous rip currents develop during high surf in winter.
3. View Manta Rays at Night
If you’re visiting the Big Island of Hawaii, night time manta ray viewing is something that must be on your bucket list!
Your best option for manta ray viewing is a snorkeling or scuba-diving tour, where you can view manta rays clustered together in an uncanny, night time setting!
Not wanting to take a tour? Mauna Kea Beach Resort (as do many other oceanside resorts) turn on floodlights into the ocean water, attracting plankton.
Manta rays are graceful, winged-like giants that feed on the plankton, and you’ll often find a crowd of these gentle creatures collecting around the light.
A lookout called Manta Ray Point, part of the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, offers excellent viewing points from where you can see manta rays, silhouetted against the light, gliding around the ocean floor, feeding on the abundant plankton.
An incredible, breath-taking experience, not to be missed if you are on the Big Island of Hawaii!
>> Book an exciting, 5-star rated, highly popular, Big Island tour now!
4. Surf or Boogie Board at Kauna’oa Beach
In winter, with rough, larger waves, you’ll see a lot of surfers and boogie boarders riding these thrilling waves at Kauna’oa Beach.
Winter waves tend to be more for the experienced surfers, while summer swells are more suitable for beginners.
The concession stand at Mauna Kea Resort, next to the beachside restaurant, rents surfboards and boogie boards, even if you’re not a guest at the hotel.
4. Kayak or Standup Paddle Board or Canoe
Summer waters are usually calm, and Kauna’oa Bay is a great place to try your hand at water activities on the open ocean waters like kayaking, standup paddleboarding or canoeing.
Larger, group outrigger canoes are available for rent, making for a great family outing.
The coastline views from the ocean waters are beautiful!
Our friends were more adventurous and tried standup paddleboarding, and reported balancing on the calm ocean waters wasn’t difficult, once they got used to it.
5. Sunbathe or Relax with a Book or Stroll along the Beach
Kauna’oa Beach is relatively small, but quite wide and uncrowded, so finding a quiet spot for sunbathing or relaxing with a book is not difficult.
Or splurge and rent a beachside cabana chair and sip one of the Hau Tree’s (the Mauna Kea Resort’s beachside restaurant) exotic cocktails. You’re on vacation after all!
Especially in winter, when surf is high, most of your activities should be on the fine, soft sands! We helped our kids and some other kids build a sand castle.
While the Mauna Kea Beach itself is small, you can still take a relatively decent hike along coastal trails, after you run out of the sandy beach.
My wife and I spent an evening exploring the trails and coves along the coast, while our kids were busy with water activities, and enjoyed the relaxing stroll!
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6. Stay Back for Spectacular Sunsets
The Kohala coast of the Big Island is well-known for spectacular sunsets, and Kauna’oa Beach is no exception, and one of our favorite sunset locations!
You get a stunning array of colors touching every tinge of the yellow, gold, orange and red, as the sun sinks gracefully into the dark blue Pacific Ocean waters.
If you parked at Hapuna Beach parking lot, I recommend you view the sunset from Hapuna Beach, equally spectacular, and definitely easier to get back to your vehicle before the gates close at 8:00 pm.
7. Admire Turtles and Monk Seals on Mauna Kea Beach, Hawaii
What amazes us as we keep going back to Hawaii for vacations is the resurgence of some of the critically endangered marine life, especially post-Covid!
Hawaiian green sea turtles are no exception, and you can’t go to a beach on Big Island without encountering at least one or two.
Mauna Kea Beach, though small, still had some turtles basking in the sand, late afternoon and evenings.
You’ll see turtles while snorkeling as well, feeding on the plentiful algae and seaweed on the lava rocks and coral reefs.
Please stay at least 10 feet away, as per the guidelines of NOAA for endangered species.
While we didn’t spot any monk seals here, from conversations with locals on the beach, they do come here occasionally.
With expansive views of the ocean from Mauna Kea Beach and vantage points along the coast, you are likely to spot spinner dolphins and migrating humpback whales (in winter).
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Other Activities near Kauna’oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)
If you fancy a round of golf, the oceanside courses at Mauna Kea Beach are amazing, with spectacular ocean views, and you have two award-winning golf courses to choose from.
If you’re a foodie, the Mauna Kea Resort and neighboring Westin Hapuna Beach Resort offer some excellent fine dining options with stunning oceanfront views and tropical resort ambiance.
In particular, the Manta Restaurant specializes in an ocean-to-table menu, and we loved the fish options here. Obviously, you should change from your beachwear, but most fine dining restaurants are relatively casual, and you won’t need a formal jacket.
If you haven’t been to a Hawaiian luau yet, check out the luau at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, often rated #1 on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Snorkeling and Water Activities Gear Checklist
Though you can rent snorkeling gear or use the ones that come with tours, we invested in our own gear, mainly due to Covid-19 (why take the risk?).
- Snorkeling Gear Set: We love our Cressi Light Weight Premium Travel Snorkel Set for All Family, compact and easy to pack, great fitting, and very clear underwater. The Zenoplige Mask Fins Snorkel Set is a great budget option.
- Sunscreen: Hawaii’s sun can be harsh. Avoid sunburn with sunscreen compliant with Hawaii’s 104 Reef Act. The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, moisturizing with Vitamin E, is our go-to when we travel to Hawaii. Apply liberally and regularly!
- Underwater Camera: Want to capture Hawaii’s incredible underwater seascape and marine life? Your best budget option is the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof Disposable Camera, reasonably cheap with good underwater photos! If you want high-end photos and video, you must invest in the premium GoPro HERO12 – Waterproof Action Camera, (waterproof to 33 feet)!
- Inflatable Life Jackets: If you’re planning paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and other water sports, and prefer your own life jacket, consider one of these two US Coast Guard approved options: the Onyx M-16 Series Belt Back Manual Inflatable Life Jacket or the Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket.
- Water Shoes: Some of Hawaii’s beaches have sharp lava rocks or coral reefs, good water shoes will protect your feet (but please do not walk on the reef!). We use the Merrell Hydro Moc rubber shoes (men’s, women’s), great for slippery rocks. If you prefer sandals, we recommend the Keen Newport H2 Closed Toe Water Sandals (men’s, women’s).
- Waterproof Waist Pack: Keep your rental car keys, cards, and phone dry and safe while you swim or snorkel with a dry bag. We love this 2-pack AiRun Tech Pouch with waist strap. The transparent one is touch-screen friendly!
Ocean Safety Tips
Hawaii’s beaches are beautiful, but ocean activities can be dangerous. Ocean conditions are dynamic and can change without warning.
Here are some tips to enjoy the ocean and beaches safely:
- ALWAYS heed posted warning signs.
- Check conditions just before you arrive at your chosen beach, and watch conditions at the beach for a bit before you decide to enter the water.
- Swim at a lifeguarded beach and ask the lifeguard for advice before you enter the water.
- Never turn your back on the ocean, whether you are standing at the shore or on a cliff above. If you see wet rocks or sand, it means the water has been here recently.
- Know your limitations, especially if you are not an experienced swimmer. If in doubt, do not go out.
- If you choose to enter the water, go with a partner or in a group.
- Know that alcohol can impair judgment and motor skills in the water.
- Keep children close and always keep your eyes on what they are doing in the water.
- Watch for sharp coral or rocks or sea urchins.
- Check advisories regarding water quality at various beaches here.
The Best Big Island Tours
Have you booked these top-rated Big Island tours yet?
Guided snorkeling with manta rays at night, a bucket-list underwater Big Island adventure to watch the amazing manta rays up close. Sightings guaranteed or go again.
Big Island in a Day excursion from Kona or Waikaloa, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, ‘Akaka Falls, and the Waipi’o Valley Lookout!
Snorkeling historic Kealakekua Bay, one of the top snorkel spots on the Big Island. Look for dolphins en route (plus whales in season)! Don’t want to snorkel? Take a dinner cruise instead.
Sunset and stargazing at the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in all of Hawaii! Travel up and down in a luxury 4X4 van. Hooded parkas and gloves provided!
Thrilling zipline adventure over KoleKole Falls, a 7-line Hilo ziplining experience that allows you to soar over lush forest vegetation and the 250-foot waterfall!
Renting a Car on the Big Island of Hawaii
Most visitors that travel to the Big Island choose to rent a car because the island is, well, BIG, and the Big Island must-see attractions are scattered around the island.
Depending on where you choose to base — Kona or Hilo are the main places visitors choose — you can pick up a rental car in either location.
We always use Discover Cars to book Kona car rentals or Hilo car rentals. They search across a variety of rental car companies, both budget and brand, to offer you the best deals, AND they offer free cancellations. Plus, there are no hidden fees.
>> Check availability and prices on Kona car rentals now!
>> Check availability and prices on Hilo car rentals now!
Where to Stay on the Big Island
Kailua-Kona, on the sunnier leeward side of the Big Island, ands Hilo, on the lush windward side, are the main bases on Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island. Most visitors to the Big Island split their stay between these two places.
You will find the biggest choice of hotels and resorts in Kailua-Kona and Waikaloa, with both chains and boutiques, while Hilo has fewer hotels and inns.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is an excellent choice if you are looking for a pristine beach out the front door. The Hilton Waikaloa Village is a great choice if you are traveling as a family.
The Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast, just 40 minutes from Kailua-Kona, is a fabulous resort for a splurge. The SCP Hilo Hotel is the perfect base from which to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
You will find VRBO listings all over the island, especially in Kailua-Kona, Hilo, and Volcano (the base for travelers spending a night or more visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park).
We have stayed in VRBO rentals in Volcano as well as in Kailua-Kona and Hilo and we’ve found the choice and quality great.
>> Look for a Big Island vacation rental on VRBO now!
More Big Island Travel Inspiration
Headed to the Big Island of Hawaii for a vacation? Check out our many comprehensive guides that will help you plan the perfect Big Island itinerary!
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