Beach· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii

Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)

20° 0.3′ N · 155° 49.5′ W

A half-mile crescent of golden sand in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, regularly ranked among the best beaches in the US. Two reefs keep it calm in summer, snorkeling along the rocky south end turns up turtles and parrotfish, and after dark the hotel's floodlights at Manta Ray Point draw plankton and feeding mantas.

Practical

Coordinate from To-Hawaii.com's map pin. Public beach, but non-guests need a beach access pass at the resort gate, and there are only about 40 public parking spaces; arrive early. Winter high surf brings a pounding shorebreak and strong rip currents. Rentals at beachfront shops. Wai'ula'ula and Mau'umae, two small white-sand pockets, are about 1.5 miles north on foot. About 2 nm south of the Kawaihae harbors.

Best for

Calm-season swimming and watching mantas from shore at night

Season

Calmest in summer

Nearby