Kauna'oa Bay Reviews

Close your eyes and imagine the perfect beach, a crescent of white sand, calm waters, ringed by lush vegetation with few people -well, that is Kauna'oa beach. Located about 32 miles north of Kailua-Kona off Hwy 19 near mile marker 68, the beach is accessed from the private road at the Mauna Kea Resort. As there is very limited parking for the public (only 40 spaces) plan to arrive early (before 8:30am). At the gate house to the resort you'll be given a parking pass. After you drive through the resort, you'll reach the parkinglot adjacent to the golf clubhouse where you unload your beach paraphernalia and start the long walk downhill. There is a restroom with changing room and an outdoor shower for washing off the sand at the bottom of your walk. Easy to push a stroller up and down the walkway, but a wheelchair might prove challenging.
On the left side of the beach is a rocky outcropping with excellent snorkeling. On the right side of the beach the classic Mauna Kea Hotel is nestled into the rocks with the swath of beach chairs reserved for hotel residents. But their beachside restaurant invites anyone with the budget to dine there.
If the beach parking is full when you arrive(happened to us when we got there at 9:00am), try the nearby alternatives at Hapuna and Spencer Beaches and check back at Mauna Kea later in the day when visitors have left for the day.

One of the most beautiful beach experiences we've been to.

We go farther down the beach to a more secluded area.

Lots of fun for guests of the Mauna Kea Hotel and others. Parking is very limited, so get there early.

Thanks Kauna'oa Beach!

It looks like the Hawaii you dream about...we spent the whole day there. The beaches are all open to the public there so if you can snag a parking spot this is a fabulous one. It is next to the Mauna Kea resort and we had lunch at their beach restaurant and the service there was great. It was very hard to leave the beach that day!

The beach at Kauna'oa Bay was beautiful. As most reviews mentioned, get there early (especially on weekends) to secure your parking spot. The Mauna Kea Resort only has 40 parking spots for access to the beach. We arrived at 8:37am in the off season and grabbed one of the last 5 spots. The guy next to me was saying there are less cars on the weekdays which makes sense. There is an access pathway to the beach that is about 1/2 mile from the lot.

Back to the beach. It was not crowded at all, plenty of space for everyone and clean. You're sharing the beach front with Mauna Kea Resort guests, but you have access to the resort restaurant. The surf was much calmer than Magic Sands Beach. We did a little snorkeling on the north end and saw many fish. The sand on the beach is ideal for building sand castles too.

The playland of Mauna Kea Hotel guests, this beach is world class. Turtles swim in the water at day and Manta Rays at night. Spectacular sunsets year-round. Remember all Hawaiian beaches are open to the public including this one. We stayed at vrbo.com, no. 392796. The premise provided access ($25.00 per day) to this beach and the hotel through their website. Showers beachside are warm and inviting. Large beach, privacy is available.

Last beach we hit, on the last day of our vacation and it's SO beautiful! Wish we would've found it sooner. Everyone in the family said "Best Beach Ever!" :) We plan to return some day!!

Beach in front of Mona Kea resort. Public access is limited to 40 cars. On the weekends get there early. Mid week we arrived after lunch and got one of two last spots.very secluded beach

Gorgeous beach but get there early because there are only 40 parking spaces for visitors. Snorkeling is very good on the north side nearest the hotel. Wind starts up between 10:30 and 11:00.

Slam-dunk.... This is hands-down,the most beautiful beaches on the island . Its a long crescent of pure white sand without crowds,on the day we came to frolic. Our mission, ,besides idling in the sand,was to snorkel and body-surf,showing off our Aussie prowess much to the amusement and perhaps a little envy from the younger surfers alongside. charming beach. Tip to anyone driving... keep bathers, snorkels, fins & towel with you and consume every beach -opportunity.

Another beautiful beach in beautiful Hawaii. After trying to get in a few times, we were finally successful (there's a limited number of parking spots for guests not staying at the hotel).

It is hard to imagine a beach more beautiful. Cresant shaped with lava outcropping son each side. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is right there. They have parking for about 30 cars for the public so get there early and have a fine time.

Been to three of the islands and there is not a better beach we have been to. Best beach out there. Nice sandy floor and great snorkel spots along the edges of the bay. Great for kids and adults

Sandy bottoms, great waves for body surfing. Awesome sunsets. This is out favorite beach on the BIG ISLAND. You can see whales in season and sea turtles when it is calmer.

We’ve been to the Big Island several times and just discovered this small public beach! It’s very private and convenient (parking in the Mauna Kea Resort). Skip over the crowds at Hapuna and spend the day here! Get here early- 8:30/9. Parking is limited (the resort limits the number of public spots which is great because the beach isn’t crowded at all).

We spent 2 weeks at Kauna’oa Bay....the gorgeous landscape, the beautiful, foliage, the perfect weather, what more can you ask for! The beach was amazing. Just in time for an early fall. We’ve been to many, many beautiful beaches but Kauna’oa is our favorite. Only left when we we had to get more beverages. Delightful in everyway! Compliments to the attentive staff!!

We have seen a lot of beaches in various parts of the world, but this one stands out as one of the very best, most beautiful we have ever seen. Glorious white sand, crystal clear blue water. Amazing and worth the effort. Only 40 parking passes handed out so arrive early and be prepared to stay. Alternatively, you can walk about one mile from Hapuna beach. It is a big rugged, but we found it an easy walk in flip flops. For those who are not in good shape, it might be a wee challenge. Part of the fun in the walk is peeping at the beautiful homes---definitely owned by the rich and famous and not the average joe blow tourist.

Now I have to say I have not been to every beach on the Big Island but I cannot imagine any beach being better than this one.

There was great swimming when there in July with a shallow entry. There was just enough waves to allow my 14 year old daughter to use her boogie board. Lastly , really good snorkeling at both ends of beach, more so at the North end.

We ended up spending three mornings here of our 8 day stay.

The only downfall is the limited parking at the Mauna Kea hotel. We had to be there before 8:30 am to guarantee a spot. Also , limited shade areas so good to bring own umbrella.

We arrived to Hapuna beach, paid 5 bucks for parking. There is a beach rental, restrooms, showers and lots of places for barbecue in the Hapuna Beach Park. Then we took a trail to Kaunaoa Bay. It takes cca 45 minutes to get there including stopping and taking pictures :-) we have done it in flipflops, but I wouldnt recommend it since we had to throw them away afterwards... At the beginning ot seems like you are entering a private property od the beach resort but dont worry, this is the right way! Kaunaoa Beach is a gorgeous place, there are also restrooms and showers so next time I would go there immediately wihtout stopping on the Hapuna Beach.

This Beach and Hapuna are probably 2 of the most overrated beaches in America.

Don't want to be a detractor just an honest opinion

Maybe Fantastic most of the time but not in In Mid-November through February with Winter Swells.

Hardly anyone in water here except for boogie boarders in Late November till February as Pacific Water is not calm this time of year.

If you are at this Beach and see no Hotel guests or visitors near the water best to pack it up and go to another beach if you want to play in the water.

Better beaches this time of year are close by just up North at Samuel Spencer Beach Park which looks just like this beach but is gentler and Swimmable year round. Has same fine tan sand with Full Facilities and easier parking

Also; just down South are 2 other Better hotel beaches at Faimont Orchid and Mauna Lani Hotel which are both swimmable and good for snorkeling year round.

Maybe the best beach on ALL the Hawaiian Islands. We've been to Hawaii 40x and stayed on 5 of the islands and explored tons of beaches throughout the years and this time we stayed at the Mauna Kea BH and I must say, this beach is spectacular!

It feels private because there's only 2 ways to get here...stay at the Mauna Kea BH or park next door and walk. Each day we only saw 10-15 families park and walk and they had almost 1/2 the beach to themselves. The hotel covers a good 1/2 plus they have a private Beach Club member area that never had more than 15 families.

The water is clear, tons of snorkeling, we snorkeled a few times and saw tons of big colorful fish, their is a lifeguard near the hotel. It's flanked by a golf course on one side and the hotel on the other, it's just a narrow paved path from the parking lot to the beach. Very scenic. You can see Maui from the far end plus the BI mountains in the distance. We saw a few runners each day because it's an easy beach to run. Tons of paddle boarders every morning.

This is by far my favorite beach on the island. The waves are calm, there is a bit of snorkeling, and shade for the afternoon sun. I gave it 4 stars largely because of the $20 fee that we were told “started today” and the need to arrive early for parking.

Long crescent shaped beach Great sand. Waves were a little rough as the hurricane past near 3 days ago.

Not snow white but rather secluded. There is limited parking at the Mauna Kea hotel for visitors near the hotel. You need to get there early or mid afternoon to find a spot. very nice white sand beach surrounded by lava outcroppings.

Wonderful beach. Great for kids and parents. Saw quite some fish and other critters just of the coast. Will definitely re-vsit this place!

We make a point to visit this beach every year. Here is where you share the same
beach as the guests of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The beach is capacity controlled, they only permit a maximum number of cars to enter the beach area.
If you arrive early you will get to enjoy one of the nicest white sand beaches with clear blue green water and it's sheltered from
excessive high tides. During the winter months you do have to be watchful.

This beach is also known as Mauna Kea Beach as it is adjacent to Mauna Kea Resort. It is open to the public. You can park at the resort. The sand is powdery white and the water clear and calm. It is not too far from Hapuna Beach State Park, with both beaches being in my opinion the best for sunning, swimming and relaxing with some good snorkelling also thrown in to the mix.