84°
Scattered Rain Showers
43%
37
Hawaii County, HI · Hawaiian Islands
Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
A quarter-mile arc of fine white sand fronting the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Kohala Coast. Considered one of the Big Island's top swimming and snorkeling beaches — easy slope, clear water, manta rays at night offshore. By state law the beach is public, but the resort caps daily public parking at ~40 spaces.
Today's Conditions
Great day for photography.
NWS alert active · 43% rain · 81°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Scattered rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. West northwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West northwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- 43% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — high surf advisory issued september 9 at 7:25am hst until september 9 at 6:00pm hst by nws honolulu hi
37 /100
ok
19 Swim
51 Sunbathe
59 Walk
70 Photo
Best for photography today
High Surf High Surf Advisory
High Surf Advisory issued September 9 at 7:25AM HST until September 9 at 6:00PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Full NWS statement
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR SOUTH FACING SHORES OF ALL ISLANDS TODAY... .A moderate long-period south swell mixed with a short-period southwest swell from Lowell will produce advisory level surf along south facing shores through today. Surf is expected to drop below advisory thresholds by this evening. * WHAT...Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet. * WHERE...South facing shores of Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, Oahu and the Big Island. * WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening. * IMPACTS...Moderate. Strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous.
Weather alert in effect
Flood Watch issued September 9 at 3:17AM HST until September 9 at 6:00PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Scattered Rain Showers
Wind
1 to 8 mph
WNW
Rain
43%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 10 AM–02 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Isolated Rain Showers
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
9:46 PM
0.1 ft · in 2.5h
Wave Height
4.9 ft
12s · E swell
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (HIZ026)
The HFO office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- HIZ003 Kauai n/a
- HIZ006 Oahu n/a
- HIZ017 Maui n/a
- HIZ052 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
- HIZ053 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
- HIZ054 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
- HIZ023 Big Island Leeward n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:09 AM
Sunset
6:31 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Isolated Rain Showers
18%
77
83°
Sunny
10%
86
83°
Sunny
9%
86
84°
Sunny
5%
87
85°
Sunny
7%
86
86°
Sunny
7%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 43% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
~40 public spaces released daily at the resort gate — show up early (around 7:30 a.m.) for a pass.
Dogs
Dogs not permitted on the resort beach grounds.
Entry Fee
$20 parking (limited public spaces via Mauna Kea Resort).
Address
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) today?
Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) dog-friendly?
Dogs not permitted on the resort beach grounds.
Is there an entry fee at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)?
$20 parking (limited public spaces via Mauna Kea Resort).
Are there lifeguards at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)?
Amenities at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) include restrooms, showers, beach paths.
When is the water warmest at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)?
Hawaiian water is consistently 75-82°F year-round, with the summer peak in August-September. Swimming comfortable every month; rip currents and shore-break hazards drive the safety picture more than temperature.
Where is Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) located?
Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) is in Hawaii County, HI, at 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS