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.

Eats & Drinks 5 Stay 3 Shops 2

Today's Conditions

Great day for a beach walk.

9.2ft waves · 81°F water · 85°F air

Full NWS forecast for Today

Mostly sunny. High near 85, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

Weather

85°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

9.2ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only

68 /100

good

55 Swim

78 Sunbathe

84 Walk

80 Photo

Best for walking today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

Wind

9 to 15 mph

Rain

Today

Air Quality

15 Good

PM2.5 (fine particles) · Waikoloa

UV Peak

6 High

High 11 AM–01 PM · burn in ~33m

Tomorrow

85°F

Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

81°F

Swimming weather

Next Low Tide

8:24 PM

-0.1 ft · in 1.9h

Wave Height

9.2 ft

9s · ESE 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

NWS SRF · HFO · Issued Nov 7, 8:12 AM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:27 AM

Sunset

5:46 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
3:02 AM	High	2.3 ft
9:33 AM	Low	0.5 ft
2:37 PM	High	1.3 ft
8:24 PM	Low	-0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:34 AM	High	2.5 ft
10:20 AM	Low	0.4 ft
3:12 PM	High	1.1 ft
8:48 PM	Low	-0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:07 AM	High	2.5 ft
11:05 AM	Low	0.4 ft
3:47 PM	High	1.0 ft
9:15 PM	Low	-0.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:39 AM	High	2.5 ft
11:48 AM	Low	0.4 ft
4:21 PM	High	0.9 ft
9:44 PM	Low	0.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:13 AM	High	2.5 ft
12:31 PM	Low	0.4 ft
4:54 PM	High	0.8 ft
10:14 PM	Low	0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:49 AM	High	2.4 ft
1:17 PM	Low	0.4 ft
5:29 PM	High	0.7 ft
10:47 PM	Low	0.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:29 AM	High	2.3 ft
2:07 PM	Low	0.4 ft
6:10 PM	High	0.7 ft
11:21 PM	Low	0.3 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 1617433, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Nov 7

85°

Mostly Sunny

Sun Nov 8

85°

Mostly Sunny

Mon Nov 9

85°

Sunny

Tue Nov 10

85°

Sunny

Wed Nov 11

85°

Sunny

Thu Nov 12

84°

Sunny

Fri Nov 13

84°

Sunny

What to Bring Today

recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 6 — high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 9 to 15 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F

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

restroomsshowersbeach paths

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.