Overview of Kaunaoa Beach also known as Mauna Kea Beach Known as one of the finest beaches on the Big Island, Kaunaoa Beach (also called Mauna Kea Beach) stretches over a quarter of a mile and offers sandy-bottomed shores, less than 10 feet deep, for perfect and lengthy bouts of playing in clear, turquoise waters. Fringed with leafy palm trees and fine, white sand, this beach is considered one of the Big Island’s best beaches. It is no wonder that Kaunaoa Bay has consistently ranked among the top five beaches in the U.S. “Perfect” has been used to describe Kaunaoa Bay on several occasions, and one look is enough to see why. This hidden jewel of a beach is considered by many to be the best on the Big Island. Mauna Kea Beach has earned the accolade on The Travel Channel’s “The World’s All-Time Best Beaches” list. Access to Kaunaoa Beach through the Mauna Kea Resort Kaunaoa Beach is located within the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, so you’ll need to arrive early and ask the gate attendant for entry. It is a public beach, and if you’re not staying at the hotel, you’ll just need to get a beach access pass or be waved through the resort entrance gate. As you pull up to the gate, you may see a sign letting you know that the beach parking is full. Due to the fact that there are limited parking spots for the non-hotel staying public (around 30 spots), it’s best you arrive early because once the spots are full, you’ll have to wait for someone to leave. If parking is unavailable, Hapuna Beach is just one mile south. However, if you’re determined to visit this beach, you should arrive before 9:00 in the morning. Once you get your parking spot, it’s about a 5-minute walk from the parking area to the beach d
Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea)
