84°
Sunny
2%
86
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
Ideal for a beach walk.
79°F water · 84°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 84. West northwest wind 2 to 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Northeast wind 2 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 79°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 5.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 12 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
79 /100
great
74 Swim
83 Sunbathe
88 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
2 to 7 mph
WNW
Rain
2%
Today
UV Peak
12 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~17m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
79°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
5.9 ft
8s · 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
11:43 AM
Sunset
12:59 AM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:17 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 5:34 AM | High | 0.6 ft |
| 10:40 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 6:21 PM | High | 2.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Mostly Sunny
8%
86
83°
Sunny
9%
85
83°
Sunny
8%
85
83°
Sunny
2%
86
83°
Mostly Sunny
2%
85
83°
Partly Sunny
3%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 12 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 79°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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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