85°
Sunny
10%
85
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.
6.6ft waves · 79°F water · 85°F air
Full NWS forecast for Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 3 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. East wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 79°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 12 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- 6.6ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
69 /100
good
55 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
85°F
Cloudy
Wind
3 to 16 mph
NE
Rain
10%
Thursday
UV Peak
12 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~17m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
79°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
9:36 PM
0.5 ft · in 6.8h
Wave Height
6.6 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
11:45 AM
Sunset
1:06 AM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:10 AM | High | 0.8 ft |
| 6:12 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 2:02 PM | High | 2.3 ft |
| 9:36 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Sunny
4%
86
85°
Sunny
4%
86
84°
Sunny
4%
86
85°
Sunny
5%
86
86°
Sunny
13%
86
86°
Sunny
8%
86
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 12 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 3 to 16 mph 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