Mauna Kea Beach
Mauna Kea Beach
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
455 reviews
Excellent
356
Very good
79
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Nicolina84
Seattle, WA28 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Our favorite beach on the island - white soft sand, blue water. Easy long walks along beach, some people paddle board, boogie board or body surf, pending waves. Next to the beautiful resort, where they have nice restrooms and a water refill station. Get there early to park! We arrived 7:45am on a Sat and 8:30am on a Thurs - both times we got a spot but if you came much later, likely wouldn’t find a spot. Because there is limited parking, it makes this beach less crowded than Hapuna (a plus for us). The resort has a restaurant on the beach but prices are high (in general are high on island though), if you don’t want to pack food.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanRoKo
Longmont, CO148 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Great beach, couldn’t afford to stay at this resort but if you can get to beach area by 8:30am and get one of the free 40 public parking spots then it’s great! otherwise try Hapuna beach or even Kua Bay. All get super busy by 10a. Go early before wind picks up!
Written March 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kara017
Bayport, MN49 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Favorite Big Island beach! This beach had enough waves to keep my two teens boys happy, and enough calm water for this mom to float in. The snorkeling was OK. There was some shade, which was so helpful. We went on a Thursday morning and arrived at 8:30am to an almost full parking lot. We were told that “starting today,” they are charging nonresidents $20 to park. While annoying and questionable, the fee was worth it.
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave D
Anchorage, AK11 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We drove up the first day from Kona and were turned away. The gate attendants didn’t check the cams to see if anyone left, just rude. So we asked both when is a good time to access a public beach, since no beach on any Hawaiian island is private. One said, 8am, the other said 7:45am. The next morning we woke up early, and arrived at 7:15am, much to the anger of the attendant who told us 8am. After the short walk down the hill, we saw a buggy, brown sand beach. Half was reserved for guests of the hotel, the jungle shady side left to people not staying at the hotel. On top of all the bad, cramped and crowded. Guests jogged, walked by with scowling disdain on their faces. Screw this beach unless you booked this hotel. Go to Kua bay, goto the left of the stairs down, true white sand and friendly people. Even better, Makalawena, the best beach on the big island with three beaches on the way there if you can’t make the hike in. All are awesome and secluded that allow your very own part of the beach to yourself, and Monk seals are often there sunning themselves. Mauna Kea is overhyped by people from most likely the east coast where sand is crap.
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beckersyr
Syracuse, NY36 contributions
Jan 2020
What a great beach, almost like having your own private beach. It's not crowded because there is limited parking at the Mauna Kea resort, I think 30 cars for the public. If it's full, you can pay for parking at the hotel valet (I think $40 or $20 if eating at the resort). Such a relaxing beach, not crowded at all.
There is snorkeling to the right, shade in the tree area, beach sand goes way out into the bay area. The resort has a food and drink restaurant on the beach, along with beach rentals.
Great beach for all ages.
There is snorkeling to the right, shade in the tree area, beach sand goes way out into the bay area. The resort has a food and drink restaurant on the beach, along with beach rentals.
Great beach for all ages.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drmader
Orinda, CA2,089 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Always excellent snorkeling and swimming to platform in his perfectly sandy mellow crescent beach. We saw a sea snake this time which we have never seen. Also got to see the mantas several evenings. T he y are not here every night anymore as they bailed to be. We learned there are 2 other common places for mantas to feed on plankton at night.
Great beach for clam bake outdoors, thanksgiving dinner and luau, walking, playing football or just reading. Body surfing on days w a little larger surf is also great. Wonderful for old and young here because easy to get in and out .the break is gentle. Paddle board yoga is great..always look forward to it. Regular yoga on the grass in front of beach wing is also great-challenging and good instructors like Aleah and Molly.
Great beach for clam bake outdoors, thanksgiving dinner and luau, walking, playing football or just reading. Body surfing on days w a little larger surf is also great. Wonderful for old and young here because easy to get in and out .the break is gentle. Paddle board yoga is great..always look forward to it. Regular yoga on the grass in front of beach wing is also great-challenging and good instructors like Aleah and Molly.
Written December 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kytraveler
Shelbyville, KY209 contributions
Sep 2021
Another beautiful beach in paradise and the parking is free. The trick is to arrive early as there is limited public parking and it's monitored carefully. Easy walk from the parking lot to the beach. Beach is lovely and the water is sparkling.
Written September 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milocat007
Santa Cruz, CA295 contributions
Aug 2021
Beautiful sandy beach with a good amount of shade in parts. On Friday we got here at 8AM and there we no parking spaces / passes left. On Sunday, we arrived at 7:15AM and were #25 in the eventual list of 40. I'd recommend getting here by 7:30 and I'm sure you can grab a shady spot to the left. Walk from parking to the beach is not bad; partly shade.
Written August 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debradefreyn
Olympia, WA105 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
After spending half a day at Hapuna Beach, I didn’t think this could top it but it did. Hapuna was great for parking and boogie boarding, but it got crowded quickly. Mauna Kea was just as beautiful (if not more), but not nearly as crowded. You have to get to both beaches early but Mauna Kea only has so many public beach spots and you go through the resort main gate to get a pass. From the parking lot it is short walk down a paved path to the public bathrooms (with two outdoor showers) and then out onto a gorgeous soft white sand beach. We snorkeled both sides of the cove - the north side (to the right as you look at the ocean) had the most fish by far but the south side was easier to swim to the (mostly dead) reef. In between the reef points, a big expanse of blue water for swimming, paddle boarding, and body surfing (the day we were there the waves were not enough for good boogie boarding - but every time we’ve been to Hapuna the waves were always enough for great boogie boarding). This is probably my favorite traditional beach on the Island.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA2,836 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Don’t be disappointed if you can’t snag one of the 40 parking spots. According to the gate attendant they fill up by 8:30 AM. Instead, drive back down the highway to Hapuna Beach State Park, which has plenty of parking. If you must see Muana Kea, hike the 3/4 miles along the Ala Kahakai trail that begins in front of the Westin. Beautiful walk takes you to this prestigious beach. However, I found the beach limiting, with people crowded together, the water too shallow, and poor snorkeling. Not to mention, the boogie boarding is way better at Hapuna. Having checked out both, go with Hapuna and do your little hike to Mauna Kea Beach. Very pretty, no doubt, check it out.
Written February 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
occams-razor
Antioch, IL89 contributions
Is there a parking fee?
RomKat2013
12 contributions
Nope, but be prepared to drive on very difficult road that goes through lava fields.
Christopher M
Brookfield, WI198 contributions
Can I rent a lounge chair or is it only for Mauna Kea resort guests?
Hotel and Beach Club guests only
Deborah Y
1 contribution
Are there trees that give good shade along the north side of this beach?? Or any shade at all really.
Please and thank you!
Renee C
Eugene, OR126 contributions
Yes; that's what makes it my favorite. Although the trees are more in the south and middle areas than the north. It's such a small beach though that the whole thing is accessible regardless of where your towel is (you can walk the length in 5 minutes).
Jack E
1 contribution
How do you get to this beach from the Norwegian Cruise pier?
glcwhistler .
336 contributions
If you rent a car you might not be able to be let in if they don't have any open spaces for beach parking available. If you take a taxi or an Uber? That shouldn't constitute needing a parking space.
The cost of an uber or taxi from Kona? That is an easy hour drive each way, not taking into account how bad the traffic gets between Kona and the airport in either direction.
pagaynor
Quebec City, Canada
How much are the stand up paddle board rental
HOTELLMEMORE
South San Francisco, CA201 contributions
Sorry pagaynor. I have no idea
Mark I
Los Angeles, CA22 contributions
How is the snorkeling at this beach?
Wrldtraveller7
Langley City, Canada48 contributions
Hi! I was just there the other day and the snorkeling is best on the northern side of the beach along the rocks. It is not outstanding snorkeling but there are definitely fish to see. Try two step, captain cook for better snorkeling.
chai44
Bend, OR7 contributions
I have read the suggestions to arrive early -- how early would you suggest on a weekday the end of March?
NormanSantaFe
Santa Fe, NM307 contributions
Ditto, as we've always gone to the Big Island in January or February. What you might want to do is go at a time that suits you and if you are turned away, ask the person at the security gate what is the best time to get there and get in.
ChristyRabe
Tehachapi, CA1 contribution
What time did you show up and get one of those 40 parking spaces? Would the best day to avoid crowds be Sunday or Wednesday?
Mauna Kea Beach (Island of Hawaii) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mauna Kea Beach
- Hotels near Mauna Kea Beach:
- (0.10 mi) Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
- (0.18 mi) Luxury Villa at Mauna Kea w/Private Pool, Stunning Coastal Views & AC: Villa 21
- (0.20 mi) Luxurious Oceanview Mauna Kea Villas #13 w/AC: Serene Lanai & Coastal Views
- (0.21 mi) Gorgeous Mauna Kea Villa w/Coastal Views, AC, Private Pool & Spa - Villa 39
- (0.23 mi) MAUNA KEA VILLA #2 - WALK TO BEACH
- Restaurants near Mauna Kea Beach:
- (0.08 mi) Copper Bar
- (0.10 mi) Mauna Kea Luau
- (0.08 mi) Hau Tree
- (0.06 mi) Number 3 Restaurant
- (0.10 mi) Clam Bake
- Attractions near Mauna Kea Beach:
- (0.09 mi) Manta Ray Advocates
- (0.11 mi) Kauna'oa Bay
- (0.20 mi) Hawaiian Sails
- (0.20 mi) Mauna Kea Resort Golf Course
- (0.23 mi) Mauna Kea Oceanfront Luau
Mauna Kea Beach Information
Excellent Reviews | 355 |
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Very Good Reviews | 79 |
Mauna Kea Beach Photos | 263 |