Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea)

The beach here is often referred to as Mauna Kea Beach because it is in front of the Mauna Kea Hotel. It features a beautiful crescent of white sandy beach with clear green-blue waters, and the sea is safe for families during the summer months. This is the perfect beach for relaxing or splashing in the waters. In the winter, the surf can be high, causing strong rip currents - it is best not to swim during those times.

The beach runs about a half mile, and there are two small coral reefs on the sides. These make for some good snorkeling, particularly on the southern side. To the back of the beach there are plenty of trees which offer shade.

The Mauna Kea Hotel has a restaurant right on the beach where they serve lunch and drinks. There is a beach concession next to it, and you can rent snorkel equipment and boogie boards there.

One exciting experience is seeing the manta rays at night. The beach turns on floodlights over the water, and they draw plankton. Manta rays come to feed on the plankton, and you can see them. There is a manta ray night dive available to experience this first hand.