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Mauna Kea Beach, a crescent of white sand and palm trees arching around Kauna'oa Bay, is a perfect beach for families and people who like space. The bay is generally calm compared to other beaches on the coast. The water is clear and blue, and the bottom is sandy well into the water, making this a good beach for swimming, and there is also some good snorkeling in the bay.
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Just after turning off on the
highway, you will come to the guard shack. There are a limited number of parking spaces designated for public beach use, so be sure to get there early (generally before 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., and earlier on weekends) to get a parking stall without having to wait for someone else to leave. After the lot fills up, parking operates on a "one in, one out," system. As residents who use the bay for a morning workout leave, you may be able to wait 15 or 20 minutes for a spot if you arrive before 10:30 a.m., but after that you might as well just head for nearby Hapuna.
The guard at the front will give you a "pass" that you in turn will give to the person at the parking lot. After the pleasant drive through the golf course and past the hotel, you reach the parking lot. Hand over your pass and you will be directed to park in one of the "beach parking" stalls, many of which involve parallel parking.
The paved path down to the beach is at the end of the parking lot. It's just under a five minute walk under keawe trees and past arid vegetation to reach the lush palm trees and - for hotel guests only - manicured lawns that surround the beach. Golf carts and service carts may whiz by you on the path: keep to the right on the way down, and stay left on the way up. There is a restroom facility for public use at the bottom of the paved path. To the right are the hotel grounds; to the left is a sand path that continues another few yards to the beach.
There are several shady spots on the beach, including areas right as you enter the beach from the path. Be sure to bring your own beach chairs or towels, as the hotel reserves its chairs for guests. The upside of this limited access is that you end up sharing the beach with very few people. Don't be deterred - come early and enjoy the exclusivity!
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Directions: Head north from Kona on Hwy.19 to approx. mile marker 68. Turn left at the Mauna Kea hotel sign. Be sure to get there early.
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