Only 25 Lucky People Are Allowed To Visit This Gorgeous Hawaii Beach At A Time
By Megan Shute|Published April 09, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to approximately 750 miles of coastline — and countless incredible beaches in a variety of colors and landscapes. Of course, we love the famous beaches — Waikiki and Ka’anapali, for example — but there’s something about visiting a secluded spot that makes your weekend feel much more adventurous. While you won’t find any private beaches in the Aloha State, there is one dreamy destination that restricts access to just 25 guests at any given time. Ready to see how you can visit this stunning stretch of sand for yourself? Read on.
Nestled along Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast, Kauna’oa Bay, also known as Mauna Kea Beach, is one of a handful of white sand beaches along this coastline. It’s also as pretty as a postcard, but unless you’re a guest at the neighboring Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, it can be hard to visit.
With calm, crystalline turquoise waters, fine white sand, and palm trees swaying in the breeze, Kauna’oa is quintessentially Hawaiian: it is likely exactly the image that comes to mind when daydreaming about the islands.
Described by many as perfect and recognized as one of the best beaches in Hawaii — and even the nation as a whole — by a variety of sources, Kauna’oa is a gem. The beach was even recognized as America’s best beach in 2000 by Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman, most commonly known as Dr. Beach.
Kauna’oa Beach, like all beaches on Hawaii, is open to the public, but the parking lot belongs to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The spots in the parking lot are limited (some sources say there are only 25 spots while others suggest a number closer to 40), and its suggested you get there before 8:30 a.m. to snag a spot.
Stretching on for approximately half a mile, the beach features two coral reefs and generally calm waters. The gently sloping shore makes for idyllic sunbathing, while the rocky, southern side of the beach is popular among snorkelers. Here, you’ll discover an underwater world home to sea turtles and a variety of tropical fish.
The beach is best visited in the summer months, as winter can bring high surf, a pounding shore break, and strong rip currents that make entering the ocean here hazardous.
With pictures like this, it's easy to see why this half-mile crescent-shaped stretch of sand is a natural draw for sun worshippers, watersport enthusiasts, and even families in search of calm beaches for their keiki.
You can access Kauna’oa Bay via Mauna Kea Beach Drive, just west of state Route 19, or Hawaii Belt Road, approximately 2.6 miles south of Kawaihae. Though parking passes are limited at the resort gate, there are public restrooms and showers available.
Have you ever visited the striking and secret Kauna’oa Bay? What is your favorite Hawaiian beach? We’d love to hear your opinions in the comments below. Then, click here to learn all about an empty beach that’s worth a visit from any corner of the state.
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