Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa Bay)

From Kailua-Kona, take the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19) north toward Kawaihae. Just past Waikōloa, you'll see the turnoff for mile marker 68 or Mauna Kea Beach Drive on your left. Check in with security — they'll let you know if there is room to park.

Public bus — Take the Hele-On bus, route 90 or 75, toward South Kohala Resorts. Get off at South Kohala Resorts, Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort. You'll need to walk from the highway to the beach (less than a mile). This takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes from downtown Kailua-Kona.

The beach's mellow waves and generally calm water are safe for swimmers of all levels, including kids. While people do snorkel here, it's mainly due to the bay's calm waters, not because there is an abundance of coral reefs. The majority of the bay is sandy, so you'll see fish randomly on the sea floor, but for more action, you'll want to head to the rocky outcroppings at either end of the beach where there is coral and reef fish. Visibility is best in the mornings.

While most of the manta ray action is on the southern end of Kailua-Kona, Mauna Kea Beach also has a special relationship with manta rays. Just below Manta Restaurant, located inside Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, is Manta Point — a viewing platform that shines a light into the ocean, drawing in plankton, the manta's favorite food. If you stick around past sunset or are dining at the hotel after dark, I highly recommend stopping in to see if you can glimpse mantas having a snack. Another option, which nearly guarantees a sighting, is to book a manta ray snorkel tour.

During the late spring, summer and early fall, the waters of Kaunaʻoa Bay are typically calm and glassy, making it ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. In the winter months, as the water becomes more turbulent and the waves break on the shore, boogie boarding becomes the preferred activity. The bay is not known for surfing. You'll need to bring your own gear — the only rental spot on the beach is for hotel guests only.

While I highly recommend this beach for most types of beachgoers, access can be a bit tricky due to limited parking. This makes coming here both challenging and rewarding, since lack of parking means a less crowded beach. About 35 free public parking stalls are located at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel inside the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, which is home to two luxury hotels, two world-renowned golf courses, as well as high-end villas, residences and vacation rentals. To acquire a highly sought-after parking pass, you'll need to arrive before 8 a.m., ideally on a weekday. Stop at the security booth inside the resort grounds and ask for a parking pass. If the lot is already full, they will let you know and turn you around. If there are open spots, follow the driveway just past the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel entrance. It ends in the public parking lot.

Once you've parked, it's a half-mile walk down a paved hill to the beach. The path is blocked by a gate, so you can't drop off people and gear before parking. Because of this, I recommend packing light.

If you can't find a parking spot, the alternative is to go to another beach or try again later in the day, after the early arrivers have departed. Maybe you can get in a late-afternoon swim and watch the sunset? Another option is to dine at the resort for breakfast at Manta Restaurant or lunch at Hau Tree and take a quick swim afterward. This isn't ideal if you want to stay at the beach all day, but it works for a 1- to 2-hour visit after dining.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel — Located at the northern end of the beach. The chairs and umbrellas are for resort guests only, but anyone can grab a meal, snack or drink at the hotel's Beach Club and Hau Tree Restaurant.

Hāpuna State Recreation Area — $10 parking, $5 per person entry fee. Relax at the beach or hike along the 1.2-mile coastal trail. The trail is mostly flat and only takes about 30 to 45 minutes. What I love about this hike is that it's along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a culturally significant "trail by the sea" that connected coastal communities in ancient Hawaiʻi. Enter the trailhead at the far north end of Hāpuna Beach where the trail markers sit in a rocky outcropping, then follow the coastline until it stops at Mauna Kea Beach. Bring sneakers or walking shoes for the hike, as you will encounter rocky areas. There is no shade along the trail, so early morning and late afternoon are the best times to do the hike.

Spencer Beach Park — One of the most family-friendly beaches on the island, with shade, showers and restrooms. Free parking and entry make this beach easy to get to.

Hāwi — A small coastal town in North Kohala, great for breakfast or lunch and exploring galleries and shops. Be sure to stop by Kohala Grown Market for picnic provisions and locally made items.

7:30 a.m. — Arrive at Mauna Kea Beach, spend the morning swimming and sunbathing.

Noon — Lunch at Hau Tree (located in Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the north end of the beach)

2 p.m. — Drive up to Hāwi for shopping, galleries and a sweet treat.

5:30 p.m. — Walk a portion of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail at Hāpuna State Recreation Area.

7 p.m. — Have dinner at Manta Restaurant (inside Mauna Kea Beach Hotel) and look for manta rays swimming around Manta Point down below.

• Don't turn your back on the ocean (waves, shore break)
• Don't swim at beach without lifeguards if you're not a strong open-water swimmer
• Don't enter the water during high-surf advisories
• Don't approach or touch marine life.
• Use only reef-safe sunscreen
• Don't stand on, touch, or break coral
• Don't leave valuables in cars at beach lots

Cultural respect

• Take your trash, leave everything else: Do not remove sand, rocks or coral from the beach.
• If you see a monk seal on the beach, stay at least 50 feet away and don't approach for photos. Do not touch honu, or green sea turtles, either. Stay at least 10 feet away. Both are federally protected.