Set on Hapuna beach on the northwest coast of the Big Island, the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort underwent a major renovation in 2018 that helped solidify its spot on the top of our list. Check out this past thread about the same subject: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29217-i268-k4917037-Mauna_Kea_Beach_Hotel_Manta_Rays-Islan Can't wait to do this again! Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. But no matter which accommodation you book, youll have access to the beautiful amenities across the resort, including eight pools, a spa with a water garden, a fitness center with a rock-climbing wall, three restaurants, two lounges, and a Jack Nicklausdesigned golf course. The Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve gives visitors a rare glimpse into Hawaii's past, offering an opportunity to view authentic petroglyphs up close and personal. Though the Fairmont Orchid isnt necessarily intimate in size the Waikoloa resort has 540 rooms its still an ideal spot for an intimate getaway. The hotel is a true resort, offering an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a tennis club, a salon and spa, a massive fitness center, a number of small shops and boutiques, and seven restaurants and bars. The water in the cove is between 36 and 40 feet deep. All guests are highly urged to check-in with our Beach Safety Team for any precautions before entering the ocean. Viewing mantas from the shore: Like at the Sheraton Kona Resort, you can see manta rays here without diving or snorkeling. We loved the calm beach and snorkeling right off the beach. This might be the most beautiful beach on the Big Island. The best snorkeling and diving locations in Kona along the west coast of the Big Island to see manta rays include: Most manta sites are located within 100 yards of the shoreline. Snorkeling and diving to see the manta rays are both equally stunning experiences. WebMauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection. Traveling with kids? The water here is between 20 and 30 feet deep, so its an excellent spot for manta ray night snorkeling and diving tours. The storied Mauna Kea property combines natural beauty and luxury with a rare collection of oceanic art, award-winning architectural design, innovative spa services, and chef-designed menus featuring local ingredients. ", Best for Families: Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa See Rates at TripAdvisor, "Accommodations are quite spaciouschoose an ocean-view room to see some of the areas special neighbors, whales and manta rays. Meridia Mediterranean Restaurant overlooks Hapuna Beach. Each has an ocean-view lanai (some have just partial views), rain showers, and soaking tubs. Mauna Kea Beach is a popularbeach located on the Big Island of Hawaii. Menu offerings and prices are subject to change without notice. There's plenty to do here, from paddleboarding to kayaking. Martina, Thank you so much for the amazing Manta experience on my 60. birthday. A replacement fee of $100 is charged if toys are not returned or are missing items within the set. Explore the sun and the sand with Beach equipment rentals at both properties. Nearby, you can find plenty of sights, including: Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site: The Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site is also near Mauna Kea Beach. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. However, this area is only open to hotel guests as its located on private property. Neighborhood. Download your copy of our Crossingmiles of winding roads, follow Queen Kaahumanu Highway until you pass the Waikoloa Resort Area and Hapuna Beach marker. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel RT Manta AM Waithelp* (Part Time) 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743, USA Req #1896 Monday, April 3, 2023 Division: FB Restaurant (FBR005) MK Waithelp Primary Responsibilities: Responsible for proper setting of tables. Lauren, thank you so much for providing this detailed report of the Mauna Kea night snorkel. Really helpful to people who want to know more. Best Overall: Westin Hapuna Beach Resort See Rates at TripAdvisor, "Each room has an ocean-view lanai (some have just partial views), rain showers, and soaking tubs. Plan a six-night stay at our Kohala Coast resort and take advantage of this offer. The differences include: Manta rays can be seen in Hawaii year-round as they dont migrate. 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Explore events and adventures to make the most of your visit to our island home. Its important to know that you actually dont really swim with the mantas, regardless if youre snorkeling or diving. The Beach Club at Mauna Kea equips guests for all sorts of adventures with beach equipment rentals and outrigger canoe paddling. So enjoy thisbeach at night. The best time to see manta rays is between May andOctober, during their mating season when they congregate in large numbers near shorelines. On the Big Island, it doesnt get more luxurious than the Four Seasons Hualalai. You could tell that people have been coming here for years and the staff treated the guests like family and vice versa. The 509-room resort is organized into more family-friendly sections and more adult sections, ensuring that parents have a place to retreat to, while kids are sure to have plenty of fun. The B&B is set on 30 acres of rainforest on the slopes Mount Hualalai, nestled among quiet coffee farms yet located just 10 minutes away from Kailua-Kona by car. We recommend this place as a great place to learn how to boogie board in Hawaii, with mostly calm waters. It was as if the architects had built a perfect frame through which to view the beach and cliffsand designed a treehouse guests could climb inside and have the stillness and peace of mind to savor with all senses the piercing natural beauty, a vast landscape of lava rock, sea, and ranchland with clear views of the Mauna Kea volcanos summit. If needed, we do our best to reschedule the event. I started with lobster tempura and chose macadamia nut encrusted mahi mahi for my entre and Mantas Souffle for dessert, a chocolate dream that I was told is a resort favorite. To see them, divers shine their flashlights in the water, attracting plankton and Manta Rays. On the budget end of the spectrum, we recommend the Volcano Inn, located just a four-minute drive from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in a lush rainforest setting. $115. A little about Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. She covers various destinations, hotels, and travel products for TripSavvy. Mahalo, Lauren, for this great report! Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The signature Mauna Kea Fredrico cocktail and any tropical cocktail (or mocktail) wish can be served at the beachside casual dining restaurant Hau Tree. Hapuna Beach 7. Waialea Bay 8. The Mauna Kea gives weekly guided tours of the on-site art collection. The manta rays now know that light means food. Read all about the different locations here, Read about how manta rays protect themselves, Read more here about what equipment you will use to swim with mantas, See our availability and choose a day and time that fit your travel schedule, As soon as youve booked and paid, well send you an email confirmation. When he retired from diving and filming in However, motorized vessels cant enter the bay. The hotel lights attract fish to the three main viewing areas. Restaurants and bars make the most of the island's An all-you-can-eat breakfast is included in the stay, so dont miss the fresh-baked banana bread, papaya bowls, and delicious local coffee. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Guests - For inquiries or to make reservations, please email or call (808) 882-5336. Manta rays have cephalic lobes coming out of their ears, and their wingspan is between 5 and 8 feet. The team will take care of everything for you, so you can just relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our experienced guides keep you safe and away from currents, jellyfish, sharp lava rock and coral, sea urchins, rogue waves and other potential danger, Swimming in the ocean at night requires planning and proper equipment; we work with top-notch gear like safety lights and swim vests. Yet, others can access it for afee. The bay's south end is a small cove with a sandy bottom where kids can safely splash around. Terms of Use, We have designed the tour to be relaxing and not too taxing. I walked across indigo floor tiles to see the beach, which has been called the most beautiful in the world (and not only by me). The 452 rooms are a bit generic, but if youre here for the nightlife, youll do just fine crashing into the comfortable beds late at night. Manta rays are believed to have existed for 4.8 million years. Thanks to the tactics used at night to attract the manta rays, its much more likely youll witness them during a tour. The manta rays stinger doesnt actually do anything, unlike the venomous tail of the stingray. Guests also have access to a relaxing lanai, plus a hot tub thats open 24-hours a day its a great way to relax after hiking all day. Swimming with Manta Rays at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Your Trip to Hawaii Island: The Complete Guide, Best Beachfront: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, Best for Families: Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, Best for Nightlife: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort See Rates at TripAdvisor, Lava Lava Beach Club See Rates at TripAdvisor, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection See Rates at TripAdvisor, Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa See Rates at TripAdvisor, Fairmont Orchid See Rates at TripAdvisor, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel See Rates at TripAdvisor, Four Seasons Hualalai See Rates at TripAdvisor. You can make a reservation at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel here (with price-match via booking.com). Wonderful. This tour is something that can only be experienced in a few locations in the world. I was lucky to enjoy a traditional Hawaiian lomi lomi massage at the Westin Mandara Spa, which features long, gentle strokes to lull guests into peacefulness. On the livelier side, theres a sprawling lagoon-like pool complex with a 200-foot water slide, a sand-bottom kids pool, and watersports rentals, all of which keep the kids occupied with plenty to do. The result is easily among the world's most beautiful golf courses, and it's also a challenging course that has been rated among the best practices in the country for decades. See our, Book a Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona, Hawaii, founded Dolphin Dreams Imaging (and todays Manta Ray Advocates) in 1991. My driver had just moved with his wife and toddler from Massachusetts (where hed run a cell phone store) to Hawaii, and said he had never been happier. The educational experience is led by local experts who describe the mantas habitats and impact on ocean life. In Hawaii, visitors can see manta rays, stingrays, and spotted eagle rays. We do require you to be able to swim in water too deep to stand and have basic ocean snorkel experience. ), Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection. These gentle giants come near shore at night to feed on plankton that gets disoriented by lights. Time to avoid: We recommend avoiding the first two weeks in October, as the popular Ironman challenge takes place during this time. Manta rays can be identified by researchers thanks to their belly spots. Kohala Coast. Mauna Lani Resort 10. My favorites are the Mauna Kea Beach Shop, where you can buy everything from towels to bucket hats to drinking glasses to with the iconic orange plumeria flower logo, and the pop-up House of Mana Up, which is filled with unique treasures from local artisans. In Hawaii, youll receive a fine of up to $10,000 plus a criminal penalty for killing or capturing manta rays. Enjoy beach equipment rentals at both properties or receive a complimentary set of sand toys are our Beach Desk! 808-882-5707. May is the best time of year to view manta rays in Hawaii. (Courtesy). Each of the Mauna Kea Hotels 252 guestrooms have one or more private lanai (balconies), luxurious Frette bed linens, and LOccitane bath amenities. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. On top of that, the boat tours attract the manta rays with their lights, so you are unlikely to see anything nearer the shoreline. Located at. The main restaurant, Wailele Cafe (which has a great view of the water), offers a childrens menu, while adults can enjoy locally sourced fish or wild boar. This transformative experience is the only of its kind on the island that offers shore entry, which means participants approach the mantas directly from the shore by walking into the ocean. ", Best B&B: Holualoa Inn See Rates at TripAdvisor, "Relaxation is the name of the game here, so youll find there are loungers spread throughout its grounds, a pool and hot tub. Set on 1,839 acres, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and adjoining Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel boast two championship 18-hole golf courses, an 11-court Seaside Tennis Club, and an array of beach activities. Please note parking can be limited, depending upon when guests arrive. It was the first viewing site on the island and is officially called Kaukalaelae Point. Viewing mantas from the shore: To view the manta rays here without diving or snorkeling, we encourage you to stay at the Sheraton Kona Resort, where you can request a table at the restaurant to view the manta rays in the evening. Book your tour well in advance of your trip to Hawaii to ensure you dont miss out on this incredible experience. Rays have been around in their current form for between 20 and 25 million years. Mauna Key Beach Hotel is located on the Big Island. These ancient carvings by Native Hawaiians depict a wide variety of imagery. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at the beach park; snorkeling gear is available from the nearby Mauna Kea Resort. Mr. Mauna Kea is a gem of a memoir written by Adi W. Kohler, the much-beloved General Manager of the resort for over thirty years, before his death at age 83. Learn more. The hotel is a true resort, offering an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a tennis club, a salon and spa, a massive fitness center, a number of small shops and boutiques, and seven restaurants and bars. It's known for its soft white sand and calm water, perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). If you dont feel like dining on property one night, you can easily walk to neighboring resorts to dine at their restaurants. Each of the Mauna Kea Hotels 252 guestrooms have one or more private lanai (balconies), luxurious Frette bed linens, and LOccitane bath amenities. WebManta Ray at the Mona Kea Hotel by TyB, CC (BY) At Manta Point, youll find the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and a beautiful white sandy beach. The Big Island isnt necessarily known for its nightlife, but for a night out on the town, youll want to head to Kailua-Kona, more commonly called Kona. Mauna Kea Beach Club Hours: Open Daily 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Upgrade your day in the sun and relax in your own personal cabana.To book at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, visit here. WebThe Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour lets you snorkel with giant manta rays as they dine on tiny plankton just below our light board. The sunset tour will sail out before sunset, whereas the moonlight tour departs once its dark. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Guests have access to bikes, stand-up paddleboards, and even ukuleles to really kick back, relax, and enjoy life in Hawaii. ", Best for Luxury: Four Seasons Hualalai See Rates at TripAdvisor, "For the ultimate splurge, book the 5,500-square-foot Hawaii Loa Presidential Villa, which has three bedrooms and direct beach access.". The gentle giants live in the world's tropical and subtropical seas, including Kauna'oa Beach. Between the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, there are thirteen wonderful (and walkable) shops. There were at least seven manta rays at a time. We stayed in the main tower and from the moment we checked in- this place was exceptional! Hapuna Beach is the perfect place for a picnic or an afternoon of snorkeling and swimming, with Hawaii State Parks providing facilities and lifeguards to ensure safety. We will definitely choose them again over any other tour! Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. Our Beach Boys offer Outrigger Canoe Adventurers that share proper paddling techniques, storytelling, and fun facts about the local marine life. Kealakekua Bay 3. 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kamuela, HI 96743. There are eight bars and restaurants here the most romantic of which would be the fine-dining Browns Beach House, which has a menu of traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Rooms are decorated with simple, homey furnishings, but each has large windows that bring in the bright greens from the surrounding foliage. Our moonlight swims are open to anyone over 12 years old (, Sometimes, ocean conditions force us to cancel our moonlight swim. Ocean conditions: Many visitors want favorable ocean conditions to avoid tours being canceled. Experience and understand what you are seeing and learn interesting and educational information youd never have thought to ask! Kohala Coast, HI 96743, i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-4{ color: #3e3e3d;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-4:hover { color: #3e3e3d;} Reserve With OpenTable, i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-2{ color: #3e3e3d;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-2:hover { color: #3e3e3d;}808-882-5707, i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-3{ color: #3e3e3d;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-3:hover { color: #3e3e3d;}Located at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel The oldest and most striking piece is a five-foot, three-inch pink granite Buddha, from a 7th-century temple in southern India, which is situated underneath a Bodhi Tree. Once parked, walk through the gate into an open field and follow a path to a secluded beach. You have three options to see manta rays while visiting Kona, Hawaii: Tour operators sometimes combine diving and snorkeling trips. Mauna Kea resort is a historical gemit was the first resort to ever be built on the Big Island. Mahalo! Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: 4: Spa, pool, beach access, Wi-Fi 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743 (808) 882-7222: Fairmont Orchid: 5: Spa, pool, air WebSnorkel with manta rays on this Big Island adventure led by an expert guide. One of the best manta snorkeling tours: At Keauhou Bay, we always suggest booking the Eco-Friendly Twilight Manta Ray Adventure (via GetYourGuide with a mobile or printed voucher very comfortable). The beach is spectacular. For The Mauna Kea Luau reservations, please click here. If you're visiting the Big Island of Hawaii soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Big Island Visitor Guides. Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel to be right in the middle of it all and to be right on the beach. A manta ray snorkel or dive tour in Hawaii is well worth it for anyone who wants to get a close-up view of manta rays. The underbelly is white, and they have a wingspan of up to 6 feet. Cantilevered hallways stretch high above, leading to three-tiered guest floors. WebLocated in Kamuela, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection is on the beach. WebMenu offerings and prices are subject to change without notice. This is a classic hotel and you can see why families come back year and after year. Follow the road until it ends at the resort's parking lot; ask to obtain a beach-access pass if you're stopped at the guard shack,thenpay $20 for parking (usually via the kiosk machine) as of this writing. We also really loved the statues and art they have here. The open-air lobby is situated above a sunken garden. As for activities across the rest of the resort, there is a white-sand beach, a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool (dont miss the hidden whirlpools in the grottos), a full-service spa and fitness center that offers yoga classes, and watersports rentals. At home in Austin, Id been chasing summer happiness with trips to museums, water parks, and air-conditioned restaurants, but I was ready for the thrill of exploring a place I had never before seen. Between the Mauna Kea and Westin Hapuna resorts, the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a rugged 2.4-mile path with beautiful viewsand you can hop in a golf cart for a ride back! Mauna Kea resort is a historical gemit was the first resort to ever be built on the Big Island. The property is well maintained and the architecture is really cool. There are special dining events every week, too, like a luau and a clambake on the beach. Meridia Mediterranean Restaurant overlooks Hapuna Beach. WebYouth. The hotel features the Seaside Tennis club with 11 courts. This area became popular with the manta rays after the Kona Surf Hotel closed down and is now visited on many tours at night. Waialea Bay Beach: Just two miles from Mauna Kea Beach is Waialea Bay Beach, which received a top ranking as one of the best beaches in the United States. Leave it all behind, experience the iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and enjoy a complimentary night on us. Sighting chance: The chance to spot manta rays in these locations is usually over 90%. This tour is worth every penny! The staff was great! Directly at the hotel, the Mauna Kea Golf course invites you to swing the clubs. Great view from the patio and wonderful beach access. Live jazz and a view of snorkelers searching for manta rays made for a memorable night. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Manta rays are attracted at night by the light from hotels and boats. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A little about Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Even the strongest swimmers are not recommended to go alone, and its much safer to book a boat trip. [emailprotected]. We will also show you how to passively interact with the manta rays, so they arent frightened or injured by your presence and so we dont interrupt them while they eat. The hotel has a viewing area where they shine a light straight onto the water, so you can watch the feeding. Maybe it was the way the evening light fell on the aquamarine bay, or the open-air walk lit by firelight to my sumptuous room, but I fell under the spell of the Mauna Kea Beach Resort completely, and now understand the parents and children who return again and again, for generations, to the Mauna Kea. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. There youll find quite a number of bars and even dance clubs, from laid-back beachfront hangouts to hotspots with DJs spinning all night long. The sandy cove of Kauna'oa Bay lies adjacent to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The beach is surrounded by lush green vegetation and several nearby resorts and hotels for visitors to stay at. In addition, the structure incorporates lava rock. Its a charming peek into the earliest days of the resort, and provides an insiders view into its style and charm. A parkside oasis with unrivaled amenities. Mauna Kea was built in 1965 and designed by legendary architect Edward Charles Bassett. The resort has created a library dedicated to Mr. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. (excluding taxes & fees) $130. (Courtesy), Mauna Key Beach Hotel's lobby features a sunken garden. Its a true island resort, offering not only a swimmable white-sand beach, but also two outdoor pools (including an adults-only infinity pool), an 18-hole golf course, three stellar restaurants plus a coffee bar, a full-service spa, and a fitness center, not to mention plenty of event and meeting space. Join us for a private snorkel tour with the manta rays that have long made Kaunaoa Bay their home. ", Best for Romance: Fairmont Orchid See Rates at TripAdvisor, "As a bonus, all guests are offered a free photoshoot with one of the resorts photographers, a great perk for traveling couples. Big Island Snorkel with Manta Rays Manta Guarantee, Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Best Time of Day, Best Time to Visit Maine [Weather, Crowds, Towns]. It offers six rooms and suites and two standalone cottages, each elegantly decorated with plenty of local wood decor and furnishings with Asian and Polynesian artworks. I heard waves crashing and smelled plumeria blossoms.