Discover Mau’umae Beach: How To Find This Hidden Hawaiian Treasure

Mau’umae Beach, pronounced ma-ow-my, will delight the adventurous spirit in you. This sparkling turquoise, white sand gem feels like a secret cove, set aside from the rest of the island.

History of Mau’umae Beach

Mau’umae is part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. This 175-mile “trail by the shoreline”, according to the National Park Service, connects storied landscapes, ancient Hawaiian sites, and more than 200 early Hawaiian land divisions.

At the southern end of the beach is a private estate with an extraordinary history. It was once the beach home of Hartwell Carter, Parker Ranch manager in the early 1900s. The property then became the exquisite estate of the Matson Roth family of San Francisco, heirs of the Matson Navigation Co. It is currently owned by a private family.

Seclusion and Tranquility

Mau’umae is tucked into a cove, so the ocean tends to be calmer than other Kohala Coast beaches. The sand is soft and white. It makes for quite a tranquil setting, which is such a special experience in the Hawaiian Islands. Early in the morning would be your best chance of having the entire beach to yourself, for a bit of time at least.

Activities

Swimming in Mau’umae’s calm waters is a lovely experience. You could bring a floaty to bob on the water or go snorkeling to see which tropical fish you can spot near the rocky ends of the beach.

Bring some refreshments or a picnic to enjoy. It’s a quiet beach, so a beach read would also be a great option.

Amenities

Since Mau’umae is secluded, there are no amenities. Everything you bring in, you will also need to carry out.

Before walking to Mau’umae, I recommend using the restroom when you park at Spencer Beach Park.

After Mau’umae, you can do all of your post-beach tasks at Spencer. There are trash receptacles, for example, as well as outdoor showers to rinse off.

Safety Tips

Occasionally in the winter, there can be large wave events on the Kohala Coast. Avoid swimming if there are giant swells. There is not a lifeguard at this beach.

There won’t be shade at this beach until the trees grow back, so be sure to protect your skin from the intense tropical sun.

Mau’umae closes at sunset. It gets dark quickly. It’s best to get an early start back to Spencer.

Location and How to Get There

Mau’umae Beach is located on the Kohala Coast, between Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Spencer Beach.

Access to Mau’umae is through Spencer Beach Park’s parking lot, open 7:00am-8:00pm.

Enter “Spencer Beach Park” in your phone map app (62-3461 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea). Upon arrival at Spencer, drive as far south in the parking lot as possible. Park and look for signs to Mau’umae Beach / Ala Kahakai Trail. Walk 10 minutes to Mau’umae Beach.

Note: Limited walk-in access was previously available through Mauna Kea resort, however, the 2023 wildfire destroyed the access bridge. At the time of writing, Google Maps still shows access through Mauna Kea. Remember to go to Spencer Beach for parking.

Conclusion

Mau’umae provides a unique opportunity to visit a secluded Hawaiian beach with few people. Its gentle waves and soft sand make it easy to swim and enjoy. This gentle adventure to this hidden gem will be one you remember.

For more tips on planning your trip to the Big Island, see our comprehensive Big Island Hawaii Travel Guide.