Kalapaki Beach Photos
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Kalapaki Beach, Kauai
Kalapaki Beach, located near Lihue at the entrance of Nawiliwili Harbor, is one of Kauai’s most popular beaches. It offers great swimming conditions as the ocean bottom is sandy and gently sloping. When the conditions are right, Kalapaki is also a good spot for beginning bodyboarders and surfers. The waves here are mostly gentle and roll across a shallow sand bar. Occasionally high surf is coming from an easterly or southeasterly direction, which may generate strong rip currents.
The white-sand beach is about a quarter mile (400 m) long and quite wide. The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club is located directly on the beach. On the backshore is a grassy strip that makes a beautiful contrast against the golden sand. Fronting Kalapaki Beach are a number of restaurants and shops renting out kayaks, catamarans and sailboats.
Kalapaki Beach is also home of a 40-acre (161,874 sq. m) lagoon area called Kauai Lagoons. It is enclosed by stones and said to have been built by the legendary menehune. According to Hawaiian legend, the menehune are craftsmen and master builders who live in the forests away from normal humans. The Kauai Lagoons area is now a wildlife sanctuary.
Kalapaki Beach Overview
- Wide, sandy and popular beach near Lihue
- Has been used for surfing lessons
- Wide, sandy beach
- Fronted by shops, restaurants and rental services
Location: Rice Rd, Off Highway 56, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766 Directions: If coming from the north, take Highway 56 until it turns to Highway 51. Drive down Highway for approximately 2.8 miles. Take a left at Rice Street. From Rice Street, Kalapaki Beach is 1.5 miles away.
If coming from the aouth, take Highway 50 heading north. Take a right on Nawiliwili Road on Highway 58. Drive down Nawiliwili Road for about 2 miles.
