Kalapaki Beach

This beach is right outside of the Marriott hotel. For some reason, the water isn’t as clear as other beaches on the island. There are several decent restaurants within walking distance from the beach. If you want to rent any gear including surfing or snorkeling, they do have a small store available right on the beach for rental services.
This is not a beach for snorkeling since there isn’t any corals. Surfing? Depends on the tight that comes in. By far other beaches in the surrounding area seems to have bigger wave than this one. Overall, I think this beach is average.

Loved looking out at the Mts and the water from the beach. Lots of good waves coming in. Very clean beach with chairs and awesome sand. The water is clear and refreshing. A few places close by to grab a drink and have fun.

Only one hotel on this Beach (the Marriott), this is a fantastic beach if you have kids, or if you love volleyball, or if you love beach stuff, or easy body surfing. Not a great surfing beach. The volleyball courts here are FANTASTIC. good enough I’ve seen local volleyball clubs working out on this beach regularly. According to the locals it is the best volleyball on the island, so Friday — Sunday the courts can be busy, but for us tourists the weekdays there is plenty of room. Nice views and you can walk «Beach Left» along the shore to a great little spit where the bay empties into the ocean near a little light house that is very cool — a little dangerous so that is probably not good for small kids, but it isn’t easily accessible from the beach itself. There is an elevator on the cliff which takes you up to the Kauai Golf Club
I enjoyed golfing there, though I’m not a great golfer and I assume there are better courses.

We used Joe of J’s Taxi service for a quick tour of the island. He saved the day for us after our cruise ship outing was canceled. We told him how much time we had and what would like to see. He exceeded our expectations and got us back to the ship at the time we requested. His card has only a phone number, no email so here is his number: 808−652−7911

Never had the chance to swim because I was told the water is contamimated (might be wrong) the beach is not that big. Ideal for surfing, bodyboarding, swimming, tanning and kayaking. This beach is by Marriot and other locally own store and boutique.

Its a nice, super cruise beach. There is a place to rent stand up boards right on the beach. Dukes and some other places to eat plus a hotel right there too. Can accommodate tourist and locals. There is decent surf there, small but fun.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Kauai, but my last visit was extended. A month, which is a long time for most. I was here for work so it wasn’t all fun and games, but I think that made me appreciate more my off time.
Pro’s: Right in front of the Marriott
Right in front of Duke’s
Can drink on beach
Water is pretty calm and the waves don’t break for a while so it’s good for beginners.
Parking is plentiful
Con’s:Water isn’t crystal clear like other beaches (other side of the island gets the swells which help with this).
Minimal shade
Locals don’t like non locals drinking on beach
Some unsightly features on the landscape
Really the only downfall of this beach is it isn’t on the North Side of the island where the big waves are, but unless you’re a strong swimmer, snorkeler or surfer I don’t suggest heading that way except to take pictures as many people had died that way. I was nicely spoken to by a local for drinking on the beach even though I saw others drinking on the beach days prior (granted they were locals). At your own risk, but stay covert with this one or just go to Duke’s. They aren’t a full surf dive bar so at least dry off before going, there are other options nearby. This isn’t the Caribbean in that aspect.

This is a great beach for families. There are lots of recreation options from the activity shack, as well as a couple of dining options.
The beach itself is mostly protected by a breakwater, so you have a calm side and then a rougher side. You can actually surf on the south end on a longboard or SUP. Good dining options from Duke’s to more casual shacks.
Why not 5 stars? The sand is good but not great, with a few rocks here and there. Also, there is a container port and cruise ship dock next door. Usually not an issue, but it does ruin the perfect tropical scenery.

Never came here while I was growing up, but back then, it wasn’t like it is today. When the Westin came in and redid the old Kauai Surf, they changed the beach and now it’s not a trip back home unless I come here at least once with my hanai sister and her family. Since the Marriot is right there, there is access to toilets and showers, as well as restaurants

If you are staying in the Marriott or somewhere else nearby and do not want to drive to another part of the island, then I suppose this beach would be good for you. However, I was hoping for either clear water or no crowds, but got neither at Kalapaki. The water was dirty and it was pretty crowded in June compared to some other beaches. (Of course, other beaches on the island are even more crowded, so I guess it is relative.) But in the end, I highly recommend you drive to another part of the island for better water. I went to Kalapaki for about 30 minutes one day and never returned.

Just a short walk (.5mi) from the cruise terminal or a free shuttle ride to Anchor Cove mall. Bring your beach towels, sunscreen and anything else you typically bring to a beach. The beach sits in front of the Duke’s and Marriott hotel. A great place to relax then a quick beverage from Duke’s when you need to get out of the sun.
You can spread your towel and layout on the sand or the strip of grass; well I chose the strip of grass and hid under some shade. There are plenty of activities if you choose to rent a Paddle Board, Surf Board, Snorkeling outfit or jump on a Catamaran. Since this beach sits in a bay, there are no breaking waves.
There are places to grab a bite to eat, like Duke’s, Marriott Hotel, JJ’s Broiler and Nawiliwili Tavern.
Hint: The Marriott Hotel has a few loungers on the beach for their guests. If you are from the cruise ship, do not use the ships beach towels or bags while on those loungers as the hotels attendant will ask and wait until you vacate the lounger.

This beach was across the street from our condo. It is the beach by the Marriott complex, but wonderful Hawaii requires all beaches to be public access. Woo hoo! We have the same beach as the people paying $ 300/​night!
It is a beautiful beach that is protected so waves are low and I saw lots of people paddle boarding and learning to surf. When we were here in February, it was not crowded at all. Duke’s is right there if you want a bite to eat or there are some other reataurants in the shopping center next to the Marriott.
Some of the other reviews complained about the water being dirty. I did not notice that, but I was not in the water a ton. I mainly laid on the beach and read a book. Heaven!

Even tho the water is pretty gross, I come here a lot when I’m home. It’s pretty close to my house, therefore it’s convenient. I’ve spent a lot of time surfing here and I haven’t grown any extra toes from the lepto LOL. It’s a pretty safe place to swim, since it is a protected bay, though it can get rough as all beaches do at some time or another. Just be mindful.
There are bathrooms and eateries right there, thanks to the Marriott. So, I come here and lie out on the grassy area (Sidewalks side) a lot. You can park in that lot or above by the tennis courts and catch the elevator down. Easy peasy and relaxing.

This is a beautiful beach and wonderful for families with small children or just folks looking for a fun relaxing day at the beach. It’s usually pretty calm and flat so it’s great for paddle boarding and kayaking around. You can also go surfing about a hundred yards offshore– perfect little waves for beginners. Do bring your sunscreen because there isn’t much shade or covering from the trees. This is also a great beach because there are many shops and restaurants right across the beach. There isn’t a lot of parking so beware of this. While it may not be the most gorgeous beach on the island, it’s still great for catching some rays and relaxing with friends and family.

The beach is beautiful and there is great eating options here: Duke’s and the Marriott hotel. The water level is perfect for swimming and the waves never really get too rough.
My only warning is: when the water looks dirty– it is! When it smells weird– it is! I have heard from many people that have lived here all their lives that ships «dump» here and that is why sometimes it looks and smells gross. Follow your senses at these times and DON’T go in. I have swam here less knowing this information. It is also a huge tourist beach for the hotel and the ship guests. Great place for volleyball and it is a beautiful harbor.

This beach is nice. Dukes is right there for a quick drink if you didn’t pack a cooler. Stay on the side where you can rent paddle boards. That side is a lot cleaner and you’re not cutting your feet up on branches and rocks…

The water wasn’t as pristine as some of its counterparts in the Northern or Southern region of Kauai but it’s right in front of some dining restaurants which makes for prime real estate. Who doesn’t love eating with a beachfront view?
The hubby and I walked along those big rocks they have on the side and we spotted all these little black crabs. It was crazy, they could jump from rock to rock. It happens so fast so if you blink you’ll miss it.

Good place to learn how to surf. There is a surf rental place (Hawaii beach boys) that rents for 12/​hour near the beach. The beach isn’t as pretty as the other beaches but the waves are milder than Hanalei for surfing. The water isn’t blue or green, and has some brown bubbles (ewww) probably because the water is connected to Nawiliwili port I think.
There are commercial places here like restaurants and bars too, if you are hungry after surfing.

This beach was in front of our hotel and we spent some time there when not using the pool.
The water is not as nice as other Kauai beaches. It was murky and reminded me of Boston beach water. Still it was never crowded and a nice place to chill.
It’s good for surfing lessons or paddle boarding but for pristine beauty, you can find many more better beaches in Poipu or Hanalei.

kalapaki beach is good for stand up paddle as well as body boarding and surfing.
my only complaint is that i don’t feel like the water here is very clean.
when i was swimming for mokihana aquatics, we would have beach practice here during the summer. there are definitely sea fleas in this water. they get between you and your swim suit and bite because they become irritated from the rubbing.
i have also been bit on the sand.
wouldn’t recommend this place too much, but, it is nice to sit and watch people play volleyball and do their water sports.