WHERE IT IS: Just short drive from the Lihue Airport at the mouth of the Niumalu River and the entrance to Nawiliwili Harbor. This beach fronts the ultra-luxurious Marriott Kauai Lagoons Resort, Spa, and Golf Club.
HOW TO GET THERE: From the airport, head south on Kapule Highway then turn left on Rice Street, head down the hill about half a mile, then turn left into the Marriot Kauai Lagoons Hotel and Resort. Beach access and public parking is past the hotel lobby area – turn right and drive down the hill to the lot.
WHEN TO GO THERE: Kalapaki is a well-protected bay at the entrance of Nawiliwili Harbor. Hence, a choppy or big-wave day is as rare here as they are common on the North Shore in the winter. This makes Kalapaki the only "all-year-long" beaches on my favorites list. Heck, I gotta do SOMETHING when I’m not hunting fish on the north shore.
WHAT TO DO THERE: Volleyball, volleyball, and volleyball. Other than Hanalei Bay in the north shore, Kalapaki has a couple of the surprisingly few permanent beach volleyball setups on the island