From pristine beaches and enchanting sea caves to lava rock shorelines and mesmerizing blowholes, you’ll find countless natural wonders on and around Hawaii’s 750 miles of stunning coastline. Blowholes are formed when a joint between a sea cave and the land surface above the cave becomes enlarged. When the roof of the sea cave collapses due to erosion, a blowhole is made. When the ocean’s waves enter the mouth of the underwater cave, the water is funneled up towards the blowhole, erupting into the air. Luckily for us, the Hawaiian Islands are home to several incredible blowholes – all worthy of a visit this summer.
Before we talk about our favorite natural phenomenon in Hawaii, we should warn you about the dangers of blowholes. The surging waters found near these stunning blowholes are wildly dangerous; you should always keep your distance and stick to the official viewing area if there is one. Without further ado, here are seven mesmerizing blowholes across Hawaii that are sure to make your summer epic.
- Halona Blowhole
tobze/Flickr Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, the Halona Blowhole is perhaps the most popular rock formation of its kind found in Hawaii. During periods of high tide and strong winds, rolling waves crash into the shore and shoot sea spray into the air through a cave, acting as a sort of geyser. Halona Blow Hole, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
- Nakalele Blowhole
Courtney Collision/Flickr Nakalele Point Blowhole is a stunning display of water shooting nearly 100 feet in the air. Due to its geyser-like attributes and unpredictable conditions based on the tides, standing too close to the blowhole could be deadly. Nakalele Blowhole, Poelua Bay, Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
- Honuapo Blowhole
rjcox/Flickr Located on the coastline below Hawaii Island’s Highway 11 in the Ka’u District, this is one of the lesser-known blowholes found in Hawaii. The secluded bay is a local hangout, and home to tide pools, some of the best fishing in Hawaii, and a blowhole. Honuapo, Hawaii 96777, USA
- Spouting Horn Blowhole
Howard Ignacius/Flickr Perhaps the most spectacular blowhole in Hawaii, Spouting Horn can shoot as high as 50 feet in the air and is surrounded by a striking landscape. From the photographer: “With every wave, water shoots upward when it is forced through an opening and creates a hissing sound. The spray can shoot as high as 50 feet in the air.” A fence installed around the blowhole was designed to block access, and it is best to view the blowhole from the lookout instead. This is one of those dangerous places in Hawaii you’ll never forget. Spouting Horn, Hawaii 96756, USA
- Spitting Cave
Anthony Quintano/Flickr Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore is this picturesque Spitting Cave, found below a high cliff where waves crash underneath and shoot into the cave, ejecting the water like a reverse blowhole. Spitting Cave, 7 Lumahai St, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
- Honaunau Coast Blowholes
BigIslandHikes/YouTube Located near the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on Hawaii Island’s western coast, this slice of Hawaiian coastline is home to countless lava arches, natural bridges, and at least a few blowholes that produce stunning waterworks. H?naunau, Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI 96704, USA
- Waianapanapa State Park Blowhole
Matt McGee/Flickr Located on Maui’s Road to Hana is this amazing state park where you will find an absolutely stunning black sand beach, hikes, sea caves, freshwater pools, sea arches — and of course, a mesmerizing blowhole. Wai??napanapa State Park, Waianapanapa, Hana, HI 96713, USA
Have you witnessed any of these gorgeous blowholes in Hawaii? What about these 15 secret spots along the Hawaiian coast?
tobze/Flickr
Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, the Halona Blowhole is perhaps the most popular rock formation of its kind found in Hawaii. During periods of high tide and strong winds, rolling waves crash into the shore and shoot sea spray into the air through a cave, acting as a sort of geyser.
Halona Blow Hole, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
Courtney Collision/Flickr
Nakalele Point Blowhole is a stunning display of water shooting nearly 100 feet in the air. Due to its geyser-like attributes and unpredictable conditions based on the tides, standing too close to the blowhole could be deadly.
Nakalele Blowhole, Poelua Bay, Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
rjcox/Flickr
Located on the coastline below Hawaii Island’s Highway 11 in the Ka’u District, this is one of the lesser-known blowholes found in Hawaii. The secluded bay is a local hangout, and home to tide pools, some of the best fishing in Hawaii, and a blowhole.
Honuapo, Hawaii 96777, USA
Howard Ignacius/Flickr
Perhaps the most spectacular blowhole in Hawaii, Spouting Horn can shoot as high as 50 feet in the air and is surrounded by a striking landscape. From the photographer: “With every wave, water shoots upward when it is forced through an opening and creates a hissing sound. The spray can shoot as high as 50 feet in the air.” A fence installed around the blowhole was designed to block access, and it is best to view the blowhole from the lookout instead. This is one of those dangerous places in Hawaii you’ll never forget.
Spouting Horn, Hawaii 96756, USA
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore is this picturesque Spitting Cave, found below a high cliff where waves crash underneath and shoot into the cave, ejecting the water like a reverse blowhole.
Spitting Cave, 7 Lumahai St, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
BigIslandHikes/YouTube
Located near the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on Hawaii Island’s western coast, this slice of Hawaiian coastline is home to countless lava arches, natural bridges, and at least a few blowholes that produce stunning waterworks.
H?naunau, Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI 96704, USA
Matt McGee/Flickr
Located on Maui’s Road to Hana is this amazing state park where you will find an absolutely stunning black sand beach, hikes, sea caves, freshwater pools, sea arches — and of course, a mesmerizing blowhole.
Wai??napanapa State Park, Waianapanapa, Hana, HI 96713, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Hawaii Blowholes June 20, 2022 Tori Jane How many oceanic blowholes are there in the world? A blowhole is a fascinating and rare natural phenomenon in which there exists a hole in the ground. However, underneath this hole is an underwater cave system. When the ocean’s waves crash into it, it’s situated in such a way that the water appears to explode back out again, earning the feature its title of “blowhole.” There are at least 25 known blowholes on earth, and many of them are in beautiful places that are already popular with tourists. You’ll find them in places like Australia, Hawaii, Mexico (where the most famous one, La Bufadora, is), the Caribbean Islands, and more. How many blowholes in Hawaii are there? There are numerous blowholes in Hawaii, all of which are truly fascinating and fun to watch for a while. Some of the most famous Hawaii blowholes include the famed Halona Blowhole, which you can hike to and observe safely day in and day out. Another famed blowhole of Hawaii is the beautiful Nakalele Blowhole, on west Maui. This is one of the most prolific blowholes in the world, and it’s quite reliable, providing gawkers and nature enthusiasts with an incredible show put on by mother nature itself. What are some awe-inspiring natural attractions in Hawaii? Hawaii is an incredibly amazing place known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. One of our favorite natural attractions in Hawaii is the dormant volcanic mountain range known as Haleakala on Maui. It’s the best place to watch sunsets in Hawaii, and the whole place has a surreal beauty to it that we are totally obsessed with. Then, of course, there’s Diamond Head, Hawaii’s most famous natural wonder. It’s the backdrop for Waikiki Beach and is well-known for its iconic splendor. You can even hike to the top and it’s home to some of the best hiking in Hawaii, too.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hawaii Blowholes
June 20, 2022
Tori Jane
How many oceanic blowholes are there in the world? A blowhole is a fascinating and rare natural phenomenon in which there exists a hole in the ground. However, underneath this hole is an underwater cave system. When the ocean’s waves crash into it, it’s situated in such a way that the water appears to explode back out again, earning the feature its title of “blowhole.” There are at least 25 known blowholes on earth, and many of them are in beautiful places that are already popular with tourists. You’ll find them in places like Australia, Hawaii, Mexico (where the most famous one, La Bufadora, is), the Caribbean Islands, and more. How many blowholes in Hawaii are there? There are numerous blowholes in Hawaii, all of which are truly fascinating and fun to watch for a while. Some of the most famous Hawaii blowholes include the famed Halona Blowhole, which you can hike to and observe safely day in and day out. Another famed blowhole of Hawaii is the beautiful Nakalele Blowhole, on west Maui. This is one of the most prolific blowholes in the world, and it’s quite reliable, providing gawkers and nature enthusiasts with an incredible show put on by mother nature itself. What are some awe-inspiring natural attractions in Hawaii? Hawaii is an incredibly amazing place known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. One of our favorite natural attractions in Hawaii is the dormant volcanic mountain range known as Haleakala on Maui. It’s the best place to watch sunsets in Hawaii, and the whole place has a surreal beauty to it that we are totally obsessed with. Then, of course, there’s Diamond Head, Hawaii’s most famous natural wonder. It’s the backdrop for Waikiki Beach and is well-known for its iconic splendor. You can even hike to the top and it’s home to some of the best hiking in Hawaii, too.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
A blowhole is a fascinating and rare natural phenomenon in which there exists a hole in the ground. However, underneath this hole is an underwater cave system. When the ocean’s waves crash into it, it’s situated in such a way that the water appears to explode back out again, earning the feature its title of “blowhole.” There are at least 25 known blowholes on earth, and many of them are in beautiful places that are already popular with tourists. You’ll find them in places like Australia, Hawaii, Mexico (where the most famous one, La Bufadora, is), the Caribbean Islands, and more.
How many blowholes in Hawaii are there?
There are numerous blowholes in Hawaii, all of which are truly fascinating and fun to watch for a while. Some of the most famous Hawaii blowholes include the famed Halona Blowhole, which you can hike to and observe safely day in and day out. Another famed blowhole of Hawaii is the beautiful Nakalele Blowhole, on west Maui. This is one of the most prolific blowholes in the world, and it’s quite reliable, providing gawkers and nature enthusiasts with an incredible show put on by mother nature itself.
What are some awe-inspiring natural attractions in Hawaii?
Hawaii is an incredibly amazing place known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. One of our favorite natural attractions in Hawaii is the dormant volcanic mountain range known as Haleakala on Maui. It’s the best place to watch sunsets in Hawaii, and the whole place has a surreal beauty to it that we are totally obsessed with. Then, of course, there’s Diamond Head, Hawaii’s most famous natural wonder. It’s the backdrop for Waikiki Beach and is well-known for its iconic splendor. You can even hike to the top and it’s home to some of the best hiking in Hawaii, too.
