One of the most magical wonders in Hawaii is the blowholes! These are seven Hawaii blowholes to add to your bucket list!
We have listed the most famous blowholes in Hawaii, as well as a couple that are not as well-known.
You can find blowholes in Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island (and possibly undiscovered ones elsewhere)!
Did we miss any Hawaiian blowholes in this article? Let us know in the comments. Thanks!
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What is a Blowhole?
While the name ‘blowhole’ kind of alludes to what it actually is, it is more complex than that!
A blowhole is a geological feature where water shoots up into the air as a result of lava tubes along the rocky coastlines in Hawaii (and on other volcanic islands around the world).
When waves meet the shore, they are forced through small tunnels and the water shoots up (like a geyser!) as a result.
In Hawaii, they are one of the most famous places to visit! You can see water shooting up as high as 30 feet in certain locations.
However, blowholes are not safe. So, park your car in the parking lot and observe from a distance.
Blowholes in Hawaii (at a Glance)
If you’re looking for a quick list of the Hawaii blowholes in this guide, you can see a round-up here!
- Nakalele Blowhole (Maui)
- Honuapo Blowhole (Big Island)
- Spitting Cave of Portlock (Oahu)
- Wai’anapanapa State Park (Maui)
- Spouting Horn (Kauai)
- Hālona Blowhole (Oahu)
- Honaunau Coast Blowholes (Big Island)
Blowholes on Maui
1. Nakalele Blowhole
This morning, explore Maui’s west coast by driving Route 30 North to mile marker 38 and watch the Nakalele Blowhole come to life.
For the most dramatic explosions of up to 100 feet in the air, check to see when high tide is and schedule your trip around it.
The trail down to the blowhole is rocky and steep at times.
Go as far as you are comfortable, and please stay off the wet rocks. They are slippery and very dangerous.
Nakalele Blowhole coordinates: 21.027360002830026, -156.5885461732586
2. Wai’anapanapa State Park
At Mile Marker 32 along the Hana Highway, you will arrive at Waiʻānapanapa State Park, its black sand beach, and its fantastic scenery.
Since reservations to enter the state park are required, be sure to not only visit the blowhole, but enjoy a walk along the coastal trail, visit the lava tube cave, and the magnificent rock black sand beach.
To get to the blowhole, follow the signs along a roughly paved path about 150 yards from the parking lot. The blowhole here is irregular and, at times, only makes a sound and has a small spray.
However, the blowhole can be pretty impressive with major sprays at high tide or when the seas are a bit rough.
Blowholes on Oahu
3. Spitting Cave of Portlock
Tucked behind the homes of Lumahai Street just east of Waikiki, you will find a path between the houses at 4 and 6 Lumahai Street labeled 119A Access that will take you down a 75-foot path to the blue ocean waters.
Here, sit on the rocks, feel the ground tremble under you, and feel the mist as the water explodes out of the Spitting Cave of Portlock.
For the best tremble, stand over the cave. However, stand on the right or left side of the cave for the best view. This will give you an unobstructed view to watch the water shoot up and out of the cave.
If your timing is perfect, you may even be able to watch some of the local cliff divers dive into the churning water and climb up the rocks to do it again.
Diving into the waters here is hazardous, as noted by the multiple memorials that litter the rocks around the cave.
There are also no railings, so keep children near you and away from wet, slippery edges. For the best picture, try to capture a house or two to show the height of the water gushes.
Spitting Cave of Portlock coordinates: 21.259747454815646, -157.70770958859595
4. Hālona Blowhole
The Hālona Blowhole is one of a plethora of natural wonders visitors to Hawaii will want to see and is a must for your Oahu itinerary.
Along the Kalanianaole Highway just north of Hanauma Bay, you will find a roadside parking lot where you can stroll to the blowhole overlook.
From the Hālona (in Hawaiian this means peering place or lookout) Blowhole Overlook, you can enjoy viewing the pristine coastline, along with a distant Moloka’i and Lāna’i.
The Hālona Beach, made famous in the movie From Here to Eternity, and the Ka’iwi Channel, which features Hawaii’s most violent waters, are just below the blowhole.
The Hālona Blowhole blows the highest, up to 30′, during the winter months when the Ka’iwi Channel is churning, and the ocean features big waves.
Throughout the winter, the overlook also makes a great spot to search for breaching humpback whales in the azure water.
Hālona Blowhole coordinates: 21.282956695646842, -157.67665011580314
Blowholes on Kauai
5. Spouting Horn
While exploring Kauai’s southern coast and Poipu, stop at one of Poipu’s top attractions, Spouting Horn Beach Park.
The park offers an overlook where you can enjoy watching and listening to this fantastic blowhole spray water up to 50 feet in the air and listen to another blowhole hiss and roar as the waves crash along the coastline into the lava rocks.
The lookout is also a great place to watch the sunset and watch for humpback whales during the winter months. When the sun hits the blowhole spray just right, you may even catch a rainbow in the mist.
The Spouting Horn Beach Park has plenty of parking and bathrooms and often has various local vendors selling their wares.
Spouting Horn coordinates: 21.885644964598814, -159.49315991567636
Blowholes on the Big Island
6. Honuapo Blowhole
If you’re visiting the Big Island and are looking for a unique place to visit – look no further than the Honuapo Blowhole.
You’ll find it in the Ka’u District and it is quite an off-the-path gem that can be visited off of Highway 11.
Not only is the Big Island blowhole mesmerizing, but it is also located in an area that is renowned for its fishing opportunities.
7. Honaunau Coast Blowholes
One place to add to your Big Island itinerary are the Honaunau Coast blowholes.
They can be found near Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (close to Kona!) and you’ll have a chance to see a few blowholes near the lava arches and other otherworldly formations there.
Honaunau Coast coordinates: 19.425903308215567, -155.91174396121394
Did we miss any mind-blowing Hawaii blowholes in this guide? Let us know your favorite blowholes in Hawaii in the comments. Thanks!
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Laura Gray is a travel blogger and retired teacher. She is from Western PA but has lived in VA for the past 30+ years, with several trips to Hawaii. During the summer months, you will find her enjoying the beach in her hometown when not out on an adventure. Laura thrives on creating itineraries to make the most of each place she visits. She enjoys exploring National Parks (Laura has explored 1/3 of all the US National Parks), waterfalls, and beaches. Her travel blog posts have been featured on nearly a dozen sites.