This Hawaii Blowhole Is The Coolest Thing You’ll Ever See For Free
From pristine beaches and enchanting sea caves to lava rock shorelines and mesmerizing blowholes, you’ll find countless natural wonders near 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 — including our personal favorite, Halona Blowhole.
Before we dive in, 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, let’s check out this breathtaking blowhole.
Nestled along Oahu’s southeastern shore between the striking Lanai Lookout and the legendary Sandy Beach Park, the Halona Blowhole is perhaps the most popular rock formation of its kind found in Hawaii.
Thousands of years ago, back when volcanoes were still active on the island of Oahu, Koko Crater’s lava flowed into the ocean here at Halona Point, creating a series of lava tubes that now form this scenic natural wonder.
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.
This spot is popular among tourists, and it’s easy to see why. The blowhole, as well as the nearby Halona Cove (pictured below) and the views of the Hawaiian coast, are simply stunning. You’ll want to pack your camera for this adventure, that’s for sure.
In Hawaiian, Halona means "blowhole," and visitors can see miles of pristine coastline from the lookout as well as the vast Pacific Ocean. On clear days, you might even spot the islands of Molokai and Lanai in the distance.
The Halona Blowhole is entirely free to visit and super easy to access. Just pull into the parking lot, walk down to the viewing area, and enjoy. You might need to wait for a spot depending on when you visit but trust us: it’s worth it, especially during high tide.
Just be careful: disobeying posted signs and crossing the fence line is extremely dangerous. The waters off the coast here in the Ka’iwi Channel are some of the most violent in Hawaii, and numerous accidents and even deaths have occurred here due to people ignoring the warning signs.
The Halona Blowhole Lookout is located along the Kalanianaole Highway in Honolulu. Have you ever visited this stunning natural wonder before? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, and then check out this article to discover an unusual Hawaii hike that leads you through a steam forest! The natural wonders to be found in Hawaii are just amazing.
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Address: 8483 Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To See And Do In Hawaii
January 09, 2023
Katie Feldkamp
What are some things to do for free in Hawaii?
While Hawaii is filled with plenty of visitors who come willing to pay for the beaches and activities that the Aloha State is so well known for, it’s good to remember that there are plenty of things to do for free in Hawaii that anyone can enjoy. A few activities for this list include:
Learn about Hawaiian plant life at any of the botanical gardens across the islands
Go for a drive, such as Maui’s Road to Hana
Take a hike! There are countless trails and parks to explore
And of course, just head to the beach!
What are some of the best hikes to take in Hawaii?
When it’s suggested to take a hike in Hawaii, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the numerous options. To get started, here are what many consider to be some of the best hikes on the Hawaiian Islands:
Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Diamond Head Crater in Honolulu
Lava Tree State Monument on Hawaii
Dragon’s Teeth Trail on Maui
Where are some of the most beautiful places in Hawaii?
This may seem like a silly question because let’s be honest – there is not a place on the Hawaiian Islands that is not considered beautiful. But just for fun, let’s take a look at some wild and beautiful places in Hawaii that are worth a visit. How many are you familiar with?
Alakai Swamp Trail on Kauai in Koke’e State Park
The Redwood Forest within Polipoli State Park on Maui
Kaumana Cave in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Munro Trail, just north of Lanai City, on Lanai
Waimea Canyon State Park on Waimea
Lithified Sand Dunes in Kauai
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach on Maui
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With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.