This Hawaii Blowhole Is The Coolest Thing You’ll Ever See For Free
From pristine beaches and enchanting sea caves to lava rock shoreline 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 at 8483 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96825. Have you ever visited this stunning natural wonder before? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then click here to discover an unusual Hawaii hike that leads you through a steam forest!
Megan is a freelance journalist residing near Honolulu, Hawaii. She is obsessed with hiking, beach trips, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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