Legend Has It That A Lizard Monster Is Trapped Inside Spouting Horn Blowhole In Hawaii
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 Spouting Horn, one of our personal favorites.
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 and the legend surrounding it.
What is not considered a phenomenon of natural beauty and the power of Mother Nature, the massive plume of water produced at the Spouting Horn blowhole was once the inspiration for a pretty wild local legend.
The blowhole — which is a lava tube connecting to the sea and through which water is pushed when the tide swells — was once thought to contain a giant lizard.
Legend says that a notorious lizard was terrorizing the southern coast of Kauai until a local boy tricked the lizard into chasing him into a lava tube, where the beast became permanently lodged.
Shooting from the lava tube to nearly 50 feet in the air, the geyser was thought to be the infernal breaths of the trapped lizard. To this day, it is thought that you can hear the lizard’s roar as its breath sprays from the blowhole.
With a fun local legend and endless natural beauty, it's easy to see how the Spouting Horn Blowhole became one of the most photographed spots on Kauai. Don't forget your camera!
Want to visit for yourself? The best time to see this natural phenomenon is during high tide and high surf. A fence installed around the blowhole was designed to block access, and it is best to view the blowhole from the lookout instead.
This scenic viewpoint is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Have you ever witnessed the ethereal beauty that is the Spouting Horn Blowhole? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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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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