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.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
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.
Kevin Oliver/Flickr
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.
Jenni Konrad/Flickr
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.
Gary Todd/Flickr
Of course, the natural phenomenon here is easily explained, but that doesn’t make the legend any less fascinating or Spouting Horn any less ethereal.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
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!
p gee/Flickr
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.
Gary Todd/Flickr
Address: Lawai Road, Koloa, HI 96756
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Kevin Oliver/Flickr
Jenni Konrad/Flickr
Gary Todd/Flickr
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
p gee/Flickr
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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