What to do in Maui: Nakalele Blowhole

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If you’re exploring the northwest side of Maui (and you should–it’s home to some of the best beaches for your kiddos), you might want to add in a quick hike down to the Nakalele Blowhole. And even if hiking isn’t your idea of a good time, you can get amazing views of the Maui blowhole from the side of the road.

In this post, I go over the specifics about how to get to the Nakalele Blowhole and more importantly, how to stay safe at the Nakalele Blowhole, as many people have lost their lives there.

Interested in more Maui hot spots? Check out the Best Stops on the Road to Hana, the Top Restaurants in Maui, and Things to do in Kihei Maui.

What Is the Nakalele Blowhole?

The Nakalele Blowhole is a hole in a lava shelf above an ocean cave. When the waves crash against it, pressurized water shoots out, going up as high as 50 feet in the air. It’s super cool to see, but can be very dangerous if you get too close. Because it goes so high up, you can see it from a distance and still enjoy the beauty and awe of this natural phenomenon without risking your safety.

What to do in Maui: Enjoy the Scenic Drive to the Nakalele Blowhole

The Nakalele Blowhole is located on Nakalele Point, about a 30-minute drive from Ka’anapali. We love to visit here in the morning before it gets too busy and then spend some time snorkeling nearby at Honolua Bay while we’re on this side of the island.

The highway to the Blowhole is pretty windy and gets very narrow at parts. You will take this road until you get to mile marker 38.5, where you will see a few different parking lots on the side of the road. Make sure you park in a designated area and not on the side of the narrow highway.

From the parking lot, you’ll be able to see the blowhole and the short-but-steep path that takes you down to it. It’s about a quarter-mile on a rocky trail down to blowhole. Be careful and wear proper shoes to have better footing on your way down. We’ve done the hike in flip flops, but are always sure to stay on dry land, far from the blowhole.

Safety at the Nakalele Blowhole

When you visit the Nakalele Blowhole, you need to use extreme caution. There are no barriers or warning signs to keep you from getting too close, and many people have died here or been seriously injured. It is best to stay at least 100 feet from the blowhole at all times.

People have been sucked into the blowhole because they were standing too close. The forceful spray from the blowhole is strong enough to knock you off your feet causing you to land on sharp lava rock, and strong waves can crash onto the lava shelf and pull you out to sea. Monitor the conditions and always err on the side of caution when it comes to assessing the risk.

When to Visit

Arriving early or late in the day will be your best bet at getting parking here. As mentioned, we love starting off here before hitting up some excellent snorkeling spots. You can also check the tides and plan your visit during high tides for even more forceful eruptions (but please stay even further back from the geyser for your safety).

Looking for More Ideas of What to do in Maui?

If you’re looking for more hikes and outdoor adventures, be sure to check out some of the Maui hiking tours and guided driving tours. We love that Maui has something for everybody–you can start the day hiking waterfalls, then find the perfect snorkeling spot and end the day on a sunset dinner cruise. The possibilities are endless.

I also share a complete Maui travel itinerary here. And I have tips on the best family hotels in Maui if you’re looking for somewhere to stay on the island.

Note: Affiliate links found in this blog post may earn me a small commission if used to book outings, at no extra cost to you.