Nakalele Blowhole and Maui's Heart Shaped Rock
How to find the trail to Nakalele Blowhole and experience it safely.
This article was originally published June 2, 2016 and updated on December 4, 2025.
Set on the island’s northwestern coast, Nakalele Blowhole is a forceful explosion of seawater that erupts every few minutes when the surf and wind are both up. A natural geyser, Nakalele consists of seawater trapped in an underwater lava tube searching for a way to escape. When it plows through a tire-sized hole in the lava rock, a column of water jets 100 feet into the air.
Behold the Beauty, Beware the Dangers
When viewing the Nakalele Blowhole in morning, there is often a rainbow that forms in the mist if you keep the sun toward your back, and whales are often seen leaping in the distance from December all the way through May. Despite the geyser’s beauty, however, it’s important to remember the blowhole is dangerous, particularly when people stand too close and slip and fall on the rocks. In a couple of rare but terrifying instances, the blowhole has sucked people into the hole who were literally standing right over it, and visitors have even drowned at the spot after disappearing in the hole.
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Dry Rocks Keep You Safe
As a rule of thumb, the safest way to view Nakalele Blowhole is to simply stay on dry rocks. Admire and appreciate the blowhole from a distance, and avoid venturing dangerously close, even on the smallest of days. Nakalele Blowhole, while rather consistent, is dependent on both tide and swell, and days with no wind and little north swell can render the blowhole inactive.
How to Find Nakalele Blowhole
To find the trail to Nakalele Blowhole, drive north from Kapalua for approximately 8 miles, and park when you see the mileage marker that says 38.5. There are numerous trails that crisscross the landscape, and they all lead down to the blowhole, but the trail from mile marker 38.5 is not only the safest route but also offers a look at the famous heart-shaped hole in the rock.
Maui’s Heart Shaped Rock
When you reach the bottom of the trail and the blowhole is off to your left, turn around and look behind you. With the blowhole at your back, you’ll see a heart-shaped hole that’s formed in the middle of the rocks. The hole in the rock has become even more popular than the blowhole, though it can never compete with the thunderous fury that Nakalele can bring.
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Nakalele Blowhole FAQs
- Is it safe to visit?
Yes, as long as you stay on dry rocks and keep a wide distance from the blowhole.
- How high does it spray?
Up to 100 feet on strong swell days.
- When is the best time to go?
Morning often brings clearer views and sometimes a rainbow in the mist.
- How do I get there?
Drive 8 miles north of Kapalua and park near mile marker 38.5.
- Does it cost anything?
No — free, no reservations required.
- Can I stand close?
No. The water force is unpredictable; view from a safe distance only.
- Where is the Heart-Shaped Rock?
At the bottom of the trail — face away from the blowhole and look uphill.