Lowcountry Life: The Dragons Breath Blowhole Hike

One of my favorite places to hike on Oahu is a place called Makapuu which is located on the furthermost Eastern side of the Island just past Sandy Beach. The hike is a very easy hike that leads up a nice paved path to the Makapuu Lighthouse about 645 feet above the sea. While hiking up the path you will be blessed with remarkable views of the amazing coastline, Koko Crater, Dragons Breath Blowhole and on clear days the island of Molokai is visible.

A great view of Rabbit Island in the distance

View of the Makapuu Lighthouse

If you want to really experience something spectacular about halfway up to the lighthouse there is a trail that leads down to the Makapuu Tidal Pools and the Dragons Breath Blowhole. The trail starts right next to the Humpback Whale Sanctuary sign where you will be able to see the turquoise colored tidal pools from on top of the cliff. Make sure to bring your snorkel gear because these crystal clear tidal pools are filled with many varieties of tropical fish.

Once you make it down onto the lava rock you will start to hear and feel the power of air pressure roaring up from underneath the rock floor as the ocean pushes air and salt water into the lava tubes. The roaring of the blowhole becomes almost deafening as the air pressure builds until the blowholes erupts the trapped ocean water into the air.

I am so glad we had noticed the trail leading down to the tidal pools and took the chance to hike down the steep slippery switch back trail to experience this remarkable surprise. The video below shows the Dragons Breath Blowhole and how dangerous this place can really be.

GoPro Video: Dragons Breath Blow and Tidal Pools

Video of the Dragons Breath Blow Hole

Chillin in the Tidal pool

View from Makappu

A great place to whale watch in the winter months

This Whale Sanctuary Sign marks the trail that leads down the cliff to the Dragons Breath Blowholes. It is a steep slippery switchback trail so make sure to use some caution.

Hawaiian Painter painting a nice ocean scene

GoPro Video: Makapuu Hike

This video shows the hike up to the Makapuu Lighthouse and the start of the switch back trail that leads to the Dragons Breath Blowhole and Tidal Pools located at the bottom of the cliff.

Makapuu Beach Park

Chillin on Sashimi Rock

These Black Lava Rocks are extremely dense and sharp so use caution while Bodyboarding or Surfing. Just touching the rock on the beach made me never want to crash into one these bad boys. I am sure these sharp lava rocks have the capability to turn a friendly Bodyboarder into a nice Makapuu Sushi Roll.

Makapuu Beach Park

I really enjoyed Bodyboarding the waves at Makapuu Beach Park. The contrast of turquoise blue water looked so cool against the black lava rocks and white sand. This gave the park a unique look so different from all the other beaches in Hawaii. Being from the East Coast I really appreciated the the fact that Hawaii has so many different beaches and each one has its own unique special quality.