Difficulty
advanced
Viz (last reported 97715h ago)
Max Depth
23 ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Halona Blow Hole
This is the beach where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr got hot and heavy, making out in a wicked beach break in the movie "From Here to Eternity". (I think I would've found the waves a little distracting. Seriously, they're getting their backsides handed to them big time and I doubt they enjoyed filming that scene at all.) It's also called Cockroach Cove by more recent generations, not sure why.
It's a very nice dive site. Use caution for the current and waves which can be treacherous. Only go when it's very docile. Rocks may be slippery as well.
After swimming out shallow cove, turn a little north and find the big crack that leads into the actual blow hole. If there's any waves at all, stay away from blow hole. Seriously, people have died in there (usually by getting sucked in from above, though) and you don't want to get stuck inside. Just use your head. If wave action is okay, it's pretty cool dropping down into this itty-bitty canyon.
Pretty good chance to see green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, octopus and maybe a white-tip shark.
At first glance, Halona Blow Hole appears to be an easy, protected site for both snorkelers and divers. However, a list of SCUBA fatalities since 1971 shows that more fatalities by far occur at Halona Blow Hole than any other dive site in the state. First off, the sea cliffs that make this stretch of shoreline so great for diving also precludes any easy exit sites. This, coupled with the strong current, slippery rocks, waves on the ledges, and lack of lifeguards makes this coast one of the most hazardous on the island. Be especially careful on this stretch of coast! The nearest facilities are at Sandy Beach to the North, so take plenty of water.
Halona Blow Hole, on the South Eastern shore, can be found at a large touristy turn out between Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach Park.
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Justin Gordon
Mar 26, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. This is a relatively easy dive site. All you have to do is not go if the surf is high and allow enough air to swim most of the way back to shore underwater. I find it best to surface swim out of the keyhole, then drop down. If you head along the cliffs to the right you'll find everything you would want in a dive. There's a canyon which is straight out from (fishermen's point). The canyon is full of life. I've shot 5+ lb pupio, a 10 lb Kahala, many large Uku, and a 3.5 foot barracuda in the canyon. The fishermen on shore chum that spot, so all manner of fish are attracted there. My dive buddies and I even have seen our friend, the 5 foot white tip from Lanai Lookout, over there hunting. Don't worry, he's friendly and stays out of your way. If you know where to look you can pull some good bugs out of here. This is just an all around a good dive. However, vis is bad after heavy rain or trade swells.