Difficulty
advanced
Viz (last reported 97727h 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.
Access
shore
View
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
5
4
3
2
1
(24)
Currently viewing a specific review. View all reviews
Joshua NIX
Jan 22, 2013, 12:00 AM
scuba
I go to this site a lot because of the variety of wildlife and rock formations. Anyways I have been on very rough days, and it still wasn't that bad. Just make sure you stay far enough away from the walls to keep the current from slamming you into it, and the rest of the dive is great. My favorite thing to do is hang an immediate left and follow the coast until you find a rather large cave. It is great for gathering those large hard-to-find shells, and watching the local reef sharks eating fish. If you're brave, you can go to the back of the cave, and there are plenty of lobster. It is fairly safe, just drag a large rock in there with you, because if there is a large wave, the extra weight will keep you from hitting anything, or if it gets really bad, just stand up, and push in all four directions, that will keep you in place for long enough to let you escape with ease. Otherwise I have found plenty of eagle rays, and a couple of Harlequin shrimp, when diving the left side. Just go between those two large boulders and start pulling stuff out. Great dive, highly recommended, if the surf is right.