Ucluelet Blowhole

Don that rain gear, Ucluelet has yet another reason to venture outdoors during the rainy season. Typically known as a wave-watching destination during the infamous winter storm season, the rugged and rocky coastline is the perfect playground for the waves to crash against. This creates the wild and powerful displays of water vs. land that draws tourists out during the offseason. Nearly anywhere along the shore guarantees a show. However, there is a spot in particular that provides a spectacular scene that is even more unique compared to the rest. It is a hotspot for those winter warriors keen on seeing Mother Nature at her finest: the Ucluelet Blowhole. Even those not so keen on being outdoors in less-than-perfect weather will be inclined give this spot a go.

Geologically speaking, a blowhole is created as a sea cave grows landward and upward, creating a vertical shaft. This typically occurs in areas where there are crevices in rocks along the coast, such as on islands and along fault lines. Sound familiar? Once the tube has been exposed to the surface, it creates a bottleneck pressure system. As the waves pound the coast, water is forced through the tunnel and gushes out the top. Some of the most famous blowholes in the world are located on Maui in Hawaii, Kudawella in Sri Lanka and on Savai’i Island in Samoa.

The Ucluelet Blowhole is unique in the area and many will attest to needing to go see it first-hand. A convenient 5-or-so minute drive outside of Ucluelet, close to Hardy Road, a short trail will take show-seekers to Ucluth (aka. Fletchers) Beach. This is home to the infamous Ukee landmark. Anyone having trouble locating the trail can often just pause for a moment and listen: the force of the wave moving through the tunnel creates a thunderous sound, audible from a distance away. This earned the blowhole its nickname, the Talking Rocks. An incredible feat of Mother Nature, the blowhole gives even more cause to celebrate a stormy day. In fact, the stormier the day, the more brilliant the results; just be sure to stand back as the wave roars its way through the rocks and explodes into salty spray.

 

Contributed by: Laurissa Cebryk

Photos by: Keira Morgan