Spouting Horn is a lava rock formation that is so riddled with pasages and holes that incoming waves are channeled through unseen passages under the rock. Sometimes the pressure is so great, compared to the space available, that the water gushes up out of a hole on the surface, looking very much like a geyser. The height of the spouts vary from a foot or two to what looks like twenty feet.

There are picnic tables and restrooms, and some stands selling jewelry and souvenirs. It's definitely worth the drive, particularly because you can catch some other sights on the way, or take it on the way to other places like Waimea Canyon.

Spouting Horn Beach Park is a must to see on your trip to South Kauai. The Spouting Horn was called the blowhole due to the early Hawaiians telling of a huge lizard caught in this puhi, which was formed when waves eroded softer, underlying rock and wore through the harder top rock. Water rushes into the hole and then is forced through the narrow opening and shoots skyward. Each time we stopped by here the water was spouting at different heights - depends on the height of the tide. There are local island people that have shops set up in the park selling Hawaiian made jewelry and collectibles. I bought a toe ring for $25. Not a bad price. Other vendors I saw were trying to sell the same ring for $42. My husband and I ran to the blowhole from the Embassy a couple mornings and it was an 8 mile trip - there and back. There is a little beach on the way to the blow hole which is great for snorkeling.

Easy parking, walk over and watch the ocean water seem to blow up thru the lava rocks. There were many of the hawaiian chickens all around the grounds.

Take photos of the water when it spews.

This fantastic park offers a blowhole which is a small lava shelf where water from waves is thrust through an opening, causing water and air to squirt out a blowhole. It is distinguished from other blowholes found around Hawaii in that it has an additional hole that blows only air, which causes this odd sound each time the waves come in. There is a wider blowhole that use to spout up to 200 feet in the air to the left by it was blasted by a local plantation owner in 1920 so the spray would not ruin his sugar cane crops. Stay on the viewing platform for your own safety as one person was killed in June of 2002. Great sea cliff views and a cute little harbor area as an extra. This natural attraction is free and really worth it. Also local craftsman sell there crafts in booths up from the viewing area. Great prices for souvenirs!

Once upon a time, a lava tube flowed underground to the sea near what is now Prince Kuhio Park, where it spit fiery hot rocks into the ocean. That lava flow has long since dried up, but the tube remains open, with surprising effects. Bystanders leaning over the railing watching the ocean are surprised to see sudden spouts of water go shooting straight up out of nowhere.

The size of the spout depends on the timing and direction of the wave that is breaking on the shore. Part of the water is forced into the tube, where it erupts violently into the air and creates the namesake "Spouting Horn".

This is a fun break from the sunbathing and swimming at nearby Poipu Beach, or a pre-dinner photo opportunity if you're having dinner in the Poipu area.