Hummanaya Blowhole
The largest blowhole in Sri Lanka and one of the biggest in the world, where surging waves force a plume of spray high into the air through a gap in the rocks.
Near the fishing village of Kudawella, close to Dikwella on Sri Lanka's southern coast, a rocky cliff face conceals a natural phenomenon considered the second largest blowhole anywhere in the world, and the only one of its kind found in Sri Lanka. Hummanaya takes its name from the distinctive "hoo" sound the formation makes when active, audible from a genuine distance away, a sound that's served fishermen and coastal villagers for generations as an informal read on the ocean's mood and behavior.
The mechanics behind the spectacle are genuinely elegant, high energy waves from the open sea strike the rocky cliff and force water through a submerged catchment entrance into a compression cave carved into the rock, hydraulic pressure then ejecting the trapped water skyward through an opening at the top, sometimes reaching heights of 25 to 30 meters depending on sea conditions. That kind of dramatic, unpredictable eruption has made Hummanaya something the local community has always regarded with real respect, less a tourist novelty and more a long standing part of the coastal landscape's own rhythm and folklore.
Reaching the viewing platform means a short, scenic walk of around 10 to 20 minutes through the village, past local vendors selling fried fish and other coastal snacks, sweeping ocean and cliff views opening up along the way before the site itself comes into view. April through September marks the strongest, most reliable spray season, though visitors can catch a show at various points throughout the year depending on swell and tide, morning visits generally recommended before the afternoon heat sets in and the crowds thicken around the platform's edge.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around LKR 500 for foreign visitors
- Opening hours: 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time: Rough seas at high tide, when the spouts are highest
Getting there
At Kudawella near Dickwella, about 25km east of Matara, then a short walk over the rocks.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Hummanaya Blowhole?
- Around LKR 500 for foreign visitors.
- What are the opening hours at Hummanaya Blowhole?
- 6:00am to 6:00pm.
- How long should I spend at Hummanaya Blowhole?
- Plan for 30 to 45 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Hummanaya Blowhole?
- Rough seas at high tide, when the spouts are highest.
- How do I get to Hummanaya Blowhole?
- At Kudawella near Dickwella, about 25km east of Matara, then a short walk over the rocks.