Grand Cayman Islands Blowhole update

[mickstr68]

Was wondering if anyone has been by the Grand Cayman Islands Blowholes lately? The last update I could find was Feb 2006 and found out that there was still debris from the hurricane that was blocking up the blowholes so there was nothing to see.

 

Any recent info on the status of the blowholes?

[Nanatravel]

Funny you should mention that! We took the Island Marketing Jeep 4x4 tour, which "should" have included a view of the Blow Hole the week of Nov. 5. Only when I got back home did I recall we never stopped there or it wasn't brought to our attention. We ended up with a private tour, so timing certainly wasn't as issue. We loved this tour and got to see a lot of hurricane devistation as well as beautiful homes and beaches.

[twinkletoes4445]

When we were there last January, we never did see the blowholes with water actually coming from them. We drove by several times (different days) and never did see anything.

 

Maybe Drew will come along and give us the scoop.

[drew sailbum]

The blowholes can be rather impressive in the right conditions, setting off geyser-like eruptions of water shooting 40 or more feet into the air.

 

The right conditions is the key. The fountain effect is driven by the force of waves being compressed into narrow openings in the ironshore. The intensity of the long period ocean swell seems to be the determining factor. Wind driven waves tend not to matter so much.

 

Direction is important as well. Swell from the east-southeast (or other southerly direction) is needed to set off the blowholes. If there is no swell, or from the wrong direction (northerly) nothing happens. You can drive by and not see a thing!

 

Ocean swell is often driven by wind, and these southerly days are more common in the summer.

[Sheils65]

We will be in GC April and was wondering if anyone could tell me where these blowholes are located?

Thanks for the help.........Sheils

[drew sailbum]

It is a roadside stop in the High Rock area in the District of East End. That is quite a drive from the port.

 

Again referencing my favorite map of Grand Cayman at http://maps.caymanlandinfo.ky/imagemapfiles/gcindex.htm

 

The Blowholes are located in box number 79. See http://maps.caymanlandinfo.ky/ArcIMS/AtlasPages/gcpage79.pdf

 

There is a little roadside stand across the street where a guy sometimes sells coconut water and other refreshments on days when things are looking good there.

[WarmWaters]

Thank you so much for posting this great chart of GC... it has helped me a lot.

Much appreciated !

[Sheils65]

WOW!!! What a great map!!

 

Looks like a hike from Hell to the Blowholes, do u know approx how long it would take to get from one to the other Drew?

 

Thanks.........Sheils

[drew sailbum]

From Hell to the Blowholes, depending upon traffic, would be about a 1 hour drive one way.

 

Remember, since the Blowholes are dependent upon the swell, you may get there and see nothing!

 

 

As for the map, that is from Cayman's own Lands and Survey department.