La Bufadora
A Sea Cave Blowhole At The End Of The Punta Banda Peninsula That Shoots Sea Spray Up To About 30 M, Depending On Swell And Tide, One Of The Largest In North America. Reached By A Road Lined With Craft And Food Stalls, A Popular Stop For Visitors From San Diego And The Ensenada Cruise Port. Best Seen At Higher Tides And Bigger Swells · Ensenada, Baja California
La Bufadora is a sea cave blowhole at the tip of the Punta Banda peninsula, about 30 km south-west of Ensenada in Baja California. When swell rushes into the cave and meets the narrow chamber, the water bursts upward as a roaring spout that can reach many metres high, with the best shows at higher tides and bigger swells. It is among the larger blowholes in North America. The road to the viewing point is lined with craft stalls, churros and taco stands, and the area is popular with day visitors from San Diego and passengers from the Ensenada cruise port. It suits families, cruise guests, road-trippers and anyone who enjoys wild coast, a short walk and a snack. It is worth the half-day detour from Ensenada on a day with decent swell and no crowds. It is not worth it on a flat, calm day, when the blowhole barely sputters, or on cruise-ship days when the viewing area gets packed. Wet steps are slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
La Bufadora blowhole at the tip of the Punta Banda peninsula, about 30 km south-west of Ensenada; coordinates approximate, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
The viewing area and stalls are normally open in daytime hours, commonly from morning to late afternoon, with the busiest time around midday. Vendors keep their own hours and some close early in the off season, so confirm before a long drive. Walking the stall street and watching the blowhole from the overlook are FREE; parking commonly carries a small fee, and restrooms may charge a few pesos. Food and crafts are paid separately. Rocks beyond the railings and the cave mouth are CLOSED to visitors, and the viewing steps can be shut when waves run high.