Watamula Hole

At the northern tip of the island, on a shelf of bare limestone above the sea, there is an opening in the rock connected to a cavity below, and when the swell surges into the cavity air is pushed out of the hole and then sucked back in, hard enough to feel and hear. It is known locally as the island's breathing hole. The setting is a windswept karst shelf with nothing built on it and the open sea beyond.

What's there

• The breathing hole - air pushed out and drawn back in with each surge.
• The karst shelf - bare eroded limestone running to the cliff edge.
• The northern coast - open sea and swell on the island's exposed side.
• The emptiness - no development of any kind at the site.

When to go

Year round; stronger swell makes the effect more pronounced. Winter northerly swell is best. The rock is exposed and hot at midday.

Before you go

On flat days the hole does very little and the trip disappoints. The limestone is sharp, uneven and hard on ankles. There is no shade, marking or facility of any kind.

Nearby

Westpunt is south, and Playa Kalki is southwest.