Boca del Diablo
A sea blowhole on the Samaná coast where swell forces spray through a rock opening.
Updated 21 October 2026
On the exposed northern coast of the Samaná peninsula, swell drives into a cave under the rock and forces water and air out through an opening in the shelf above, sending spray several metres up when the sea is running. On calm days it does very little. The rock around it is sharp and unfenced and the surge is unpredictable. A rough track leaves the Las Galeras road and ends near the shelf.
What's there
- The blowhole - spray forced up through the rock when swell drives into the cave below.
- The rock shelf - the sharp limestone platform the opening sits in.
- The exposed coast - the northern shore of the peninsula facing open ocean.
- The surge - the unpredictable pulses of water coming through.
When to go
December to April has the northern swell that makes it work. On flat days there is nothing to see. Winter storms give the strongest effect.
Good to know
With no swell there is nothing happening at all. The rock is unfenced; standing close is genuinely dangerous. The access track is rough.
Nearby
Las Galeras is east, and Playa El Valle is west.
What to pack for Boca del Diablo
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Head torch + spare batteries - Hands-free light is essential; caves are truly dark. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
- Grippy closed shoes - Cave floors are wet, muddy and slick with formations. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
