La Bufadora is a blowhole and tourist attraction located on the Punta Banda PeninsulainBaja California, Mexico, about 17 miles south of Ensenada.
La Bufadora is often considered a marine geyser,[1] however, it does not have a thermal source or cause, as geysers do. In this case, the spout of sea water is the result of air, trapped in a sea cave, exploding upwards. Air is forced into the cave by wave action and is released when the water recedes, ejecting water up to 100 ft. above sea level.[2] This interaction not only creates the spout, but a thunderous noise as well.
The interval between eruptions is fairly constant, and matches the dominant swell, confirming that the activity at La Bufadora is determined by surface ocean waves. Between 2005 and 2011 the recurrence between eruptions was between 13 and 17 seconds.[2]
La Bufadora is one of the largest blowholes in the world.[3]
The legend regarding La Bufadora is that a whale became trapped in the rocky point and blew water to attract its pod’s attention. Eventually, the whale turned to stone, staying there forever.[3]
La Bufadora is one of Ensenada's main tourist attractions,[4][5] and there are several souvenir and food vendors overlooking the site.[6] In 2017, 150 businesses were operating at La Bufadora.[7]
31°43′27″N 116°43′23″W / 31.72420°N 116.72294°W / 31.72420; -116.72294
