Hummanaya Blowhole is the only known blowhole in Sri Lanka and it is considered to be the second largest blowhole in the world.

"Hummanaya" (Sinhala: හුම්මානය = හූ+මානය) refers to the noise, "hoo", that can be heard a distance away when the blowhole is active.
The “Hummanya” blow hole is a well-known attraction in the deep South of the country and it certainly lives up to expectations.

Seeing it was an exhilarating experience and one that shouldn’t be missed.

Passing the Matara town and after Dickwella, one has to turn right at Kudawella and proceed about 1.1 km. Residents in the area offer to take care of your vehicle at a nominal fee.

About a 20-minute trek along newly built shallow steps brings you to the spot.

All along the way little kiosks sell cool drinks and the fresh catch of the area – fish! The batter fried preparation of different kinds of fish, was delicious.

Even from far away, one can hear the sounds of the blow hole. There are intermittent periods of silence and then there are sounds similar to the faraway rumbles of thunder – “Ho-ho-ho”.

This is when the pressure builds up. Then after a while one hears the delightful sound of the spray as it hisses high up-almost 120 feet into the sky at times.

Once in every 10-15 minutes or so, the water pressure builds up to give out the stunning spray. Waiting for that moment can be quite tense, especially if one is hoping to capture it on film as it is over in a flash.