THE EARNEST TRAVELER
Thunder Hole is a small sea cave where incoming waves compress the air and release it with a booming crack. It's most dramatic about 1–2 hours before high tide, when spray can leap more than 40 feet.
Rogue waves can wash over the granite even in seemingly calm seas. On August 23, 2009, high surf from Hurricane Bill swept several visitors into the ocean and a 7-year-old child died. Walkways close in storms. In any elevated surf, stay well back and follow ranger guidance — no photo is worth the lower rocks in big water.
Getting There
Thunder Hole sits on the Park Loop Road about 2 miles from Sand Beach. The upper viewing deck is wheelchair-accessible; the lower viewing area requires a 55-step stairway and is not. The fare-free Island Explorer stops here.
Pair It With Ocean Path
Thunder Hole is a key stop on Ocean Path, so the two make natural companions — walk the coast and time your arrival to the tide.