Oct 2020: the ledge to get close to the waves is closed off for unsafe conditions.SAND BEACH PARKING REGISTRATION NEEDED*ARCADIA NATIONAL PARK PARKING PASS NEEDED*Breathtaking view with beautiful panorama of the mountains. Keep in mind you are on a mountain so it might be windy and for this time is was very chilly so dress appropriately. Definitely worth it.
Update: Sand beach vehicle pass required to visit. The location is very pretty but it’s very difficult to time the sound of thunder.The water hits the rocks and a thunder sound is heard, I tried very hard to time as I read online the best time is before high tide and visited 2 hours before high tide and stayed till 1 hour before high tide but was not lucky to experience it, it really also depends on days and the weather. Still the view is amazing.
Fantastic views! This natural creation was easy to get to, the parking lot is across the road and there are ramps to get you partially down to the hole. You’ll be able to hear it from the platform where the ramps take you to if you are unable to do the stairs. The stairs take you all the way down to the ‘wet zone’ as in you may get splashed if the waves hit right. Try to plan your visit for low tide to get the full effect.
When visiting Thunder Whole make sure to check the tide times. I have been told by several friends that going as the tide is rising is the best time to get the sounds and explosive waves. When I visited it was great to crawl around explore the rocks but unfortunately we were their at low tide.
If you have never been to Acadia National Park in Maine,and are looking for a new adventure then it is an absolute must see. Make sure the skies are sunny before you go,and there is truly a photo opportunity on every turn. I could write a book on all the different things to do at Acadia, but look it up on youtube. It is a life changing experience
Check the Tide schedule! There are multiple apps to help guide you. Visiting at Mid Tide still does not guarantee the rush Thunderhole sometimes offers, but it is always beautiful either way. Crowds are currently thinned, which is helpful. You just reserve parking now -- and show up early for your slot, it is difficult to find a spot. The right lane of the road became additional parking.
Can be quite crowded as lots of people wait for the right conditions to witness the “thunder” (seems that it needs to be high tide with reasonably big waves). The rock formations are nice, but the crowds take away from the experience. There are many other nice spots with similarly beautiful rocks (and a lot fewer people) along the coast.
It is very neat but overly very touristy. There are other cool, more private areas around Acadia that offer some beautiful cliff views and crashing waves.Although, the thunder is still neat - It was partially closed during COVID so you could not walk out far
Acadia National Park is incredibly beautiful; however of all the things to do and see in the park, this one ranks pretty far down my list. Its very busy, parking is difficult, and there are better views farther along. With that said, its worth a stop if youre in the area but if you want to hear thunder, check the time for high tide and plan to go an hour before or after.
Pretty cool place. Actual thunder hole is pretty small, maybe worth 10-15 minutes to look at it. Surrounding coves and rocks are probably even better than the actual thunder hole. Great views if you know where to go. Definitely worth a stop, even if it’s just to look at Thunder Hole.
Apparently the water wasnt rough enough to hear the thunder but still a great place to see
We werent able to hear the thunder when we were there but its still a beautiful area to enjoy.
Loved it, it was such a peaceful spot, and really easy to walk down to. The thundering sound isnt too loud, but if you wait for the right wave, youll definitely hear it. Beautiful place to stop and check out the view for a while, too.
Incredible gem right in our backyard, Acadia is beautiful, and not that crowded right now. Thunder hole is a neat destination and fun to watch, the kids loved it! The scenery cant be described, it is like walking into a postcard. Cant wait to come back.
Make sure if you like to hear and see the thunder hole in action go there in High tie.
I live nearby and visit Thunder Hole frequently. 99% of the time, it’s a snooze fest.Thunder Hole has 3 levels:1.) No interesting activity whatsoever, everyone leaves disappointed2.) The “active” that most people see, kids are likely to be entertained, adults may be mildly amused3.) The “active” that’s the reason they made this place, everyone leaves happy assuming nobody gets washed out to sea (that’s not a joke, be careful)Unless we have rough seas here, like after a big storm, the most eventful time is within 2 hours of low tide. High tide on a normal day will be super boring - but low tide on a normal day will at least leave you thinking “Huh, I guess I can see why they call it Thunder Hole.” Still, you may be left wondering why it’s a tourist attraction.Now, the REAL best time to go to Thunder Hole is during particularly rough seas. The water WILL shoot up 40-50 feet and it is quite a sight indeed. This is the entertaining version of Thunder Hole. If you’re here on vacation and you get to see it, consider yourself lucky!Pro tip: Anytime you come here, if you wait for 5 minutes and nothing exciting happens, it’s not going to.
Its an amazing sight, and to think that this has been taking place for thousands of years will just blow you away.
Beautiful scenery. Its sounds just like thunder when the waves crash against rocks. Its best to visit when the tide is coming in
The ocean was calm and we did not visit during the best time to hear the “thunder” phenomenon...which is low tide.Thunder or not it is one of my favorite scenic places in the park.
It is a great place for pictures no matter the time. But if youre there for the thunder hole itself make sure you go at half tide going into high tide or you will have wasted your trip. The waves will be wrong and will not get the needed air cause the effect. Also expect to get wet and also know they sometimes close off the lower level if the sea is to dangerous.
Acadia is wonderful and this was a great stop! Well preserved and great to see nature do it’s thing
The sound of the thunder can be heard from further away, and is pretty awesome. But actually walking down to stare at the Thunder hole close up was a little underwhelming. Worth it to see if youre close by, but not worth the trip just to see it.
Very cool to hear. Very scenic.
We didnt get to hear the thunder but it was still a really beautiful place.
We were there for sunset and it was just amazing!!
Timing is everything. If you dont get there at the right time, you wont hear much. Need to get there between high and low tides for the best effect.
Great fun if you get there when its thundering. I was mesmerized. My wife had to pull me away.
I really enjoyed this spot! So much fun when people get surprisingly wet by the splash!
An interesting place to visit. We couldnt hear the thunder sound as it is all about timing but this place is very nice to visit for scenic views. Just few steps walk from the parking area or the park road. Definitely one of the must visit places in Acadia.
A decent if crowded spot to watch the waves crash onto the rocks, and if you’re feeling bold, to catch some of the spray yourself. There are actually a few other spots to the south that significantly less trafficked- ideal for a quick breather/nap after Goreham.
Cool place to check out. There are a lot of rock formations along the coast. It is basically an area where you can hear the waves hitting the rocks to make a thunder sound. Can be crowded so plan your visit.
Worth the stop while taking the Ocean Path Trail or driving the loop. You might be fortunate to time it right and hear the thunder. But if not, shrug it off and enjoy the spectacle of humans watching the tide go in and out, in and out. Bonus: there are bathrooms available across the loop road at the south end of the parking lot.
Feel the freedom! Amazing place, is a MUST SEE!!
When we first got there, we missed the thunder sounds, but luckily some way into our hike, a storm kicked up. We walked back to the Thunder Hole because our car was parked at that section and I begged my husband to check it out once more (risking slipping down the stone stairs, but hey, when in Maine!) The THUNDER WAS ONN!!! The entire cave drained out and CRASHED back in! We got plenty of thunder sounds and none of the splash back, which is all fine with me! I had an amazing time :)
Very cool place fret for pictures
So beautiful. I loved sitting there and enjoying the view.
Cool coastal natural feature. Right off the scenic loop road. We went during low tide by accident so not as impressive as it would have been 2 hours before high tide (the ideal time to go), but still interesting to see!
Very cool phenomenon. Pay attention to the tides to catch the best boom.
The recommended time to come if you want to hear the iconic boom of Thunder Hole is 2 hours before high tide. On this day, we came about 2 hours after high tide.The views were fantastic, the rocky shoreline is marvelous to look at and can be easily explored.
Probably one of the highlights of Acadia National Park. It is a major attraction point where you can see the thunderous power of waves. Also, you have to be lucky enough to be there at a day when the waves are stronger such that you can enjoy the Thunder hole even more. The key is to around 2 hours before the high tide timing. So check the tide timings beforehand and plan your day accordingly. There are decent number of parking spots around the location too.
Despite the sea disagreeing with the active times available, the sights and atmosphere will always be awe-inspiring. Keep your eyes open, beauty is everywhere on this road.
Place is cool, just gets packed during peak boom hours. Best time is about 2 hours before high tide for both loud booms and to get splashed near the railing.
Always a special and amazing place tp see
We had a fantastic time but we would have loved to see a larger blast, the tide was high enough
Cool crashing waves in the granite rocks. Get out and climb!
Super awesome place in the park. Beautiful scenery. We went one hour before high tide to see the wave crash but if its nice out, that doesnt happen. We found out that it only happens in stormy weather but still go, its a gorgeous sight. Easy to get to and convenient parking
Scenic. Very pretty. U fortunately it was becoming high tide but didnt make any noise. Will have to goback
Thunder hole is pretty much quiet unless the ocean is rough
Try and go when the water is choppy. We went on a beautiful day with very little activity and it was not thundering at all even right before high tide! Still a pretty place to spend some time!
Beautiful vista; exceptional views, but dont expect to hear thunder.
Amazing spot for sunrise.
Awesome place you can feel the force through the rocks that your standing on.
Amazing when the tide is coming in. Sometimes it thunders and other times it doesnt. Hard to get parking at times. Gets busy
Wonderful experience, be sure to get there by 9 am for the full show.
Beautiful scenery! They say if you go to the Hole 2 hours before high tide, you really hear it roar! We did hear some small thunders!
Amazing! If you are in Bar Harbor area dont miss it.
It was a perfect late afternoon to visit. The thunder sounds are real when the tide and waves are right! Acadia National Park is a must see/bucket list if you love nature!
Thunder Hole is located in Acadia National Park. To see its natural Splendor in all its Glory, you need to go during high tide. Otherwise, you will see interesting rock formations but thats about it.
What a fantastic spot to be! On clear days you get and amazing view of the coastline of Mt. Desert Island and the Atlantic Ocean. It is best to go here on stormy days because waves rock into thunder hole and spew out, spraying everybody and making a loud bang like thunder, where its name comes from.
Amazing view of ocean and fight between rocks and water.
Thunder Hole is a natural landmark found inside Acadia National Park. It is located on the southeastern part of the park. This was one of our stops during our tour of the park. Across the street from the main attraction includes parking, gift shop, and restrooms. My visit here was on October 2, 2019.When we got to Thunder Hole, it was busy, but not overcrowded at least. The weather was cool and overcast with temperatures in the 50s. The timing of the visit was a little over an hour before high tide was to occur. We were given about 20 minutes to visit this area.Most of my time here was taking in the views and video of Thunder Hole. I did get one good one while there and could work well as a white noise machine too. The views were breathtaking. Thunder Hole was made through natural rock formations. I was able to hear the thunder a few times as the waves were forcing the water out. Some of them came up looking like a big geyser exploding. This makes it a beautiful natural phenomenon. I was on one of the open paths down toward the hole area up until where the sections below were closed off for safety reasons.During the visit, there were quite a few people also on the rocks there. For the most part you would be fine on the rocks, but make sure that you arent on any of the wet or black rocks. You could get swept out to sea. However, they do provide for some great views.Overall, Thunder Hole was definitely the highlight of my entire trip through Acadia National Park. With the stunning views and sounds, what is not to like about this place? Just be sure to time it right with the tide cycle when you visit. I would love to come back at a later time where I have more time to visit this place. If your travels take you this way, this place is definitely worth stopping and visiting.
Neat coastline access, but getting the timing down for the big splash in Thunder Hole is pretty tricky. Always lots of people around and not much space down in the viewing area.
What a beautiful spot with a perfect view overlooking the ocean. This is best viewed at high tide as that will affect this area. So look up the tide schedule before you go. Parking right across the street and a short walk. Truly beautiful.
Very nice stop with a great view.
Nice place. Make sure you get there between low and high tide.
Was a foggy cool day, but still a beautiful view
Sight, Sound, Smell, & feel all senses fulfilled.At night in dark best place for star gazing, best place to see milky way .
Nice place. Pool drained on labor day though so that was a bummer
What.a great experience you have to check out. Thunder Mountains will leave you with a jaw-dropping mouth. The water is refreshing and beautiful to see.
So unique and fun to see. Highly recommend this sight for anyone whos going through Acadia National Park.
I went there in July 2018, sitting on the edge of a small cliff spaced out, for 40minites. Feeling the winds touching my face and sound of the waves were so tranquil .
Beautiful spot. Continuously roaring waves striking the tall rocks. Must visit during high tide. Stroller friendly track is available but not till the very end. Great spot for photography. Wet zone. Slippery spot. Parking across the street. Not a crowded spot. Follow park loop road and visit points in sequence given in map because there is no u turn and you will have to take a complete loop back if you miss a point.
Cool place not much action in the hole
Beautiful place but pretty tight. I recommend you visit a week or so after Labor Day or you will face a real crowd and not be able to get around very well.
Cant imagine how it looks when the weather is warmer! Very beautiful and wonderful sights!
We were there at low tide and didnt hear anything remarkable. Beautiful views but nothing else to experience.
Very awesome place to visit. Lots of rocks to climb to get down to the water. If actually there to visit Thunderhole make sure you are there at the right time to actually experience it.
Cool place wasnt real loud when we were there but still cool to see and hear
Yeah, yeah, I know TH is a tourist cliche, but go there on a quiet day (not summer), halfway to high tide on a good wave day, and its truly beautiful, thunder or not. Then walk a couple hundred feet north on the coastal rocks to the 25 tall sea chimneys- awesome.
Very cool spot! I would definitely check it out if you have some time!
Way cool,would love to see it at high tied.
Pretty views of the ocean. $30 fee to get into the park for 1 vehicle.
Amazing sound of sea
Cool sight but not always thundering
One of our favorite places to go. So beautiful n enjoyable listening to waves n smelling wonderful salt air.
Very cool! Check it out for yourself!
Both high tide and low tide are a sight to see at Thunder Hole.
We were a little too early for high tide. But this place is spectacular
Thunder Hole is an excellent stop while visiting Acadia National Park. Thunder Hole is pretty busy with tourists. The best time to visit is when the tides are changing, to get the full extent of the thunder sound and splash. It is a very picturesque place to visit and fantastic way to spend any part of the day.
This is a place you MUST go if youre in Maine. Ive been living here for eleven years and my family and I just made our way to Bar Harbor this year to visit Acadia National Park and weve all agreed to make it an annual tradition. If you go at the right time, you can really hear the water crash like thunder! If youre taking your phone though, make sure to keep it stored in a waterproof pouch...
Tides coming in but overcast, slightly rainy skies made it a little hard to enjoy. Gorgeous location
This area ranks with the best and most beautiful sights in the world. The hole itself is a natural phenomenon, with its unique interaction of rock and waves, but the geological formation of the coast will inspire wonder. I know of nowhere else like it.
Prime time for huge, drenching splashes is two hours before high tide. (Make sure you have extra clothes on hand.) No matter if its foggy, rainy or sunny, you will enjoy the waves, seals on occasion, as well as lobster boats, tour cruises, sailboats, and the many people you will encounter.
The best place to enjoy and relax. Didnt want to leave! Loves climbing the rocks and catching pics of the water crashing against the Maine coastline. Simply amazing!