Blowhole Bound

Blowhole Bound is the thirteenth level in Donkey Kong Country Returns, as well as the sixth level in the Beach world.

This level is unique to other beach levels because it features whales that Donkey and Diddy Kong can ride on. After freeing the whale from an anchor, the Kongs can ride on it and the whales ahead to cross the water along the shore of the islands. The whales are not very steady and often tilt along the water, allowing the primates to grab some collectibles hidden high in the air. The aquatic creatures sometimes head underwater as well, where the Kongs cannot swim, so the heroes have no choice but to use floating ship parts to progress. These ship parts are often destroyed by the fast-moving whales, so the Kongs have to travel across them quickly. Additionally, Snap enemies sometimes hop along the backs of the whales to attack the primates. Other enemies in this level include Squid Shots, Pinchlies, Jellybobs, and Tiki Goons.

Overview
The level begins on a beach, where a DK Barrel can be found just ahead on a raised piece of land. After another area of land similar to this with a Snap, a small hill can be reached with a wooden board above it with the letter K. A few Pinchlies and Snaps are under the board as well. In a slightly higher area, the Kongs can find a normal barrel that can be used to defeat the crab enemies walking along the land bridge that follows. Farther ahead is a raised platform that must be jumped over; it can additionally help the heroes in reaching a Heart. Immediately after a Squid Shot, a hill is present that is steep enough for the Kongs to slide down. It leads to a wooden bridge over the ocean. A few Tiki Goons are on the bridge to attack the heroes, next to a few square-shaped crates. At the end of the bridge in the water is a whale that is close to shore. The primates can stand on it while still standing over water, but the whale cannot move because an anchor is stuck in its blowhole. Once the anchor is removed, the whale begins to swim over the ocean, taking the Kongs with it.

As the whale progresses, Squid Shots shoot at the primates. Most of them can be bounced on, but one is electrical and can shock the Kongs if touched. The whale eventually comes past a few Banana Bunchs and a three wooden planks that the Kongs can climb on. The center platform, which is twice the size as the two around it, has a cube-shaped crate on it, while the platform next to it has a heart. The whale continues to move here, so the primates cannot stay there long. As it travels farther ahead, a Snap jumps on its back and attacks along with some Squid Shots. More wooden planks are just ahead with bananas between some of them. One of these platforms has a crate on it, while the final platform in the area has the letter O just after it in the air. Soon, the whale rides under a few moving bananas. The Kongs can gab these, but they have to avoid the Snaps and electrical Squid Shots on the way. Eventually, the whale heads back underwater, letting the Kongs stop on a few wooden platforms floating on the water. Avoiding the Jellybobs that jump between the planks, they can soon get back on shore. As the walk along the palm-tree infested beach, they pass a few bowling-pin-like creatures that reveal a collectible when defeated by a roll attack and many treasure chests. The Tutorial Pig is also passed in this area, and it marks the checkpoint.