Oahu Diamond Head Hike – Is it Worth the Effort?

November 19, 2012

Diamond Head, the iconic volcanic crater on the Hawaiian island of Oahu stands proudly at the end of Waikiki Beach. If you’re a hiker or love to explore, you may be wondering is the Oahu Diamond Head hike worth the effort?

If you choose to accept this adventure, you’ll start your journey at the Diamond Head State Monument, where you’ll find a well-maintained (heavily used) trail that winds its way up the slopes inside the crater. It’s not a super challenging climb, but it will get your heart pumping as you ascend. As you trek higher, views of the Pacific Ocean and the Honolulu skyline begin to unfold, and you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. The real prize, though, is reaching the summit, where you’re treated to a 360-degree panorama that’s nothing short of stunning. So grab your water bottle, put on your hiking shoes, and get ready to conquer Diamond Head – the perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure!

Diamond Head Adventures told by an Oahu tour guide

Long ago I used to be a nature tour guide. The Diamond Head hike was one of our most popular tours, so I made regular treks up the mountain at 7 am and 9 am. After I quit (there was an incident involving a large van, a really small parking garage and a manic boss), I felt no need to return to Diamond Head. Until that is, family and friends visited and it was time to play tour guide once again.

Over the decades since my time as a tour guide, some things were still the same. The sweltering heat, the many, many stairs, the regulars trying to run through the crowds, the narrow tunnel (hello claustrophobia), the tourists wearing heels, and of course, the stunning views. Major changes include an improved trail and a new reservation system which has reduced overcrowding. A huge improvement.

So is the hike worth the trouble? I say yes. There’s something undeniably fascinating about hiking inside and to the summit of a geological phenomenon and bit of world history. It’s a unique opportunity to summit Hawaii’s most iconic symbol and the views can’t be beat. As for the kids, toddler Mila was a little bored and asked to be carried while 5-year-old Micah thought everything was amazing. He loved the bunkers, the stairs, the tunnel and eagerly ran ahead outpacing all of us.

Visiting Diamond Head State Monument

Getting there

The unique profile of Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) sits prominently near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline waiting to be explored and there are several ways to get there. You can drive (about 15 minutes from Waikiki) and park inside the crater ($10 fee) but space is limited. Alternatively, you can take –

An Uber for approximately $30 round trip.
A trolley $25 per person for the day but who doesn’t love a trolley?
The city bus ($6 round trip per person in cash). Google your location to Leahi Millennium Peace Garden and walk 15 min to the trailhead).
A bike. Rent a biki bike from one of the many bike sharing stations. Warning, it will be an uphill journey to the trailhead.
Walk. It can be a long, hot, shadeless walk, but you see more on foot. You can shorten your walk by parking near the Diamond Head Lookout. Check out the lighthouse and watch surfers catch an endless set of waves before making your way around the crater. This section is part of the Honolulu Marathon.

The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm daily with the last reservation at 4pm. Although Hawaii residents are free (go early as kama’aina parking is limited), visitors are required to pay $5 per person (3 years old and under are free) and $10 for parking. Reservations to park and hike must be made beforehand up to 30 days before your intended visit.

What to bring

The Diamond Head hike is pretty straightforward. The hike is clearly marked and on hard-packed (although sometimes uneven) ground. Therefore you don’t need any special

Shoes. A light hiking shoe or really anything with laces should do the trick.
Sunscreen. This hike is exposed along the length of the trail, sunscreen will (and a hat!) will be your friend.
Water + Snacks. It’s a hot, exposed trail. Bring more water than you think you will need and snacks, well, they make hiking more fun.
Geochaching. This worldwide scavenger hunt. Keep kids moving with some geocaching fun.
A light backpack to hold your gear.
A camera or your phone to capture epic views from the summit.

Exploring Beyond the Oahu Diamond Head hike

More hikes to try

When you finished your Diamond Head hike you may be in the mood for something greener. Head into the rainforest for an easy waterfall hike in the mountains just above Waikiki. For more ideas checkout this roundup of 8 family-friendly hikes near Waikiki for different adventure levels.

Add a beach to your Adventure

At the foot of the crater, you’ll find Diamond Beach Park where you can stop for a quick picnic or swim.
On the outskirts of Waikiki, you’ll find local favorites Kaimana Beach and Queen’s surf Beach which are more swimmer friendly.
Or to get the best views of Diamond Head, head to Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at the far end of Waikiki.

More Ideas for family fun near Diamond Head

There’s so much to do in the Waikiki area, but I think these are a great way to round off your Diamond Head hike –

Cool off after your Diamond Head hike with a visit to the (air-conditioned!) Waikiki Aquarium.
Or jump into the cool blue ocean at one of Waikiki’s many beaches like this one at Queen’s surf beach.
Let me plan a fun morning family photos for you so you can have a great time and take home beautiful memories. You can see examples of photo sessions near Waikiki here, here, and here.