Diamond Head Hike, Honolulu, Hawaii - Wanderlust Chloe

The Diamond Head hike in Oahu, Hawaii offers some of the best views of Honolulu along with a chance to check out an incredible ancient crater!

It was my first day in Hawaii. I’d arrived in Honolulu the night before after a 20+ hour journey from the UK. I was lapping up the winter sun while wandering around in a haze of jet lag.

I was dying to explore but my body was pretty wiped out. With hindsight, I probably wasn’t in the best state for a long hike… but let’s forget that part!

One of my new travel buddies had asked a few locals for tips on where to go, and Diamond Head had been mentioned several times. From our current location overlooking the white sands of Waikiki Beach, we were told we could walk to the trailhead.

So off we went. Around 45 minutes later we still hadn’t reached the start of the trail, but we’d had a good chat, taken in some lovely views of the beach, surrounding mountains and stunning banyan trees…

Eventually we made it to the trail entrance via a tunnel, and looking around, realised we were right in the middle of the crater. It was pretty incredible!

Steep grass-covered mountains surrounded us and we knew that although we’d been walking for well over an hour, the real hike was only just beginning.

Everything you need to know about the Diamond Head Hike in Honolulu, Hawaii

What is Diamond Head In Hawaii?

The saucer-shaped crater was formed round 300,000 years ago. In the 1800’s, British sailors saw the glittering stones towards the top of the crater, and soon enough it had the name Diamond Head.

The US Army built the trail at the start of the 20th Century, and as you head up to the summit you’ll catch a glimpse of its military history.

With panoramic views from Koko Head to Wai‘anae, the summit of Diamond Head was an ideal site for the coastal defence of Oahu. Batteries were built to house the coastal artillery and guns were placed ready to defend.

If you’re wondering about the Diamond Head hike difficulty, it’s not long but it’s steep! The trail is under a mile in length but is strenuous for many due to the steep gradient. You’ll hike to a height of 560 ft to reach the summit.

The Diamond Head hike features on my detailed guide to the best things to do in Oahu, and is a must for anyone visiting the island for the first time!

What’s The Diamond Head Hike Really Like?

The Diamond Head trail is an interesting one. At the start it’s not too steep, and the ground is easy to walk on.

Gradually it becomes not only steeper, but also the ground rougher with lots of loose stones. It’s also slippery in places. There are a few sections with incredibly steep stairs, one of which is very narrow.

Read More: 14 Awesome Things To Do On Your First Holiday To Hawaii

There’s a wonderful lookout around half way, with a couple of viewpoints that lean right out over the incredible terrain.

There’s a tunnel, which has no lighting! It was pitch black and eerie but we used our phone torches to guide the way.

There’s also a spiral staircase through the old Fire House.

Finally, to reach the summit there is another set of narrow stairs then you clamber out through a gap in the bunker to an open path with incredible sea views.

From there you can reach the highest point by taking one more set of stairs for the best panoramic views of Honolulu.

I found the Diamond Head crater hike tiring as it was pretty warm and the terrain was steep. Once at the top, the weather changed and we had a patch of rain which made the path slippery for our descent.

8 Essential Tips For Hiking Diamond Head

1. Style yourself like a sports star: Dress in light, athletic clothing and be sure to wear closed toe shoes or trainers. You could probably manage in sandals but they’re not ideal! A hat may be handy if the sun is out.
2. Go slow, it’s not a race: Take it at your own pace. The gradient is challenging, even for the fittest of people, so channel the turtle not the hare!
3. Hydration is your BFF: Hawaii can be hotter than a lava flow, so bring a water bottle with you! You’ll be thirsty, and your body will thank you for that aqua-aid. Plus, it makes for an excellent prop for your summit selfie.
4. Early bird gets the view: Wanna avoid the crowds and that blazing sun? Start your hike early in the morning. It’s like a VIP pass to solitude and cooler temps. Plus, you can brag about your early-bird accomplishment at breakfast!
5. Leave your little ones at home: Don’t attempt the hike with small children! We saw a few people with prams or carrying small kids. I’d just wait until they’re a bit older or it won’t be fun for any of you.
6. Stock up on snacks: Pack some snacks for the trail. Granola bars, fruit, or even a sandwich are like treasure when you’re halfway up.
7. Don’t be a lobster: Hawaiian sun can be fierce, even on cloudy days. Slather on that sunscreen! You’ll thank yourself when you’re glowing with triumph at the summit.
8. Your camera is your best friend: Take lots of photos! The views really are stunning. You’ll be showing them off for years to come!

Read More: 17 Top Things To Do In Oahu, Hawaii

Diamond Head Times And Prices (2023 – 2024)

The trail opens at 6am and closes at 6pm, with last entries at 4pm.

It’s recommended that you reserve tickets and parking online in advance, via the state park’s website here.

Entry costs $5 per person for non-Hawaii residents. Parking costs $10.

Allow approximately one hour to get to the summit.

Suggested Hotels For Visiting Diamond Head Crater

Here are a few of my favourite Waikiki Beach hotels near Diamond Head, Hawaii. For a full guide, check out my guide to the best luxury and boutique hotels in Waikiki.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa – Smart 4-star hotel on the beach, with incredible views of Diamond Head. Featuring 5 restaurants, 2 outdoor pools and a top spa, it’s a fab place to relax on holiday.

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort – Moments from the white sand of Waikiki Beach, this top hotel has an oceanfront swimming pool and sun terrace and several restaurants, including a highly regarded steak house.

The Residences at Waikiki Beach Tower – One of the most luxurious places to stay in Waikiki, this hotel is 2 minutes away from the beach. It’s an all-suite property, with huge terraces overlooking the ocean, pools, hot tubs and even a BBQ area.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa – This is where I stayed during my time in Honolulu. Moments from Waikiki Beach, this is a smart hotel with a great pool area (including hot tub!) a restaurant serving top breakfasts, and a bar serving cocktails. It was a great base for our trip.

Halekulani Hotel – Overlooking Diamond Head, moments from Waikiki Beach, this beautiful hotel has 3 restaurants, a spa and live jazz. You can relax by the pool and take in views of the ocean and Diamond Head, which is pretty special!

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