Diamond Head is one of the best hikes on Honolulu, with one of the most stunning views of Waikiki that you can find. (Unless you’re in a helicopter, probs.) The hike may be long, and it may be sweaty, but it’s also 100% worth it. It’s also a great activity if you’re visiting Honolulu on a budget. Here’s a step by step guide to climbing Diamond Head.
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What is Diamond Head?
Well pals. Once upon a time, Diamond Head was a raging volcano. And when I say ‘once upon a time’ I mean somewhere in the region of 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. This is the kind of volcano which only erupts once; so although the rim of the extinct volcano is plain to see, the crater is completely filled and there isn’t a spot of lava in sight.
Ancient Hawaiians named the big old mountain Le’Ahi (i.e. Ahi Tuna, because it looks so similar to a tuna fish. I like their thinking). And when British sailors arrived and mistakenly took some very sparkly sand for actual diamonds, the name ‘Diamond Hill’ took hold.
(Joke’s on the sailors, but it’s a pretty name that’s for sure.)
The extinct volcano on the south shoreline of Oahu made the perfect strategic location for a US military lookout, and there are lots of leftovers from the army days which you’re guaranteed to come across when climbing Diamond Head.
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How to get to Diamond Head from Waikiki
Driving to Diamond Head from Waikiki takes around 10-15 minutes.
If you want to use public transport to get to Diamond Head from Waikiki, the journey will take 10-15 minutes. Check out The Bus for timetables. A single journey cost $2.75, and a day ticket costs $5.50.
Walking to Diamond Head from Waikiki is completely doable, and should take around forty minutes depending on where you start from and how much of a power-walker you are. The walk is entirely flat- just head for the massive extinct volcano and you’ll make it. Head out of Waikiki past Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Regional Park. Eventually you’ll be on Diamond Head Road; follow this around to the Eastern side of the volcano, until you see signs to turn right into the entrance of Diamond Head. The road passes through a tunnel, from where you’ll surface inside the crater.
At the moment this is the only entrance to Diamond Head, but there are plans to build an entrance on the western side (which will make it even easier to reach from Waikiki).
When is the best time to hike to Diamond Head?
If you’re not great in the heat, it’s definitely advisable to start the hike early in the morning. For something truly wondrous, go super early and catch a Diamond Head sunrise. (Just make sure you take a flashlight. Or a torch, for the UK readers.)
Whatever time of day you head out to climb Diamond Head, make sure you bring plenty of water. Whether the sun’s at its full height or not, you’ll definitely need it.
The hiking path
Once you reach the centre of the crater, you’ll see a little ticket office. Entry to the trail is $5 per car, or $1 per person.
That’s so cheap that it might as well be completely free of charge!
Signs direct you past the food trucks (look out for the fresh pineapple juice for sale, if you need a thirst-quenching beverage), to the start of the Diamond Head trail, the first part of which is still quite flat. Although there are parts of the hike which are fairly steep and winding, any steep drops are fenced off and you won’t need any kind of special hiking equipment to reach the top. This is not Mount Everest, know what I’m saying?
The only part of the Diamond Head hike which I found tricky was towards the end, where a steep staircase leads uphill through a tunnel. That staircase is SO steep, and that tunnel is so VERY dark. Honestly pals. It’s quite full on.
But the climb to the summit (which is about 760 feet in height) is worth it, scary steep staircase and all. The 360º views are nothing short of spectacular, stretching out across the Pacific Ocean to the islands of Molokai and Lanai, over to the Oahu countryside, and back to the beautiful Waikiki Beach and Honolulu. On the cliffs below the summit , amongst a smattering of palm trees, is Diamond Head Lighthouse.
Surely, you can’t get much better than this!?
How long does it take to hike to Diamond Head?
That one depends on how fast a hiker you are. It took me around an hour up (from crater level), and an hour back down. I’m a relatively active human being who loves a good outdoor hiking adventure; but I’m also a dawdler who stops to observe everything approximately every 10 minutes at least. I also climbed Diamond Head towards the middle of the day when the path tends to be at its quietest. There were plenty of fellow hikers, but I’m told it can get busier in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Logistical Statisticals
- Diamond Head State Monument is open every single day of the year, from 6am to 6pm.
- Last entrance to the trail is at 4.30pm.
- If you’re climbing Diamond Head on a Saturday morning, look out for the farmers market opposite the entrance on Monsarrat Avenue. Mmmm food.