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We hiked Diamond Head Crater and saw scenic coastal views at the summit. It was so beautiful at the top, and well worth the trek.
Le’ahi crater is its original name. After explorers mistook crystals for diamonds here, people started calling it Diamond Head.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share photos from our adventure. If you’re in Oahu, you might want to go too!
Getting There
Since we were staying on Waikiki beach, we didn’t have to travel far. You can pretty much see the crater from anywhere in the area.
It’s a short 3 miles and took us about 10 minutes to drive. To get there, we took Kalakaua Avenue to Monsarrat Avenue.
Public buses and rideshares also go there.
Visiting Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head State Monument opens daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It closes on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Most people come to the area to hike, but you can picnic and relax in the area. Last entry is at 4:00 p.m. and visitors must leave the park by closing time.
If you do hike, make sure you are back through the tunnel before 6 p.m. They may lock you in, and you’ll have to stay the night there.
Before you visit as a non-resident, you’ll want to make a reservation for entry and parking. You can also walk in, but parking is scarce.
Checking In
We arrived 30 minutes before our 10:30 a.m. reservation on a Monday. The lady at the booth gave us a map and told us to park in the lot.
Near the parking lot, they have a visitor center with information. They also sell water bottles, snacks, and souvenirs. You can fill up your water bottle and use the bathrooms nearby.
By this time, the sun had made its way out of the clouds, blasting strong rays. So we sprayed lots of sunscreen all over ourselves and wore sun hats.
The temperature had already reached 80°, but it felt like 95°. So if you do not want to hike in the heat, you might want to come earlier.
I packed a small backpack with my usual short hike stuff: water, trail mix, tissues, and allergy pills. Your needs may vary.
Hiking the Crater
The hike around the crater is 1.5 miles round trip if you go the whole way. And it’s not an easy stroll-in-the-park kind of hike either.
Following the map, you can make a loop around Diamond Head. You’ll gain 560 feet in elevation up the path to some lookouts and the summit.
We started walking on a paved trailhead that led us to a walk through trees. The winding path then turned into steep, uneven terrain.
Thank goodness they have railings on the trail! Trust me, I’ve hiked some scary vertical trails in my day. Ooh-wee!
The trail also gets narrow, and if you walk at a slower pace, stick to the right side so people can pass. Vertical hikes and elevations wind me.
A cheerful man passed me, greeting everyone with a ‘good morning’ on the trail. His big smile made me grateful to hike up this crater.
You will go through a lighted 225-foot tunnel. Then take the stairs or a paved path around to the lookout.
We didn’t take the stairs up. I looked up and got sweaty palms. Seeing those steep stairs activated my fear of heights.
Beautiful Views at the Top
When we reached the top observation station, we saw gorgeous views of the coastline. Many people crowded around taking pictures.
This is where your hard work pays off. You’ll see how huge the Le’ahi crater is.
This crater was formed from a massive volcanic eruption. If you’ve visited other ones, like we have, you might find it fascinating.
At the summit, we encountered fierce winds that soothed my skin against the brutal sun.
If you wear a hat, you’ll want to secure it. I looked down to see all the hats the wind had swept away from their owners.
Exploring the Bunker
At the top, we found an old military bunker and went inside to explore. You’ll have to climb down into an opening looking out to the ocean.
Before going in, I peeked inside and asked about ghosts. The man who had greeted us on the way up said, “Mija, no ghost here!”
Ha! I didn’t know he even heard me.
They have winding stairs that go all the way to the bottom. I suppose you can access the trail again, but we didn’t try.
After exploring the top, we made our way down the crater. Of course, going down, you might feel this more in the knees.
I slid in places and wished even more for my hiking shoes. But oh well, I’ll be sure to pack them for next time!
Reservations for Visiting Diamond Head
If you know your travel plans, you’ll want to make a reservation before visiting the state monument. Like other Hawaiian attractions, it’s a popular place.
I made reservations for our group weeks before our flight to Hawaii. Non-residents can book them 30 days before visiting.
On another trip to Hawaii, I tried to get tickets the week we arrived, and they were booked out. We stopped at the entrance to see if we could walk in.
But they turned us away in the car. If you park outside, you can walk in without a reservation. But we couldn’t find parking, so we left the area.
Travel Notes
The whole hike took us less than 2 hours round-trip. However, we took our time exploring, and I rested along the way.
I wore my gym shoes on this hike. Well, I had left my hiking shoes in the camper van back home.
I wish I had worn my hiking shoes on the rocky terrain. They would have helped greatly. Luckily, I didn’t slip or twist an ankle.
Then again, I saw many people hiking in street shoes and flip-flops. I even saw a man walking barefoot, and he made it look so easy.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Diamond Head Crater gave us a great opportunity to see more of Oahu. The hike to the top was a great workout and so worth it to see the views.
Next time, I might build up the guts to explore the bunker. And if I do, I’ll tell you about it!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- We did the Makapu’u Lighthouse hike, a very scenic path with beautiful coastal views.
- If you’re looking for more things to do in Honolulu, I’ve got you covered.
- You’ll also want to check out Oahu for places outside of the Honolulu area.
- If you want to stay around Waikiki, check out my post on what to do over there.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures.
Orginally published: November 8, 2024
