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I hiked Diamond Head Crater and saw scenic ocean views on the trail. At the top of this Oahu destination, it was so beautiful!
Le’ahi crater is its original name. After explorers mistook crystals for diamonds here, people started calling it Diamond Head.
And this place shines brightly, so I’ll share what to know when going, information about the trail, getting reservations, and tips.
Getting to Diamond Head Crater
I was staying on Waikiki Beach and didn’t have to travel far. You can pretty much see the crater from anywhere in the area.
It was a short 3 miles and took about 10 minutes to drive—taking Kalakaua Avenue to Monsarrat Avenue.
Public buses and rideshares also go there.
Hiking Diamond Head Crater
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
I suggest getting there early to check in. I arrived 30 minutes before a 10:30 a.m. reservation on a Monday.
You’ll drive up to the booth, and someone will give you a map and tell you where to park.
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 I sprayed lots of sunscreen all over myself and wore a sunhat.
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.
I started walking on a paved trailhead that led 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!
Be sure to pay attention to the signs. Stay on the trail and beware of falling rocks.
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.
I 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
After reaching the top observation station, I 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 I have, you might find it fascinating.
At the summit, fierce winds 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, there was an old military bunker, and I 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 I didn’t try.
After exploring the top, I made my way down the crater. Of course, going down, you might feel this more in your 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 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 weeks before the flight to Hawaii. Non-residents can book them 30 days before visiting.
On another trip to Hawaii, I tried to get tickets when I arrived. They were booked out, so it’s best to get them ahead of time.
If you find parking outside the entrance, you can walk in without a reservation. But from my experience, it might be hard to find parking in the area.
Travel Notes
The whole hike took less than 2 hours round-trip. However, I took my time exploring and 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.
Overall
It was great to visit Diamond Head Crater and see more of Oahu. The hike to the top was a great workout and so worth it to see the views.
So if you have a couple of hours to spare and are in pretty good shape, I’d consider it. And maybe you’ll have the guts to explore the bunker too.
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