The Diamond Head hike in Oahu is a nice, easy trek near Honolulu that belongs somewhere on your Hawaii to-do list.

Aside from the novelty of hiking on the edge of an old volcano crater, the Diamond Head overlook also lets you see a lighthouse and some old World War II pillboxes, providing top-notch views of the crater rim and Honolulu city in the background.

This guide will explain how to do the Diamond Head Hawaii hike, how to get there, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Quick Facts

• Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 500 feet (150 m)
• Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
• Duration: 1 – 2 hours roundtrip

Diamond Head Hike: What To Expect

The Diamond Head trail is family-friendly and should be manageable for anyone with decent fitness. However, it’s essential to bring water and sunscreen.

The main challenge arises from the mid-day heat and some uphill sections that can be strenuous. Therefore, it is advisable to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon for cooler weather and fewer crowds.

A significant portion of the trail is paved with railings, but it can get crowded due to its popularity and proximity to Honolulu.

After passing through a small tunnel and climbing about 100 steps, you’ll reach a lookout point featuring a World War II bunker. From there, climb another 50 steps to reach the summit.

The great thing about the Diamond Head overlook is that you enjoy fantastic summit views of the Diamond Head crater (remnants of an old volcanic eruption), along with lookout pillboxes from World War II, framed by Honolulu city in the background.

All in all, the Diamond Head trail is a worthy addition to your Honolulu hike list. Consequently, please remember to keep the trail clean and be considerate of other hikers.

Diamond Head Reservations

Since 2022, reservations are required for out-of-state visitors to Diamond Head. You can make an advance booking on this page of the Hawaii state parks website.

Hawaii state residents can still visit Diamond Head without a reservation.

Hours & Entrance Fees

• Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM (last entry 4 PM)
• Parking Fee: $10 per car
• Hiking Fee: $5 per person

These are the current hours and entrance fees for the Diamond Head hike, as of 2024. These fees must be paid online here.

Parking and hiking are both free for Kama’aina (all Hawaii residents) if you can show ID.

How To Get There

Diamond Head crater is located just south of Waikiki and Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

It’s a 10-minute drive from Waikiki by car, or 20-30 minutes by taking TheBus.

Keep in mind that there’s no bus stop inside of Diamond Head crater (the nearest stops are by the outside rim), so there’s an extra 10 minutes of walking involved if you go by bus.

However, the Waikiki trolley has a stop just inside the crater, and you can buy a trolley pass here.

Best Time To Visit

Generally, the best time to climb Diamond Head is in the morning to avoid most of the heat and crowds. Photography opportunities are abundant at the Diamond Head lookout throughout the day, allowing you to capture spectacular views and photos at any time.

Diamond Head vs Koko Head

In comparing the Diamond Head hike and Koko Head, how do these two popular volcano hikes in Oahu stack up? Good question, and let’s delve into the details.

Both hikes are nearly the same distance roundtrip (1.8 vs 1.6 miles) and take about the same time to complete. However, Koko Head has approximately 50% more elevation gain than Diamond Head crater, making Koko steeper and more challenging.

The path on the Diamond Head trail is in much better condition than the Koko stairs, making it more suitable for kids and older people. If you desire a solid workout and calorie burn, however, Koko Head is the preferred choice. Furthermore, Koko is excellent for catching the sunrise or sunset.

The views at the summits differ but are impressive on both hikes. Indeed, Diamond Head and Koko Head are both extinct volcano craters, and you can observe old World War II military bunkers (‘pillboxes’) at the top of either summit.

Diamond Head is closer to the city, offering stunning views of Waikiki and Honolulu, while Koko Head presents magnificent vistas of Hawaii Kai and Hanauma Bay. Overall, both hikes are fantastic options if you can fit them into your itinerary!

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Thank you for reading! I hope you found this travel guide for the Diamond Head Hawaii hike informative.

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