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Diamond Head State Monument

Hawaii, United States

Diamond Head Crater (from above)

The view of Honolulu from the viewing area at the top of the crater

I think that visiting Diamondhead will be one of the lasting memories from our trip to Hawaii. On the day we visited, it had just rained, and the air was ridiculously hot and humid. We took bus #22 from Waikiki, and then proceeded to walk to the entrance of Diamondhead (which was about a 10 minute walk from the bus stop).

After paying our $1/person for admission, we set off and started walking up to the top of the Diamond Head Crater. The first part of the winding path was paved, but it quickly turned rocky. The path was all uphill, and had a lot of steep steps that were difficult to walk up in the sweltering heat. Unfortunately, there was no wind on that side of the crater, so we were all dripping with sweat by the time we reached the top.

The top of the crater was definitely a beautiful sight, made even more enjoyable by the breeze that was cooling us off. After spending some time at the top appreciating the view of the crater and of Honolulu, it was time to set back down the crater path. It was easier to walk down than up, but it was still far too hot and humid.

Cost

Individuals pay $1 each to walk in. If you have a car, the cost is $5 for the car.

Dress

The view of the crater from the top

The terrain at Diamondhead is rocky, and there are many stairs along the way. Be sure to wear comfortable running shoes, hiking shoes, or heavy walking sandals. Flip flops are definitely not a good option here - the rocks can be wet and slippery. Besides footwear, dress appropriately for the weather. Shorts and a t-shirt are probably a good idea.

Estimated Visiting Time

Expect to spend 2-3 hours at the park. At a good pace, the hike is about 1.5 hours round trip. Allow some time at the top to enjoy the view.

Getting There

That's a lot of stairs! The final stretch of the hike up to the top of the crater

Most people don't have a car in Waikiki, but it's pretty easy to get to the Diamond Head State Monument by taking public transportation. Simply take bus number 22 from Waikiki, and it will take you to the Diamond Head Monument. (Be sure not to get off too early at the Diamond Head Theater!). The entrance to the monument is just a short walk from the bus stop. If you do have a car, parking is available at the monument.

The monument is usually open from 6:00am until 6:00pm.