| Diamond Head tips and photos posted by real travelers and Honolulu locals.
Scenic; Hiking Trail
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 Diamond Head by K.KnightLeave a Comment
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 stopping for a breather..... by Suet
A strenuous climb for one so unfit, I noted the distinct lack of cardiac resuscitation equipment along the way and the elegant sandals and shoes of the Japanese Tourists.... with frequent pauses (to admire the views) it is possible to climb it in about 45 minutes, going down was much easier....
The path is sometimes rocky and uneven so good footwear is a must unless you want broken ankles, although I did see a rather fetching pair of high heeled glittery slingbacks on one fashion conscious girl, also a rather well dressed couple with elegant umbrellas..... so it seems it is possible to wear what you like.
Take water and plenty of film, also a good pair of binoculars.... when you get to the top you can see for miles and it is also a good place for whale watching. One humpbacked jumped right out of the water.... magical. The sea is a deep blue, although not the royal blue of the Mediterranean and you can watch the paragliding surfers in action. Lots of helicopters flew by on sight seeing tours which looked like fun, if you don't get airsick. Leave a Comment Directions: Look at Honolulu from the sea and it is on the left..... well, you know I haven't got a clue where anything is.....
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The most famous volcanic crater in the world unquestionably is Diamond Head, located on the South-east Coast of O'ahu at the end of Waikiki overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was originally named Laeahi by the ancient Hawaiians. The name meant "brow of the tuna" and looking at the silhouette of the crater from Waikiki, you can see the resemblance. The current name came was given to the crater by British sailors in the 1800's. When they first saw the crater at a great distance, the calcite crystals in the lava rock appeared to glimmer in the sunlight. The sailors mistakenly thought there must be diamonds in the soil. Diamond Head is a crater that has been extinct for 150,000 years. The crater is 3,520 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit.
The Monument is located off Diamond Head Rd. between Makapuu and 18th Ave. on the south shore of Oahu. It is right on the coast southeast of Waikiki. The Monument opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 6:00 PM year round. It costs $1.00 to walk in or $5.00 per car. There is ample parking.
The only restroom is at the bottom and I would recommend using it. There is no visitor center, only a stand where you will pay and get a brochure.
Diamond Head is a defining feature of the view known to residents and tourists of Waikîkî alike. The volcanic cone also serves as a United States State Monument. Its proximity to the resort hotels and beaches of the city make it a popular destination for people traveling to the city. A short hike leads to the edge of the crater's rim, from which point both the city of Waikîkî and the Pacific Ocean can be seen in breathtaking detail. Phone: (808)587-0300Directions: From Waikiki go east along Kalakaua to the intersection with Monsarrat Avenue at the Honolulu Zoo corner.Turn left onto Monsarrat and proceed 1 ¼ miles until the road becomes Diamond Head Road. Follow this road for ¼ mile to the access road to the crater.Website: www.hawaiiweb.com
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The 230 metres Diamond Head at the end of Waikiki is one of the most famous volcanic craters on earth and since 1968 National Natural Landmark.
It is a now dormant volcano that has been extinct for more than hundred-thousand years. Its name was given by British sailors in the 1800's, who mistakenly thought, the calcite crystals in the lava rock must be diamonds.
We have intended to visit the Diamond Head Crater Park in its interior, but unfortunately there was not time enough to do so. By the way inside the crater there is nothing special thing, only the panoramic views of Waikiki and the south shore of Oahu. Do not forget to take water and flashlight ( tunnel!!)
Guided hiking tours are available from U$27.00, the trail to the rim is about 3 km and takes about one hour and a half. The trail is paved almost the entire way but can be steep in spots. At the end of the trip you get a a personalized "I Climbed Diamond Head" certificate that is suitable for framing. Directions: Entrance is off Diamond Head Road between Makapuu Ave. and 18th Ave. Park gate open 6 am to 6 pm. Admission: U$1 for walk-ins, U$5 for carsWebsite: http://www.diamond-head.net/
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 View from Diamond Head. by percy961
The hike to the peak is not for the faint hearted especially in the Hot weather. The trail is steep and uneven, the are a couple of tunnels to pass through and numerous steps.
That said, the view onthe peak are sensational. Leave a Comment
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Diamond Head is the most recognizable landmark in Hawaii. The crater of an extinct volcano, it looms above almost every photo of Waikiki Beach, like the one on my Honolulu intro.
I've seen the hike to the top described as "easy to moderate," but I didn't find that to be accurate. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the easiest and 10 being the hardest, I'd say that this is a 7.
We started up the trail at 7:30 a.m., while it was still cool, but even so, I was sweating and out of breath by the time we reached the top. If I hadn't taken a puff off an asthma inhaler when we first started, I probably wouldn't have made it. I consider myself fit and am accustomed to walking long distances, but there was something about the combination of the heat, the altitude, and the steep climb that almost did me in.
I was glad that I did it, though, as the view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. The only problem was that we had to share it with about 50 other people, with everyone jockeying for a good camera angle. I'd advise going very, very early in the morning or very, very late in the afternoon: it's open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The trail is paved for most of the way, and there are two sets of stairs: 76 and 99 steps, respectively.
Guidebooks say to allow an hour for the ascent and 45 minutes for the descent, but it took us only about 30 minutes going up and 20 minutes coming down. Coming down was MUCH easier.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring a flashlight (there is a long, dark tunnel -- the only shade on the whole hike), bottled water, and of course, a camera. Leave a Comment
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 The obligatory picture by slabeaume
If you take a bus there, it will drop you off near the tunnel going into the crater. If you drive in to the parking lot, there's a $5 day use/parking fee.
I rated the level of difficulty here as beginner because of the good paths and steps. But there are hundreds of steps near the top that will give your heart a real work out, so keep that in mind. There are also a couple of long dark tunnels. They suggest that you take a flash light with you. We didn't, and got along ok. There are hand rails to guide you through the tunnels. I did take a bottle of water, though, and am very glad I did. It seemed to be more humid here then down in Waikiki.
Once at the top, the views into the crater and towards Waikiki are amazing. If you plan to take pictures, I'd recommend going up there in the morning so you have better lighting.
Give yourself at least 1.5 hours to make the roundtrip hike! The park closed at 6 when we were there in Aug. I'm not sure how they know everyone is down, or if they just lock you in. We didn't wait to find out.
The first two times we went to Oahu, we didn't do this hike. I'm glad I finally got to. It was well worth the effort. Leave a Comment
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 Lighthouse by csordila
A walk from Waikiki Beach will take about one hour. By car, it is less than 10 minutes.
The lighthouse can be seen on the right side of the road. Distant views are also possible from atop of the crater.
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 Warren and Brother Mike
Getting Ready to Climb by HawaiianKukiniNui, 3 more photos |
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 Waikiki from top of Diamond
Head by Redlats
They tell you that you must have water and a flashlight to climb. You do need water and sunscreen (it's a desert up there), but unless you are claustraphobic or afraid of the dark, the flashlight is not worth renting.
Cost in 2001 is $1/ person to enter the park, $2 to rent the flashlight. You can get to Diamond Head by taking The Bus (#22 or #58). If you are too wiped to walk down to the bus stop, there seems to be a good supply of taxis to drive you back to town. Leave a Comment
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