Volcanoes formed the Hawaiian islands, and a Diamond Head sunrise hike on Oahu is an easy way to experience this geology up close.
The Diamond Head (Leahi) crater was formed 300,000 years ago during an eruption of the Koolau Volcano further inland. Although Diamond Head is not a volcano, it has long been a symbol of Honolulu, Oahu, and the state of Hawaii.
The tall crater walls are visible from Waikiki Beach, where many travelers stay. I remember this view from 30 years ago when I visited Oahu on a family vacation. I don't recall us climbing it, though.
Fast forward to today, and I saw the Diamond Head crater from the summit when I returned to Oahu with my girlfriend. We went for sunrise, an excellent time for this popular hike, partly because it's cooler.
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Getting There
Car
There's a $10 fee per vehicle to use the parking lot if you're driving. While we'd rented a car for our scenic drive around Oahu, it wasn't necessary for the Diamond Head crater hike.
Instead, we called an Uber at about 5:40 a.m. from our hotel in Waikiki Beach. It was about a 15-minute drive to the park.
However, rideshare drivers cannot enter the tunnel leading into the crater and park. They'll drop you off at the tunnel's entrance on Diamond Head Road, and you can safely walk through it in the pedestrian lane. It's well-lit.
We knew the park didn't open until 6 a.m., so that's when we arrived at the tunnel. But I wish we'd known to arrive at 5:45 a.m., as it takes 10-15 minutes to walk from the tunnel entrance to the ticket gate.
Had we already been waiting at the ticket office when the park opened, we would've reached Diamond Head's summit just as the sun broke the horizon. Instead, we were still hiking up when that magical moment happened.
The Uber ride there was $16, and the return trip was $9, for a total of $25 round-trip (plus tips).
Bus
The cheapest option is to take Bus 23 from Kuhio Avenue to Diamond Head, and you'll need to walk through the tunnel.
Waikiki Trolley
The blue line on this hop-on-hop-off trolley goes to Diamond Head State Monument, but the earliest departure is 9 a.m., so it's not an option if you want to catch the sunrise. It also costs $25 per adult, although it allows you to visit other points of interest on the same day, including the Halona Blowhole.
Diamond Head Trail
Once you've paid the $5 entrance fee (credit cards only; Hawaii residents get in free), you can walk the Diamond Head Trail to the summit. According to the state park website, the "trail to the summit of Leahi was built in 1908 as part of Oahu's coastal defense system."
The hike is 1.6 miles round-trip and begins with a gentle incline on a concrete path. Your final destination is visible atop the crater rim, as some old military base structures are up there.
As the terrain steepens, concrete gives way to natural rock outcroppings. They're not hard to navigate on foot, but I wouldn't recommend trying to take a stroller up the Diamond Head Trail.
At this point, we were already encountering some hikers making their way down. If I had the scenic summit to myself at sunrise, I'd also be keen to leave once more people arrived.
The rocky path eventually takes you to a steep staircase painted bright yellow -- you can't miss them. The staircase leads into a 225-foot, dimly lit tunnel. Claustrophobic visitors may not enjoy this part, but it doesn't last long.
Once you exit the short tunnel, you'll have to climb more steps before reaching the crater's summit. A helipad is visible on Diamond Head, which I imagine is used in emergency rescues.
Diamond Head Lookout
Once you reach the top of Diamond Head crater, you will see a bunch of old military bunkers with panoramic views of Oahu's coastline. Having something to climb on is fun once you're up there.
From the lookout point, you'll see Waikiki Beach and Honolulu to the west, the sunrise, and Koko Head Park and Crater (also walkable) to the east.
Overall, the Diamond Head sunrise hike was relatively easy for me, which is not to say I didn't need to stop and catch my breath at times. The views from the summit of Diamond Head were worth it, though.
Kel and I returned to our hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. We had plenty of time to hang out on Waikiki Beach and tour Iolani Palace, the former residence of the last royal Hawaiian family.
Plan Your Hike
When's the best time to hike Diamond Head?
Diamond Head State Monument Park in Oahu is typically open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunrise hikes are a popular activity. I suggest planning to arrive at the visitor center ticket office by 6 a.m.
If you're not tied to sunrise, I'd still aim for the morning, as the sun is lower in the sky and temperatures are cooler. There's little shade once you begin the hike; bringing plenty of water is a good idea. Hikers cannot start the hike after 4 p.m.; visitors must leave the park by 6 p.m.
How long does it take to hike Diamond Head?
I'm 44 and able-bodied, and I reached the summit in 25 minutes. If you're more athletic than I am, you can surely get up faster or with less effort.
How challenging is the Diamond Head hike?
The Diamond Head sunrise hike is considered an easy hike. While there are steep sections, much of the hiking trail is paved, and there are guardrails. Heavier hikers or older folks may find it moderate to difficult.
What should you wear?
Since it's mostly paved, you could get away with wearing flip-flops or sandals, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'd suggest good walking shoes or sneakers, preferably with some cushion. I wore my favorite running sneakers.
