See all
1,772 photos

Diamond Head State Monument

Volcano, Scenic Lookout, and Hiking Trail

Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis, Honolulu

Save

9.1^/10

701

ratings

Ranked #1 for scenic views in Honolulu
"... hotter and hotter bring water and hades protect your eyes, there is a..."(15 Tips)
"Worth the 2 mile round trip hike including 50 flights of stairs"(14 Tips)
"Wear comfortable shoes with traction and brig lots of water.."(5 Tips)
"Too crowded and actually a little dangerous."(5 Tips)

149 Tips and reviews

Filter:

hiking
scenic views
bring water
stairs
trails
shoes
monuments
comfortable
tours
books
well
tunnels
volcano
sunscreen
shaved ice
parking
mountains
market
sneakers
crowded
(15 more)

Sort:

Popular
Recent

Jack GashiFebruary 15, 2015
Sunrise from Diamond Head is magical. Get there at 5:50; gate opens at 6. It'll be dark out, but it's a simple hike. Do it on the first day, when you can use your jet lag hours to wake up early.
Jeremia SchrockOctober 14, 2014
A great hike! Go to the top, bring plenty of water, wear close-toed shoes. Absolutely worth the trek for breathtaking views of Oahu. WWII sites an added bonus. Bring the camera!
Upvoted Feb 22
Luis C.October 23, 2015
Take your time up this hike, but as you get to the tunnel it gets crowded as people are going up and others coming down. Watch your step going up the steep steps.
Lyndon MorgansAugust 13, 2018
Lovely walk, take water as there are no water stations on the way up which some guide books state, some clowns wear flip flops on the walk, and read the safety signage
Jim PenfoldMarch 7, 2018
Uphill walking, an uneven rocky path and plenty of steps to navigate. But the views are spectacular. I suggest going with a tour operator and going on the early tour.
BrianApril 30, 2017
Not a long hike, but does offer some great views of the Honolulu-Waikiki areas. Plenty of spots to take a break if needed. Bring water. Can be fairly busy, so parking could be tricky.
Tomiana DeBellisFebruary 29, 2016
Fantastic views and fun hike. Recommend getting there early (opens at 6am) to get parking and avoid major crowds. Toward the end are some serious stairs and a 200+ foot tunnel to think about.
Doug WJanuary 30, 2017
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. OK, no shirt but they sell them. Nice view at the top, easy hike, super crowded. Park at the community college if the lot's full on the weekend, easy hike up.
Von MosserJune 27, 2017
The views are well worth the hike. Bring water, you'll be glad you did. Take your time and pace your hike. It's not a race, but an accomplishment.
Keith KaplanApril 5, 2015
Great views and a must if you haven't been up before. I reached the summit in under 30 mins without stopping. Go early because it gets very crowded and is quite annoying to hike with many people.
Lynette EugenioOctober 31, 2018
This not-to-miss landmark is one of the most popular hiking trails on Oahu. It's an easy hike for all ages and offers spectacular views. Go early to beat the heat and crowds.
Shani AdiaJune 3, 2013
You should definitely bring a bottle of water and wear tennis shoes! The terrain is rocky, steps are steep, and some entrances are very low (you must crawl to get to the very top). But well worth it!
Josie SMarch 21, 2015
A must do in Ohau. A medium level hike. Meaning younger kids (above 5yo) can do it but no one with mobility problems. A local told me they need to send paramedic 2 or3 tomes a week. View is AMAZING.
Steph HindsMarch 26, 2015
Awesome views. Hike to the top is half an hour and fairly easy. Make sure you take the stairs all the way to the top
Dennis BJuly 2, 2016
There's a fork in the road -- well, path -- that leads either to hundreds of steps or a few easier ramps. Take the steps: It's challenging but way more rewarding. You'll have stories to tell!
Anna BattleJuly 9, 2012
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes - tennis or hiking - no flip flops or heels. Wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring water!! This hike takes 1-2 hours, but is well worth it once you get to the top!
Michael TchouAugust 26, 2014
Brilliant views after a mile long hike up. First third is paved, then hard packed trail with gentle incline. The bunkers built into the hill are an interesting site!
Kaleb RowlesDecember 14, 2015
The hike is well worth the trip. Maybe a half an hour or so up but the view from the top is well worth it!
ELS Language CentersMay 29, 2012
Hike Diamond Head on a Saturday so you can start or finish with the farmer's market held at Kapiolani Community College. Go early to avoid the heat and crowds.
Michal MeskoJanuary 30, 2017
Go for a run here - you can be on the top from Waikiki in 30 minutes! Don't forget to take $1 for admission though.
Do Hee JeongDecember 30, 2014
Beautiful view. Parking very limited and you'll only know spaces have filled up once you arrive at entrance. Some parking before tunnel but advisable to keep your cars at home.
Shirley RNSeptember 26, 2013
Great work out going up! I suggest do not bring little kids, this is hard climb for them. Once up there, the view was awesome! Bring water to drink!
Matthew StaehleAugust 9, 2011
Bring water! The stairs are tight and if you are tall (I'm 6'2") you will have to crawl out of the observation point at the top of the spiral stairs on hands & knees. Beautiful scenery @ the top.
Matt Ta-MinJune 12, 2015
Easy walk from Waikiki, 45 mins - 1 hr. Great views then a half hour hike into the crater. Watch out though the park closes at 6pm! Don't arrive too late.
Richard BowersAugust 30, 2014
Amazing hike, great view. They sell cold water bottles, if you forget to bring one. Also, cold smoothies. Accessible by The Bus from Waikiki.
Damion OliverSeptember 27, 2013
Great view over Waikiki on top I was here last week that hike was crazy and fun. Wear comfortable footwear, no slippers and bring some iced cold water.
Anthony MayberryNovember 30, 2011
Fun climb. Bring water if you're not a hiker, it can be a challenge for children and older people. Parking costs $5. Worth it!
Erika RuizOctober 5, 2017
This place is Breathtaking! Simply amazing. If you love to hike this is a great place to come to.
Jason OzaetaMay 1, 2016
The view is worth the trip to the top. The stairs are the most direct, but most tiring way, so you might want to try the other path.
Tamas DoberMarch 6, 2018
One of the best hikes in Oahu! We could see some people in sandals; I wouldn't advice it though.Excellent views from the top.
KaitlinNovember 24, 2014
Worth it. Whatever it takes for you to do this, don't miss it. The views are SPECTACULAR!
Joëlle EidJuly 13, 2012
Go whenever you want. So what if you're hot and sweaty? Being at the top with an amazing 360 AND a cool breeze is completely worth the sweat to get there.
Sean RobisonNovember 26, 2015
Wear comfy shoes. The climb is not over-taxing. If the long staircase appears daunting, you can take the exit route to the top.
Eric WMarch 3, 2013
Takes about 30-45 minutes to hike up. I would usually say go early but there are big tour groups that also go at the opening time. The top is pretty empty once they leave.
DPJuly 4, 2012
Start at the beginning of the day ( 6 AM) when it's not really hot before the crowds and tour buses, wear good walking shoes (not "slippahs"), bring water, watch your footing on the uneven pathway.
David CarroJanuary 2, 2018
The view is awesome,be ready to have a long walk to get on the top.
Alison HillmanApril 26, 2013
BRING WATER!!! There are plenty of places to rest so don't be afraid of the trek. Totally worth it once you are at the top.
Remo MalarikMay 9, 2022
Another must-do when in Honolulu. Fairly easy hike (less than 1 hour up) to get great view over Honolulu.
John Paolo AquinoDecember 24, 2012
Started at 8:30am and finished at 9:45, which still gave enough time to finish before it got too hot. It's a mild hike but definitely a good exercise.
Jenn ClarkAugust 19, 2011
Wear comfortable shoes with traction and brig lots of water.. If you're claustrophobic the tunnel might be as far as you go. The view is beautiful although climbing out you have to bend low
steve gordonApril 25, 2013
It's a very doable hike so grab some water and take your time. Also, once you're out of the tunnel take the new outdoor route to the top.
Brandon RobertsJuly 12, 2017
Awesome views. If you plan to hike you'll need a couple of hours at least. Bring sunscreen.
Anna ROctober 9, 2015
Great hike to start the day. The outlook on top is congested with tourist - take a pic can't linger too much.
Juan GiraldoDecember 2, 2015
Great view of oaku island. It is possible to appreciate waikiki beach and its many hotels buildings
FamilyFunApril 18, 2012
Hike this famous monument and see spectacular views of Oahu’s south shore. Did you know that Mount Leahi, or Diamond Head, is an extinct volcanic crater formed 300,000 years ago? http://bit.ly/I6r4oC
Lenny GalloJanuary 15, 2022
Beautiful hike best done early.
y0kSMay 14, 2015
Been here 10+ times
If you are here to get a "work out" don't come when the park first opens (at least not on Thursday that's when I came), unless you want to drown in a sea of tourists..🐠🐟🙋🏻🐋🐳🐬
Cuppy CakeSeptember 30, 2010
Their right, the best time to go here is in the morning it's getting hotter and hotter bring water and hades protect your eyes, there is a tricky part when you reach the top be prepared:)
Dan WrightJune 12, 2017
Nice little hike. Bring water, sunglasses, and good shoes. Beautiful views.
Gieson CachoMay 6, 2013
After going through the first set of stairs and the tunnel, there's a path to the left that's easier if you're feeling gassed.

1 2 3

1,772 Photos

Diamond Head State Monument

Related Searches

Places inside Diamond Head State Monument

You might also like

Places people like to go after Diamond Head State Monument

Appears on 542 lists

Is this your business? Claim it now.