Where To Park At Diamond Head Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Entrance to the lot is off Diamond Head Road between Makapuu Avenue and 18th Avenue in Honolulu

. Hours: Trail is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but you are required to start your hike by 4:30 p.m.

Where can I park for free at Diamond Head?

  • Kahala Lookout. 0.5 mi. …
  • Honolulu Zoo Parking Lot. 1.0 mi. …
  • Diamond Head Lighthouse. 0.5 mi. …
  • Fort DeRussy Parking. 2.0 mi. …
  • Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales. 1.1 mi. …
  • Sheraton Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian Parking Garage. 1.8 mi. …
  • Propark. 1.4 mi. …
  • Kaimukī Public Library. 1.3 mi.

Does Diamond Head charge for parking?

You can pull through the side of the crater and park your vehicle in the parking lot. A parking fee of

$10 for cars/vans and $20 for minibusses

apply. On a busy day with limited parking opportunities, park your vehicle on the Diamond Head Road and walk 5-10 minutes to the crater.

Is it free to hike Diamond Head?


All State Parks will allow free entry and free parking for Hawaii residents

, including the Diamond Head State Monument. Out-of-state visitors will now pay $10 per vehicle and $5 for walk-ins, compared to $5 and $1 before the pandemic. Commercial entry fees for vans and tour buses are also going up.

Is Diamond Head worth visiting?

Diamond Head is one of the best hikes on Honolulu, with one of the most stunning views of Waikiki that you can find. (Unless you're in a helicopter, probs.) The hike may be long, and it may be sweaty, but it's also

100% worth it

. It's also a great activity if you're visiting Honolulu on a budget.

Can you walk into Diamond Head crater?

Diamond Head Logistics


Many choose to walk the hour or so from Waikiki or use Uber/Lyft

, though we drove. All methods of entry take you through the Kahala Tunnel that goes through the eastern wall of the crater. The entrance fee is $5 per car or $1 per individual walk-in — all paid in cash.

Where do you park for Diamond Head lot full?

Car: There is limited parking

inside Diamond Head Crater

, which costs $10 per car. There are also a few parking spots just outside the crater, which are free (but hard to get). Bus: Take Bus 23 from Waikīkī to the Diamond Head Monument stop, then walk inside the crater.

What is the best time to hike Diamond Head?

One of the best times to climb Diamond Head is for

sunrise

, when temperatures are still relatively cool and the sun shines from behind your back on the crescent of Waikiki Beach far below. For good reason, that's also one of the busiest times of day—the trails fill up with coach tourists.

Is Diamond Head hike easy?

Experience this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu.

Generally considered an easy route

, it takes an average of 55 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

How long is Diamond Head hike time?

Trail Length 1.6 miles (round trip) Time

2 hours
Activity Pedestrian Difficulty Moderate Terrain Hot, Dry, Slopes

Can you drive up Diamond Head?

Although you can't make the drive to the top of Diamond Head,

you can drive around it

. A typical hike up to the top is only about 45 minutes, offering unparalleled views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.

Do you need reservations to hike Diamond Head?


You need reservations for these tours

which can be made at this Website or call: 1-866-332-1491. How much does it cost to Hike Diamond Head? If you drive into the park, the fee is $5.00 per carload of people. If you walk in to the park, the cost is only $1.00 per person.

Is Diamond Head crater open?


Open 365 days a year from 7 am to 3:30 pm

and is located within Diamond Head crater. Official Diamond Head Tours and exclusive Diamond Head merchandise are available at the Visitor Center.

How many miles is Diamond Head hike?

How long is the Diamond Head summit hiking trail? At just

. 8 miles

, the trail is not long at all. Built in 1908 for Oahu's coastal defense system, the steep hiking trail rises up 560 feet as you make your way from the crater floor to the summit.

Can Diamond Head erupt again?

The vents are now extinct and Diamond Head has been dormant for about 150,000 years. Diamond Head is believed to be monogenetic, meaning the eruption only occurs once. Therefore,

geologists believe that Diamond Head will never erupt again

.

Is Diamond Head hike kid friendly?

Is Diamond Head a Suitable Hike For Kids?

The hike isn't too challenging for kids

but you will want to keep a close eye on them once you get to the top. The trail is 1.6 miles round trip from the parking lot to the view-point with an elevation gain of 560 feet.

Where does Diamond Head hike start?


The Diamond Head Trailhead is located in Kapahulu, which is about 15 mins drive from Waikiki Beach

. Some tourists will walk from Waikiki, although it will add about 1.5 to 2 hours onto your return journey. It's in a state park, and you will be charged a small fee to enter.

How do I get to Diamond Head hike?

Simply

take the number 23 bus from Kuhio Avenue towards Diamond Head

, and get off once you reach the Diamond Head State Monument bus stop. Ask your bus driver to notify you once you have reached your destination. You will have to walk up through the crater tunnel to reach the Diamond Head Trail.

Can you walk to Diamond Head from Waikiki?


Walking from Waikiki to Diamond head is actually very doable as it's just about a 5 km walk (3 miles)

. Taking it at a slow pace you should be able to cover it in under four hours. The Diamond Head hike difficulty level is likewise fairly moderate, and can be attempted by anyone in average physical condition.

How many stairs are on the Diamond Head hike?

Diamond Head Crater measures 3,520 feet (1,073 m) across and 760 feet (232 m) in height. A hiking trail leads from the crater up to a lookout point. But be prepared to climb some stairs. In fact, there are

two stairs, one has 99 steps and a second one has 76 steps

.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.