Diamond Head
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good Views / Viewpoint,
Walking/Hiking,
Mountain,
Statue / Monument
The pointy peak of Diamond Head forms a dramatic backdrop to Waikiki on Oahu’s south coast. Diamond Head is a State Monument, and a popular lookout point on Oahu.
Formed from volcanic tuff, the crater is part of a geological outcrop of cones, vents and old lava flows, formed from eruptions around 150,000 years ago.
If you’re feeling fit, work out with an exhilarating climb to the top of Diamond Head and take in the city views. The steep round-trip hike takes a couple of hours, with challenging stages of steps and tunnels.
Latest Reviews
Review by nadena13, Singapore, December 2012
Doing what: Diamond Head Crater Sunrise Small Group Adventure
Our guide, David, gave us an insight into Diamond Head while hiking up with the group. We made a few stops to relish the view, catch out breath, as well as learn more about the crater. Well worth getting up early for!!!
Review by Vicki H, United Kingdom, July 2012
Doing what: 45-minute Oahu Helicopter Tour: Hidden Oahu
A fantastic start to my husband's 60th birthday. Picked up by Kevin, who informed us about what would happen. Jeff was our pilot, and very informed about the island. Went past our hotel Ilikai. Over Diamond Head. Saw sharks in the Pacific. Jeff knew exactly when we would hit turbulence, so we would not panic. The climax for me was going over Pearl Harbour, and actually seeing the whole of The Arizona in the water. You cannot appreciate this whilst visiting the memorial, but this was fantastic. Kevin took our photo next to the helicopter at the end. It was the actual helicopter used in a Hawaii 5-0 episode. We traveled first class, and the extra money was well worth it.
Review by Erin O, June 2012
Doing what: Diamond Head Crater Sunrise Small Group Adventure
Diamond Head was a very easy 1/2 mile walk from our hotel in Waikiki. However, we opted to take this tour in order to learn the history of the crater. Without benefit of the tour guide, you really are just taking a hike on a tuff volcano on the shores of Waikiki Beach. Our tour guide provided us with the history from "birth" to present day and was most definitely worth the tour price.
Practical Info
Waikiki Beach runs east to the Diamond Head peninsula. If you’re driving from Waikiki, follow Kalakaua Avenue onto Monsarrat Avenue. Buses run to the monument from Waikiki.
