After we arrived on the island of Oahu, unpacked and settled in to the hotel, we could not help but notice Diamond Head majestically looming over the island in the distance. We were ready to tackle the hike to its peak and to enjoy some much-needed time in the outdoors, so we loaded up the car, headed for the highway and made our way up the mountain. 
Diamond Head is the remnants of a volcanic eruption that occurred over 150,000 years ago. The British gave it the name Diamond Head as they mistakenly thought that the calcite crystals nearby were diamonds. The Hawaiians know Diamond Head as Le’ahi, as to them, it resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin protruding from the ridgeline along its back. Lucky for us, the volcano has been dormant for many years. We began our ascent on this switchback trail, which is considered strenuous but only .8 miles in length.
The trail provided us with spectacular views of the Pacific. We made the climb with several switchbacks before reaching a long flight of stairs. The stairs brought us to a tunnel that lead us to the lower level of the Fire Control Station completed in 1911. More stairs, and we then entered the third level knowing we would soon reach the Observation station.
As we continued our ascent, we had the mountain to one side and a handrail on the other as we made our way to the first overlook. The trail was built in 1908 reaching a height of 760 feet and the views of Diamond Head and Waikiki were breathtaking.
On the other side of the station was the volcanic tuff cone which makes up Diamond Head. According to GeoLearning, a tuff (or ash) cone, is “formed by explosive (and therefore potentially hazardous) phreatomagmatic eruptions (the interaction of basaltic magma and water). Tuff cones thus tend to be found near the water’s edge or just offshore. Tuff is composed of extremely fine-grained cemented volcanic ash.”
It took us a total of about an hour to reach the summit, with some stops along the way to admire our amazing surroundings. Upon reaching the top, there was the Observation Station with a 360 degree view and a more stunning sight of Waikiki below. On a clear day you could see for miles. We took a few minutes to take in the moment and to catch our breath knowing it would probably only take about 30 minutes to return to the start of our journey.
As we finished the hike and reveled in our victorious climb with a view so spectacular and breathtaking, I realized that I would have been so disappointed if I had stayed back at the hotel or opted for a day at the beach. I promised myself that even if it took a bit of effort on my part, I would not want to miss out on an experience of a lifetime such as this.
Have you hiked Diamond Head in Hawaii or maybe you have another hike that made a long lasting impression on you? I would love to hear about your journey if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for taking this journey with me to Diamond Head and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Diamond Head State Monument
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96815
Telephone: 800 464 2924
- Admission Fee: $5 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians, cash only
- Hours: Open daily from 6AM to 6PM. The last entrance to hike the trail is 4:30PM.
- Amenities: ADA Accessible, Snack Bar, Gift Shop, Picnic Pavilion and Tables, Restrooms and Water Fountains.
- Scenic View: Spectacular views of Waikiki from Diamond Head!
- Length of the Hike: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Please note that the entrance fee is cash only. If hiking Diamond Head, wear appropriate shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks.
Where to Stay:
Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
2885 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96815
Telephone: 808 922 1700
Where to Eat:
South Shore Grill
3114 Montsarrat Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96815
Telephone: 808 734 0229
Voted the best fish tacos on the island, I could not wait to order a couple and decided on the Grilled Cajun Ono Fish with Aioli….absolutely delicious! The chips and homemade salsa was a hit as well!
What to Eat:
- Kalua Pig: Hawaii is famous for its Kalua Pig, similar to American pulled pork.
- Poi: Made from taro root which is similar to a potato, the poi we sampled was “pounded” into a thick starch. This cooking technique results in a sticky pudding-like dessert which is purple in color.
- Poke: Similar to Japanese sashimi, yet the fish is cut into chunky cubes and usually served over a bed of rice.
What to Read:
- Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku by David Davis
- The Tattoo by Chris McKinney
Photo Guide for Oahu:
- Diamond Head Crater Hike: 360 degree views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean
- Hanauma Bay: underwater photos, photo of the bay from the parking lot
- Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Park scenery
- Kualoa Regional Park and Mokoli’l Island: Palm trees and the triangle island
- The Pineapple Plantations: Take the inland route from Waikiki to the North Shore and stop at Dole Plantation
- Sunset Beach and Pipeline: the North Shore is the perfect location for surfing, so you will find LOTS of surfers here.
- Turtle Bay: surfers and sunsets
- Waikiki Wall and Beach: palm trees, surfers and highrise buildings, sunrises and sunsets
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