ALOHA!
So you’re planning a hike to the Diamond Head summit! Good! Here’s why. 😉
And now you’re thinking of how to get to Diamond Head.
If you’re planning on renting a car when you’re on Oahu, you probably want to drive to Diamond Head too.
It’s an easy drive from Waikiki and pretty close.
To enter the Diamond Head park area, it will cost $5 per car. This includes the fees for all passengers. (As a walk-in, it’s $1 per person.)
what to wear in hawaii >> what to wear hiking – what to wear snorkeling
How to get to Diamond Head from Waikiki
Have a look at this map for directions on how to get to Diamond Head from Waikiki by car.
Once you get to the base of Diamond Head Crater, you’ll enter the park area. From there, you keep driving, and you’ll pass a scenic overlook. You can choose to stop here for photo opportunities, but many more scenic views await you during your hike!
Past the scenic overlook, you’ll enter a tunnel, and then you’ll almost be to the start of the trail!
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
Chances of a full parking lot at Diamond Head through December 2017
If you end up driving to Diamond Head, just be warned that parking may turn out to be a little bit difficult between now and December 15, 2017.
Here’s why:
The trail is CLOSED in the afternoons during the week from now until December 15, 2017.
You may have read reviews about how Diamond Head can be crowded.
Well, if you go on this hike in the mornings or weekends now, the trail is likely to be even more crowded.
When the trail is opened all day, hikers are dispersed throughout the day (and throughout the week). Now everyone is going to be hiking in the morning or waiting until the weekend. That can make for a very crowded trail.
But don’t let that spoil the views at the Diamond Head trail summit!
Chances of a full parking lot at Diamond Head
This also means that it might be a better idea to not drive to the trail. There is limited parking available at the Diamond Head parking lot. And with everyone going in the morning, there’s a greater chance of the parking lot being full when you go.
Parking at Diamond Head is different from parking at Hanauma Bay when you go snorkeling. At Hanauma Bay, you will get turned away if there’s a full parking lot. At Diamond Head, you’ll be able to wait until a spot opens up.
In this picture, on the right side is a line of cars waiting for a parking spot to open up.
Other ways to get to Diamond Head
You may consider other options to get to the start of your Diamond Head Hike:
- Taking the bus: You can take a single bus ride to get to Diamond Head from Waikiki. The bus ride itself is about 10 minutes, but you’ll want to factor in time waiting for the bus too. The bus will drop you just outside the crater, so there’s about a 10 minute walk to get to the start of the trail. Here are more tips for taking the bus to Diamond Head.
- Walking: Get in a little bit of urban hiking by making the trek from Waikiki! One way is about 2-2.5 miles. You can always walk one way, and then take the bus back the other! Here are walking directions from Waikiki.
- Biking 😉 If you’re up for making it a full-fledged adventure-filled day, consider biking to and from Diamond Head! Here are tips for biking to Diamond Head. Consider making your biking route the scenic one by taking a similar route as biking to Hanauma Bay. This basically means going around Diamond Head Crater!
More tips for hiking Diamond Head: What to bring for the Diamond Head Hike!
Now here are a few things to keep in mind for your hiking excursion to Diamond Head:
- Consider wearing hiking sandals like these over flip flops. They will provide you with much needed better traction! And they are more breathable than shoes, and also probably have better traction than your current gym shoes. Many hiking trails on Oahu have dry and loose gravel, and this includes Diamond Head. This can make you prone to slipping if you’re not wearing proper footwear.
- WATER! You will be sweating on this hike! It’s a mostly open trail with minimal shade. It’ll be hot and it’s important to stay safe. These water bottles are popular in Hawaii.
- SNACKS! Even if you think you will be fine without food, just take an energy bar or two with you! It is amazing the difference a few hundred calories can make when your energy is drained. You may also consider picking up some dried pineapple fruit snacks or macadamia nuts from one of the many ABC convenience stores in Waikiki. Although the good thing about Diamond Head is that there is a food truck in the parking lot! But still, better to come prepared!
- Small backpack! It could be helpful to have a small backpack to carry things on your hike.
- Here are some affordable daypacks.
- Here’s a more high-end daypack for hiking. (Pictured below at the start of the Diamond Head Hike is this type of daypack… it’s even got a place to attach the bike helmet when you’re on the trail! Now that you have the right backpack, don’t you want to bike to Diamond Head? ;))
HAPPY DIAMOND HEAD PARKING!
what to wear in hawaii >> what to wear hiking – what to wear snorkeling
things to do in oahu | map >> hikes – snorkeling || waikiki – north shore – east oahu
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling