Thinking about hiking to the top of Diamond Head? The climb up this famous volcanic crater includes spectacular views of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the Pacific Ocean and attracts more than 3,000 hikers a day. You need to know that visiting Hawaii's most iconic landmark now requires advance reservations.
- Non-resident visitors must reserve Diamond Head visits up to 30 days in advance.
- Entry fees are $5 per person and $10 per vehicle, payable by credit card only.
- Hawaii residents with valid ID do not need reservations and can enter for free.
Located just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Waikiki, it's no surprise that Diamond Head has been one of the most popular and heavily visited destinations in the state. In 2019, a record-breaking 6,000 hikers visited the monument in one day!
As you can imagine, such a high volume of visitors created a host of problems—heavy vehicle traffic, illegal parking, and erosion of the fragile landscape. In 2022, the State of Hawaii introduced a reservation system to reduce visitor impact at the monument.
How to Make a Diamond Head Hike Reservation
If you are visiting from out of state, you will need to make an online reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument. Anyone without a reservation with be turned away (except for Hawai'i residents with valid ID).
To make a reservation, visit the Go Hawai'i State Parks Diamond Head State Monument website.
Input your ticket type (entry only or parking and entry), visit date, and the number of people.
The time schedule is divided into 2-hour blocks from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors with parking reservations must arrive within the first 30 minutes of their time slot and must leave the parking area by the end of their reservation time. Walk-ins or drop-off visitors may leave at any time.
All visitors must exit the crater by 6 p.m.
When making a reservation, you'll be able to book your spot up to 30 days in advance.
The entrance fee is $5 per person and $10 per vehicle; a QR code will be sent to you to be scanned at entry, eliminating the need for cash exchange at the entrance.
However, keep in mind that there is a Diamond Head souvenir shop and refreshment stand so having cash on hand is still recommended.
The reservation system only applies to out-of-state visitors. Hawaii residents do not need a Diamond Head reservation as long as they have a Hawaii State driver's license or Hawaii State ID.
Parking is still limited, and both residents and nonresidents are encouraged to plan ahead in order to arrive on time.
Out-of-state visitors accompanying Hawaii residents as well as visitors on commercial tours and trolleys will still need to make reservations.
Registered tour operators will be able to make reservations on your behalf via their own Diamond Head reservation portal, so please contact your tour operator to confirm your reservation or if you need to reserve your spot on your own.
For more information, check out the FAQ about Diamond Head State Monument Reservations.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Diamond Head Reservations
So, to recap, here are the steps you need to make a reservation before you can hike Diamond Head:
- Visit the Go Hawaii State Parks Website and make a reservation up to 30 days before your visit to Diamond Head.
- Choose your ticket: Entry Only (if walking in or being dropped off) or Parking and Entry (if driving a vehicle).
- Choose your visit date.
- Input the number of people in your group.
- Choose the time block that suits your schedule.
- After payment, you’ll be sent a QR code that you can show at the Diamond Head entrance.
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The Hike
Diamond Head is classified as a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 560 feet. Roundtrip, the trek is just under two miles and takes about an hour and a half to complete. If you're on Shaka Guide's East Oahu Shoreline Drive, Diamond Head is the third stop on the tour and one of three hikes you can attempt during your road trip with Shaka Guide.
Throughout the hike, you’ll walk narrow pathways, climb two sets of stairs, and stop at a series of scenic lookout spots. Diamond Head is one of Oahu’s most popular attractions -- in fact, about 3,000 people hike the volcano daily. That means there’s a lot of foot traffic; be mindful of this as you’re navigating the route.
Just before you reach the top of Diamond Head, there’s a former military bunker. Go inside and see the lookout points that made this spot a strategic post for the U.S. Military, who purchased Diamond Head in the early 1900s. Once you’re done, walk just a little further to reach the summit where you’ll find views of Waikiki and the island’s east coast beaches.
RELATED: Hikes on Shaka Guide's East Oahu Shoreline Drive
Tips for Your Visit
Choose an Early Reservation Time
The weather at Diamond Head is almost always hot, and this hike has little shade. To beat the heat, we recommend choosing a reservation time early in the day. A morning reservation is also best if you plan to travel with Shaka Guide on our East O'ahu Shoreline Drive tour!
Bring Water
Although Diamond Head is considered a family-friendly hike, it can still be rigorous at times. Remember those stairs we told you about? Well, there are 175 of them! Also keep in mind that there’s no place to fill up your bottle along the route, so bring plenty of water to last you through the hike.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Get ready for lots of sun! There is little shade on this hike, so make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We also highly recommend skipping the flipflops and wearing sturdy shoes instead. There are spots with steep inclines and uneven ground.
Ocean View from Diamond Head | Photo by kirkandmimi via Pixabay
PRO TIP! If you don’t feel like hiking, head to Diamond Head Lookout and Beach Park. Located on the coastal side of the crater, this beach is a popular surf spot. You can park at the lookout above the beach for an incredible view of Oahu’s southern coast. We'll guide you there on Shaka Guide's East Oahu Shoreline Drive.
To visit the beach, walk down the paved path carved into the cliffside. There are even showers at the top to rinse off the sand and salty sea water when you’re done swimming or surfing! It’s a great spot to have a beach picnic and watch the sunset.
About Diamond Head
Diamond Head, known as Le'ahi in Hawaiian, is a volcanic tuff cone formed from a massive eruption hundreds of thousands of years ago. Rising 760 feet above sea level, the now dormant volcano is one of cultural significance here in Hawaii. In ancient times, navigational fires were lit on the top of the crater to guide canoes traveling along the coast. In turn, the crater was referred to as a “wreath of fire.”
It wasn’t until the 1800s that it got its current name when British sailors mistook calcite crystals in the lava rock to be diamonds. Unfortunately for them, these gems had absolutely no value. But, the name stuck, and it’s still called Diamond Head today!
Things to Do Near Diamond Head
Turn your visit to Diamond Head into the start of a day-long adventure around O'ahu's spectacular southeastern shoreline! On Shaka Guide's East O'ahu Shoreline Drive, we'll guide you to Diamond Head and beyond with turn-by-turn directions to stunning coastal viewpoints, beaches, and hikes. Along the way, you'll learn about O'ahu's fascinating history, Hawaiian culture, and volcanic past.
Other recommended attractions and entertainment options near Diamond Head State Monument include:
- The farmers market at Kapi'olani Community College
- Ala Moana Center
- Honolulu Zoo
- 'Iolani Palace
- Koko Head Trail, and
- Hanauma Bay.
Feeling hungry? Consider ordering a local plate lunch at Rainbow Drive-In or grabbing some shave ice at Waiola Shave Ice in Honolulu.
RELATED: Top-Rated Things To Do in Waikiki Hawaii (2025 Guide)
Looking for more hikes on Oahu? Check out our video below for Five Family-Friendly Hikes on the island!
Do I Need Advanced Reservations at Other Hawaii Attractions?
Diamond Head State Monument is the third park in Hawaii to require advance reservations, joining Ha'ena State Park on Kauai and Wai'anapanapa State Park on Maui.
As the popularity of Hawaii grows, you can expect more reservation requirements for popular parks in the islands going forth.
For more information about Diamond Head, reservations, temporary closures, park updates and announcements, rules and regulations, trail information, tours, and the online store, visit the official DLNR Diamond Head State Monument page.
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Visit Diamond Head on Shaka Guide's East Oahu Shoreline Drive!