Diamond Head is one of the many iconic features on the island of Oahu that allow you to hike thru this national monument. It is a consistently busy park that is packed with tourists at all times which means there is not necessarily a best time to go to the mass amount of tourists.
Since we knew it would always be a busy place, we didn’t rush over first thing in the morning. My brother had gone for an early morning jog the day before, arriving right when the park opened at 6am only to discover it was too late. Mounds of tour buses and other visitors all had the same idea of watching the sunrise there which made for a crowded walk up.
We ended up going on a Sunday morning around 10am and decided to drive up to the parking lot. There was a waiting line to get a parking spot and with about 5 cars in front of us, we only waited about 10-15 minutes. It was quick wait and only $5 to park. You are able to walk into the park at $1 a person but since we had a car of 5 people, it ended up being the same cost.
From the parking lot to the top of the hike and back, it took us about 1.5 hours including the time we took for breaks to rest and take photos and a few outlooks. Although it was still busy, it wasn’t as shoulder to shoulder as my brother had experienced the morning before.
It was almost 90 degrees that day (early September) and there is minimal to no shade coverage so being prepared for the heat and sun is crucial. The hike itself is considered a beginner hike but for those who are not used to hills, it may be more challenging. Despite the heat and slight terrain, there were visitors of all ages that made it all the way to the top including little kids and seniors.
The trail starts off with a sidewalk but shortly after, it’ll turns into rocks and dirt. We saw a woman walking back and she was wearing heels. We have absolutely no idea how far she made it into the hike before she turned around. Wearing athletic shoes is highly recommended and a hat to provide shade doesn’t hurt either. Since you’ll be in the sun for a couple hours, sunscreen will protect you from the sun but be sure to wear the waterproof/sweat proof sunscreen to ensure it stays on your skin. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take breaks as needed!
Diamond Head is a beautiful site to be seen on the Island of Oahu that can’t be missed if you’re visiting. Enjoy!
-Michelle