Diamond Head FAQ
The short answers: non-residents need a reservation, booked online up to 30 days ahead. Entry is $5 per person and parking $10 per car, by credit card only. The park is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m. The hike is 1.6 miles round trip and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Pets are not allowed.
Planning
Each answer below links to the page that covers it in full: reservations, hours and fees, the hike, parking, getting there from Waikīkī and rules.
Diamond Head Questions and Answers
Do you need a reservation for Diamond Head?
Yes, unless you are a Hawaii resident with a Hawaii ID or driver's license. Everyone else, walk-ins included, must book entry online at gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead.
How much does Diamond Head cost?
Non-residents pay $5 per person for entry and $10 per vehicle for parking, by credit card only. Children 3 and under and Hawaii residents with ID are free.
What are Diamond Head's hours?
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The last reservation is 4 p.m. and the last entry 4:30 p.m. It is closed December 25 and January 1.
How far ahead can I book?
Up to 30 days. Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your time slot.
How long is the Diamond Head hike?
0.8 mile each way, 1.6 miles round trip, climbing 560 feet. Hawaii State Parks says to allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Is the Diamond Head hike hard?
The agency rates it moderate: uneven rock, switchbacks, a lighted tunnel and steep stairs, with the last tenth of a mile all stairs.
How high is Diamond Head?
The summit is 761 feet above sea level.
Can you bring dogs to Diamond Head?
No. Pets are not allowed; only service animals.
Where do you park?
In the small lot on the crater floor, reached through the Kahala Tunnel from Diamond Head Road between Makapuʻu Avenue and 18th Avenue. Non-residents must reserve parking.
Can I walk or take the bus from Waikīkī?
Yes. Walk-in and drop-off visitors need an entry ticket but no parking reservation. TheBus serves Diamond Head Road; check thebus.org for routes.
Is Diamond Head wheelchair accessible?
The crater-floor facilities are fully accessible. The summit trail is not.
Are there restrooms?
Yes, a comfort station on the crater floor by the parking lot.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
No, unless the park officially closes. Refunds are allowed up to 3 days before your date, minus fees.
Can you see sunrise from Diamond Head?
Only in seasons when sunrise comes after the park opens at 6 a.m. and you can climb in time. The first slot is 6 a.m.
Is Diamond Head a volcano?
Yes, a tuff cone formed in one brief eruption about 300,000 years ago.
Why is it called Diamond Head?
Western explorers in the late 1700s mistook calcite crystals in the rock for diamonds. The Hawaiian name is Lēʻahi.
Is the Diamond Head Beach Park part of the monument?
No. It is a City and County of Honolulu beach park on the coast below the crater and needs no reservation.
Is this the official Diamond Head website?
No. diamondheadmonument.com is an independent guide. The official pages are at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp and gostateparks.hawaii.gov.