Volcano·Guide
Aerial view of Diamond Head on Oʻahu: a closed, green crater ring right on the coast, with Honolulu and the Koʻolau mountains behind Yellow-edged concrete steps on the Diamond Head Summit Trail climb steeply between tuff walls to a tunnel entrance View from the summit of Diamond Head over the high-rises and beach of Waikīkī with turquoise water

Diamond Head

From above it is an almost closed ring of tuff, right by the ocean.

You get in through a tunnel and up by stairs – with no shade.

At the top, Waikīkī lies below you. There is no glow here: this crater has been quiet for hundreds of thousands of years.

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As of 21 September 2026Diamond Head today: open daily 6 a.m.–6 p.m., visitors by reservation only

If you do not live in Hawaii, you will not even get through the access tunnel without a time slot booked in advance. Because of Hurricane Lala the monument was closed from mid-August 2026; one travel portal reports that it reopened on 9 September 2026 – we had no confirmation of that from State Parks. Current notices appear at the top of the DLNR park page.

Reservation only
6–6a.m.–p.m.

Entry for out-of-state visitors

Entry is sold online only, for a fixed time slot, up to 30 days in advance. There is no ticket window, and cash is not accepted. Children 3 and under are free.

per person$5
Parking slot only
2hrs

Diamond Head parking in the crater

Very few stalls, bookable as two-hour slots starting at 6 a.m. You must be out again by the end of the slot. Without a car, book “Entry only” and arrive on foot, by bus or by taxi.

per vehicle, plus entry$10
Closed
6p.m.

Gates locked – and two closing days

The last time slot starts at 4:00 p.m., and you must be admitted by 4:30 p.m. at the latest. The gates are locked at 6 p.m.; anyone found in the crater after that can be prosecuted.

closed all day: 25 December and 1 January
Sources: reservation portal gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead (read directly on 21 September 2026) · DLNR Division of State Parks, park page with the storm notice of 27 August 2026. A note on the evidence: dlnr.hawaii.gov blocked direct retrieval; we evaluated the Wayback Machine copies (park page of 7 September 2026, trail page of 16 August 2026, news release of 18 July 2026). According to that notice, State Parks automatically refunds tickets for closure days, minus service fees.
Metal staircase on the Diamond Head Summit Trail with hikers, the green crater floor, the crater rim and the ocean behind
No smoke, no sulfur. A green bowl, a handrail – and the sun on the back of your neck.

Photo: Daniel Ramirez · CC BY 2.0

The experienceThe Diamond Head hike: short, steep, no shade

Diamond Head – Lēʻahi in Hawaiian – is a tuff cone at the end of Waikīkī Beach. It formed in a single explosive eruption and has been quiet ever since. There is no glow here, no steam vents, no alert level. What there is: an Army trail from 1908 and the view over Honolulu.

The trail starts on the crater floor, the first 0.2 mile on concrete. Then the tuff turns uneven and the switchbacks work their way up the inner slope. Steep stairs follow, then a lighted 225-foot (69 m) tunnel; the last tenth of a mile is nothing but steps. At the top stands the 1911 Fire Control Station, from which the coastal artillery was directed.

0.8 mile (1.3 km) each way, 560 feet (171 m) of climbing: that does not sound like much, and it is no mountain expedition. But State Parks itself calls the trail “steep and strenuous” and the terrain hot and dry. Water, a hat and good walking shoes are not overkill.

From the summit you see Waikīkī, the 1917 lighthouse on the coast below and, in winter with some luck, humpback whales passing by.

Most bookedOahu: Diamond Head Hike with Roundtrip Transportation3 hours · self-guided · 4.3 ★ · 493 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€56
Oahu: Diamond Head Crater Hike and North Shore Experience10 hours · 4.7 ★ · 202 reviews · GetYourGuide
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Oahu: Diamond Head Sunrise Hike with Acai Bowl and Malasada4 hours · 4.4 ★ · 47 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€86

Affiliate links to GetYourGuide: if you book, we earn a commission and the price stays the same. Prices and ratings as of 21 September 2026. The selection is small. Commercial operators book their entries through a separate State Parks portal; whether entry and the reservation are included in the price is stated in each tour's description – check before you book. Doing it yourself costs $5 per person.

The rule since 12 May 2022Diamond Head reservations and tickets: how to book

There is exactly one official place: gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead. Hawaii residents with state ID get in free and without a reservation – their out-of-state companions do not.

  1. Up to 30 days aheadBook early if you want the morning

    The portal states a 30-day window. It does not state a time of day for the daily release. The 6 a.m. slot is the most sought after and the first to go; State Parks deliberately steers visitors toward the afternoon.

  2. In the portalChoose the ticket type

    “Parking and entry” for anyone who wants to park in the crater, “Entry only” for people arriving on foot, by bus or by taxi. Up to 15 entries per booking. Even those who do not hike need an entry ticket. Cards only.

  3. In the portalChoose the time slot

    Drivers book two-hour slots (two in a row are possible); walk-ins book one-hour entry slots and may then stay until 6 p.m. These lengths come from the 2022 news release, which announced later adjustments – what counts is what the booking dialog shows.

  4. On the dayBe there in the first 30 minutes

    Arrive more than 30 minutes after your slot begins and you can be turned away – without a refund. Save the QR code offline beforehand; it is checked at the entrance.

  5. 4:00 / 4:30 p.m.Last slot, last entry

    The last bookable slot starts at 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. is merely the latest time you will still be admitted with that ticket.

  6. Plans changed?Change until the day before, refund up to 3 days ahead

    Refunds are given only if you cancel at least three days before the date, minus $5 and the service fee. Changes are possible until midnight Hawaii time the day before, subject to availability. Rain is no reason for a refund – only an official park closure is.

Official prices · as of 09/2026 · cards only
Entry for out-of-state visitors, per person · children 3 and under free$5
Parking in the crater, non-commercial vehicle$10
Hawaii residents with state ID or driver's license: entry and parking$0
Cancellation fee for refunds at least 3 days ahead$5 plus service fee
Sources: reservation portal, pages Home, About and FAQ (21 September 2026) · DLNR news release NR22-055 of 25 April 2022 (archive copy of 18 July 2026). State Parks publishes neither the amount of the service fees nor a daily quota.

Car or no carDiamond Head parking or “Entry only”?

“Entry only” – on foot, by bus or by taxi

Cheaper, and there is no time pressure when leaving: once admitted you may stay until 6 p.m. From the entrance on Diamond Head Road (between Makapuʻu Avenue and 18th Avenue) you walk through the tunnel into the crater.

per person$5

“Parking and entry” – with a rental car

The lot is right at the trailhead but has very few stalls. The slot ends hard after two hours; if you want to linger at the top, book two slots in a row. State Parks explicitly wants to curb overflow parking in the residential streets nearby.

two people, one car$20

The way upDiamond Head Summit Trail: 0.8 mile, 560 feet, stairs and a tunnel

State Parks allows 1.5 to 2 hours for the round trip, the reservation portal 60 to 90 minutes. The trail is rated moderate. Mountain bikes, dogs and open fires are prohibited.

1

Concrete

The first 0.2 mile (about 300 m) from the parking lot on the crater floor is paved with concrete.

2

Switchbacks in the tuff

After that the ground turns uneven. Many switchbacks lead up the inner slope – hot, dry, hardly any shade.

3

Stairs and tunnel

Steep stairs lead into a lighted tunnel 225 feet (69 m) long.

4

Nothing but steps

The last tenth of a mile is all stairs, up to the 1911 Fire Control Station on the crater rim.

Three ways into the crater · as of 09/2026
Diamond Head Summit Trail · from the parking lot on the crater floor to the summit · year-round 6 a.m.–6 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.0.8 mi (1.3 km) each way · 560 ft (171 m)
On foot or by bus from Waikīkī (“Entry only”) · one-hour entry slot, no fixed exit time · check bus routes and fare on thebus.org beforehand$5 per person
By car into the crater (“Parking and entry”) · the only access is through the tunnel · 2-hour parking slot, at most two in a row$10 + $5 per person
Source: DLNR, page “Diamond Head Summit Trail” (Wayback Machine copy of 16 August 2026, because dlnr.hawaii.gov blocked direct retrieval) · reservation portal, FAQ. Groups of 25 or more also need a hiking permit. The primary sources give no distance or walking time from Waikīkī, so we do not state one.
Road to the Diamond Head access tunnel: a dark tunnel portal in the steep brown tuff wall of the crater
A crater with a doorman: there is exactly one way in – and at 6 p.m. it is locked.

Photo: Daniel Ramirez · CC BY 2.0

Good to knowGetting there from Waikīkī, best time, Diamond Head sunrise, tips

Diamond Head at sunrise means booking the 6 a.m. slot. The gate does not open any earlier – whether the sun is already above the horizon by then depends on the time of year.

Getting there

Without a car: From Waikīkī, according to travel portals, TheBus routes 2 and 23 run from Kūhiō Avenue to the stop on Diamond Head Road near Kapiʻolani Community College; from there you walk uphill through the tunnel into the crater. Check route numbers, frequency and fare on thebus.org before you go.

By car: Entrance on Diamond Head Road between Makapuʻu Avenue and 18th Avenue; the parking lot is inside the crater and reached only through the single access tunnel. Parking only with a booked parking slot ($10). State Parks explicitly wants the system to curb overflow parking in the residential streets around the crater as well.

  • From Waikīkī
    on foot, by TheBus (routes 2/23 according to travel portals), taxi/rideshare, or rental car with a parking reservation

Best time to go

The 6 a.m. slot is the most sought after because of the sunrise light and the cool air, and it sells out first. State Parks itself recommends the less crowded afternoon – though by then it is hot and shadeless, and the last slot starts at 4 p.m. In winter, according to DLNR, you may with some luck spot passing humpback whales from the summit. If you are planning around the holidays: 25 December and 1 January are closed.

Who it suits

Children
Suitable for children who can climb stairs; children 3 and under pay nothing. No shade, so go early and bring water.
Minimum age
none
Fitness
Short but, in DLNR's words, “steep and strenuous”: 560 ft (171 m) of climbing in 0.8 mile (1.3 km), with nothing but stairs at the end. Ordinary basic fitness is enough; plan for breaks.
Altitude
Not an issue – the summit is only about 700 ft (a little over 200 m) above the sea.
Wheelchair
The facilities on the crater floor (kiosk, restrooms, exhibit) are accessible, according to DLNR. The summit trail is not: very steep, uneven, with stairs.
Dogs
Prohibited throughout the State Monument, except for service animals.
Clothing
Hat, sunscreen and water – DLNR describes the terrain as hot and dry.
Footwear
DLNR recommends good walking shoes: after the concrete section at the start the trail becomes uneven and steep.

Tips you will need on site

  • Book as early as possible within the 30-day window if you want a morning slot; State Parks itself points to the less popular afternoon slots.
  • Without a rental car choose “Entry only”: cheaper, no time pressure when leaving, and the scarce parking is no longer your problem.
  • With a car: the parking slot ends hard after two hours. If you want to linger at the top, book two slots in a row.
  • Be at the entrance within the first 30 minutes of your slot – after that staff may turn you away, and there is no refund.
  • Traveling with local friends: they get in free with Hawaii ID, but you still need a booked ticket.
  • Plans changed? Up to three days ahead you get your money back (minus $5 and the service fee); you can change the booking until the day before.
  • Save the QR code offline and bring a credit card – cash is not accepted.
  • At least one liter (a quart) of water per person and a hat; there is no shade on the trail.

A short history

  • The crater formed in a single, brief explosive eruption: ash and fine particles cemented into tuff and built the broad, saucer-shaped ring. DLNR dates this to about 300,000 years ago, USGS to 400,000–500,000 years ago.
  • Together with Punchbowl, Koko Head, Koko Crater and Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head belongs to the Honolulu Volcanics, a late rejuvenation stage of the Koʻolau volcano.
  • The Hawaiian name is Lēʻahi. Most of the plants and birds in the crater today were introduced only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • In 1908 the U.S. Army built the summit trail as part of Oʻahu's coastal defense; in 1911 the Fire Control Station at the summit was completed, directing artillery fire from the batteries in Waikīkī and Fort Ruger.
  • In 1917 the lighthouse was built on the coast below the crater; you can see it from the summit.
  • In 2000 State Parks opened the information kiosk in the crater; in 2014 it was renewed together with Pacific Historic Parks.
  • In 2020 fees rose from $1 for walk-ins and $5 per car to $5 per person and $10 for parking.
  • On 12 May 2022 Diamond Head became, after Hāʻena (Kauaʻi) and Waiʻānapanapa (Maui), Hawaii's third state park to require reservations for out-of-state visitors.

To be honestIs Diamond Head a volcano?

Yes – but one that is finished. The crater formed in a single, brief explosion, when ash and fine particles cemented into tuff.

How long ago that was depends on the source: State Parks says about 300,000 years, the U.S. Geological Survey 400,000 to 500,000 years. So we give the range: 300,000 to 500,000 years.

Together with Punchbowl, Koko Head, Koko Crater and Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head belongs to the Honolulu Volcanics, a late rejuvenation stage of the long-extinct Koʻolau volcano. USGS maintains no alert level for Oʻahu. It does not rule out new eruptions of this series altogether, but considers them very unlikely within the lifetimes of people living today and of many generations to come.

If you want to see lava or glow, this is the wrong place – for that there is Kīlauea on the Big Island.

Outdated onlineWhat other sites get wrong

“Entry is $1, parking $5 – just get there early.”
That was true until 2020. Since then it has been $5 per person and $10 per car, and since 12 May 2022 no one from outside Hawaii gets in without an online reservation.
“You can reserve 14 days in advance at most.”
The 14 days applied only when the system launched at the end of April 2022. The official portal says 30 days. It gives no time of day for the release – some guides claim midnight Hawaii time.
“If need be you can get tickets at the entrance.”
No. Anyone arriving without a reservation is turned away; entry and parking are sold online only.
“Last entry is 4:30 p.m. – so a 4:30 ticket will do.”
The last bookable slot starts at 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. is merely the latest time you will still be admitted with that ticket.
“With a reservation you can stay as long as you like.”
True only for walk-ins. If you park in the crater, you must be out again by the end of your two-hour slot.

Quick answersBefore the climb

Can you see the sunrise from Diamond Head?

The earliest time slot starts at 6 a.m.; before that the gate is closed. That slot is the most sought after because of the light and the cool air, and it sells out first – so book as early as possible within the 30-day window.

How much parking is there at Diamond Head?

State Parks gives no number; it speaks of very few stalls, some of them set aside for residents. Parking costs $10 per vehicle and is possible only with a booked two-hour slot.

Can I buy Diamond Head tickets at the gate?

No. There is no ticket window, and cash is not accepted. Entry and parking are sold only through gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead and checked by QR code.

How old is Diamond Head?

Between 300,000 and 500,000 years, depending on the source: State Parks says about 300,000 years, USGS 400,000 to 500,000 years. The crater formed in a single explosive eruption.

Can you see lava or smoke at Diamond Head?

No. The tuff cone has been quiet since it formed; there is no glow, no steam and no alert level. Active volcanism in Hawaii is found on the Big Island.

Do I need a reservation for Diamond Head?

Yes, if you do not live in Hawaii. Since 12 May 2022, entry and, if needed, parking must be booked online in advance for a fixed time slot. Without a booking you are turned away at the entrance. Hawaii residents get in with state ID and no reservation.

How much does Diamond Head cost?

$5 entry per person and $10 per car for parking in the crater. Children three and under are free. You pay online by card; cash is not accepted.

Where do I book Diamond Head tickets?

Only on the official portal gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead. There you choose “Parking and entry” or “Entry only,” the number of people and the time slot. You show the QR code at the entrance.

How far in advance can you book Diamond Head?

Up to 30 days in advance. According to State Parks the morning is in highest demand, the afternoon less so. You can cancel for a refund up to three days ahead and change the booking until the day before.

How long does the Diamond Head hike take?

The trail is 0.8 mile (1.3 km) each way and climbs 560 ft (171 m). The reservation portal reckons with 60 to 90 minutes; State Parks recommends allowing 1.5 to 2 hours. If you park, you have a two-hour slot.

Is the Diamond Head hike hard?

It is rated moderate: short but steep, with switchbacks, a 225 ft (69 m) tunnel and many stairs at the end. There is hardly any shade. With sturdy shoes, water and breaks, inexperienced hikers manage it too.

Can you do Diamond Head with kids or a stroller?

With kids yes, with a stroller no – the trail has stairs and uneven tuff and, according to State Parks, is not accessible. Children three and under pay no entry fee. The facilities on the crater floor are accessible.

How do I get from Waikiki to Diamond Head?

On foot, by city bus (routes 2 and 23 from Kūhiō Avenue, according to travel portals), by taxi or by rental car. Drivers must have a parking reservation; everyone else books “Entry only.” From the entrance on Diamond Head Road you walk through a tunnel into the crater.

What are Diamond Head's opening hours?

Daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed only on 25 December and 1 January. The last time slot starts at 4 p.m., and you must be inside by 4:30 p.m. at the latest. The gates are locked at 6 p.m.

What happens if I arrive late?

You must show up within the first 30 minutes of the slot you booked. After that, staff can refuse entry and parking, and there is no refund. If you can see you will not make it, change the booking by the day before.

Is Diamond Head an active volcano?

No. The crater formed several hundred thousand years ago in a single explosive eruption and has been quiet ever since. USGS maintains no alert level for Oʻahu and considers new eruptions in the area very unlikely.

Are dogs allowed at Diamond Head?

No, pets are prohibited throughout the State Monument. The only exception is service animals.

Is Diamond Head open again after the hurricane?

The monument was closed from mid-August 2026 because of Hurricane Lala; travel portals report that it reopened on 9 September 2026. State Parks automatically refunds tickets for closure days. Current notices appear at the top of the park's DLNR page.

More of HawaiiThe big volcanoes of the neighbor islands

KīlaueaBig Island: the active volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.HaleakalāMaui: sunrise at 10,023 feet – here too a reservation decides.Mauna KeaBig Island: the highest point in Hawaii.

Sources · accessed on 21 September 2026