This exciting, fun and educational tour of the world famous Diamond Head Crater begins with a short introductory talk by a trained nature guide. Guests learn about the fascinating volcanic creation, Hawaiian history, European discovery, origin of the famous name, early cattle ranching, and modern day military use of the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”.
Before our walk begins, each guest is given one pint of bottled spring water and one energy bar. They are then escorted on a 45 minute walk that ascends to the 763' summit. Along the way visitors stop at several points to rest and photograph the crater. Walking up stairways, going into a dark 200 foot tunneland climbing a spiral staircase imparts a sense of adventure. When reaching the summit visitors are thrilled by the incredible 360 degrees panoramic views of Waikiki Beach, the emerald green mountains and the sparkling aquamarine water of the Pacific ocean below. Guests enjoy the scenery at the summit for 15 minutes then are slowly escorted back to the crater floor.
The excursion lasts 3 hours and is a truly memorable experience. Before leaving, guests learn important information about Hawaii’s native bird and plant species and are presented with a Certificate of Achievement, including their name and date of hike, that states they successfully made it to the famous summit of Diamond Head Crater.
About Diamond Head:
One of the most famous landmarks of Hawaii, Diamond Head is also known as Leahi meaning "brow of the Tuna", is a 700 foot crater that had been formed more than 100,000 years ago. It is located near the eastern edge of Waikiki's coastline. The name Diamond Head came about when in the 19th century British sailors thought they had discovered diamonds on the crater's slope which were actually shiny calcite crystals.
Diamond Head is part of what geologist call the Honolulu Volcanic Series, which is a series of eruptions responsible for creating the many craters in Oahu such as the Punch Bowl crater or Hanauma Bay. Diamond Head was thought to have been created by a brief eruption some 200,000 years ago, but it has been inactive for more than 150,000 years. A nearby eruption took place at about the same period as Diamond Head and must be responsible for the Black Point lava shield that had been built. Scientists also think that the eruption of Diamond Head is manganese, which makes it unlikely for it to erupt again.
Diamond Head has since become a defining feature of Oahu. The stuff cone is a United State Monument and some parts also serve as a platform for antennas used by the United State government. The proximity of the crater to hotels and resorts in Honolulu gives it much more popularity.
Diamond Head has also become a destination for hiking. A 0.75 mile trail leads to the crater's edge. The trip can take about an hour and a half to two hours. Climbing is not difficult, but can be quite tiresome. The path can have you walking on uneven rocks, ascend some 74 steps, go through tunnels, and again ascend some 94 steps. Arriving at the summit, a panoramic view of both Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean can be seen.
At the summit, there are no facilities therefore you should always bring the bare essential such as water, particularly for the hike, and food. Sunscreen can also come very handy and off course a camera to capture the moment.