Diamond Head, Oahu: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Diamond Head is a 232-meter volcanic tuff cone on the southeastern edge of Waikīkī in Honolulu, O'ahu, formed roughly 300,000 years ago in a single eruption. The 1.3-kilometer trail from the crater floor to the summit climbs 171 meters through switchbacks, a tunnel, and steep stairs, reaching a World War II–era fire control station with 360-degree views of Waikīkī and the Ko'olau Range. The hike takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way. The crater was used as a military fortification from 1908, and British sailors named it after mistaking calcite crystals for diamonds. is just one of many options in Oahu. Major attractions worth considering include Battleship Missouri Memorial, Hanauma Bay, and Pearl Harbor National Memorial.