Sunrise Hike Up Diamond Head Crater - Honolulu, Hawaii

Sunrise from the Diamond Head Crater trail in Honolulu, Hawaii.

My sister and I had limited time in Honolulu before we boarded our cruise ship for a week long sail across the Hawaiian Islands. We made the most of our time with an early morning start. I am so glad we pushed through the jet lag and woke up early enough to  complete this sunrise hike up one of Hawaii’s volcanic craters Diamond Head.

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Diamond Head State Monument entrance.

We left The Hilton Hawaiian Village – Waikiki Beach Resort around 6 a.m. and arrived at the trailhead after paying a $2 entrance fee thirty minutes later. The light was starting to break a little, and we realized we weren’t going to make it up the very steep, almost mile long trail before the sun rose.

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Infographic at the trailhead to Diamond Head Crater.

Trail map up to Diamond Head Crater.

Views from the trail heading up towards the rim of the crater.

We tried to pick up the pace, but the views were so beautiful in the warm, morning light that we could only go so far before feeling inclined to smell the flowers or snap a few pictures. ​

We only made it about halfway up to the fire tower's lookout platform before the sun rose.

It worked out perfectly for us to make it to a great viewing platform just as the sun was cresting over the water. It was a magnificent sunrise over the Waikiki beaches. We stood in its glory for a few moments before pushing up the trail. 

We went through tunnels and up hundreds of stairs that make up the last leg of the trip stopping a few more times here and there to take pictures.

Halfway up the trail to the fire control tower.

Tunnels and stairs taking you through the crater.

Views of the Pacific Ocean closer to the top of the trail.

Views from almost the top.

Crowds on top of the fire tower lookout overlooking Honolulu.

​We eventually reached the top and were greeted by a lot more people than we had anticipated. Apparently, the top of this crater at sunrise is not a secret. It was a marvelous view despite the hoards of humans. ​

Standing atop the fire tower lookout overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Views of Waikiki's shorelines from the Diamond Head Crater.

Watching the sunrise over Honolulu's Waikiki Beaches.

The entire stretch of Oahu's coastline, from Waikiki to Koko Head, is visible from the fire control station. Being that high above the city of Honolulu made me realize that it's bigger than I had thought. The city sprawls across the mountain ranges and stretches clear across the island.

Sprawling Honolulu from atop the Diamond Head Crater monument.

Views of Hawaii's capital, Honolulu, from the Diamond Head Crater trail.

We stayed on top as long as we could before realizing we needed to head back down into the concrete jungle. We quickly descended the same path not stopping to take nearly as many pictures.

​We made it to the parking a few minutes later. We were both happy and energized for the rest of the day and week from catching the sunrise on this hike.

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If you want to see more from our entire trip around Hawaii you can visit my Hawaii Homepage HERE! 

You can also watch my YouTube videos to see even more!

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