Can You Do the Popular Diamond Head Hike With Kids?
Can you do the popular Diamond Head hike with kids? Is it kid-friendly? Yes, it is definitely achievable with kids! However, if you have little ones (say under six-ish) you will probably find yourselves carrying them part of the way.
I’ll be honest, I really hate exercising. I wasn’t blessed with kids that sleep and I’m a working mother. The gym just represents another chore to me and another hour I don’t get to spend with my kids. The only exercise I do regularly is to walk our two big dogs four days a week.
Despite this, I do love the opportunity to go on hikes and walks with the kids and explore new landscapes. I feel very lucky to be able to tick the Diamond Head hike in O’ahu with the kids off my bucket list.
What to Expect on the Diamond Head Hike
Parts of this walk are challenging (hello endless stairs), but there are flatter sections along the track that allow you to rest and get your breath back. Kids will particularly enjoy passing through the tunnel on the way up and the bunkers at the top. It takes around an hour to get to the top and has safety rails the majority of the way.
Young children and toddlers will most likely need to be carried for some parts of this hike. We used a baby carrier for this walk.
The view from the top is epic and well worth the effort it takes to get there. Bring your camera as its particularly scenic, with views overlooking Waikiki, Honolulu, and all the way to Ewa Beach and the Waianae Mountain Range. During winter, you may even spot passing humpback whales
Toilets and snacks are available at the base of the climb and will need to carry a small backpack to carry water up with you as it gets very hot. If you’re hiking with kids make sure to pack some snacks. Hungry children make for difficult hiking buddies!
I noted with annoyance that like usual, most of the huffing and puffing was coming from myself, and Jason seemed to do this short hike effortlessly.
What You’ll Need to do First
As of May 12th, 2022, all out of state visitors must reserve their spots to enter Diamond Head State Monument in advance. Hawai’i residents continue to enjoy free access without reservations but must prove state residency at the time of entry. Reservations can be made 14 days in advance.
The cost is $10 per vehicle for parking and $5 per person for each non-Hawaii resident. Children under 3 years of age are free. Bookings are made in two-hour slots and if you arrive over 30 minutes past your designated time, you will apparently be denied entry. There are no refunds for no shows.
My Tips for Hiking the Diamond Head Trail With Kids
- Don’t stress out when an uber-fit person runs past you up the stairs. Just go at your own pace and remember that slow and steady always wins the race.
- Be prepared for the heat! This means hat, sunscreen, water and a snack.
- If your kids are little, have a plan for how you are going to carry them. Even if this means hitching a ride on your shoulders.
If you’re planning on getting into hiking with the kids, you might like our blog post on tips for hiking with kids!
Looking for More Awesome Family Holiday Destinations?
For more information on visiting Hawaii with kids, head on over to our Hawaii page. Head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide.
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Booking Your Holiday to Hawaii With Kids
Attractions
The Go Oahu Card – Multi Attraction Pass is great value for money if you plan to be hitting up a lot of Oahu’s popular attractions. Choose from 1 – 7 day cards and visit as many of the 34 available attractions and scenic spots as you want. It’s so much easier to do things at your own pace when travelling with kids!
Flights
Find a great flight deal using I Want That Flight. Hint – travelling outside of school holiday and in off-peak times will nearly halve the cost.
Accommodation
We stayed in a private rental in Waikiki which we booked direct with the owners via email. If you need something bigger or in a different location, find a great deal using bookings.com .
Car Rental
Get a great deal on car rental by comparing across rental agencies on the DiscoverCars website.
Thanks for this info. We are heading to Hawaii in June with a 6 and 3 year old. I think they will manage the walk – with some whinging! I’m just doing some extra investigation now! I’ll check out your other Hawaii posts x
Whinging is expected when hiking with kids! I always take snacks to fill their mouths haha. Good luck and make sure to share photos of the great views!!