Honolulu: Diamond Head & Manoa Falls Hike with Audio Guide

Two Hikes, One Morning: Diamond Head Crater & Manoa Falls from Waikiki

You get picked up at your Waikiki hotel, hike Diamond Head crater with an included audio guide and views across the island, rest and eat at a local spot, then hike through bamboo forest to Manoa Falls waterfall. The guide handles timing and drives you between stops in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you focus on the walking and the views. Plan for a full morning: the two hikes total about 150 minutes of actual hiking time, plus travel and breaks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Waikiki Beach15m
2. Diamond HeadEntry included1h 30m
3. Ala Moana Centerpassing by
4. Duke Kahanamoku Statuepassing by
5. Kapiolani Parkpassing by

Diamond Head and Manoa Falls Hikes

• Pick up at Waikiki hotel
• See volleyball paradise in Waikiki
• Hike up Diamond Head crater
• Hike to Manoa Falls waterfall
• Pass by Ala Moana Center mall
• Learn about Duke Kahanamoku statue
• Visit Kapiolani Park

The experience

The driver pulls up to your Waikiki hotel and asks if you've done the crater before. Most people haven't, so he points out the route as you head toward Diamond Head. The one landmark you can see from almost anywhere on the island. The hike itself is self-guided, about 90 minutes round trip, and the audio guide walks you through the switchbacks and the history as you climb. Views open up fast: Waikiki spreads out below, the southeast coast stretches along the horizon, and by the time you reach the rim you're standing where the volcanic crater walls frame everything. It's steep in spots but not technical, and the guide waits with cold water in the air-conditioned vehicle while you're up there.

After you come down, there's time to grab a to-go breakfast at a local spot (the kind of place where the owner knows what tourists actually want and what locals eat), and you can eat it at a beach park or a lookout with a view. This is the part that doesn't feel rushed. You're not moving between ten stops in five hours. You're actually sitting down. Then it's a short drive to Manoa Falls Park, where the second hike starts. The bamboo forest is thick and green, the air changes as soon as you step in, and the 60-minute walk to the waterfall is gentler than Diamond Head: more about the landscape than the elevation. The waterfall itself is small but real, and the jungle sounds are loud enough that you stop talking and just listen for a minute.

If time allows, the guide can show you other spots around the area. There are over 30 locations to choose from, so it depends on what you're interested in and how the day is pacing. Kapiolani Park, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Ala Moana Center if you want to shop. The tour is flexible enough that you're not locked into a script. The whole day runs from hotel pickup through drop-off, and the guide's live commentary on the drive fills in the gaps between hikes without feeling like a lecture.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Waikiki, professional guide for the full day, audio guide for Diamond Head, all entry fees and taxes, and live commentary on the drive between stops.
• You arrange your own to-go breakfast at a local spot, which the guide helps you find.
• Bring your own towels, sunscreen, and water.

Options for this experience

3 options

Per PersonUp to 14 people · Guide in 5 languages · 08:00Includes pickup

1-6 GuestsUp to 6 people · Guide in 5 languages · 08:00Includes pickup

Groups of 7 or more guestsUp to 14 people · Guide in 5 languages · 08:00Van option: spacious luxury van, with pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 6h 30m, runs Monday to Friday at 08:00, from US$ 149 per group, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 147 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and JapaneseOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to8h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Daniels Hawaii - Tours & Activities

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to hike two of Oahu's most popular spots without arranging transport or timing yourself. The guide handles the vehicle and the route, which lets you focus on the walking and the views. Both hikes are self-paced and suitable for all fitness levels, though expect a full morning of activity and some steep sections on Diamond Head.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

18 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German, Italian and Japanese.

How long is the Diamond Head hike?

About 90 minutes round trip, self-guided with an included audio guide.

What's the Manoa Falls hike like?

Roughly 60 minutes round trip through bamboo forest to a waterfall. It's easier than Diamond Head and more about the scenery than the climb.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at any Waikiki hotel are included.

What should I bring?

Comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers, sunscreen, towels, and extra water. Dress for the weather. You'll be in sun on Diamond Head and in shade in the bamboo forest.

Can I customize the tour?

Yes. If there's time after the two hikes, the guide can show you other spots on Oahu from a list of over 30 locations.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, it's suitable for all fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, Diamond Head audio guide, all fees and taxes, and live commentary during the drive.

Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?

No. Both hikes are self-paced and suitable for all fitness levels. Diamond Head is steeper but not technical. Manoa Falls is more moderate.