Diamond Head Crater In Hawaii

There will no be a shortage of things to do if you are a tourist on vacation in Hawaii as there are many world class tourist attractions in the island paradise of Hawaii. You can take cruises to go island hopping, helicopter tours to view Hawaii's famous landscapes and volcanoes, go whale watching, try scuba diving or even big game fishing as the list goes on.

However, one of the healthiest vacation activities you can participate in Hawaii is to take a hike up the Diamond Head Crater. Any tourist in Hawaii will tell you that tracking up Diamond Head Crater is an exhilarating and memorable experience.

The Diamond Head Crater is in Waikiki. It is an extinct volcano and is more than 3,500 feet in diameter with a 760 ft high summit. The crater is perhaps the world's most visited volcanic crater. It is the lasting remnant of a volcano explosion that took place some half a million years ago. The Diamond Head Crater attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is one of Hawaii's most recognized and popular tourist attractions.

The ancient Hawaiians called the crater 'Laeahi', and when translated means 'brow of the tuna'. The name 'Diamond Head' was coined some two to three centuries ago when British sailors thought that there were diamonds lodged in the crater. The "diamonds" are actually calcite crystals embedded in the lava rocks.

Diamond Head Crater trekking is considered a moderate climb and if you are reasonably fit and healthy, it will only take you only about an hour to reach the crater's peak and about half of that time to get to the foot on your downhill trek.

The trekking trail climbs the inside slope of Diamond Head Crater for about half a mile and is a trail with the mountain on one side and a railing on the other. After a sightseeing vantage point that doubles as a rest stop, the trail takes a steep upward ascent through a labyrinth of tunnels and staircases. The final climb is a staircase of 99 steps and you should be able to tackle it easily if you are reasonably fit. If not, just take the climb slow and steady.

This staircases will lead you to a World War II pillbox bunker. From here, you can have clear view of the spectacular Oahu island.

Standing at top lookout vantage point, viewing Oahu's entire leeward side, feeling the cool winds blowing and hearing waves crashing on the shore far below, is an experience all nature loving tourists will enjoy. Just don't forget to take some photographs for souvenir though.

Peak hours to trek up the Diamond Head Crater starts from 6 am and end at 6pm. Just be forewarned that it can get pretty crowded during peak hours especially during the vacation holiday seasons.

As a general guide, do get up from bed early in the morning and start your hike before the peak hours start if you want to avoid crowds. Do remember to along your water bottle, slap on some sunscreen to avoid sunburn for the midday heat can get pretty fierce during summer months.