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Kaimana Tours · Waikiki

Diamond Head and the Makapuu Lighthouse

Kaimana Tours drives you to Diamond Head at dawn with your entry covered, then on to the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail on Oahu's southeast tip, with about two hours at each. Choose it if you like hiking and want two of the island's best views before lunch.

Diamond Head and Makapuu Lighthouse Hikes

About this experience

Pickup starts at 6:20 a.m. in Waikiki. The first stop is Diamond Head, where Kaimana has your entry covered and you get about two hours for the self-guided climb. Then a van takes you east along the coast to the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail, about 2 miles round trip and 500 feet of gain on a paved path, per Hawaii State Parks. Two more hours there, then back to Waikiki. About six hours in all.

The two hikes feel different. Diamond Head is stairs, rock and a tunnel. Makapuu is a steady climb on a paved road, steeper than it looks and without shade, ending above the lighthouse with views over Makapuu Beach and the offshore islets. From December to April keep an eye on the water: two guests on February trips wrote that they saw whales from the top.

Read the logistics before you book. This is a combo of two shuttles, so the van may drop off guests doing only Diamond Head and pick up others doing only Makapuu, and one guest waited about 20 minutes to change buses. The listing includes entrance fees and an air-conditioned vehicle; the description mentions a water bottle, but bring your own anyway. And it's non-refundable: once booked, it can't be cancelled or changed.

  • Two of Oahu's top short hikes in one morning
  • Diamond Head entry included
  • About two hours at each trail
  • Whale watching from Makapuu in winter
  • Back in Waikiki by early afternoon

How the day runs

  1. From 6:20 a.m.Waikiki pickup

    An air-conditioned van collects guests at Waikiki hotels.

  2. About 2 hoursHike Diamond Head

    Self-guided climb to the summit bunker, with your entry already booked.

  3. TransferOn to Makapuu

    The drive east along the coast to Oahu's southeast tip. You may change vans here.

  4. About 2 hoursMakapuu Lighthouse Trail

    A paved, steady climb with no shade to the lookout above the lighthouse.

  5. Early afternoonBack to Waikiki

    Drop-off back at your Waikiki hotel.

Summit view from Diamond Head over WaikikiHikers on the stairs below the Diamond Head rimA hiker on a railed path on the Diamond Head trail

What's included

Included

  • Entrance fees (Diamond Head entry and reservation)
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Round trip from Waikiki
  • About 2 hours at each trail

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • A guide on either trail
  • Refunds or changes (sale is final)
  • Shade on the Makapuu trail

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You're fit and want a proper morning of hiking
  • You're visiting in whale season, roughly December to April
  • You don't have a car for the drive to Makapuu
  • Your dates are fixed and won't change

Skip it if

  • You might need to cancel: this one is non-refundable
  • You struggle in the heat: Makapuu has no shade
  • You only want Diamond Head: the Kaimana shuttle is cheaper
  • You have back or heart problems or are pregnant

What guests say

★★★★★

Transported to separate locations and provided ample time to hike Diamond Head and then the Lighthouse trail. Very convenient, reliable and friendly service. Great way to get to the sights with early morning departure before crowds arrive and it gets too hot.

Joanne_R · Mar 2024
★★★★★

Had a great time hiking Diamond Head and Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail! While both were quite strenuous, the views were absolutely amazing! Saw a bunch of whales at the lighthouse!

Jeff_R · Feb 2024
★★★★★

Diamond Head requires reservations, so I appreciated that the tour did this for me, and drove me to the starting point. We had ample time to hike Diamond Head. [...] The Lighthouse hike was incredible - best hike I've ever been on, and the tour guide even brought us home by way of the Blow Hole.

Maya_W · May 2025
★★★★★

He picked me up early enough that I was able to see a spectacular sunrise at Diamond Head. I recommend going early as the trail gets very crowded, and it’s very narrow. 2 hours is plenty of time to hike and enjoy the view from the top.

Lindsay_B · Jan 2025

Tips before you book

  • Carry two liters of water per person. The second hike is hotter than the first.
  • Wear a hat and sunscreen for Makapuu. There's no shade on the whole climb.
  • Bring binoculars from December to April for the whales.
  • Book only when your dates are certain. The sale is final.
  • Pack a snack. Lunch isn't part of the trip.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

Is the Diamond Head and Makapuu tour refundable?

No. The listing is non-refundable and can't be changed for any reason. If your plans might shift, book a shuttle with free cancellation, like the Kaimana Diamond Head shuttle, instead.

How hard is the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail?

Hawaii State Parks rates it moderate: about 2 miles round trip with 500 feet of gain on a paved path. It's easier underfoot than Diamond Head but hot, with no shade.

How long do you get at each hike?

About two hours at Diamond Head and two hours at Makapuu, inside a trip of about six hours starting at 6:20 a.m.

Can you see whales from Makapuu Point?

In winter, often. Guests on February trips wrote that they saw whales from the lighthouse lookout. Humpbacks visit Hawaii in the winter months.

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Book Diamond Head and Makapuu hikes

Diamond Head and the Makapuu Point Lighthouse trail in one morning, entry included. Non-refundable.

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Diamond Head and the Makapuu Point Lighthouse trail in one morning, entry included. Non-refundable.

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