Diamond Head Crater and Manoa Falls Trail Guided Tour
Hike Diamond Head and Manoa Falls with a private guide and luxury vehicle
From$173/ personincl. taxes and fees
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Discover what we've curated for you
Hike Diamond Head and Manoa Falls with a private guide and luxury vehicle
Discover what we've curated for you
6–7 hrs
Up to 14 people
Guide, Water, Admission fees
Hike two of Oahu's most iconic landscapes in a single day on this guided tour that pairs the summit of Diamond Head Crater with the lush rainforest walk along Manoa Falls Trail. A luxury van with an expert guide picks you up from Waikiki and handles all the logistics, from Diamond Head reservations to transportation between stops, so you can focus on the views and the experience.
This full-day tour is the best way to experience both Diamond Head and Manoa Falls Trail without the stress of driving, parking, or securing reservations on your own.
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes suitable for both the Diamond Head summit trail (dry, exposed, steep stairs) and Manoa Falls Trail (muddy, slippery, rooted). Bring a towel, sunscreen, and extra water. Bug spray is recommended for the Manoa Valley rainforest section. The Diamond Head trail includes uneven terrain, steep inclines, tunnels, and stairs. Manoa Falls Trail can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain. Group size up to 14 guests. Tour duration is approximately 6 to 7 hours. Additional time is available for $100 per started hour. Languages available: English, Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese. When booking, include your hotel name in the notes section.
This is a typical itinerary for this guided tour. The order and timing of stops may vary based on your start time, group pace, and optional additions.
Your guide meets you at your Waikiki hotel in a spacious luxury van. Morning departures typically begin around 8 to 10 AM. On the drive, your guide shares background on the day's two hikes and answers any questions about what to expect.
The first stop is Diamond Head State Monument, where your admission and parking are already arranged. From the crater floor, you set out on a self-guided hike up the 1.6-mile round-trip summit trail. The path begins as a paved walkway, transitions to dirt switchbacks, and climbs through a lighted 225-foot tunnel and steep stairways built in 1908 as part of the U.S. Army's coastal defense system. At the 761-foot summit, panoramic views stretch from Waikiki and the Honolulu skyline to the cliffs of Koko Head and the open Pacific. During whale season (November through April), humpback whales are sometimes visible in the waters below. Allow approximately 90 minutes for the full hike up and back.
After Diamond Head, your guide takes you to a beach park or local spot for a relaxed breakfast. This is a chance to refuel, stretch your legs, and take in the morning coastline before the second hike.
The tour continues to Manoa Valley, just 15 minutes from downtown Honolulu, where you begin the walk along Manoa Falls Trail. This 1.6-mile round-trip trail winds through one of Oahu's lushest rainforests, climbing gradually through groves of eucalyptus, towering banyans, giant ferns, and dense bamboo. The canopy overhead keeps the trail cool and shaded, and the air smells of ginger and damp earth. Manoa Falls Trail gained fame as a filming location for Jurassic Park and Lost, and the prehistoric feel of the forest makes it easy to understand why. The trail crosses the Aihualama Stream via a shipping container converted into a pedestrian tunnel, then continues uphill through increasingly dense vegetation. At the end of Manoa Falls Trail, the 150-foot Manoa Falls cascades down a moss-covered rock face into a pool below. Swimming is not permitted, but the viewing area at the base of the falls offers an up-close look at the waterfall and the surrounding valley walls. Allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes for the round trip.
If time allows after both hikes, your guide can take you to additional scenic or cultural stops around Honolulu. Options include Diamond Head Beach Lookout, Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, Aloha Tower, and other landmarks. The tour concludes with drop-off at your Waikiki hotel, typically in the early to mid-afternoon.
Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. No refund within 24 hours of the tour start. Tours including flights, sailboat trips or other third-party activities are nonrefundable.
Waikiki hotel pickup. The guide will meet you at your hotel. Default pickup area: 2045 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. Guests staying outside Waikiki may incur an additional pickup fee (Honolulu: $50, North Shore and Westside: $100).
Manoa Falls Trail sits tucked inside Manoa Valley, a pocket of tropical rainforest just 15 minutes from the high-rises and beaches of Waikiki. The valley receives more rainfall than almost any other part of Oahu, and the result is a landscape so dense with greenery that it was chosen as a backdrop for Jurassic Park, Lost, and several other Hollywood productions. Paired with the volcanic summit of Diamond Head, this guided tour covers two of Oahu's most different and most rewarding outdoor experiences in a single day.
The morning begins with the iconic climb up Diamond Head, where switchbacks, tunnels, and military-era stairways lead to sweeping views of the island's southeastern coast. After a casual breakfast break, the tour shifts from exposed volcanic rock to the cool shade of Manoa Falls Trail. The contrast is striking. Where Diamond Head is sun-baked and wide open, Manoa Falls Trail is enclosed by a towering canopy of banyans, eucalyptus, and bamboo, with streams running alongside the path and ferns reaching out from every surface. The trail ends at the base of the 150-foot Manoa Falls, where water slides down a vertical rock wall into a moss-rimmed pool. Your guide shares stories about the plants and wildlife along the way, pointing out species like wild ginger, guava, and native Hawaiian ferns.
This tour is a great fit for families, couples, and anyone who wants to see more of Oahu than the beach. The combination of Diamond Head's volcanic history and Manoa Falls Trail's rainforest immersion gives you a well-rounded picture of the island's natural diversity, all with a knowledgeable guide and luxury vehicle handling every detail.
Excellent experience with Tyler as our guide on Oahu for 3 days. Very professional, punctual, and with extensive knowledge of the island. He took us to incredible places and shared interesting information that made the tour even more special. He was also very friendly and approachable. I highly recommend him.
Claudio Rivas
April 4, 2026
Excellent experience with Tyler as our guide on Oahu for 3 days. Very professional, punctual, and with extensive knowledge of the island. He took us to incredible places and shared interesting information that made the tour even more special. He was also very friendly and approachable. I highly recommend him.
Claudio Rivas
April 4, 2026
