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Alternative-Hawaii

ISLAND OF OAHU

DIAMOND HEAD &
SOUTHEAST COAST
DRIVE GUIDE

The Most Diverse Shore-Serenity & Activity
Extinct Volcanoes, Marine Preserves, Gentle Beaches

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Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com
  • Approx. 44 miles round-trip from Start of Drive (Waikiki at Kalakaua & Kapahulu Avenues).
  • Allow 1.5 hours round-trip driving time excluding time spent at each "stop".
  • For safety, please observe Cautionary Notes.
  • Set Odometer to Zero between "stops" below.
  • Do not leave valuables in vehicle or unattended.
(Click on PHOTOGRAPH to view Stop on Tour.)

STOP 1: DIAMOND HEAD STATE MONUMENT PHOTOGRAPH
START: WAIKIKI AT INTERSECTION OF KALAKAUA & KAPAHULU AVENUES  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.2 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Diamond Head (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • From intersection, take Kalakaua Ave.
  • Immediately Bear Left onto Monsarrat Ave. (which becomes Diamond Head Rd.) & go 1.6 mi. to crater entrance road (right side)
  • Turn Right onto entrance road & go to pkg. lot
Hawaii's most famous landmark-the extinct volcano rising 760 feet above sea level. A hike to the top offers a panoramic view from Koko Head to Barbers Point.

Note: Open daily 6-6, entry fee ($5/car, $1/walk-in), tel. 587-0300, picnic, restrooms.

Caution: Hike is 0.7 mi. one-way/approx. 90 min. round-trip. Last hike at 4:30 p.m. Stay on trail; wear hiking shoes; take water. Go early to avoid heat and crowds.




STOP 2: HANAUMA BAY NATURE PRESERVE PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: DIAMOND HEAD PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 10 Miles / 25 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Signs-Hanauma Bay (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return to Diamond Head Rd.
  • Turn Right onto Diamond Head Rd. & go short way (0.7 mi.) to Kahala Ave. (stop sign)
  • Turn Left onto Kahala Ave. & go 1.5 mi. to Kealaolu Ave. (follow signs to Hwy 72E)
  • Turn Left onto Kealaolu Ave. & go to Hwy 72E
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 72E & go 6.3 mi. to entrance road
Marine preserve located in a beautiful horseshoe bay-home to hundreds of tropical fish. One of Oahu's foremost snorkeling areas-ideal for novices.

Note: Entry charge. Open daily 6-7 except Tues. (closed Tues., open 'till 10:00 pm on Saturday), tel.396-4229, education center, free educational tours, snack bar, snorkel rental, picnic, showers, restrooms.

Caution: Pkg.lot fills early. Taking marine life is prohibited.




STOP 3: HALONA BLOW HOLE PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: HANAUMA BAY PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.7 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Halona Blow Hole (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 72E & go 1.4 mi. to pkg. lot
A famous lava tube that sucks in the ocean and spits it out in lofty plumes, sometimes 50 feet high.

Caution: Do not cross over rock wall.




STOP 4: KOKO CRATER GARDEN PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: HALONA BLOW HOLE PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.8 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Koko Crater Stables (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 72E & go short way (0.9 mi.) to Kealahou St. (left side)
  • Turn Left onto Kealahou St. & go short way (0.6 mi.) to garden entrance road (at sign for Koko Crater Stables)
  • Turn left onto entrance road & go short way to garden pkg. lot (by stables)
Unusual walk through an extinct volcano crater containing 200 dry acres of plumeria, bougainvillea, cacti, aloes, palms.

Note: Open daily 9-4, tel.522-7060, restrooms.

Caution: Trails unpaved-wear walking shoes. Avoid ridge, it is very dangerous. Please don't disturb the plants, flowers or peacocks!




STOP 5: SEA LIFE PARK HAWAII PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KOKO CRATER PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3 Miles / 7 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Sea Life Park (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Kealahou St. & return to Hwy 72
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 72E & go 2 mi.to entry (on left)
Oahu's world-famous marine park. Over 4,000 sea creatures make Hawaii's underwater sea world come alive.

Note: Entry charge, open daily 9:30-5, tel.259-7933, restrooms. Shops, restaurant, whaling museum are free to the public.




STOP 6: WAIMANALO BAY PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: SEA LIFE PARK PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3.9 Miles / 10 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: McDonald's (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 72E & go 3.5 mi. to entrance road for Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area (right side-0.2 mi. beyond McDonald's)
  • Turn Right onto entry road & go to pkg. lot
One of Oahu's hidden secrets-beautiful, secluded, white sand beach at the edge of an ironwood forest. Picturesque Rabbit Island offshore. Generally safe swimming-great boogie boarding & body surfing.

Note: Lifeguards all year, picnic, camping, showers, restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk-check with lifeguard (alongshore currents frequently strong, especially in winter).

 

STOP 7: NUUANU PALI LOOKOUT PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: WAIMANALO BAY PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 10.6 Miles / 20 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Signs-Pali Lookout (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 72E & go 4.4 mi. to Hwy 61
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 61S & go 4.8 mi. to Pali Lookout Exit (right side-0.9 mi. beyond tunnel)
  • Turn Right onto Pali Lookout Exit & go 1.1 mi. to pkg. lot

Breathtaking overlook-from 1,200 feet, gaze down the Koolau cliffs for an unimpeded view of the windward coast. Mark Twain once called this view the most beautiful in the world. Site of the final battle uniting the Hawaiian islands.

Caution: Strong winds at lookout-dress appropriately.


END OF DRIVE-RETURN TO WAIKIKI
Return to Hwy 61S (Pali) the same way you entered
61SH-1EEXIT 25A:KING ST.
(10.7 Mi./20 Mins)


On to Kailua / Kaneohe Drive or,

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