The Top Choices Offer Panoramic Views of the Island of Oahu and of Migratory Humpback Whales.
Winter in Hawaii is marked by more rain, higher surf, and shorter days but the parks remain open for sight-seeing, hiking, picnicking, camping, and beach-going. Use caution when hiking as trails may be wet and muddy. Exercise beach and water safety during the winter months as waves and current can be especially dangerous.
Diamond Head State Monument
(Honolulu, Oahu) While it may be raining over much of the island, odds are that Diamond Head will be dry or experiencing only passing showers. Located on the dry, leeward side of the island, Diamond Head averages 27 inches of rain a year and is almost always a good choice for a short, 1.5-2 hour a scenic hike. But in winter, be sure to start your hike early as the crater is getting dark before the 6:00pm closing time. Diamond Head crater is Oahu's most recognized and significant natural landmark from land, air, and sea. A steep 0.8 mile hike to the summit of the volcanic crater follows the historic trail built in 1908-1910 by the Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of Fire Control Station Diamond Head on the summit. The trail involves tunnels and steep stairways - it is recommended that visitors bring water, flashlights, and good hiking shoes. At 761 feet above sea level, the summit offers a panoramic view of the southeastern shoreline of Oahu, from Koko Head on the east to Waikiki and Pearl Harbor on the west. This made the crater a key site for the coastal defense of Oahu in the first half of the 20th Century and a popular visitor attraction today.
Makapuu Point State Wayside
(Oahu) Located further east along Oahu's shoreline is a great spot for viewing the humpback whales that arrive in Hawaiian waters each winter from the northern Pacific. From either Hawaii Kai or Waimanalo, take a one-mile hike off Kalanianaole Highway and up the former roadway to the lighthouse. This uphill climb to an elevation of 500 feet may be windy and hot, even in winter. But once at the top, you will be greeted by sweeping views of the southeastern Oahu coastline. Also at the top is a viewing scope and interpretive signs about the whales.
Return to Best of the Best Winter State Parks page
