Be warned: You may now need advance reservations for Hawaii activities
Your Hawaii trip-planning process may become more complicated. Beginning May 12, Hawaii will require advance reservations for all out-of-state visitors to access the popular Diamond Head State Monument overlooking Oahu's Waikiki Beach. This reservation requirement is just one of many being implemented at an increasing number of destinations across the Hawaiian islands, from Maui's Haleakala volcano to Kauai's Na Pali Coast, in order to manage traffic and overtourism challenges facing the state. According to the state tourism bureau, existing reservation systems already "have improved the quality of experience and reduced impacts on surrounding communities and resources."
Before setting up your Hawaii trip itinerary, or taking off for a spontaneous excursion while you're there, be sure to scan the list below to see if your target destination requires advance reservations and how to make them. Keep in mind that many other activities and attractions across the islands, both public and private, may also be asking visitors to register in advance, so check in with those websites before you go.
Related: Traveling to Hawaii just got a whole lot easier; TPG was among the first to try it out
Diamond Head State Monument
In order to access Diamond Head State Monument, and its great views overlooking Waikiki Beach, out-of-state visitors will be required to have entry reservations beginning May 12. The reservation system begins online April 28, with the ability to reserve a time up to two weeks in advance.
"This new reservation system will be instrumental in managing visitor capacity within Lēʻahi [the Hawaiian name for Diamond Head] and protecting its natural environment and cultural sites, improving the experience for everyone and allowing us to be better stewards of this special place," said John De Fries, Hawaii Tourism Authority president and CEO, in a statement.
The goal is to reduce traffic, particularly in the bottleneck areas of the narrow summit trail and in the road tunnel entry to the park. The park set visitation records in 2019, with more than 6,000 people on a given day, which is an astonishing number given the limited space at the viewpoints and along the access trail. The new reservation system is tentatively planned to allow a maximum of 3,000 visitors per day, with adjustments to be made going forward as appropriate.
Visitors parking at Diamond Head must book specific two-hour time slots beginning at 6 a.m., while walk-in and drop-off visitors need to reserve one-hour times of arrival. Visitors must pay entrance fees of $5 per person, plus $10 for parking in advance. To make reservations beginning April 28, visit the Diamond Head website for instructions.
Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles
Haleakala National Park
Reservations are currently required to enter Maui's Haleakala National Park from 3-7 a.m. daily. The reservation system was put in place in order to manage the overwhelming crowds that had been coming to watch the spectacular sunrises from the crater rim at 10,000 feet above sea level. Make reservations for a specific day up to 60 days in advance at recreation.gov. The reservation costs $1, and is good for everyone in a given vehicle, while the per-vehicle park entrance fee of $30 must also be paid. Aside from the sunrise-viewing period, reservations are not required to enter Haleakala National Park.
Related: Tips for visiting the busiest national parks
Haena State Park
In order to hike the popular Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north coast to reach Hanakapiai Beach and other amazing scenic spots -- and to even access the road and parking areas leading to the trailhead — visitors must make reservations for Haena State Park, which encompasses the area. Dan Dennison, communications manager for the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, told TPG that the reservation system has already "achieved the goal of reducing daily numbers from a high of 3,000 pre-reservation system to 900 or fewer people daily." Before the controls were put in place, Dennison said "cars would line the road and park illegally for miles" leading into the park.
Related: I had sworn off Hawaii: Here's why I went back
Three reservation systems are available for park entry. Shuttle bus access ($35), timed parking plus entry ($10 per car plus $5 per passenger -- and you must leave by the end of your time slot or your vehicle will be towed!) and entry only ($5), for people entering the park on foot or bike, or being dropped off by a Hawaii resident. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance for given dates and times. Visitors must make separate reservations for camping in the park. To make reservations, go to the park's website.
Waianapanapa State Park
Maui's popular Waianapanapa State Park also requires reservations for nonresidents to visit. The park, located at the far end of the famed "Road to Hana," saw increased crowds in recent years, so it instituted a reservation system in 2018. The park credits the system for "bringing serenity back to one of the most impacted regions of the state ... adjusting patronage numbers to reduce crowding and impacts on the sensitive resources," said State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell.
Visitors must select a date and time slot to reserve parking ($10), which can be done up to 30 days in advance. Visitors arriving by car with a Hawaiian resident (who can enter for free) must pay $5. Make reservations at the park website.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Oahu's Hanauma Bay is one of the world's greatest snorkeling spots, with a beautiful white sand beach bordering a protected bay of calm waters teeming with tropical fish. Because of the bay's beauty, the nature preserve became overwhelmed with visitors in recent years, detracting from the experience and stressing out all the pretty fish. Tour buses to Hanauma have been banned, and the park is now closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to make sure the fish "have two days of undisturbed rest." In addition, reservations are required for all nonresidents to enter the park.
Timed-entry reservations can be made at the Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation website. Reservations can only be made two days in advance and they sell out very quickly, so be ready at your keyboard precisely at 7 a.m. Hawaii time to get a slot. The park entry fee is $25 (free for ages 12 and under), along with a $3 charge for parking upon entry.
Bottom line
Hawaii has been trying to operate with a delicate balance of welcoming visitors while protecting the environment and local communities, as well as preserving the experiences people travel so far to encounter. Diamond Head's new reservation system is just the latest in an increasing number of programs to manage visitor access. Expect to see additional reservation systems in the future, and prepare to plan out your itinerary a little further in advance.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.