One of the most popular destinations on Oahu is Pearl Harbor. It contains some of the historic sites known as the Pearl Harbor National Monument. This national park contains the Arizona Memorial known for the stark white design over the hallowed ground where the USS Arizona lies with over 1100 sailors and marines still interred inside.
After paying our respects at the memorial, we travel over to Ford Island to tour the US Battleship Missouri. It was here, on the ships deck that the Instrument of Surrender which ended World War II were officially signed.
Next we will drive through historic Honolulu which is filled with interesting sites such as Punchbowl Crater, King Kamehameha's statue, Iolani Palace and so much more! If you’re staying on an outer island (Maui, Big Island, or Kauai) don’t miss an opportunity to visit historic Pearl Harbor.
We take some time at the start of our tour to explore the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The National Monument run by the National Park Service contains a number of exhibits and displays across a couple of museums dedicated to the United States’ participation in World War II. Within the museums, there are many interactive pieces, maps, and ship models as well as some incredible film footage to enjoy.
The USS Arizona tour portion of your visit to Pearl Harbor is a personal experience and a time of quiet reflection. It starts with a 23-minute documentary that includes historical footage in the theatre before boarding a Navy boat. The Navy then will take you out to visit the Arizona Memorial, the final resting place of over 1100 sailors and marines who perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor over 82 years ago.
After a visit to the memorial that marks the beginning of the United States involvement in the war, the tour takes you to the battleship where the surrender documents that ended the war with Japan were signed. On the “Mighty Mo”, docked near the USS Arizona along battleship row, you can explore a number of decks and go inside to see how sailors and marines lived and worked. Your tickets to board the USS Missouri are included.
Our small group tours take a moment to visit the USS Oklahoma Memorial, just outside the gates of Missouriʻs pier. This often seen but rarely visited small memorial honors the fallen from the Battleship Oklahoma, who like those on the Arizona, died on Dec. 7th. This area was where a makeshift hospital was set up, not far from the oil-filled, burning waters, that these sailors had to swim through to escape their crippled ship.
Over 38,0000 people are buried inside Punchbowl Crater, located in Honolulu. Soldiers & sailors from World War 2, Vietnam and Korean wars as well as MIA are honored here. We donʻt stop in the cemetery but we do drive through for you to view. We stop outside the grounds to take in the beautiful views of Honolulu from this elevated position.
Our final stops of the day are in the historic district of downtown Honolulu. This area is home to important buildings that preserve the story of Hawaiiʻs early years of becoming a Kingdom and growing on the world stage. The Royal Palace, a statue of King Kamehameha The Great, missionary homes, Kawaiahao Church, and the State Supreme Court are all within a block of each other.
Start From Waikiki or Turtle Bay
Over 4 hours to explore the Memorial, Battleship & Visitor Center
Movie and Boat ride to USS Arizona Memorial
Explore the floating museum that is Battleship Missouri
See all parts of the ship, including the Surrender Deck where the treaty to end the war was signed
Take a moment to honor the fallen at Battleship Oklahoma Memorial
Drive through Punchbowl Crater home to the National Cemetery of the Pacific
Visit downtown Honolulu with itʻs historic buildings. Stop near Iolani Palace and see the King Kamehameha Statue
Our small-group tours of 12 passengers or less start with pickup in Waikiki daily. (For Turtle Bay hotels, please check the schedule. Ko Olina use our large group tours.)
Your friendly tour guide will drive you all around Honolulu in our very comfortable, Mercedes sprinter vans. We take you directly to Pearl Harbor where you will spend almost 4.5-hours exploring the areaʻs attractions.
The first stop is the Visitor Center where you can interact with various exhibits at the museums and watch a documentary with historic film footage. After the film, a Navy launch will take you on a short boat tour on itʻs way out to the Arizona Memorial. You will have about 15-minutes to enjoy the view and pay your respects. You will see nearby, along battleship row, Missouri. The next stop on our tour.
Aboard the Battleship Missouri, a floating museum marks the end of the war on itʻs famous Surrender Deck. Here the Instrument of Surrender to end the war with Japan was signed when the ship was anchored in Tokyo Bay. You will have the opportunity to explore the inside of the “Mighty Mo” multiple decks, galleys, rooms and guns. You can easily get lost inside this huge ship so having a guide is great!
Afterward, we head out from the harbor for a great view of the city from Punchbowl. We drive through the Cemetery of the Pacific on our way to our final stop in downtown Honolulu to check out the King Kamehameha Statue and other nearby historic buildings.
We then return you to your hotel and condo after a wonderful 7-hour experience. Throughout the tour, if you are hungry, food is available for purchase on the dock or back at the Visitor Center. At the Visitor Center, you will be offered an audio app for use (add on fee) to hear in greater detail explanations about the places you visit. Available in 9 languages.
Please ask us here if you have any questions.
(Subject to change depending on Pearl Harbor Ticket Time)
| 6:30 AM | Pick up at or nearby your Waikiki hotel or condo. Turtle Bay resort pickup is available. |
| 7:15 AM | Arrive at the Visitor Center At Pearl Harbor |
| 8:00 AM | Watch a film with historic footage from the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. |
| 8:30 AM | Travel across the harbor to visit Arizona Memorial |
| 9:15 AM | Explore the museums and exhibits with your guide |
| 10:15 AM | Head over the bridge onto Ford Island |
| 10:30 AM | Board the Battleship Missouri to explore its decks |
| 12:00 PM | Take some time for refreshments and food. |
| 12:15 PM | Leave the harbor area to drive through Punchbowl Crater for an elevated photo opportunity |
| 12:45 PM | Visit & See Historic Downtown Honolulu, including the Kamehameha Statue, Capitol Building, Iolani Palace & more. |
| 1:30 PM | Return to your Waikiki, Ko Olina, or North Shore Locations |
Our tours operate on daily from Waikiki, except for December 7th each year. On this day, commercial operations in the park are paused to allow for ceremonies to commemorate the "day that will live in infamy" and honor those who were killed during the attack.
Tours from Ko Olina. Check for it here.
For those staying on the North Shore at Turtle Bay, tours are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Meals are not included in the tour price. You will have an opportunity to purchase food at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center or Battleship Missouri stops.
Dress comfortably but please remember that shirts and shoes are required on the USS Arizona Memorial; swimsuits not permitted. Bags are not allowed in Pearl Harbor Visitor Center but if needed may be checked and stored for $7.00 per small bag or $10.00 per large bag. It is recommended only essential items such as phones, wallets, and a water bottle or any needed medicines be brought on tour.
Tours With Flights Must Purchase Trip Insurance
In the event of cancellation or request for a change to your reservation, please note the following. For tours originating from Oahu, there is no charge for date change or tour change based on tour availability, but it must be made 72 hours prior to the original tour day. No refunds are issued for any tours within the 72 hours prior to the start of your tour.
No stop is guaranteed to be operating on the day of your tour. We have no control of Navy and Army operations, which may result in the closure of Ford Island or the boats going to the Arizona Memorial without notice. In the event of this occurring, our guides will make up for it in a variety of ways, so your experience is always worthwhile.
While there is no official dress code for visiting the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, we ask visitors to dress appropriately and respectfully. Swimsuits are not acceptable. High heels, skirts, and dresses are also not recommended. Flip-flops and sandals are permitted; however, we encourage you to wear closed-toe shoes as there is a lot of walking when visiting the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.
For security reasons, no bags are allowed. Additionally, no iPad cases or clutch wallets are permitted. A wallet must be no larger than a regular-sized cell phone.
Bags are not allowed in Pearl Harbor Visitor Center but if needed may be checked and stored for $7.00 per small bag or $10.00 per large bag. It is recommended only essential items such as phones, wallets, and a water bottle or any needed medicines be brought on tour.
Bags that are allowed must be a clear bag approved by the US Navy, like the ones pictured below:
*Note: Due to unforeseeable circumstances, the Navy may need to suspend boat operations to the USS Arizona Memorial at any time, or they may impose a capacity restriction on the boat. As a result, you may be placed in a standby line. Unfortunately, in these cases, there will be no refunds. You are still free to enjoy the Visitor’s Center, exhibits, and park monuments. Please accept our apologies in advance.
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