Battleship Missouri And USS Arizona At Pearl Harbor
One of the most popular destinations on O'ahu is Pearl Harbor. This famous area is home one of the most famous locations on Oʻahu, 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 to Ford Island to tour the US Battleship Missouri. It was here, on the ship's deck, that the Instrument of Surrender, which ended World War II, was officially signed.
Next, we will drive through historic Honolulu, filled with interesting and culturally important sites such as Punchbowl Crater, King Kamehameha's statue, ʻIolani Palace, and so much more! If you’re staying on an outer island (Maui, Big Island, or Kauaʻi), don’t miss an opportunity to visit historic Pearl Harbor and the surrounding landmarks of the island.
BATTLESHIP MISSOURI AND USS ARIZONA TOUR FEATURES
Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
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, in particular the harrowing day that the country first entered history's largest conflict.
Within the museums, there are interactive displays, maps, and ship models, as well as some incredible film footage to enjoy. The whole reason for this visitor center's existence is to ensure that this era of history is preserved and showcased to anyone curious. So, take full advantage, and explore it all!
Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona 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.
This somber but important stage of the tour is where the history of Pearl Harbor most reaches out to touch the present. To this day, so-called "black tears", droplets of oil, still leak from the hull of this long-sunken ship. A living reminder of what was lost, but also of the world that was rebuilt in the aftermath of that fateful day.
Board Battleship Missouri
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 that same 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.
The USS Oklahoma Memorial
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, were lost 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.
National Memorial Cemetery Of The Pacific At Punchbowl
Over 38,0000 people are buried inside Punchbowl Crater, located in Honolulu. Soldiers and sailors from World War 2, the Vietnam and Korean wars, and those Missing in Action, are honored here. Must like the Pearl Harbor stage of the tour, it can be a bit of a sobering reminder of loss, but this is a truly beautiful area as well. There is a serenity to it, one that is very fitting to what it represents.
We don't stop in the cemetery, but we will drive through for you to view. There will be a stop outside the grounds to take in the beautiful views of Honolulu from this elevated position. Take in this historic and lovely city from a vantage point that truly lets you see it all.
Historic Downtown Honolulu
Our final stops of the day are in the historic district of downtown Honolulu. This area is home to essential buildings that preserve the story of Hawaiʻi's early years of becoming a kingdom and growing on the world stage. The Royal Palace, a statue of King Kamehameha The Great, missionary homes, Kawaiahaʻo Church, and the State Supreme Court are all within a block of each other.
BATTLESHIP MISSOURI & USS ARIZONA TOUR DETAILS
Features
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Start From Waikīkī or Turtle Bay
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Over 4 hours to explore the Memorial, Battleship and Visitor Center
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Movie and boat ride to USS Arizona Memorial
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Explore the floating museum that is Battleship Missouri
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See all parts of the ship, including the Surrender Deck where the treaty to end the war was signed
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Take a moment to honor the fallen at Battleship Oklahoma Memorial
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Drive through Punchbowl Crater home to the National Cemetery of the Pacific
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Visit downtown Honolulu with its historic buildings. Stop near 'Iolani Palace and see the King Kamehameha Statue
Overview
For any visitor to Oʻahu, a trip to Pearl Harbor is one of the great highlights. The location of perhaps the most important event of the 20th century, it stands as a living reminder of the opening hours of the United States' involvement in the largest war in human history. Set out to see this memorable location, and don't stop there. When you are done, let us show you around Honolulu so that you can get the most out of a trip to that incredible city.
Your friendly tour guide will drive you around Honolulu in our very comfortable Mercedes Sprinter vans. We take you directly to Pearl Harbor, where you will spend around 4.5 hours exploring the area's attractions.
The first stop is the Visitor Center, where you can interact with various exhibits at the museums and watch a documentary featuring real film footage from the day itself. After the film, a Navy launch will take you on a short boat tour on its 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, the Missouri, the next stop on our tour.
Aboard the Battleship Missouri, a floating museum marks the war's end on its 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 can explore the “Mighty Mo” inside, including its multiple decks, galleys, rooms, and guns. You can easily get lost inside this massive ship, so having a guide is ideal!
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. Food is available for purchase on the dock or back at the Visitor Center if you are hungry during the tour. 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. The app is available in 9 languages.
This small-group tour is designed for 25 passengers or fewer and starts with pickup in Waikīkī daily. (For Turtle Bay hotels, please check the schedule. Ko Olina uses our large group tours.)
*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 can still enjoy the Visitor’s Center, exhibits, and park monuments. Please accept our apologies in advance.
Schedule
*Subject to change depending on Pearl Harbor Ticket Time
Learn About Tours Starting on Big Island, Maui, or Kauai
6:00 - 6:30 AM | Pick up at or near your Waikīkī/Ko Olina/North Shore hotel or condo. Turtle Bay resort pickup is available. |
7:15 AM | Arrive at the Visitor Center At Pearl Harbor |
8:30 AM | Travel across the harbor to visit the Arizona Memorial |
10:00 AM | Board the Battleship Missouri to explore its decks |
12:45 PM | Leave the harbor area to drive through Punchbowl Crater for an elevated photo opportunity |
1:10 PM | Visit and See Historic Downtown Honolulu, including the Kamehameha Statue, Capitol Building, ʻIolani Palace, and more. |
1:30 - 3:00 PM | Return to your Waikīkī, Ko Olina, or North Shore Locations |
*Please note that your pick-up location may differ from your hotel but is within a 5-minute walking distance.
Availability
- Our tours operate daily from Waikīkī, 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, Turtle Bay, and Laie Marriott are also available. Select your location from the dropdown menu in the booking box.
- For those staying on the North Shore at Turtle Bay, tours are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Meal Options
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.
Policy
Attire:
- 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.
- 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.
Bag Policy:
- 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, and must not exceed dimensions of 1.25" x 2.25" x 5.5".
Refund
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Including Pacific Fleet Submarine & Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
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