Honolulu Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial Tour

A stripped-down guided visit to the Arizona Memorial for travelers watching their spend. You still get the boat out to the memorial and a guide's context, without paying for add-ons you might skip anyway.

Overview

This four hour tour takes you from Waikiki to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, with round-trip transport by van or bus and a pre-purchased ticket for the boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial. Because the tickets are bought ahead, you skip the line for the boat. A briefing at the visitors' center covers the background to the attack before you head out on the water.

The memorial is a place of remembrance for the fallen heroes of the day that drew the US into World War II. Back on shore, there are two educational exhibits at the visitor center, titled War and Attack, which fill in more of the story. One reviewer described the memorial as moving, and one guide was specifically praised for treating the experience with appropriate solemnity.

Who is this for? It is less suited to anyone expecting a guide at their side throughout the site. Some reviewers noted the experience is more self guided once you arrive, so plan to read the exhibits and take the memorial at your own pace.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup in WaikikiPickup is from select Waikiki hotels within a one hour window that starts at your chosen tour time. The exact vehicle arrival can fall anywhere in that window.
2. Drive to Pearl HarborRound-trip transport is by van or bus. One reviewer mentioned a short stop en route, though this is not part of the listed itinerary.
3. Briefing at the visitors' centerA briefing at the Pearl Harbor Visitors' Center introduces the history of the attack before you go out to the memorial.
4. Boat ride to the USS Arizona MemorialA boat ride takes you across to the memorial, using pre-purchased tickets so you skip the long line.
5. Exhibits at the visitor centerThis part is self guided.
6. Return transfer to WaikikiThe pre-booked transport takes you back to your hotel, with total tour duration of four to five hours including travel time.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, and most of them come down to the strict bag policy and the pickup window.

• No bags allowed. The site prohibits bags of any kind, including purses and camera bags. Bring only a phone and whatever fits in your pockets.
• Pickup timing. Your selected tour time marks the start of a one hour pickup window, not the moment the vehicle arrives. The 6:30 AM tour is collected between 6:30 and 7:30 AM, the 8:30 AM tour between 7:30 and 9:30 AM, and the 10:30 AM tour between 10:30 and 11:30 AM. Wait in the agreed spot rather than assuming a precise time.
• Self guided on site. The guided portion is mainly the transport and the briefing. Several reviewers said they expected more guiding at the memorial itself and found the visit more independent than anticipated. Plan to read the exhibits yourself.
• Food and drink. Food and drinks are not allowed on the tour. Eat before pickup and plan for nothing until you are back in Waikiki.
• Keep it simple. Since bags are banned, bring only what fits in your pockets along with your phone.
• Guides vary. Reviewers consistently praised the guides for clear narration, island knowledge, and a respectful tone on the bus ride. Expect the transfer to be the most guided stretch of the day.

Common issues. The main complaint in reviews is that the tour is less guided than expected, with one traveller describing it as more of a drop-off at the site. A few reviewers also wanted more time at the memorial itself. Bags of any kind are not allowed. Not all tour vehicles can take wheelchairs or scooters, so anyone with a mobility device should call the operator right after booking to make arrangements. Pickup is only from select Waikiki hotels, and Ko Olina pickup is not available for this tour. Tips are not included in the price.

Questions People Ask