Pearl Harbor is one of the most iconic and historically significant destinations in the United States. Located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, it attracts millions of visitors each year. They come to learn about the events of December 7, 1941. Visitors also come to honor those who served during World War II. If you’re planning a visit, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Pearl Harbor.

Chances are you’ve heard of it—and no, I’m not referring to the 2001 film starring Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett.

I’m talking about the real, physical Pearl Harbor. It is the Hawaiian naval base that was the site of a Japanese air attack on December 7, 1941. This attack catapulted the United States into World War II.

For many travelers, a visit to Honolulu, Hawaii, isn’t complete without experiencing Pearl Harbor. This iconic site is Hawaii’s top tourist attraction. It draws millions each year. People come to explore its profound history. They also pay tribute at the USS Arizona Memorial.

If you’re thinking of adding Pearl Harbor to your Hawaii itinerary, here’s an idea of what to expect, as well as a few travel tips that might make your visit run more smoot

Pearl Harbor quick facts

Here are some important facts about Pearl Harbor before your visit:

• Located just a few miles west of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor is the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet.
• On a quiet Sunday morning in early December 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack. It caught the base completely off guard.
• The assault came in two waves, starting just before 8 a.m. local time, and lasted about two hours.
• More than 3,500 Americans were killed or wounded that day. This included 1,177 who perished when the USS Arizona exploded and sank in the shallow waters of the harbor.
• Approximately 350 aircraft were destroyed or damaged. Fortunately, the aircraft carriers based at Pearl Harbor were not present during the attack. They escaped harm.
• Twenty-one vessels were sunk or severely damaged, including all eight battleships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The USS Arizona and USS Utah still rest at the bottom of the harbor.

Tips for visiting Pearl Harbor

Visiting Pearl Harbor is an excellent day trip from Honolulu. However, there are important details to keep in mind. This is especially true if you plan to explore on your own without a guided tour.

1. Know that visiting is free – mostly

Pearl Harbor is officially known as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and is managed by the National Park Service. Visitors can explore the grounds, visitor center, museums, and memorials at no cost. However, a timed ticket is required to visit the USS Arizona Memorial.

Some attractions at Pearl Harbor charge admission fees. Details are provided below. However, there is no general entry fee to access the site.

2. Go to Pearl Harbor early

Pearl Harbor can get very crowded, especially on weekends and nice-weather days. If you want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, you definitely should. If you don’t already have a ticket, aim to arrive as early as possible.

Tours to the USS Arizona start at 8 a.m. and run every 15 minutes until 3 p.m., with tickets available beginning at 7 a.m. Each day, 1,300 free walk-in tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.*

These walk-in tickets often sell out by mid-morning. For example, when I visited Pearl Harbor, I arrived around 10:45 a.m., and the earliest available tour to the Arizona was at 1:15 p.m.

3. Don’t take a purse or backpack

To enter the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you must pass through security. Bags of any kind are not allowed inside. You may bring a wallet, camera, and water bottle, but you must carry them with you.

If you do bring a bag, you will need to store it in a locker for a fee per bag. My advice: wear clothing with pockets! I didn’t plan ahead. I had to pay for a locker. Then I bought postcards at the gift shop just to get a plastic bag for my belongings.

4. Bring sunscreen

This advice applies to all activities you do in Hawaii. When the sun is out here, it’s intense. Many Pearl Harbor attractions involve outdoor time, so make sure you’re ready.

Apply sunscreen before you arrive, even if it’s cloudy. Hawaii’s weather changes quickly, and a cloudy morning can quickly become a bright, sunny afternoon.

5. Leave the bikini at home

Pearl Harbor does not have a formal dress code. Visitors should remember it is a memorial for those lost during the 1941 attacks. In some cases, it is also a graveyard. Be respectful when choosing your outfit for the day.

Things to see at Pearl Harbor

While Pearl Harbor continues to function as an active U.S. naval base, it was designated a National Historic Landmark district on January 29, 1964. Visitors to Pearl Harbor do not access the operational areas of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Instead, they explore the historic landmarks and memorials established in the years following the attack.

Upon arrival, visitors enter near the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center located off Kamehameha Highway. This is where you can plan your visit and decide which sites to explore.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, museums, and memorials are managed by the National Park Service. They offer free admission. However, other attractions are operated by “Pearl Harbor Historic Partners,” independent organizations not affiliated with the National Park Service.

1. USS Arizona Memorial

The destruction of the USS Arizona battleship was profound. The immense loss of life associated with her sinking symbolized the reason the U.S. was fighting in WWII. This was especially true in the months and years following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Today, the USS Arizona Memorial, operated by the National Park Service, easily sees the most visitors each year.

Visiting the memorial is free, but a ticket is required. You can reserve tickets and tours in advance. Alternatively, try for one of the 1,300 daily walk-in tickets. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs run daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you’re part of a group tour, your ticket is included. Solo visitors need to visit the ticket counter upon arrival to receive an assigned time for the Arizona Memorial visit. Arriving early increases your chances of securing a ticket.

The USS Arizona Memorial program lasts about 75 minutes. It features a 23-minute documentary. This is followed by a boat ride to the Memorial, which floats above the sunken Arizona. Audio tours are offered.

Tours assemble every 15 minutes outside the memorial theater. Visitors should line up five minutes before their scheduled program.

The shuttle boat to the Memorial is covered and operated by the U.S. Navy, allowing ample time to explore the site.

Remember, the Memorial is a tribute to the 1,177 sailors who perished when the Arizona exploded and sank. Most remain entombed beneath the water, so please show respect.

Though modest in size, the Memorial comfortably accommodates all visitors. Beneath the water’s surface, you can see the corroded hull of the Arizona. Occasionally, oil droplets rise to the surface.

At the rear of the Memorial is a quiet room. The names of all those lost on the USS Arizona are etched into a wall of remembrance.

It is a solemn yet profoundly beautiful place.

2. USS Bowfin submarine

Right next to the Visitor Center is the USS Bowfin submarine, famously known as “the Pearl Harbor Avenger.” It was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the Pearl Harbor attacks.

During its nine war patrols, the Bowfin sank 44 enemy ships.

Tickets to tour the USS Bowfin can be purchased at the Visitor Center or online in advance for $20. Your ticket grants access to the submarine and includes an informative audio tour.

There are no scheduled tour times, allowing you to visit anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and explore at your own pace.

Plan to spend about an hour touring the submarine and Bowfin Park. Visit the Waterfront Memorial, which honors the 52 American submarines. It also commemorates over 3,500 submarines worldwide lost during WWII.

Keep in mind the Bowfin is as tight and confined inside as it appears outside. If you are prone to claustrophobia, you may want to reconsider this experience.

That said, stepping inside the submarine offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of sailors during wartime.

3. Battleship Missouri Memorial

The USS Missouri was launched on January 29, 1944. It went on to participate in operations in the final months of WWII. The ship was the site of the formal signing of the “Instrument of Surrender” on September 2, 1945. Representatives of both Japan and the Allied Nations participated in the signing in Tokyo Bay. This event officially ended WWII.

You can purchase a ticket to tour the Missouri at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Then catch a shuttle bus over to Ford Island. The entrance to the battleship is located there. The Missouri is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and shuttles operate until 5:15 p.m

A $30 general admission ticket includes a shuttle ride to Ford Island. You can choose between a 35-minute guided tour or a self-guided walking tour.

We recommend setting aside at least 2 hours to fully explore the USS Missouri. This includes the 30-minute round-trip shuttle ride to and from Ford Island.

4. USS Oklahoma Memorial

While visiting Ford Island, be sure to stop at the USS Oklahoma Memorial. It honors the 429 Marines and sailors who perished on the battleship during the Pearl Harbor attack.

Managed by the National Park Service, the memorial is free to visit. However, a shuttle ticket is required to access Ford Island.

5. Pacific Aviation Museum

Also situated on Ford Island is the Pacific Aviation Museum, a must-visit destination for aviation enthusiasts. The museum features numerous exhibits and more than 50 aircraft on display.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Visitor Center or online. They are priced at $25. The price includes a shuttle ride to Ford Island. It is recommended to allocate at least 2 hours to fully explore the museum.

6. Pearl Harbor Visitor Center museums

If you’re not interested in paying for the other tours, don’t worry. There’s plenty to explore at Pearl Harbor if you still have some time before your USS Arizona tour.

Take a stroll along the waterfront, where a memorial walkway features facts, photos, and diagrams about the Pearl Harbor attacks.

Make sure to set aside time to visit the free museums at the Visitor Center. These museums are small. However, they are packed with fascinating facts, maps, artifacts, and videos. They detail the attacks, the people victimized, and the vessels affected.

One museum offers a video on the attacks. This video rivals the 23-minute film shown before the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. You’ll find interactive video displays. They are deeply moving and share stories from both civilians and veterans who survived the December 7 attacks.

I wish I had known about these exhibits earlier—I didn’t give myself nearly enough time to fully experience them.

Pearl Harbor Passport

If you plan to explore several attractions at Pearl Harbor, consider purchasing the Passport to Pearl Harbor. This pass includes admission to the USS Missouri, the Pacific Aviation Museum, select tours, and more. The passport costs $80 for adults.

To fully experience everything included, plan to spend at least 7 hours, if not longer.

Getting to Pearl Harbor

You can choose from several guided tours departing from Honolulu. These tours offer convenient hotel pickup and drop-off at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

More affordable tours typically include a timed entry ticket to the USS Arizona Memorial. Comprehensive all-day tours offer access to multiple Pearl Harbor attractions, such as the Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, and USS Bowfin.

Here are some tours I highly recommend:

• Day at Pearl Harbor Tour. It is all-inclusive.
• This tour covers Pearl Harbor from Waikiki.
• Pearl Harbor Arizona, Missouri, and City Tour offers a visit to both Pearl Harbor and a guided tour of Honolulu.
• Visiting Honolulu on a cruise? This Pearl Harbor Shore Excursion is perfect for you.

If you prefer to visit Pearl Harbor independently, it’s very straightforward—and you won’t need a taxi or rental car. You can easily reach Pearl Harbor by taking a Honolulu city bus.

Routes 20 and 42 run from downtown Honolulu or Waikiki to Pearl Harbor, although the trip isn’t direct. The journey takes about an hour each way and costs just a few dollars per ride. (For helpful tips on using TheBus in Honolulu, check out this post.)

Where to Stay for a Pearl Harbor Visit

The most convenient place to stay when visiting Pearl Harbor is Honolulu. Many travelers choose hotels near Waikiki Beach, but there are plenty of great options throughout the city.

• Prince Waikiki – The highest-rated hotel in Honolulu on Booking.com.
• Outrigger Waikiki – A classic hotel offering beautiful beach views.
• Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head – A charming beach hotel located away from Waikiki’s busy scene.
• Coconut Waikiki Hotel – An affordable choice with strong guest reviews.

Have you visited Pearl Harbor before? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience! If not, is it on your travel list?