Best Pearl Harbor Tours for History Buffs

While it's true that every Pearl Harbor tour is great for anyone interested in history, some offer more than others. Someone who considers themselves a real history buff may not be satisfied with one of the shorter Pearl Harbor tours, which may visit one or two historic sites. They would likely want an itinerary that includes everything there is to see and experience. So, what are the best Pearl Harbor tours for history buffs?.

Given the sheer number and variety of Pearl Harbor tours, it's not surprising that there's a tour to satisfy the desire to learn as much as possible about the history and background of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the events that unfolded in the Pacific in its aftermath. In fact, there are two!

Complete Pearl Harbor Experience

Embark on a full day of Pearl Harbor history with the Complete Pearl Harbor Experience. Starting at 6:30 AM, you’re immersed in the history of Hawaii, Oahu, and Pearl Harbor before you even arrive at the National Memorial.

A knowledgeable and friendly tour guide provides you with all the information you need to get the most out of your time on this tour. The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience doesn’t just skim over the events of the Pearl Harbor attack. From the exhibits at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the documentary film and the USS Arizona Memorial, you get an in-depth look at the events leading up to December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack, and its aftermath.

But the Complete Pearl Harbor Experience goes well beyond the events of that day, taking you to the other sites around this historic harbor. These include the Bowfin Submarine and Park, the Battleship Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum with its collection of military aircraft from multiple generations.

The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience doesn't end when you depart from Pearl Harbor. Your journey through history continues in Honolulu, where you drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, view Iolani Palace and the Hawaii State Capitol Building, and visit the King Kamehameha statue, dedicated to the ruler who unified the Hawaiian Islands into a single Kingdom.

The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience includes:

• Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide
• Round-trip transportation from Waikiki-area hotels
• Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Ticket for the USS Arizona Memorial program
• Bowfin Submarine & Park
• USS Oklahoma Memorial
• Battleship Missouri
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
• Drive through historic downtown Honolulu

The Passport to Pearl Harbor

If you're interested in the history and remembrance found on the Complete Pearl Harbor tour but have your own transportation, then the Passport to Pearl Harbor is the way to go.

This ticket includes:

• Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Bowfin Submarine & Park
• Battleship Missouri
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
• Self-guided Audio Tours where available

Of all the Pearl Harbor tours for history buffs, these two are the most complete.