The USS Arizona Memorial is fully open following the completion of preservation work

Pearl Harbor FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about visiting Pearl Harbor.

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Tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are issued by the National Park Service and can be reserved on Recreation.gov. They’re released 8 weeks in advance, with a smaller batch released the day before at 3:00 PM HST, and they often sell out quickly.

 

If you can’t secure tickets on your own, our scheduled tours include guaranteed access, which removes the need to monitor ticket releases or wait in standby lines.

If advance tickets are sold out, you can try to reserve from the limited batch released the day before or join the standby line at the Visitor Center. Availability is not guaranteed, and wait times can vary.

 

Another option is to book a scheduled tour that includes Arizona Memorial tickets, which ensures access without relying on last-minute availability.

Yes, booking in advance is strongly recommended. Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited sites in Hawai‘i, and USS Arizona Memorial tickets are limited and frequently sell out.

 

Booking ahead ensures you get your preferred date and time and avoids the risk of arriving to find tickets unavailable. Our scheduled tours include guaranteed access to the Arizona Memorial, but you can book tickets on your own at Recreation.gov.

Yes, entry to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is free and does not require a ticket.

 

However, some experiences require paid admission, including the Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The USS Arizona Memorial is free, but a reserved boat ticket is required. Access to these attractions is included in many of our tours.

Most visitors spend between 2 hours and a full day at Pearl Harbor, depending on how many sites they visit.

 

A shorter visit may include the Visitor Center and USS Arizona Memorial, while a full experience, covering the Missouri, Aviation Museum, and Submarine Museum, typically takes 6–8 hours.

Yes, you can visit Pearl Harbor on your own by driving to the Visitor Center and exploring the free exhibits and grounds.

 

If you want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial or other museum sites, you’ll need to reserve tickets separately or purchase admission. Many visitors choose a tour to simplify planning and guarantee access to key experiences.

 

Our self-paced tours include admission to most of the attractions at Pearl Harbor, but you’ll have to reserve tickets to the Arizona Memorial separately. Our scheduled tours include guaranteed access to the Arizona Memorial.

Planning Your Visit

Tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are issued by the National Park Service and can be reserved on Recreation.gov. They’re released 8 weeks in advance, with a smaller batch released the day before at 3:00 PM HST, and they often sell out quickly.

 

If you can’t secure tickets on your own, our scheduled tours include guaranteed access, which removes the need to monitor ticket releases or wait in standby lines.

If advance tickets are sold out, you can try to reserve from the limited batch released the day before or join the standby line at the Visitor Center. Availability is not guaranteed, and wait times can vary.

 

Another option is to book a scheduled tour that includes Arizona Memorial tickets, which ensures access without relying on last-minute availability.

Yes, booking in advance is strongly recommended. Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited sites in Hawai‘i, and USS Arizona Memorial tickets are limited and frequently sell out.

 

Booking ahead ensures you get your preferred date and time and avoids the risk of arriving to find tickets unavailable. Our scheduled tours include guaranteed access to the Arizona Memorial, but you can book tickets on your own at Recreation.gov.

Yes, entry to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is free and does not require a ticket.

 

However, some experiences require paid admission, including the Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The USS Arizona Memorial is free, but a reserved boat ticket is required. Access to these attractions is included in many of our tours.

Most visitors spend between 2 hours and a full day at Pearl Harbor, depending on how many sites they visit.

 

A shorter visit may include the Visitor Center and USS Arizona Memorial, while a full experience, covering the Missouri, Aviation Museum, and Submarine Museum, typically takes 6–8 hours.

Yes, you can visit Pearl Harbor on your own by driving to the Visitor Center and exploring the free exhibits and grounds.

 

If you want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial or other museum sites, you’ll need to reserve tickets separately or purchase admission. Many visitors choose a tour to simplify planning and guarantee access to key experiences.

 

Our self-paced tours include admission to most of the attractions at Pearl Harbor, but you’ll have to reserve tickets to the Arizona Memorial separately. Our scheduled tours include guaranteed access to the Arizona Memorial.

Pearl Harbor is home to several historic sites and museums. The main attractions include the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

 

The Visitor Center also features exhibits and a documentary film about the attack.

Arriving early is recommended, especially if you plan to visit multiple sites. Most visitors start their day between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM to make the most of their time.

 

Early arrival also improves your chances if you’re trying for same-day USS Arizona standby access.

Tours & Tickets

Our scheduled Pearl Harbor tours include guaranteed USS Arizona Memorial tickets as part of the package. These tours provide reserved access to Pearl Harbor attractions along with transportation and a structured itinerary.

 

Self-paced tours do not include Arizona tickets, so you’ll need to reserve those separately.

Scheduled tours include transportation, reserved access to Pearl Harbor attractions, a set itinerary, and guaranteed USS Arizona Memorial tickets. They’re designed for a streamlined experience with minimal planning.

 

Self-paced tours allow you to explore on your own schedule but require you to arrange transportation and Arizona tickets separately. You can reserve USS Arizona Memorial tickets on your own at Recreation.gov.

Most scheduled tours include round-trip transportation from Waikiki or other designated areas. This typically includes hotel pickup and drop-off along with narration during the drive. Self-paced options do not include transportation.

The right tour depends on how much you want to see and how much time you have.

 

Shorter tours focus on the USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center, while longer tours include additional sites like the Battleship Missouri and Aviation Museum. If you want the most comprehensive and inclusive experience, The Complete Pearl Harbor Tour is usually the best option.

Both options work, depending on your preferences. Visiting on your own offers flexibility, but requires you to manage tickets, transportation, and timing.

 

Scheduled tours simplify the experience by including transportation, structure, and guaranteed Arizona Memorial access.

No. Scheduled tours that include transportation and USS Arizona Memorial tickets require guests to be picked up at designated locations and cannot be joined at Pearl Harbor.

 

If you prefer to drive yourself, a self-paced tour is the better fit.

Pickup on our scheduled tours is typically available at hotels or nearby meeting points in Waikiki and other resort areas. Exact pickup details, including time and location, are provided after booking.

 

Most pickup locations are within a short walk of major hotels.

Tours do not offer airport drop offs so please plan accordingly.  You can either take a taxi/uber from Pearl Harbor straight to the airport (please let your driver know) or you can get dropped off in Waikiki and arrange transportation to the airport from there.

Occasionally, visits to the USS Arizona Memorial are suspended due to weather, safety concerns, or operational issues.

 

Even when this happens, the Visitor Center, exhibits, and other museums remain open, and most tours continue as scheduled.

Scheduled tours include transportation, Arizona Memorial tickets, and time to explore the Visitor Center exhibits. Many also include visits to additional sites like the Battleship Missouri and Aviation Museum.

Inclusions vary by tour, so it’s best to review the details of each option before booking.

Most tours can be changed or canceled for a full refund up to 24–48 hours before the scheduled start time.

 

Tours that include airfare are typically non-refundable, so it’s important to review the policy when booking.

 

Please see our full cancellation policy here.

What to Expect

Pearl Harbor has a strict no-bag policy. Purses, backpacks, camera bags, and luggage are not allowed.

 

You can bring essentials like your phone, wallet, camera, and water bottle. Clear bags are permitted, and storage is available near the entrance for a fee.

 

You can see the official bag policy here.

There is no formal dress code, but visitors are expected to dress respectfully.

 

Swimwear, clothing with offensive language, or overly revealing attire is not allowed. Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended.

Yes, Pearl Harbor is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities. Paths are flat, and the Visitor Center, museums, shuttle boats, and USS Arizona Memorial are all wheelchair accessible.

 

Wheelchairs are not available for rent, so visitors should bring their own if needed.

Yes, strollers and mobility devices are allowed at the Visitor Center and most outdoor areas.

 

However, strollers are not permitted on shuttle boats or inside the USS Arizona Memorial, so a baby carrier is recommended for those portions of your visit.

Yes, Pearl Harbor is suitable for families and welcomes visitors of all ages. The site is educational and walkable, though some exhibits and the overall experience are more meaningful for older children.

Food and drinks are available at Pearl Harbor, including snack bars and cafés at the Visitor Center and museum sites. Many visitors take a break between sites or plan lunch at one of the museums.

Yes, baggage storage is available near the entrance to the Visitor Center for a fee. Because bags are not allowed inside, it’s best to bring only what you can carry or store items before entering.

Yes, cameras and phones are allowed, and photography is permitted throughout most of Pearl Harbor. Camera bags are not allowed, and certain areas may have restrictions that will be clearly marked.

History

Pearl Harbor was attacked on the morning of December 7, 1941, by Japanese forces in a surprise military strike. The attack led to the United States entering World War II the following day.

The attack lasted about 90 minutes, beginning just before 8:00 AM and ending shortly after 9:30 AM.

 

Despite its short duration, it caused significant damage to ships, aircraft, and military infrastructure, and resulted in thousands of American casualties.

A total of 2,403 Americans were killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, with another 1,178 wounded. Nearly half of those killed were aboard the USS Arizona.

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor to weaken the U.S. Pacific Fleet and prevent interference with its military expansion in the Pacific.

 

The goal was to deliver a decisive blow that would give Japan time to secure strategic territory without immediate opposition.

The USS Arizona was too heavily damaged to be salvaged after the attack and was left where it sank. Today, it remains in place as a war grave and memorial, with over 900 crew members still entombed inside.

The USS Arizona Memorial is a structure built above the sunken battleship to honor those who lost their lives during the attack. Accessible only by boat, it serves as a place of remembrance for visitors from around the world.

Yes. Elvis Presley helped raise funds for the memorial by performing a benefit concert in 1961. His contribution played a significant role in making the construction of the memorial possible.

General

Pearl Harbor is located on the island of Oʻahu in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, about 20 minutes from Waikiki and near Honolulu International Airport.

 

The main entrance is the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at 1 Arizona Memorial Place.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. USS Arizona Memorial programs typically run throughout the day, with the last boat departing in the afternoon.

 

It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.

Yes. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and USS Arizona Memorial are part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which is managed by the National Park Service.

 

Other sites, like the Battleship Missouri and Aviation Museum, are independently operated.

Yes, Pearl Harbor hosts special events throughout the year, including memorial ceremonies on December 7 (Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day) and other commemorative occasions.

 

Some events are open to the public, while others may require advance registration.

Yes. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service, and you can find contact information and updates on the official website.

 

For questions about tours or bookings, it’s best to contact us directly.

Find a Tour

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Official Passport to Pearl Harbor

Self-Paced Tour

6-8 hours (approx.)
From $99.99
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The Complete Pearl Harbor Tour from Waikiki

Scheduled Tour

10 hours (approx.)
From $199
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