Description
Millions of people visit Oahu every year to experience world class water sports, beautiful beaches, exotic culture, and dramatic landscapes. When you visit Oahu, don’t forget about the island’s history as well! Hawaii was the scene of one of the most devastating surprise attacks in military history: the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Visitors to Oahu have a unique opportunity to honor the men and women who affected by the tragedy, as well as learn about the attack right where it happened.
The Passport to Pearl Harbor does not include tickets for the timed program at the USS Arizona Memorial. These tickets can picked up for free at the ticketing booth of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, the same place you redeem your Passport tickets. As tickets for the Arizona Memorial program are distributed on a first come, first served basis, it’s a good idea to arrive bright and early. Seeing all the sites in Pearl Harbor can easily take a whole day, which is another reason to start your visit as early as possible.
Transportation to and from Pearl Harbor is not included in the Passport. To get there, you can take public transportation or a taxi from Waikiki, or drive there yourself. Pearl Harbor is a short drive from Waikiki and downtown Honolulu.
There is free parking available near the Visitor Center. Pearl Harbor is open every day from 7am to 5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Please remember to bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver license or passport. The tropical weather can be hot, so drink plenty of water, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. Depending on the weather, you may also want to bring a light jacket. Please note the Pearl Harbor security regulations don’t allow any type of bags. There is a bag storage near the entrance to the Visitor Center. Don’t leave any belongings in your car.
Arizona Memorial
After learning about the attack in the museums and exhibits of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you see a 23-minute documentary film in the Memorial Theater. Next, board a Navy shuttle to the USS Arizona Memorial. This consists of a structure located directly above the sunken battleship. From the memorial, you can gaze into the depths and pay your respects to the sailors and Marines who gave their lives when the mighty battleship exploded and sank.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
At the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, you can experience the cramped conditions in which the crew of a submarine lived and worked. Please be aware that children younger than four years of age may not enter the submarine for safety reasons. They are welcome to visit the museum and park at no charge.
Transportation to Ford Island
The Battleship Missouri, the Pacific Aviation Museum and the USS Oklahoma Memorial are all located on Ford Island. Your Passport ticket includes round-trip shuttle service to the island.
The Battleship Missouri
The USS Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the US Navy, and was the site of the Japanese surrender ending World War II. Today, she is a museum ship at Pearl Harbor open for exploration. There are three options for visiting the Mighty Mo: a self-paced tour, or a 35-minute guided tour.
The USS Oklahoma Memorial
The USS Oklahoma Memorial, an installation of 429 stone uprights, one for each man who lost his life aboard the battleship, is located near the entrance to the Missouri.
The Pacific Aviation Museum
When visiting all the naval exhibits in and around Pearl Harbor, one can easily forget that some crucial parts of the fighting didn’t happen on the water, but in the air. The Pacific Aviation Museum is a military aviation enthusiast’s dream. With two hangars full of aircraft from almost a century of aviation, the museum invites you to take a closer look at the history of the military applications of flight. The museum is also a great place for a lunch break, with the Laniakea Café offering light meals and drinks.
Don’t forget
Remember to start your tour early in the day to ensure you get tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial program and to give you plenty of time to visit all of the sites at Pearl Harbor. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sun block. Don’t forget your photo ID and leave all bags behind, as you are not allowed to bring them into Pearl Harbor.
Benjamin –
We were glad we went to Pearl Harbor, to visit a sacred place and pay our respects. I can’t imagine a first time visit to Oahu not including Pearl Harbor. They don’t let you go onto the memorial right now (not sure why) but it is still worth going out and getting pictures and going through the whole experience.
Shane –
It is a very moving and eye-opening experience. Before the Arizona tour you watch a 20-minute movie and I’d say that at least 50% of the audience shed a tear with some weeping throughout the entire tour. If you’re in Honolulu, and especially if you are American, you should definitely go here.
Kurt –
Went on the 77th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. So glad we did! So much to see and learn about that dreadful day! Every American should visit this memorial and know the history of Pearl Harbor. We had to pay our respects from the ferry due to maintenance on the actual memorial.
Suzanne –
My husband, myself and my brother with his wife went to see the USS Arizona. This is a place I have always read about my entire life and now actually got to experience it. I was very moved with so much history and sadness. Although we couldn’t go on the Arizona, due to repair, It was a humbling experience.
Mike –
My wife and I made reservations several months in advance for our full day “Passport to Pearl harbor” that included: USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri (the Mighty Mo), USS Bowfin Submarine and the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. This is the first time my wife and I have been to Pearl Harbor and we first took the boat out to the memorial for the USS Arizona and between the 15 minute film at the beginning and the narrative explaining how many people died and how they died it almost brought me to tears. We could not go onto the memorial as the platform was in need of repair but the boat took us close enough to view it.
Kevin –
The history, the emotion, the grave sites, the tradition and the national pride all blend together to give visitors to Pearl Harbor a well balanced and educational experience while still keeping the respect necessary for such an historic place. We were able to get close to but not walk through the Arizona memorial. There is some structure damage they are looking at. If you don’t do anything else please visit this!
Vy –
This was at the top of our list to see while we were in Hawaii! This is a sobering experience. What a sight to see and look at this part of history. I have studied, read, heard about and watched movies about Pearl Harbor my entire life but this made it real. If you ever have the chance, go.
Melina –
When we got to Pearl Harbor we had no idea what to expect. We learned so much at the exhibits, the short film, and from the tour guides. Chalk full of knowledge. I particularly was blown away that the Japanese had manned torpedoes!
Dawn –
This attraction is well worth going to , so much to see and we learn a lot about what happened back then when it was bombed. Books, movies, documentaries don’t prepare you for how this place will impact you.
Sheila –
We got to finally make it to this place. Too bad that the Arizona was closed, but the boat was still able to take us close to it. The history of this place just makes you feel solemn and patriotic. Glad we got see this memorial.
Mitzy –
I cannot honestly review this place, all I can say is every American should visit. This historic site is a must see and stepping on to the Mighty Mo (Battleship Missouri) is a powerful experience. Unfortunately the Arizona Memorial was under repair, but the shuttle launch allowed us to take plenty of pictures.
Allen –
To see and feel what happen during the attack on Pearl Harbor is amazing. Visiting the Uss Missouri was an experience that shouldn’t be missed. The museums added a lot of information about this time in history. This memorial is nowhere near as solemn as Normandy, but it definitely commanded our respect.
Darren –
Great way to honor all who service our country and keep us safe. Pearl Harbor is a sacred museum in honor of people that died in the Japanese bombing, many years ago. It is a majestic place, however, sad. It’s a solemn place set aside to remind us of our heritage.
Carl –
Was a double blessed day with the rainbows over the memorial. The museums are fascinating so spend some time.
Vince –
The Bowfin takes maybe 45 mins, the Missouri takes a couple hours (but take your time, it is great), the Arizona is moving and amazing but as of Dec 2018 you still couldn’t get onto the memorial. This is a very educative place where visitors may learn about WWII, about heroism and duty, about how terrible a war is.
Suzie –
My family of four learned a lot on our visit to Pearl Harbor. After walking around the visitor center, we saw an informative video about December 7, 1941. Great historical experience. We were unable to actually dock due to construction. The tour was great and a humbling experience.
Rochelle –
Once we got in, we started off with a short video of how the attack happened. After that, we went on a boat tour of the harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial is currently closed, but we went by and stopped briefly. The attack on Pearl Harbor, without exaggeration, changed the direction of modern history. To visit the site is to gain a greater understanding of this truly globally significant event.
Samuel –
This is a nice area and a definite one for Pearl Harbor Visitors. Multiple Museums, Bowfin Submarine, boat ride out to the Arizona Memorial area. There are several places to obtain food and refreshments.
Sadie –
Very informative tour. Makes one really appreciate the sacrifices of our service men and women. Impossible not to be touched by what transpired on Dec. 7, 1941. Our 16-year old son has never had an enormous interest in history and knew nothing much about the attack beyond the name. He came away very, very moved with a deep appreciation of the event and its significance.
Maynard –
I am so glad they left many parts of the area that was attacked not repaired. You can still see bullet holes in the hangar windows and on the pavement. This really is a must-visit museum for anyone. Allow enough time to visit all of the exhibits as there is an enormous amount to see including the battleship USS Missouri.
Maxwell –
There is much more to a Pearl Harbor visit than the USS Arizona. The submarine USS Bowfin, the submarine museum, the battleship USS Missouri, the battleship USS Oklahoma memorial, the battleship Utah and the Pacific Aviation Museum. The tour was really informative. The reason the Missouri is in Pearl Harbor is that the surrender was signed on her deck in Tokyo harbor. I recommend everyone try to see Pearl Harbor.
Carol –
Pearl Harbor was a really eye-opening experience, where I learned about American History in a really sensible way that I’d never learn in school. I highly recommend getting the “Passport to Pearl Harbor”. It will consume an entire day but gives you access to everything there is to see. It is a sobering experience but one i waited my whole life to see.