Plan Your Pearl Harbor Visit

Getting there

Pearl Harbor sits about 30 minutes west of Waikiki. You have three easy ways to get there:

• Book a guided tour with hotel pickup and skip the parking and planning entirely.
• Drive yourself. There is a free parking lot at the visitor center.
• Take TheBus from Waikiki if you are not in a hurry.

Heads up: private cars cannot cross to Ford Island, so a free shuttle runs there from the visitor center.

Tickets and reservations

The USS Arizona Memorial program is free, but the timed boat tickets go quickly, especially in summer.

• Reserve your memorial tickets ahead of time, or pick a scheduled tour that already includes them.
• The Battleship Missouri, Aviation Museum, and Bowfin Submarine each have their own separate admission.
• Bundle passes can save money if you plan to see more than one site.

Bags and security

Pearl Harbor is an active military base, so security is strict and the bag rules matter.

• No purses, backpacks, or bags that could conceal items are allowed at the memorial.
• A storage facility near the entrance holds your bags for a small fee.
• Travel light. A phone, wallet, and ID in your pockets is the easy way to go.

What to bring

You will be outdoors and on your feet for a good part of the day, so come prepared:

• A photo ID for anyone in your group.
• Sunscreen, water, and a hat for the open-air areas.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Shirts and shoes are required at the memorial.

Accessibility

Most of Pearl Harbor is built to be easy to get around.

• The visitor center, theaters, and memorial are wheelchair accessible.
• Staff help with boarding the memorial boat when you need a hand.
• Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the visitor center.

Good to know

A few things that make the day go smoother:

• Arrive early. Mornings are cooler and the crowds are thinner.
• Give yourself 6 to 8 hours if you want to see all four main sites.
• This is a memorial and a final resting place, so a quiet, respectful visit means a lot here.