Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu is one of the most iconic historic sites in Hawaii and the United States. It was the target of a devastating surprise attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, that propelled the US into World War II. Today, it is a must-see destination for visitors wanting to learn about that fateful day and pay respects to those who lost their lives.
One of the most convenient and stress-free ways to visit Pearl Harbor historic sites is by taking a guided tour from Honolulu, rather than figuring out transport and tickets yourself. Tours from Honolulu offer roundtrip transportation as well as insight from knowledgeable guides about what you’ll be seeing.
Popular Pearl Harbor tours from Honolulu take in all or some of the main attractions, like the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial, aviation and submarine museums, Bowfin Park, and the USS Utah Memorial. Some tour options also include add-ons like lunch, documentary films, and free time to explore memorials that interest you. You can even customize private tours. For example, if you have relatives who served on a specific vessel you can request a personalized experience focused on that ship’s history and memorial.
The centerpiece of Pearl Harbor tours from Honolulu is the USS Arizona Memorial. The white memorial structure marks the final resting place for over 1,100 sailors and Marines killed when the ship exploded and sank during the 1941 attack. Accessible only by boat, the intensely moving memorial commemorates their sacrifice.
Within the larger Pearl Harbor Visitor Center you’ll find museums, exhibits, and two documentary films that bring the events of December 7, 1941, to life. They provide historical context about relations between the US and Japan leading up to the attack, as well as outlining its repercussions.
Other key attractions not to miss are the Battleship Missouri Memorial – where WWII ended with the signing of surrender documents in Tokyo Bay, and the Pacific Aviation Museum’s hangars filled with aircraft and exhibits conveying the daring of air battles in the Pacific. Underneath aircraft like Japanese Zeros, you’ll gain insight into both sides of the war.
The USS Bowfin submarine launched from Pearl Harbor on multiple daring combat patrols, sinking 44 enemy ships across the Pacific. Now, you can climb aboard the storied submarine at its memorial and museum in Bowfin Park. Rounding out options to discover is the memorial located above the sunken battleship USS Utah, best viewed from a harbor tour.
Booking a Pearl Harbor tour from Honolulu in advance is essential as visitor capacity is strictly managed at venues like the Arizona Memorial. Reputable companies like Polynesian Adventure Tours and Roberts Hawaii offer half-day and full-day options. Look for inclusions like transportation, ferry tickets out to the Arizona Memorial, use of audio guides at some sites, and lunch or dinner depending on timing.
Polynesian Adventure Tours is arguably the best-known company with a variety of combo tours pairing Pearl Harbor with attractions like Honolulu city sights, island circle tours, or the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s also possible to take public bus services to Pearl Harbor from Waikiki and then buy tickets for harbor cruises, memorial entry, and the visitor center’s museums separately. However, this takes more time and effort so a seamless guided tour is recommended for most travelers.