The USS Arizona Memorial is a white, open-air memorial floating above the sunken battleship USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii — a war grave honoring the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed aboard the ship on December 7, 1941.
Operated by the National Park Service, the memorial is the centerpiece of Pearl Harbor National Memorial. It can only be reached by a U.S. Navy shuttle boat that departs from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
This guide walks you through the full experience: what happened here, what you’ll see, how the boat program works, and how to plan your visit. Give it at least two hours — the timed boat program takes about an hour, and the visitor center’s museums and film deserve another.
This guide is published by Best Pearl Harbor Tours.
Key facts at a glance
- Location: 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818, at Pearl Harbor.
- Hours: Visitor center grounds open daily, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
- Tickets: Free, reserved only through Recreation.gov. A $1 non-refundable fee per ticket applies; up to 10 tickets per person per day.
- Boat program: Runs every 15 minutes, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 1:00–3:30 p.m. daily. Each Navy boat carries 145 visitors.
- Famous for: The shrine room’s marble wall bearing 1,177 names, and the oil droplets still rising from the wreck — known as the “black tears.”
The story: what happened at Pearl Harbor
The December 7, 1941 attack
On a quiet Sunday morning, Japanese naval aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. In under two hours, the assault killed 2,403 Americans and wounded 1,178.
The attack drew the United States into World War II. Each year on December 7, survivors’ families, veterans, and visitors gather here for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Why the USS Arizona matters
The battleship USS Arizona exploded when a bomb struck her forward ammunition magazine. She sank in minutes, taking 1,177 of her crew with her — nearly half of everyone killed that day.
Over 900 of those sailors and Marines remain entombed in the hull, which still rests where it fell on Battleship Row. The ship was never raised.
The memorial today
Dedicated on May 30, 1962, the memorial was designed by Honolulu architect Alfred Preis. The National Park Service has managed it since 1980, welcoming 4,000 to 8,000 visitors daily.
The 184-foot white structure spans the sunken hull without ever touching it — a deliberate choice that keeps the wreck itself undisturbed.
What you’ll see at the memorial
The white structure
The memorial dips in the middle and rises at both ends. Many visitors read the shape as initial defeat, ultimate victory, and eternal remembrance — a quiet story told in concrete and steel.
Open wells in the assembly room let you look straight down at the sunken hull resting in the shallow harbor water below.
The shrine room
At the far end of the memorial sits the shrine room. A marble wall here bears the names of all 1,177 crewmen who died aboard the Arizona.
Seven large windows line each side of the room, echoing December 7. Visitors often toss flowers into the water here in tribute; leis are discouraged, as the strings can harm marine life.
The “black tears”
More than eighty years later, the wreck still leaks small droplets of oil. Pearl Harbor survivors called them the “black tears” of the Arizona — a slow, visible reminder of the lives lost below.
Watch for them from the memorial’s viewing wells and along the boat ride. On a calm day, the rainbow sheen is hard to miss.
The Navy boat program
How the program runs
This is a timed experience. The departure time on your ticket is when the boat leaves the dock, so arrive at the visitor center at least one hour before your slot.
Check in at the Ticket Validation Desk 10 minutes before your time. Late arrivals are sent to the standby line and may miss out, especially in peak season.
What’s included — and what’s not
The program includes a safety orientation, the Navy shuttle boat ride to the memorial, time to explore it on your own, and the ride back.
The 23-minute park film is not part of the program. You can watch it separately at the visitor center — and you should, as it gives the attack its full context. There are no restrooms on the boats or the memorial, so plan accordingly.
Reservations vs. standby
Reserve free tickets only on Recreation.gov. They release daily at 3:00 p.m. Hawaii time, both 24 hours and 8 weeks in advance, with a $1 fee per ticket.
Walk-up first-come, first-served tickets no longer exist. Without a reservation, your only option is the standby callback system: sign up on the tablets in front of the Audio Tour booth with your name, phone number, and party size, then wait for a text. Seats are never guaranteed.
Book the moment tickets release — morning slots often disappear within minutes, and summer weeks can sell out across both windows.
How to Reach, Destination Facilities, Transportation, Destination Attractions, Accessibility
Open Time
| Day | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
The Navy boat program to the memorial runs 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 1:00–3:30 p.m. The site closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Best Time to Visit
Arrive for the first boat times of the day. The air is cooler, the crowds are thinner, and your chances of a standby seat are far better.
Summer and the winter holidays are the busiest — book eight weeks out for those dates. The week around December 7 carries special anniversary ceremonies and draws larger crowds.
Best Pearl Harbor Tours tip: rain usually blows through quickly on Oahu’s south shore, but boat programs pause in severe weather. Keep your phone handy for standby texts and check the park’s alerts before you leave Waikiki.
By Road
From Waikiki, take H-1 westbound and exit at 15A marked “Arizona Mem./Stadium.” Continue on Kamehameha Highway (HI-99), then turn left onto Arizona Memorial Place.
The drive takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic and 45–60 minutes during morning rush. Enter “1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818” in your GPS — searching just “Pearl Harbor” can route you to the active military base instead.
By Train
No passenger train serves the memorial directly. Honolulu’s Skyline rail runs farther inland; its nearest stop is roughly a 10–15-minute walk from the visitor center.
Most visitors arrive by car, bus, or guided tour. For a memorial visit, the bus or a tour with included transport is the simplest option.
By Air
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is about 20–25 minutes from the visitor center by car, via Nimitz Highway and Kamehameha Highway.
If you land in the morning, the memorial is an easy first stop before checking into Waikiki — just stash your bags at the hotel first, since no bags are allowed inside.
Nearby Bus Stand
TheBus Route 42 (Ewa Beach–Waikiki via Arizona Memorial) stops right at the visitor center, and Routes 20 and 40 serve Kamehameha Highway nearby.
A one-way ride costs about $3–$3.25. From Waikiki, expect 60–90 minutes each way, so book a midday or afternoon memorial slot if you’re relying on the bus.
Destination Facilities
The visitor center holds two museum galleries covering the road to war and the attack, the 23-minute theater film, a bookstore, and a snack shop with cold drinks.
You’ll also find restrooms, water fountains, and a museum store run by Pacific Historic Parks, the park’s nonprofit partner. Paid bag storage sits near the entrance — leave backpacks and purses there before security.
Destination Attractions
Walk the waterfront to the Remembrance Circle, which honors everyone — military and civilian — lost on December 7, 1941. Then look across the harbor to Ford Island.
There you’ll find the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum — separately ticketed partner sites worth a full second half of the day.
Accessibility
The visitor center, museums, and grounds are fully wheelchair accessible, with paved paths and accessible restrooms throughout.
Boats and the memorial have ramped boarding — ask a ranger for assistance on arrival. Note that strollers are not permitted on the shuttle boats, so plan for a carrier if you’re visiting with an infant.
Location Map
Frequently asked questions
Is the USS Arizona Memorial free?
Yes. Entry is free — you only pay a $1 non-refundable reservation fee per ticket on Recreation.gov, plus a $7 daily parking fee if you drive.
How do I get tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial?
Book free timed tickets only on Recreation.gov. They release daily at 3:00 p.m. Hawaii time — 24 hours and 8 weeks ahead — and sell out fast.
How long does the memorial program take?
The Navy boat program itself takes about 45–60 minutes. Plan 2–3 hours total for the museums, the 23-minute film, and the program together.
Can I bring a bag or backpack to Pearl Harbor?
No. Bags and backpacks are not allowed. Bring only a wallet, phone, camera, and water — paid bag storage is available near the entrance.
Can I visit the USS Arizona Memorial without a reservation?
You can’t guarantee entry without one. Try the standby callback system at the visitor center, but seats are never assured, especially in peak season.
Is the memorial suitable for children?
Yes, but it is a solemn war grave. Parents should consider their children’s maturity, and note that strollers are not allowed on the shuttle boats.
Conclusion
Pair your visit with other top things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii — many travelers combine the memorial with Pearl Harbor tours from Honolulu that include round-trip transport. For the full reservation walkthrough, see our USS Arizona Memorial tickets guide, and finish the day on the water with a Honolulu harbor cruise.
Standing above the sunken hull as oil still rises to the surface is a moment few travelers forget. Give it the unhurried morning it deserves — arrive early, keep voices low on the boat, and let the shrine room wall do the talking. This guide was researched and written by Best Pearl Harbor Tours.