Explore WWII history on Ford Island with a visit to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Choose from self-guided audio tours, small group excursions, or luxury packages with Waikiki hotel pickup.
Free Cancellation Explore historic WWII hangars and climb the Ford Island Control Tower for a 360-degree view of the Pearl Harbor site.
Free Cancellation Visit the USS Arizona Memorial and explore historic WWII hangars at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
Free Cancellation A 4.5-hour historian-led tour of Pearl Harbor, including the USS Arizona Memorial and private museum tower access.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Pearl Harbor — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Visiting Pearl Harbor is a deeply moving experience that offers a profound look into the events that shaped World War II. By booking a tour that includes both the solemn memorials and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the 1941 attack and the subsequent war in the Pacific.
Board a U.S. Navy shuttle boat to reach this iconic white structure suspended over the sunken battleship. Looking into the water, you can view the resting place of 1,177 crewmen.
Explore authentic WWII-era hangars on Ford Island housing over 50 historic aircraft. You can even see the original bullet holes left in the glass of Hangar 79 from the December 7 attack.
Walk the massive wooden decks of the 'Mighty Mo' where the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed in 1945, marking the official end of World War II.
Descend into a real WWII submarine that completed nine war patrols. Navigating the tight corridors gives a tactile sense of life in the 'Silent Service'.
A quiet outdoor memorial space honoring the military and civilian lives lost during the attack, featuring the names of Medal of Honor recipients in gold lettering.
Cross the Admiral Clarey Bridge onto an active military base. Because access is restricted, taking the authorized shuttle or a guided tour vehicle is the only way for civilians to visit the island's sites.
Planning a trip to Pearl Harbor requires some advance knowledge, especially regarding strict security protocols and ticket reservations. Here are the essential details you need to know before booking your tour.
Pearl Harbor enforces a strict no-bag policy for security. Purses, backpacks, diaper bags, and camera bags are entirely prohibited. Only tiny clear bags or clutches under 1.25 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches are allowed. Otherwise, you must pay $7 to $10 to use the on-site baggage storage.
General admission to the visitor center is free, but accessing specific sites costs money. Guided tours typically bundle the $29.99 Aviation Museum ticket and the highly coveted USS Arizona Memorial boat ticket into one price, saving you the hassle of booking them separately.
Options range from simple admission tickets with multi-language audio guides to fully guided small-group tours. Deluxe and luxury tours often include round-trip hotel pickup from Waikiki, air-conditioned transport, and a dedicated history guide.
Independent tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are released exactly 8 weeks in advance on Recreation.gov and sell out almost instantly. Booking a guided tour is a reliable way to secure access without having to fight the online queues.
Because this is a solemn site and a graveyard, visitors must dress respectfully. Swimwear and overly revealing clothing are banned. Active-duty military personnel must wear Class 'B' dress or better to board the Arizona shuttle; battle dress uniforms are prohibited.
The visitor center, museums, and Navy transit boats are fully wheelchair accessible with flat paths. However, wheelchairs are not available for rent on-site. Strollers are allowed in the park but are strictly banned on the Navy boats.
The U.S. Navy may suddenly cancel shuttle boats to the USS Arizona Memorial if winds are too high or the weather becomes dangerous. If this happens, tours are non-refundable, and visitors will be restricted to shore-side views.
Standard cameras are allowed, but camera bags are not. Be aware that photography is strictly banned while crossing the Admiral Clarey Bridge to Ford Island, as it is an active military zone.
| Aviation Museum Ticket & Audio Tour | Luxury Half-Day Tour | Deluxe Small Group Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Flexible (up to 9 hours) | 4.5 hours | 7 hours |
| Best for | Independent travelers with their own transport | Visitors short on time who want a premium experience | History buffs wanting a comprehensive, stress-free day |
| Includes | Museum admission, audio headset (6 languages), Ford Island shuttle | Private transportation, expert history guide, essential site admissions | Waikiki hotel pickup, Arizona Memorial ticket, Aviation Museum entry + audio, cold drinks |
| Price from | $29.99 | $134.99 | $135.00 |
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
It is highly recommended to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before any scheduled tour or boat departure to allow time for parking and security screening.
Pearl Harbor is located about 6 miles west of Downtown Honolulu. There are several ways to reach the visitor center:
Note for Ford Island: Independent visitors cannot drive directly to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum or Battleship Missouri. You must park at the visitor center and take the free authorized shuttle across the bridge.
Best Months: Visiting during the dry summer months ensures that boat programs to the USS Arizona Memorial are not suspended due to high winds or storms. Major holidays like Independence Day are popular because the $7.00 parking fee is waived.
Worst Months: Winter months can bring unpredictable tropical weather and sudden rain showers. High winds during winter storms frequently force the Navy to halt passenger boats from docking at the memorial for safety reasons.
Time of Day: Arriving right when the gates open at 7:00 AM is the best way to beat the heavy midday crowds and secure a parking spot in the main lot.
Pearl Harbor is highly accessible for visitors with mobility needs.
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial offers various facilities, though some require separate admission fees.
Because Pearl Harbor is an active military base and a national cemetery, strict rules are enforced:
No, Pearl Harbor enforces a strict no-bag policy for security reasons. Purses, backpacks, diaper bags, and camera bags are prohibited. You can only bring a small clutch or clear bag measuring less than 1.25 by 2.25 by 5.5 inches, otherwise, you must use the baggage storage for $7.00.
Many guided and deluxe tours do include the USS Arizona Memorial boat ticket, saving you from having to reserve it yourself. However, if you just buy a standalone museum admission ticket, you will need to book the $1.00 memorial reservation separately on Recreation.gov.
Ford Island is an active military base, so independent visitors cannot drive there without security clearance. You must park at the main visitor center and take the complimentary authorized shuttle, or ride in your guided tour's approved vehicle.
There is no official dress code, but visitors must dress respectfully as this is a memorial site. Swimwear and profanity-laced clothing are prohibited. Active-duty military must wear Class 'B' dress or better to board the shuttle to the USS Arizona.
Yes, the visitor center, museums, and Navy transit boats are fully wheelchair accessible with flat paths and ramp access. However, the park does not rent wheelchairs, so you must bring your own or arrange a rental beforehand.
Yes, children of all ages are welcome. However, strollers are not permitted on the Navy transit boats or the memorial itself. Parents must bring a wearable baby carrier for the boat-bound portions of the tour.
During unpredictable tropical weather or high winds, the U.S. Navy may suspend boat trips to the USS Arizona Memorial for safety. If this happens, tours are non-refundable, and visitors will only be able to view the memorial from the shore.
Parking at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center costs $7.00 per day, payable via a mobile app or credit card. The fee is waived on special holidays like Independence Day or early morning on December 7th.
Yes, photography is permitted inside the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and most areas of Ford Island. However, it is strictly banned while crossing the Admiral Clarey Bridge and at certain restricted scenic points on the aviation tower.
Yes, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum offers audio tour headsets in six languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. This makes it very accessible for international visitors.
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Located on Ford Island at the site where the 1941 attack began, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum occupies two historic WWII-era hangars. The museum houses an extensive collection of aircraft and artifacts that detail the history of the war in the Pacific. Visitors can explore the exhibits to learn about the people and technology that defined this era of aviation history. The experience includes the Top of the Tower Tour, where guests ride a vintage elevator 168 feet to the top of the Ford Island Control Tower. From this vantage point, a guide provides a 360-degree view of the battlefield and explains the specific flight paths taken by Japanese aircraft during the attack. The tour offers a detailed look at the events of December 7, 1941, while providing a space to reflect on the history of the site.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Korean, Chinese, Japanese, English, Spanish
This tour focuses on the military history of Pearl Harbor, beginning with a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial. This monument marks the final resting place of the 1,177 sailors and marines lost during the 1941 attack and remains the most visited site in Hawaii. You will also spend significant time at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island. As the site of America’s only aerial battlefield, the museum features hangars that still show damage from Japanese aircraft. The collection includes iconic planes such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, the SBD Dauntless, and the Japanese A6M2 Zero, alongside more modern jets like the F-14 Tomcat. On the return trip to Waikiki, the tour passes through downtown Honolulu for a brief look at the city's historic district. For convenience, we offer pickups from Waikiki hotels, the Honolulu airport, and the cruise ship terminal.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This 4.5-hour tour covers the essential sites of Pearl Harbor in a small group setting limited to 11 people. You will be picked up from your hotel, the cruise port, or the airport in an air-conditioned vehicle. A guide with a background in history provides the context for the day, explaining the events of December 7, 1941, as you travel to the historic site. The visit begins with the official documentary before taking the shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial. From there, you will visit the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. This tour includes exclusive access to the museum’s control tower, which offers a 360-degree view of the harbor and the airfield. The small group size ensures you have plenty of time to ask questions and navigate the grounds efficiently.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
