Explore Oahu's historic sites with a private Pearl Harbor tour tailored to your group. Enjoy comfortable transportation in a minivan or luxury SUV, with expert local guides handling all the driving and logistics.
Free Cancellation A private 5-hour journey through Pearl Harbor and Honolulu’s historic landmarks in a comfortable Mercedes minivan.
Free Cancellation Explore Pearl Harbor in a small group with a historian’s lecture and expert guidance at the USS Missouri.
Free Cancellation Explore Oahu at your own pace in a 2023 Cadillac Escalade with a private guide who adapts the route to your interests.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Pearl Harbor — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Booking a private tour to Pearl Harbor offers an exclusive, personalized way to experience one of Hawaii's most significant historic sites. With dedicated transportation and a knowledgeable local guide, you can navigate the memorials and museums at your own pace, skipping the hassle of crowded buses and rigid group schedules.
Board a U.S. Navy shuttle boat to the iconic white memorial suspended over the sunken battleship, a solemn site honoring the 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives.
Walk the massive wooden decks of the 'Mighty Mo' and stand on the exact spot where the Japanese signed the surrender documents to end World War II.
Descend into the tight, metallic corridors of a real World War II submarine to get a tactile sense of life in the 'Silent Service.'
Explore authentic, battle-scarred hangars on Ford Island, where you can still see actual bullet holes from the December 7, 1941 attack.
Many private tours combine harbor history with scenic city drives, taking you past the Diamond Head Lookout and the beautiful Kahala neighborhoods.
Enjoy the luxury of hotel, airport, or port pickups in premium vehicles like a Mercedes minivan or Cadillac Escalade, tailored to your family's needs.
A private tour to Pearl Harbor requires a bit of planning to ensure you get the exact experience you want. Here is what you need to know before securing your reservation.
Private tours range from 4 to 5-hour half-day excursions covering the essentials and city sights, to comprehensive 6 to 8-hour full-day experiences that explore all four historic sites at the harbor.
Always check what is included. Some premium tours (like the 6-hour option) include tickets to the Battleship Missouri and the USS Arizona program, while others focus purely on private transportation and guide services.
National Park Service rules prohibit commercial tour guides from escorting guests inside the Visitor Center or on the USS Arizona Memorial. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing beforehand and wait for you outside.
Bags of any kind (purses, backpacks, camera bags) are strictly banned inside the memorial. You can leave them securely in your private tour vehicle or pay $7 to $10 for on-site baggage storage.
As a national cemetery, respectful attire is required. Swimwear and overly revealing clothing are prohibited. Wear clothes with deep pockets to hold your phone and wallet since you cannot bring a bag.
The visitor center and memorials are highly wheelchair accessible with flat paths. Private tours are especially great for elderly visitors as they offer door-to-door service, minimizing the walk from public parking lots.
Private tours offer incredible flexibility. Most include pickup from Waikiki hotels, the Honolulu cruise pier, or even the airport. Pickups outside the metro area (like North Shore) may incur an additional fee.
| Half-Day Private City & Harbor Tour | Private USS Arizona & Missouri Tour | Luxury VIP Custom Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 - 5 hours | 6 hours | 8 hours |
| Best for | First-time visitors wanting a quick overview | History buffs wanting in-depth WWII sites | Families or groups wanting ultimate flexibility |
| Includes | Private minivan transport, Honolulu sights, hotel pickup | USS Missouri tickets, Arizona program, historian lecture | Cadillac Escalade transport, custom itinerary, WiFi |
| Price from | $233 | $385 | $1,105 |
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Programs for the USS Arizona Memorial operate throughout the day, with the first program beginning at 8:00 AM and the final boat departing at 3:30 PM.
Please note that the visitor center is closed three days a year: Thanksgiving Day, December 25 (Christmas), and January 1 (New Year's Day).
On special holidays like Independence Day, Navy boats run on a slightly adjusted schedule, typically from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM every fifteen minutes.
While booking a private tour means your transportation is entirely handled, independent travel to the harbor is also straightforward. The site is located about 6 miles west of Downtown Honolulu.
Visiting during the dry summer months is highly recommended to ensure clear weather. During winter months, unpredictable tropical storms and high winds can cause the Navy to suspend boat programs to the USS Arizona Memorial for safety reasons.
Arriving early in the morning (around 7:00 AM) is the best way to beat the heavy crowds and the intense midday Hawaiian heat. Major holidays like July 4th are popular because the park waives the $7.00 parking fee.
Pearl Harbor is highly accessible. The Visitor Center, museums, restrooms, and the USS Arizona Memorial all feature flat paths with no hills. The Navy transit boats are equipped with wheelchair locks to secure passengers during the crossing.
Keep in mind that wheelchairs are not available for rent on-site, so you must bring your own. Rollators are permitted, but caution is advised as they are a common source of injury when used incorrectly as wheelchairs.
For families, strollers are allowed on the visitor center grounds but are strictly prohibited on Navy vessels and the USS Arizona Memorial. Parents must bring a baby carrier for the boat portion of the tour.
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial offers a range of facilities including restrooms, a bookstore, outdoor exhibits, and a movie theater where the 23-minute documentary is shown.
Because of the strict no-bag policy, a baggage storage facility is available near the entrance. Storage costs $7.00 per standard bag and $10.00 for oversized luggage.
There is no general admission fee to enter the visitor center or museums, but paid sites like the USS Bowfin ($25.99) and Battleship Missouri ($39.99) require separate tickets if they are not included in your private tour package.
Pearl Harbor is an active military base and a solemn national cemetery, so strict rules apply:
It depends on the specific tour package. Some comprehensive options, like the 6-hour Arizona and Missouri tour, include the reservation program. Others provide private transportation and guide services but require you to secure your own $1.00 reservation via Recreation.gov.
No. National Park Service regulations prohibit commercial tour guides from accompanying guests inside the Visitor Center or on the USS Arizona Memorial. Your guide will give you a detailed historical briefing beforehand and wait for you outside.
A half-day private tour covering the Visitor Center and some Honolulu city sights usually takes 4 to 5 hours. If you want a full experience exploring the Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin, and Aviation Museum, expect the tour to last 6 to 8 hours.
You can bring bags in your private tour vehicle, but you cannot carry them into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center due to strict security rules. Only tiny clutches under 1.25 by 2.25 by 5.5 inches are allowed inside.
Yes, many private tours can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs, and the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center itself is fully ADA accessible with flat, paved paths. Just be sure to notify the tour operator in advance so they send the appropriate vehicle.
There is no official dress code, but you must dress respectfully as it is a memorial site. Swimwear and overly revealing clothes are prohibited. Since you can't bring a bag, wearing clothing with deep pockets is highly recommended.
Yes, several private tour operators offer flexible pickup and drop-off locations, including Honolulu International Airport, Waikiki hotels, and cruise ship piers. You just need to provide your flight or ship details when booking.
Strollers are permitted on the grounds of the visitor center, but they are strictly prohibited on the Navy shuttle boats and the USS Arizona Memorial. Parents should bring a wearable baby carrier for the boat-bound portions of the visit.
Absolutely. High-end private tours, particularly the 8-hour luxury SUV options, are built around what you want to see. You can dictate the schedule, skip certain museums, or add stops at local Honolulu landmarks.
Tours generally operate rain or shine. However, if high winds or severe storms create unsafe conditions in the harbor, the U.S. Navy will suspend the shuttle boats to the memorial for public safety.
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This private 4 to 5-hour tour covers the essential historical sites of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Traveling in an air-conditioned Mercedes minivan, you will start with views from the Diamond Head Lookout and a drive through the residential neighborhood of Kahala. The itinerary includes visits to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, where you will learn about Hawaii’s role in World War II. The city portion of the tour features Honolulu’s Business District and Chinatown, with stops at the Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha Statue, and the Hawaii State Capitol. Your professional guide provides historical context throughout the day and will assist with your orientation and tickets at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Please note that per National Park and Navy regulations, guides are not permitted to accompany guests onto the USS Arizona Memorial itself.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Japanese, English
This small-group tour begins with a detailed historical foundation. You will listen to a recorded lecture from a professional historian covering the specifics of the attack, followed by a live briefing from your guide at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. This combination ensures you have the necessary context before you begin exploring the memorial sites. Navigating the Pearl Harbor grounds and the USS Missouri can be complex, so your guide provides specific tips and logistics to help you move efficiently through the site. By traveling in a smaller group, you will receive personalized attention and practical insights into the history and layout of the various memorials.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Explore Oahu from the comfort of a 2023 Extended Cadillac Escalade. Your private tour is led by a local guide who handles the driving and logistics while providing insight into the island's history and landmarks. Rather than following a rigid schedule, this experience is built around what you want to see. You have total control over the itinerary. If you find a spot you love, you can stay as long as you like; if a suggested stop doesn't interest your group, your guide will simply skip it and move on to the next location. This flexibility allows you to discover the island at your own speed without the pressure of a fixed group schedule. We focus on a straightforward experience where your comfort comes first. Your guide is there to assist with your needs throughout the day, allowing you to relax and take in the scenery while every detail of the route is managed for you.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Japanese, English
