Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial – Honolulu Tour – Submarine Access

Pearl Harbor is the heart of this half-day tour, but the most important detail is also the easiest to miss: the USS Arizona Memorial boat ride is currently suspended for maintenance. You still visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, see its museums, and watch the park documentary, but you do not land at the memorial or take the boat out to the wreck.

I like the round-trip Waikiki pickup, which saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi or city bus, and I like the added Honolulu drive. King Kamehameha’s statue and Punchbowl Cemetery give the day more context than a simple ride to Pearl Harbor. The drawback is time. Some departures allow only about two hours at Pearl Harbor, and that can feel tight.

Key points to know before booking

• The Arizona Memorial boat ride is not operating during maintenance. Confirm the current status before you go.
• Pearl Harbor time can be limited to about two hours, enough for the main memorial program but not a relaxed visit to every site.
• USS Bowfin admission costs extra, currently listed at $22, although you can see the submarine from outside.
• Waikiki pickup is included, with a nearby meeting point assigned to your hotel area.
• The Honolulu sightseeing loop includes King Kamehameha’s statue and Punchbowl Cemetery, plus several drive-by landmarks.
• No regular bags are allowed at Pearl Harbor. Use the available lockers, and bring only permitted essentials.

What this Pearl Harbor tour really offers

At $74 per person, this is chiefly a transportation and ticket-planning service. You pay to be collected in Waikiki, taken to Pearl Harbor, given access to the included attractions, and returned after a short Honolulu sightseeing tour.

That can be good value if you want a simple morning with the basic arrangements handled. Pearl Harbor can be visited independently, so the price is not automatically a bargain. The value depends on how much you appreciate a guide, reserved planning, and hotel-area transportation.

The tour is offered in English and normally lasts about five to six hours. In practice, the total can vary with hotel pickups, traffic, and the return route. Some departures have finished closer to four hours, so do not book an afternoon activity too tightly afterward.

The bus group may reach as many as 50 people, though some departures use a smaller vehicle. Guides such as Chelsea, Shelly, and Michael have been praised for their history commentary, safe driving, humor, and local perspective. Your guide will vary, but the quality of the day depends heavily on how clearly the timing and current memorial arrangements are explained.

Waikiki pickup and the ride across Honolulu

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. from Waikiki. You do not necessarily board outside your own hotel. Instead, the company assigns a nearby pickup point, so read the confirmation carefully and allow time to reach it.

Premium coach or limo-bus transportation is included both ways. This is useful if you are staying in Waikiki and want to avoid parking, navigation, and the uncertainty of finding a place for your bag. People staying in Ko Olina or on the North Shore can meet the bus in Waikiki, but that adds a separate trip before the tour begins.

The drive to Pearl Harbor includes a short look at Honolulu. Your guide may point out city sights and share local stories along the way. This part is more of an orientation than a full city tour, so expect views from the bus rather than long stops for photographs.

That distinction matters. If you want carefully framed pictures of Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaiian Mission Houses, or Aloha Tower, you may wish for more time than the schedule allows. These places are generally viewed while passing, not explored inside.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial: the main reason to go

Pearl Harbor National Memorial is your base for the central part of the morning. Admission to the memorial grounds and two World War II museums is included, along with a Pearl Harbor documentary shown at the visitor center.

The museums and film provide the background needed before seeing the harbor. The documentary helps explain the attack, the people involved, and the scale of the event. Allow time to use the restroom and orient yourself, but do not assume you will have hours to wander.

This is where the tour’s schedule can become frustrating. The advertised visit may sound generous, yet some groups are given about two hours before they must return to the bus. That period can include arrival, the film, waiting for the memorial program, the boat ride if operating, and walking between locations.

If the boat ride is suspended, you may have more flexibility, but the company still controls the departure time. Ask your guide at the start exactly when you must be back at the bus. That simple question can prevent a rushed visit or a missed museum.

Pearl Harbor is a place for quiet attention. The Arizona Memorial is a war cemetery, and the names of the dead make the visit personal very quickly. Keep your voice low, follow the instructions from park staff and Navy personnel, and treat the site with care.

The USS Arizona Memorial and the current closure

Under normal conditions, the program includes the short boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. From the white memorial structure, you can see the wall of names, observe a moment of silence, and look toward the sunken battleship. The site is also associated with the oil that still rises from the wreck, often called the tears of the Arizona.

At present, the memorial is listed as closed for maintenance, with no boat rides. That means the tour cannot provide the central boat experience described in the normal itinerary. The listing also says Arizona tickets are guaranteed, but a ticket guarantee does not mean the boat will operate while the memorial is closed.

This is the single biggest booking issue. If standing at the memorial itself is the main purpose of your visit, postpone the tour until boat service resumes or confirm the latest status directly before paying. If you are content with the visitor center, museums, documentary, and harbor setting, the tour can still provide a meaningful introduction.

Do not rely only on an old confirmation message. Maintenance schedules can change, and the information supplied for this experience includes both the regular boat program and the current no-boat notice. Ask what you will actually receive on your date.

The museums and the problem of limited time

The two included Pearl Harbor World War II museums are valuable because they give you more than a quick photo stop. They help connect the attack to the people, military decisions, and events that followed.

The catch is that you may not have enough time for a careful museum visit. One reported schedule had the group return from the Arizona program with only a short window before boarding the bus. In that situation, you may need to choose between the film, museum displays, restrooms, and a quick look around.

I would not add the paid audio or video guide unless your tour company confirms a long visit. A tight schedule makes extra narration hard to use well. Walk through the included exhibits first and keep an eye on your departure time.

The Ford Island attractions, including the USS Missouri and aviation museum, are not part of the included admission. They require the free Pearl Harbor shuttle and separate paid tickets. A two-hour visit is not enough for a relaxed visit to those sites, so plan a separate day if they matter to you.

USS Bowfin: a view, not submarine admission

The USS Bowfin submarine is docked beside the visitor center. This tour lets you see the submarine from outside and take photographs, but full entry to the USS Bowfin Museum and Park is not included.

Admission is listed at $22. The title of the experience can make submarine access sound like an included interior visit, so read this part closely. You are not automatically touring the cramped passageways or crew spaces inside the Bowfin.

If you decide to pay the extra fee, first ask whether you have enough time. The submarine is worthwhile for anyone interested in naval history, but a rushed walk through it would add cost without much satisfaction. With the current Arizona closure, the Bowfin may be a tempting substitute, yet the short schedule can still make that difficult.

Downtown Honolulu and King Kamehameha’s statue

After Pearl Harbor, the bus turns toward downtown Honolulu. The scheduled stop is at the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, the Hawaiian ruler who united the islands. The statue is larger than life, fitting for a figure described as about 7 feet 6 inches tall.

This is one of the better photo opportunities on the route because you actually get time outside the bus. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, enough to see the statue and hear the basic story from your guide.

The remaining city sights are drive-bys. You pass Iolani Palace, Hawaii’s former royal residence, as well as Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaiian Mission Houses, and Aloha Tower.

Each sight adds a useful layer to Honolulu’s story. Kawaiahao Church is known for its use of coral and lava rock. The missionary homes reflect the changes brought by Western education and written Hawaiian. Aloha Tower recalls Honolulu’s port history and became a symbol of the city.

Still, this is not a walking tour. If you want to enter Iolani Palace or spend time at the church and mission houses, you need a separate visit. The city portion works best as a narrated introduction, not as a substitute for seeing these landmarks properly.

Punchbowl Cemetery: a quiet final stop

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly called Punchbowl, is viewed during a roughly 15-minute driving tour. It occupies a dormant volcanic crater above Honolulu and contains rows of white marble headstones honoring service members who died in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and later conflicts.

This stop has a different mood from downtown and Pearl Harbor. The roads are quiet, the setting is solemn, and the cemetery gives you time to reflect on the human cost of war. Your guide provides stories and background while the bus moves through the grounds.

Fifteen minutes is brief, but a driving visit can still be worthwhile. You should not expect a long walk, a detailed cemetery exploration, or extended time at individual graves. It is a respectful closing chapter to the day rather than a separate full attraction.

Guides, group size, and the human side of the tour

The guide is important here because you spend much of the day on the bus. Chelsea has been praised for her local knowledge, friendly manner, humor, and careful driving. Shelly has also been singled out for lively commentary and a strong sense of place, while Michael is noted for mixing history with humor.

That said, personalities vary. One guide may talk at length, while another may be more restrained. Some people appreciate a steady stream of stories; others find too much narration tiring, especially on the return ride.

The group limit is 50 people, although smaller buses may be used. A smaller group makes loading and unloading easier and can feel more personal. A full coach takes longer at every stop, so keep that possibility in mind when judging the five to six-hour estimate.

Communication has also been uneven. Pickup locations have changed for some bookings, and a few people have received confusing calls or texts about dates and transport. Check messages shortly before the tour and confirm the exact pickup point. If a company representative calls to change your booking, get the new details in writing.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pearl Harbor does not allow regular bags. Lockers are available, but you will save time by arriving with only the basics.

A small permitted water bottle is useful. One detailed account says clear bags are allowed, but rules can be enforced strictly, so confirm the current policy rather than assuming a bag will pass inspection. Do not arrive carrying a purse, backpack, or large camera bag unless you are prepared to store it.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You will spend time walking between the visitor center, exhibits, and transport points, even though much of the day is by bus. Also bring patience for queues and a little flexibility, since the memorial’s maintenance work affects the normal order of the day.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time Honolulu visitor who wants Pearl Harbor arranged from Waikiki and also wants a short introduction to central Honolulu. It suits people who prefer not to drive, park, or manage separate admissions and transport.

It is also a sensible choice if you value a local guide. The best guides add context to the city sights, explain the military history, and handle the practical details that can otherwise eat into your morning.

I would be cautious if you want a full Pearl Harbor day. The tour does not include USS Missouri or the aviation museum, charges extra for the USS Bowfin interior, and may give you only two hours at the memorial. Independent visitors can spend more time at the museums and choose their own pace.

The tour is also a poor fit if the Arizona Memorial boat ride is non-negotiable while maintenance continues. Wait until the boat program returns, or confirm exactly what is operating on your date before booking.

Should you book the $74 Pearl Harbor tour?

Book it if you want convenient Waikiki transportation, a guide, the included visitor-center program, and a short Honolulu city tour in one package. At $74, the convenience may justify the cost, especially if you would otherwise need a taxi and separate planning.

Skip it if you want to explore Pearl Harbor slowly or see several paid attractions. The tight schedule is the main weakness, and the submarine admission is extra. Also remember that Pearl Harbor can be visited independently.

If you book, confirm three things first: the current Arizona Memorial boat status, your exact pickup point, and how much time your group will have at Pearl Harbor. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a rescheduled tour or refund.

FAQ

Is the USS Arizona Memorial boat ride included?

Under the normal itinerary, the boat ride and Arizona Memorial admission are included, and Arizona tickets are guaranteed. The memorial is currently closed for maintenance, so no boat rides are operating at this time.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately five to six hours. Actual timing can vary because of Waikiki hotel pickups, traffic, and the return route. Some departures have been shorter.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m. Pickup is provided from a convenient location near Waikiki accommodations, rather than necessarily at your hotel entrance.

Is transportation from Waikiki included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation by premium coach or limo bus from Waikiki is included. People staying in Ko Olina or on the North Shore can meet the bus in Waikiki.

Is admission to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial included?

Yes. Admission to Pearl Harbor, two World War II museums, and the Pearl Harbor documentary is included.

Can I go inside the USS Bowfin submarine?

Full admission to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is not included. The listed additional admission price is $22, while the tour itself provides an outside view of the submarine.

Are bags allowed at Pearl Harbor?

Regular bags are not allowed. Lockers are available, and the supplied information says clear bags and water bottles may be permitted. Check the current rules before departure.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.