Pearl Harbor: All Museums Tour & USS Arizona Boat Ride

Summary

WWII stories, the Arizona Memorial boat, and quiet moments in Honolulu

You’ll walk where history happened at Pearl Harbor: ride by boat to the USS Arizona Memorial, explore four museums with your guide’s stories bringing it all close, step inside real submarines and battleships, and finish among peaceful memorials above Honolulu. It stays with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

It hit me right away — standing at Pearl Harbor, there’s this hush that feels different from anywhere else in Honolulu. Our guide, Kaleo, had this way of talking about December 7th that made it feel close, not just some old story. You could see it in his hands when he pointed out the bullet holes on the dock. The air smelled faintly like engine oil and saltwater, and I kept thinking about how normal that Sunday morning must’ve started for people here.

The boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial was quieter than I expected. Nobody really spoke much — just the hum of the motor and a few kids whispering questions. Looking down at the oil still rising from below, I felt weirdly small. Kaleo said locals call it “the black tears.” It stuck with me all day. We moved through the “Road to War” exhibits after that, and I got lost staring at a sailor’s letter home behind glass — handwriting slanted and hurried. I tried reading it aloud (quietly), but stumbled over a word or two; guess my nerves got me.

Lunch wasn’t part of the tour so we grabbed musubi from a stand near the Bowfin submarine. That submarine is cramped — metal everywhere, low ceilings, smells like old rubber boots and sea air. One of the volunteers (I think his name was Ed?) showed us where he used to sleep when he served years ago. He laughed about banging his head every morning. Afterward we crossed over to the Battleship Missouri — standing on deck where WWII ended is surreal; you can see Honolulu shimmering far off but here it’s just steel under your feet and wind in your face.

The Aviation Museum surprised me most — big hangar doors open to sunlight, propellers catching dust motes in midair. There was a group of local school kids sketching planes; their teacher explained something about Midway but I only caught half of it before we wandered off again. By late afternoon we stopped at Punchbowl Crater — rows of white stones curving up green slopes, birds calling somewhere out of sight. It’s hard not to feel quiet there too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Pearl Harbor WWII Memorials

• Explore USS Arizona Memorial
• Watch Pearl Harbor attack film
• Take boat ride to Arizona Memorial
• Tour USS Bowfin submarine
• Visit USS Missouri battleship
• Explore Aviation Museum Hangar 37

Top questions

How long does the Pearl Harbor complete experience tour take?

The tour lasts about 9 to 10 hours including travel time from Waikiki hotels.

Is hotel pickup included for this Pearl Harbor tour?

Yes, convenient pickup and drop-off from Waikiki hotels are included.

What attractions are covered in this Pearl Harbor museums tour?

You visit the USS Arizona Memorial by boat, USS Missouri battleship, Bowfin submarine museum, Aviation Museum, and Punchbowl Crater cemetery.

Are tickets for all museums included?

Yes, admission to all four main Pearl Harbor museums is included in your booking.

Can I bring a bag on this tour?

Bags are restricted at Pearl Harbor; only very small bags within 1.5" x 2.25" x 5.5" total size are allowed.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

No lunch is included; you’ll have time to buy food nearby during breaks.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants and children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infant seats are available if needed.

Does this day trip include a guided briefing?

Yes, an in-person briefing is given at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center by your guide before starting the museums.

What’s included

Your day includes Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience, entry tickets to all four main Pearl Harbor museums—the USS Arizona Memorial (with boat ride), Battleship Missouri Memorial, Bowfin Submarine Museum, and Aviation Museum—plus an in-person guide briefing at the visitor center before you begin exploring on your own or with your group throughout each site.