Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial Oahu Tour with Pickup

USS Arizona Memorial & Hawaiian Kingdom History in One Morning from Waikiki

You're picked up from your Waikiki hotel and driven to Pearl Harbor, where you board a Navy vessel to visit the USS Arizona Memorial after watching a historical film. The tour then moves through downtown Honolulu, stopping at the King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, the Hawaii State Capitol, Kawaiahao Church, and the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site. Entry to the USS Arizona Memorial, narrated transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included. The full experience takes seven-plus hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Watch Pearl Harbor immersive film
• Take Navy vessel to USS Arizona Memorial
• Visit USS Arizona Memorial
• Explore Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center exhibits
• See King Kamehameha Statue in Honolulu
• Pass by Iolani Palace
• Pass by Hawaii State Capitol
• Pass by Hawaiian Mission Houses Museum
• Pass by Kawaiahao Church

The Experience

The driver pulls up to your Waikiki hotel before sunrise, and you realize you're about to see something most people only read about. The USS Arizona Memorial tour starts early—that's the only way to beat the crowds and actually have space to stand at the memorial itself. You'll board a Navy vessel after watching a film about December 7, 1941, then float out over the submerged battleship USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines remain entombed. It's quiet out there. The kind of quiet that makes you understand why people come back to Oahu just to stand in that spot again.

After the memorial, the tour moves through downtown Honolulu and stops at places that tell you who Hawaii actually was before it became a vacation destination. The King Kamehameha Statue—18 feet tall, cast in bronze, weighing over 15,000 pounds—stands with one hand open, symbolizing peace. Your guide will point out Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States, built in 1882 and still standing in the middle of the city like a reminder that this was a kingdom with its own government, its own laws, its own everything. You'll also see the Hawaii State Capitol, with its volcano-shaped design and the Hurricane's Eye rotunda, and stop at Kawaiahao Church, built from coral blocks in 1820. Each place has a story that connects to the one before it.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor's Center sits between the memorial and the rest of your day. Inside, the Road to War Exhibit walks you through photographs, artifacts, and personal accounts from the attack. It's not a quick walk-through—there's enough here to spend real time with, and most people do. The interactive displays show you what happened in detail, not just the broad strokes. You'll also pass the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, three restored homes from the early 1800s that show how missionaries lived and what their arrival meant for the islands. It's the kind of context that makes the rest of the tour land differently.

The whole thing runs seven-plus hours with hotel pickup and drop-off included, so you don't have to figure out parking or timing or how to get to Pearl Harbor without a car. The vehicle is air-conditioned, the narration is live, and the USS Arizona ticket is already in the package. You're back at your hotel by early afternoon, which means you still have time for the beach or dinner. Book it if you want to understand what happened here and why it still matters.

What’s included

Your day includes Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport between all stops, a fully narrated tour, entry to the USS Arizona Memorial, and access to the Pearl Harbor Visitor's Center with its Road to War Exhibit. You'll also visit the King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, the Hawaii State Capitol, Kawaiahao Church, and the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Go Tours Hawaii

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the USS Arizona Memorial and understand Hawaiian history without arranging your own transport, tickets, or timing—the early start and guided stops are what fit everything into one morning and keep the memorial visit uncrowded.

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Top questions

What time does the Pearl Harbor tour start?

Tours depart early in the morning from Waikiki hotels to avoid peak crowds at the memorial. Exact pickup times depend on your hotel location.

Is the USS Arizona Memorial ticket included?

Yes, USS Arizona Memorial entry is included in the tour price. You'll watch a film before boarding the Navy vessel to the memorial.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is seven-plus hours, including transportation between stops and time at each location.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to Pearl Harbor?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Waikiki hotels are included, and all transportation between attractions is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What other attractions are included besides the USS Arizona Memorial?

The tour also visits the King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, the Hawaii State Capitol, Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, and the Pearl Harbor Visitor's Center with the Road to War Exhibit.

Is the tour narrated?

Yes, the tour includes full narration throughout the day.

Can I bring a wheelchair?

Standard foldable wheelchairs are accepted. You'll need to note this in the Special Instructions at booking so you're assigned a bus with a storage compartment. Guests must be able to walk a short distance to board the bus, as there is no ramp.

Can infants and small children go on this tour?

Yes. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children can be held by an adult. Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap during transport.