Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial: Honolulu City Tour

Pearl Harbor's Three Memorials in One Morning, Then Downtown Honolulu

You're picked up from your hotel and driven to Pearl Harbor, where you watch a documentary before taking a shuttle to the Arizona Memorial. Depending on your upgrade, you'll also tour the USS Missouri Battleship or the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (or both). A professional guide narrates the entire route, including stops at downtown Honolulu's Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, and Punchbowl National Cemetery. The tour lasts around eight hours and includes all entry fees, transportation, and hotel drop-off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pearl Harbor and Honolulu city tour

• Watch documentary at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Shuttle to USS Arizona Memorial
• Visit USS Arizona Memorial
• Explore Pearl Harbor museums and grounds
• Tour Battleship Missouri (if selected)
• Visit Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (if selected)
• Drive through Punchbowl National Cemetery
• Tour downtown Honolulu and Iolani Palace
• Stop at King Kamehameha statue

The Experience

The shuttle to the Arizona Memorial leaves from the Visitor Center after you've watched the 23-minute documentary—that film sets the weight of what you're about to see. Your professional driver guide has already been narrating the route there, pointing out the historical sites from the vehicle, and once you're at the park itself, the National Park Service takes over the interpretation (they're strict about that). What matters is you don't have to figure out timing, parking, or how to get from one memorial to the next. The tour handles the logistics while you stand in front of the actual history.

If you upgrade to the Deluxe option, you'll also board the USS Missouri—the Mighty Mo, where World War II essentially ended. Only the main deck is wheelchair accessible, but the ship itself is enormous and you can spend real time there, learning how 2,700 sailors lived at sea. The Ultimate upgrade adds the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, which includes Hangar 79, the actual building that survived the December 7, 1941 attack. Two indoor hangars and an outdoor pavilion hold the aircraft and exhibits. None of this feels rushed because the guide controls the pace and the vehicle is a Deluxe Royal Star with seatbelts, cold water, and mint service—small comforts that matter on a long day.

After Pearl Harbor, the tour moves to downtown Honolulu. You'll see the King Kamehameha statue (the driver stops there longer than most), Iolani Palace, and Punchbowl National Cemetery, which sits on a crater overlooking the city. The narration from your guide fills in the context as you drive—you're not reading plaques or walking in circles. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels, so you don't start the day stressed about getting there. One note: bags of any size aren't allowed at the Arizona Memorial, but the Visitor Center has storage for a small fee.

Because of repair work at the Arizona Memorial starting September 3, boat service can only be confirmed the day before or the morning of your tour—so if you're booking during that window, call ahead to check. The Visitor Center and theater stay open either way, and the Battleship Missouri remains accessible. It's not ideal, but it's the reality of visiting a working national monument. If the boat is running, you'll get to the memorial. If it's not, you'll still see the exhibits and get the full city tour plus whichever memorials you've upgraded to.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Honolulu hotels, cold Hawaiian water, entry to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center with 23-minute documentary, shuttle to the USS Arizona Memorial (subject to availability and operational conditions), professional driver guide with live narration throughout, national park fees, all taxes and fuel surcharge.
• Depending on your upgrade: entry to the USS Missouri Battleship (Deluxe option) and entry to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (Ultimate option).
• Wheelchair lift vehicle available upon request with 24 hours' advance notice.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearby

Operated by Star of Honolulu Cruises and Events

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Pearl Harbor's main memorials without arranging your own transport, timing the shuttles, or navigating the Visitor Center alone—the guide and fixed schedule handle all three stops and the downtown portion in one day, leaving you free to focus on what you're seeing.

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Top questions

What's included in the basic Pearl Harbor tour?

Entry to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, the 23-minute documentary, shuttle access to the USS Arizona Memorial (subject to availability), professional guide narration, hotel pickup and drop-off, water, and the downtown Honolulu portion with Punchbowl Cemetery and Iolani Palace.

Can I visit the USS Missouri or Aviation Museum?

Yes, but they're add-ons. The Deluxe upgrade includes the USS Missouri Battleship; the Ultimate upgrade includes both the USS Missouri and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The vehicle has a wheelchair lift available with 24 hours' notice. The Arizona Memorial is wheelchair accessible, but only the main deck of the USS Missouri is. The Aviation Museum and Visitor Center are also accessible.

What if the USS Arizona Memorial is closed?

Due to repair work beginning September 3, boat service to the memorial can only be confirmed the day before or day of the tour. The Visitor Center, theater, and exhibits remain open. Call ahead to confirm access if you're booking during that period.

Are bags allowed at Pearl Harbor?

No bags of any size are permitted at the Arizona Memorial. Storage is available at the Visitor Center for a nominal fee. International visitors should carry a valid passport for security screening at Ford Island.

How long is the tour?

Around eight hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, all stops, and narration.

Do I need to bring anything?

Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and bring a camera. Casual dress is fine. Leave bags behind or use the Visitor Center storage.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not mentioned as part of the tour. Plan to eat at the Visitor Center or downtown Honolulu during the tour.