Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial Tour with City Stops

Summary

Pearl harbor stories, city sights and world war ii echoes in honolulu

You’ll feel history come alive as you stand above the USS Arizona Memorial, listen to local stories on board a comfortable tour vehicle, and wander through downtown Honolulu’s past with your guide. Taste a bit of daily island life along with World War II echoes—this day trip leaves you thoughtful long after you’re back at your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to feel so quiet walking into Pearl Harbor. There’s this hush—almost like everyone’s holding their breath. Our guide, Kaleo, handed out cold bottles of water (bless him, it was already sticky by 9am) and pointed out the old banyan trees near the entrance. He grew up here, said his uncle used to fish these waters before they were famous for anything else. When we watched that 23-minute documentary in the little theater, I caught myself gripping my seat. The sound of sirens from that morning in 1941… it’s different when you’re sitting right there.

We got lucky—the boat to the USS Arizona Memorial was running that day. Not everyone gets that lately, so I tried to just take it in. Standing over those sunken remains with oil still rising up—tiny rainbows on the surface—I didn’t say much. Nobody did. It smelled faintly metallic and salty, but mostly just felt heavy. Afterward, Kaleo explained how some families still come here every year; he nodded toward an older couple leaving flowers by the wall of names. That stuck with me more than any fact or date.

If you pick the upgrade (which we did), you get to walk around the USS Missouri too—the “Mighty Mo.” It’s huge up close. The decks are rough underfoot and there’s this weird echo in the mess hall where sailors used to eat spam musubi (which honestly sounds better than it looks). Someone asked about life on board and our guide had a story for everything—he even laughed when I tried pronouncing one of the Hawaiian ship names (I definitely butchered it). By then, Honolulu’s sun was out full force and my shirt was sticking to my back.

The city part surprised me—I thought it’d be a quick drive-by but we actually stopped at Punchbowl Cemetery and lingered at King Kamehameha’s statue while Kaleo told us how his grandmother used to wave at parades here as a kid. Downtown Honolulu isn’t all shiny hotels; there are old stone buildings and people waving shaka signs from mopeds. We ended back at our hotel tired but weirdly peaceful. I still think about that view over Pearl Harbor—the way time just kind of folds there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pearl Harbor and Honolulu city tour

• Watch WWII Valor documentary film
• Shuttle to USS Arizona Memorial
• Visit Arizona Memorial site
• Explore Pearl Harbor Visitor Center museums
• Tour Battleship Missouri (if selected)
• Visit Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (if selected)
• Drive and narrate historical Honolulu sites
• Stop at Punchbowl National Cemetery
• Stop at King Kamehameha statue
• View Iolani Palace and downtown Honolulu

Top questions

Is access to the USS Arizona Memorial guaranteed?

No, due to ongoing repairs access depends on daily boat availability; confirmation may only be possible a day prior or same day.

Does this Pearl Harbor tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Honolulu.

Can I visit both USS Missouri Battleship and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum?

Yes, if you select the Ultimate Tour option both sites are included; otherwise they can be added as upgrades.

Are bags allowed at Pearl Harbor?

No bags of any size are allowed at the Arizona Memorial; storage is available at the Visitor Center for a fee.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, vehicles are wheelchair accessible with advance notice; main deck of USS Missouri is also accessible.

How long is the documentary film at Pearl Harbor?

The documentary shown before visiting the memorial lasts about 23 minutes.

What should I wear or bring on this tour?

Dress casually with comfortable shoes; sunglasses and a camera are recommended for comfort and photos.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from selected locations in Honolulu, entry fees for all scheduled sites including optional upgrades for Battleship Missouri or Aviation Museum access, live commentary from your local guide throughout each stop, bottled Hawaiian water to keep cool, plus all taxes and handling charges covered before returning comfortably in your deluxe vehicle.