Pearl Harbor & USS Missouri: Arizona Memorial Tour with Pickup

Summary

Walk the decks of history at Pearl Harbor and downtown Honolulu

You’ll stand above sunken history at the USS Arizona Memorial, walk battleship decks on Ford Island where WWII ended, and see real attack footage at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center—all with a local guide handling transport and stories along the way. Expect moments of silence, unexpected details, and a sense of connection that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the hush—like everyone arriving at Pearl Harbor just naturally lowers their voices. There’s this faint scent of salt in the air, mixed with sunscreen and something old, maybe oil from all those years. Our guide, Kaleo, had this gentle way of talking about December 7th—never dramatic, just honest. We started at the visitor center, where I got pulled into watching actual attack footage. I’d seen clips before but never sitting among strangers who all seemed to hold their breath at the same moments.

Boarding the shuttle boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial felt heavier than I expected. The water was choppy that morning—Kaleo joked about “Hawaiian roller coasters”—but when we reached the memorial itself, everything went quiet again. You can see oil still rising to the surface, tiny rainbows on blue water. It’s strange how something so small can feel so big. Someone next to me whispered a prayer—I didn’t catch it all, but it stuck with me anyway.

Later we crossed over to Ford Island for the Battleship Missouri tour (they check your ID—Ford Island’s still an active base). Walking those metal decks under bright sun, you can almost imagine what it was like during WWII. Our guide pointed out where the Japanese surrender was signed; there’s even a plaque marking it. I tried to picture all those uniforms and flags—hard to do with tourists in shorts wandering by, but still. The ship smells like steel and old paint and maybe a little bit of history clinging on. Lunch break was quick (bring snacks if you get hungry early), then we drove through downtown Honolulu past palaces and old government buildings—windows down, city sounds mixing with birdsong and traffic.

I keep thinking about that moment on the Arizona—how quiet everyone got without being told. If you’re looking for a day trip from Waikiki that isn’t just beaches or shopping, this Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour is different. It includes pickup from your hotel and covers both “bookends” of the Pacific War: where it started for America and where it ended for everyone else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Pearl Harbor and Honolulu

• Explore Pearl Harbor museums
• Watch USS Arizona Memorial documentary
• Take shuttle boat to USS Arizona Memorial
• Tour Battleship Missouri Memorial
• Bus tour of historic downtown Honolulu

Top questions

How long is the Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour?

The tour lasts about half a day including stops at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, and downtown Honolulu.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup from select Waikiki hotels is included in your booking.

Can I bring bags into Pearl Harbor?

No large bags are allowed due to security; storage is available onsite for $7 per item.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

What if boat rides to USS Arizona Memorial are canceled?

If Navy suspends boat operations due to weather or safety concerns, you can still enjoy exhibits and monuments at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Do I need ID for Ford Island?

Yes, government-issued ID is required as Ford Island is an active military base.

Are meals included in this tour?

No meals are included; consider bringing snacks or eating before/after your visit.

Is there public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from select Waikiki hotels, entry fees for both Pearl Harbor Visitor Center exhibits and Battleship Missouri Memorial on Ford Island (with shuttle boat ride tickets subject to availability), plus guided narration throughout Honolulu’s historic downtown before returning in comfort later that day.