Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial – Honolulu Tour – Submarine Access

Pearl Harbor is the heart of this half-day outing, but the tour also gives you a quick look at Honolulu’s royal landmarks and Punchbowl Cemetery. The USS Arizona Memorial boat ride is currently suspended during maintenance, so you should confirm its status before booking.

I like the hotel-area pickup, which saves you from arranging a taxi or figuring out Pearl Harbor parking. I also like the chance to see the two Pearl Harbor museums, watch the site’s documentary, and visit the memorial when boat service is running. The main drawback is time: many departures allow only about two hours at Pearl Harbor, not enough for every museum and historic ship.

Key things to know before booking

• The USS Arizona boat ride is currently unavailable: The memorial is under construction, so the included boat trip is not operating at present.
• Two Pearl Harbor museums and the official documentary are included: These help explain the attack and its human cost.
• USS Bowfin entry costs extra: You can photograph the submarine from outside, but full admission is listed at $22.
• The tour adds a Honolulu history loop: You pass Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, Hawaiian Mission Houses, and Aloha Tower.
• Punchbowl Cemetery is a quiet final stop: The 15-minute drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific offers a respectful close to the day.
• Bring almost nothing into Pearl Harbor: Bags are not allowed, though lockers are available. A water bottle is allowed, but other drinks are restricted.

Pearl Harbor first, Honolulu second

This tour works best if you want a simple way to reach Pearl Harbor from Waikiki and prefer having transportation arranged. You leave in the morning, spend a compact block at the memorial complex, then return through central Honolulu with commentary and several drive-by sights.

The tour is offered in English and generally uses a premium coach or limo bus. The maximum group size is listed as 50, though some departures use smaller buses. That difference matters. A smaller vehicle makes loading, unloading, and keeping track of the group easier, while a full coach can feel less personal.

Pickup begins around 8:30 am, with a nearby meeting point for Waikiki hotels. If you are staying in Ko Olina or on the North Shore, you are expected to meet the bus in Waikiki. Confirm your exact pickup location carefully, since pickup instructions can change.

The Waikiki pickup and ride into town

The morning begins with round-trip transportation from Waikiki. This is the tour’s clearest practical benefit. Pearl Harbor is not a place where you want to arrive late and then spend your first hour sorting out parking, tickets, and directions.

The ride also becomes a short Honolulu introduction. Your guide points out parts of the city on the way to the memorial, and guides such as Chelsea, Shelly, and Michael have received strong praise for their local stories, humor, safe driving, and clear explanations.

The style can vary by guide. Chelsea, for example, is described as energetic and very well informed, while Shelly is known for a lively approach and island background. That personality is part of the package, but it can also mean a lot of narration. If you prefer quiet transit, a guided coach ride may feel talkative.

Build some flexibility into your day. The stated duration is about five to six hours, but exact return times can vary with pickup and drop-off routes. Several accounts describe shorter days and a rushed Pearl Harbor visit, so do not schedule a tight lunch reservation or another major activity immediately afterward.

Getting your bearings at Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the main stop and your base for the visit. The complex includes museums, visitor facilities, the memorial documentary, and the boat departure point for the USS Arizona Memorial when boats are operating.

Admission to Pearl Harbor itself is included. The two included World War II museums give you important context before you face the harbor. The documentary is also part of the visit and is shown only at the site. I consider these displays essential, not filler, because they explain the attack and its aftermath before you look across the water.

The problem is the clock. The listed stop is about two hours, and that block may need to cover restroom use, the film, walking to the boat, the memorial visit, and a return to the bus. If the boat ride is unavailable, you may have more freedom, but the tour still sets a firm departure time.

You may need to choose between exhibits. The Pearl Harbor complex includes more than the included museums, but the USS Missouri and Pacific Aviation Museum require separate admission and a free shuttle to Ford Island. With only two hours, adding either one can be difficult.

The USS Arizona Memorial and its current closure

The USS Arizona Memorial is the emotional center of the day. When boat service is operating, you ride across the harbor to the white memorial structure above the sunken battleship. The visit includes the wall of names, a moment of silence, and the visible oil droplets often called the tears of the Arizona.

The memorial is also an active place of remembrance. You are not simply sightseeing above a historic wreck. The site honors the sailors and Marines who died during the attack, and the tone is quiet and respectful. Several people with military connections describe the visit as especially powerful, though you do not need a military background to understand its importance.

At present, the supplied tour information says the Arizona Memorial is closed for maintenance and that no boat rides are available. That directly changes the value of this booking. The tour description still refers to guaranteed Arizona tickets, but the included details also say there is no boat ride during construction. Read the current notice and ask the operator what you will actually receive on your date.

Do not assume the boat ticket means a boat will run. Conditions at the memorial can change, and this maintenance period is a separate issue. If standing at the memorial itself is the main reason you are visiting Pearl Harbor, postpone the tour or choose a date when boat service is confirmed.

The two museums and the Pearl Harbor film

The museums are where a short visit gains meaning. They help you understand the attack beyond the familiar images of smoke, aircraft, and battleships. You get a clearer sense of the people involved and why the harbor remains a place of mourning.

The official documentary is included, but timing matters. It runs at set intervals, listed in the supplied details as 15 and 45 minutes past each hour. If you return from the memorial at 12:20 and must board the bus at 1 pm, for example, you may miss the next showing or have too little time afterward.

I would not buy an audio guide or extra video unless your schedule gives you enough time to use it. With a compact group itinerary, the included film and museums are more realistic priorities. Arrive ready to move directly from one part of the complex to the next.

Seeing the USS Bowfin from outside

The USS Bowfin submarine is docked beside the Pearl Harbor visitor area, making it easy to see even during a short stop. You can get close enough for photographs and appreciate the compact shape of a wartime submarine.

Full admission to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is not included. The stated extra cost is $22. Entry would be worthwhile for anyone fascinated by submarine life, but it may not fit the schedule unless the guide clearly gives you enough free time.

This is an important distinction in the tour title. Submarine access does not mean included interior admission. You get an exterior view as part of the outing, while entering the submarine requires another ticket and possibly more time than the standard itinerary allows.

King Kamehameha and Honolulu’s royal center

After Pearl Harbor, the coach begins a short city tour. The first planned stop is the King Kamehameha Statue, a large bronze figure honoring the Hawaiian ruler who united the islands. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, enough for photographs and a short explanation.

This is one of the better city stops because you leave the bus and get a clear look at the statue. The guide may also explain details such as Kamehameha’s reported height of 7 feet 6 inches, which helps you understand why the statue feels so imposing.

The rest of downtown is mainly viewed from the coach. You pass Iolani Palace, the former royal residence, but do not tour it. You also drive by Kawaiahao Church, built with lava rock and coral, and the Hawaiian Mission Houses, linked to the development of written Hawaiian and Hawaii’s early educational and legal systems.

Aloha Tower is another drive-by landmark. Once tied to Honolulu’s maritime arrivals, it became a familiar symbol of the city. These sights add useful context, but you should not book this excursion expecting a walking tour of downtown. You will see the buildings, hear short explanations, and continue moving.

The city portion can feel pleasant or expendable depending on your priorities. If Pearl Harbor is your only goal, you may wish the tour spent that time at the memorial. If you want a quick orientation to Honolulu without paying for another city tour, this route gives you a useful sample.

Punchbowl Cemetery brings a quieter ending

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific sits within Punchbowl, a dormant volcanic crater above Honolulu. The tour makes a roughly 15-minute driving visit through the cemetery, with rows of white marble markers and views across the city.

This stop changes the mood. After the activity and crowds at Pearl Harbor, the cemetery offers a calm place to reflect on military service and loss. The guide shares stories about people who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and later conflicts.

You do not get a long walking visit here. It is a drive-through stop, so you should treat it as a brief introduction rather than a full cemetery tour. Still, it is a worthwhile addition, especially if you want the day to connect Pearl Harbor with the wider cost of war.

Is $74 a fair price?

At $74 per person, the tour is reasonably priced if you value transportation, a reserved place in the Pearl Harbor program, and a guide who handles the route. You avoid arranging a rental car or taxi, and you get a Honolulu city loop and Punchbowl Cemetery at no separate charge.

The value drops if your priority is exploring every Pearl Harbor attraction. The included visit does not cover the USS Bowfin interior, USS Missouri, or Pacific Aviation Museum. Those sites require extra admission, and a two-hour Pearl Harbor window may leave you unable to use the extra tickets comfortably.

You are also paying for convenience, not maximum time. A self-guided visit can give you more control over the museums and Ford Island shuttle, but you must arrange transport, reserve what is available, and manage the schedule yourself. This tour suits you if that planning sounds like work.

The current Arizona closure is the biggest price question. A tour that includes a functioning memorial boat ride offers a different experience from one that only provides the visitor center and outside views. Before paying, check the maintenance status and confirm the expected time inside Pearl Harbor in writing.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Pearl Harbor has strict bag rules. Do not bring an ordinary backpack, purse, or outside bag. Lockers are available, but the easiest plan is to carry only essentials. A water bottle is allowed according to the supplied guidance, while other drinks may not be.

Wear comfortable shoes and keep your schedule open after the tour. You may spend time waiting for shuttles, walking between the visitor center and transport points, or boarding the coach with a large group.

Listen closely to the guide’s return instructions. The bus leaves at a set time, and you cannot assume it will wait while you finish a film or museum. If you want the Missouri, aviation museum, Bowfin interior, and Arizona Memorial all in one day, this is probably too compressed.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Pearl Harbor tour?

I would book this tour if you are staying in Waikiki, want transportation included, and care more about a guided introduction than a long independent visit. It is also a good fit for families and first-time visitors who want Pearl Harbor paired with a few key Honolulu sights.

The tour is especially appealing when your guide is one of the stronger local storytellers, such as Chelsea, Shelly, or Michael. Their role is not limited to driving. They set the tone, explain the city, and help you move through a busy morning.

I would hesitate if you want to spend half a day at Pearl Harbor itself. Two hours is tight, and several major attractions are outside the included admission. I would also wait if the USS Arizona Memorial is your central purpose and boat service is still suspended.

My recommendation

Book this as a convenient Pearl Harbor introduction, not as a complete Pearl Harbor day. The included transportation, museums, film, city sights, and Punchbowl Cemetery make $74 a fair deal when the Arizona boat ride is operating and the schedule runs as expected.

Before confirming, ask three direct questions: Is the USS Arizona boat operating on my date? How long will I have inside the Pearl Harbor complex? What exact time will I return to Waikiki? If the answers suit your priorities, this is an easy, well-organized way to reach an important place. If you want the freedom to explore the Missouri, Bowfin, aviation museum, and every exhibit, go independently or choose a longer Pearl Harbor program.

FAQ

Is the USS Arizona Memorial boat ride included?

The tour information says Arizona Memorial tickets are guaranteed, but it also states that the memorial is currently under construction and boat rides are not operating. Confirm the current status before booking.

Is admission to Pearl Harbor included?

Yes. Admission to Pearl Harbor National Memorial, two World War II museums, and the official Pearl Harbor documentary are included.

Can I go inside the USS Bowfin submarine?

Not with the standard tour admission. You can view the submarine from outside and take photographs. Full admission to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is listed as $22.

How long does the tour last?

The estimated duration is five to six hours, with an 8:30 am start. Pickup and drop-off routes can affect the total time, and the Pearl Harbor portion is listed at about two hours.

Are bags allowed at Pearl Harbor?

No ordinary bags are allowed inside Pearl Harbor. Lockers are available. The supplied guidance says you can bring a water bottle, but other drinks may not be permitted.

Where does pickup take place?

Round-trip transportation is offered from Waikiki, with a nearby pickup location regardless of your hotel. People staying in Ko Olina or on the North Shore must meet the bus in Waikiki.