Know Before You Go: Visiting Pearl Harbor

The four main historical sites around Pearl Harbor are the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the only part operated by the NPS. It contains the area’s most-visited attractions—the USS Arizona Memorial—as well as the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma memorials and a visitors’ center. Visiting the USS Arizona involves taking a US Navy-provided boat shuttle to the site, spending time on the memorial (which includes watching a documentary), and a return trip back to the visitor center.

Most visitors also make time for the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. These three sites are not operated by the NPS and require separate tickets and entrance fees—though all three are covered by the Passport to Pearl Harbor Historic Sites pass, which you can get online. Alternatively, you can book a tour that includes visits to multiple attractions.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is about a 20-minute drive from Waikiki. That said, you should give yourself additional time as traffic can get heavy around the city of Honolulu. If you are relying on GPS, be sure to type in “Pearl Harbor National Memorial” rather than simply "Pearl Harbor,” which will take you to the active military base. Paid parking is available on-site. You can also get to the site by bus from Waikiki (route number 20 or 42); the ride takes about an hour. Alternatively, you can book a tour that includes transportation to and from the site.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the memorials are open every day from morning until early evening except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Pearl Harbor is a popular attraction, so it’s crowded all year round, but the busiest times are during the summer and winter holidays, during spring break season, and on December 7—National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. For a calmer, less crowded visit, come midweek. Whichever day you choose, the NPS advises visitors to arrive one hour before your USS Arizona Memorial Program begins—programs last around 45 minutes.

There is no charge to visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial, but tickets—which are issued by the National Park Service (NPS)—are required. You used to have the option of showing up early in the morning on the day of your visit to get first-come first-served tickets, but that program has been discontinued (though you can still get on a standby list by inquiring with a ranger on site if you head to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center as soon as it opens).

Reservations for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial—made up of the USS Arizona, USS Utah, and USS Oklahoma memorials—are released daily, in the afternoon (Hawaiian time), in two windows. The first are released eight weeks in advance and the second batch are released 24 hours in advance. Tickets are available through the federal recreation website and are required for everyone, including infants. Each person making a booking can only reserve a maximum of 10 tickets per day. Guided tours typically include Waikiki hotel pickup and entrance to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, sometimes with stops at other local sites like Honolulu’s historical downtown.

A number of tour operators offer Pearl Harbor experiences that require little more than clicking “book” and showing up, with tickets to all the attractions included in the overall price. These typically include Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off and driver-guides who can offer insights into Hawaii and its WWII experiences, as well as additional historical context. You can book a tour that includes only the Pearl Harbor National Memorial (with transportation to and from any hotel in Waikiki), or extend the experience with a longer tour that also includes a visit inside the USS Battleship Missouri. Some experiences also include a brief tour of downtown Honolulu.

You’ll want to bring a camera you can carry in a pocket or hung around your neck and a water bottle that is easy to hold in your hand, so you can stay hydrated in the heat. Bags of any kind that are bigger than 1.5 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches (3.8 x 5.7 x 14 centimeters) are not permitted inside Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Small clutches, wallets, and clear plastic bags are allowed. You can store excess bags at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (a 2-minute walk from the visitor center) for a fee. Pets are also prohibited inside buildings; service animals, however, are welcome.

While there is no dress code, you should bear in mind that this is a somber site, where thousands of people lost their lives, and dress appropriately—avoid swimsuits and clothing that is overly revealing or adorned with offensive language. As many of Pearl Harbor’s attractions are outdoors, and the Hawaiian sun can get strong, you should also have sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses and wear comfortable footwear—you’ll be on your feet for the entire visit. Lastly, Hawaiian weather can change quickly, so it’s a good idea to bring a waterproof layer in case of sudden showers.

The visitor center, US Navy vessels, and USS Arizona Memorial are all wheelchair accessible, but there are not any wheelchairs available for rent. Strollers are also welcome but can only be taken as far as the USS Arizona Memorial’s pre-boarding area—they are not permitted on US Navy vessels or on the USS Arizona Memorial.

• When was Pearl Harbor attacked? Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. The first aerial bombardment group struck Pearl Harbor at 7:55am. The entire attack lasted one hour and 15 minutes and resulted in the deaths of 2,403 US military personnel and civilians.

• Why is the USS Arizona underwater? After determining that the ship could not be salvaged, because it was so badly damaged, the Navy decided to leave it, and its crew, where it fell. The USS Arizona is the final resting place for hundreds of sailors.

• Is Pearl Harbor a National Park? No, Pearl Harbor is not a National Park. That said, the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, and the USS Utah Memorial are part of the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument, which is operated by the National Park Service. As a result, Pearl Harbor tours are authorized by the National Park Service.