Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial – Honolulu Tour – Submarine Access

Pearl Harbor is the reason to book this tour, but the details matter. The USS Arizona Memorial is currently closed for maintenance, so no boat ride is operating now. You still get the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, two WWII museums, the official documentary, and a guaranteed Arizona Memorial ticket when boat service resumes.

I like the early Waikiki pickup and the added Honolulu drive, which takes care of transport and gives you a quick look at King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, and Punchbowl Cemetery. I also like the guides, with Chelsea, Shelly, and Michael earning repeated praise for their local stories, safe driving, and friendly manner.

The catch is time. The tour can feel rushed, especially if you want the museums, film, and other Pearl Harbor sites. The advertised five to six hours may include hotel pickups and drop-offs, and some departures have provided only about two hours at Pearl Harbor.

Key points to know before booking

• Arizona Memorial service is suspended now: No boat ride operates during the current maintenance period.
• Waikiki transport is included: Pickup is arranged near your hotel, with round-trip coach or limo bus service.
• Pearl Harbor access is partly included: The Visitor Center, two WWII museums, and documentary are included.
• The Bowfin submarine costs extra: You can view it from outside, but interior and museum admission is $22.
• Honolulu sightseeing is brief: Expect drive-bys and short stops, not a full city tour.
• Plan for a strict schedule: This works best if convenience matters more to you than seeing every Pearl Harbor attraction.

What the $74 tour really buys you

At $74 per person, this is mainly a convenience purchase. You pay for Waikiki transportation, organized entry at Pearl Harbor, included site access, and a guide who handles the morning logistics.

That matters in Honolulu. You do not need to arrange your own ride, find parking, or work out the route from Waikiki. A premium coach or limo bus collects you at a nearby pickup point, and the operator gives you a location even if your hotel is not directly on the main route. Guests staying in Koolina or on the North Shore must meet the bus in Waikiki.

The price is less compelling if you only want the free parts of Pearl Harbor. The Visitor Center museums and documentary do not require the same kind of paid package, and you can reach the area by city bus or car. The tour earns its keep through transportation, organization, and the promise of Arizona Memorial access when boat rides are running.

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is not included. The separate admission is listed at $22. The tour lets you see the submarine from the outside and take photographs, but you need extra time and money to go aboard.

The morning ride from Waikiki

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. The exact meeting place depends on your hotel, so read the pickup message carefully and watch for updates. Communication has not always been smooth, with some bookings receiving changing pickup instructions, so I would confirm the location before the morning of the tour.

The drive gives your guide a chance to introduce Honolulu and point out parts of the city. Guides such as Chelsea and Shelly have been praised for keeping the ride lively, sharing local facts, and driving carefully. One practical complaint is that a talkative guide can make the ride feel long, while a very cold bus can be uncomfortable. Bring a light layer.

Remember that everyone must ride the tour bus. You cannot simply meet the group at Pearl Harbor and arrange your own return. That rule makes the tour easy for some people and restrictive for others.

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center: important, but tightly timed

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the main stop, with about two hours listed for this part of the day. This is where you get oriented, see the exhibits, watch the official Pearl Harbor documentary, and board the boat for the Arizona Memorial when that service is operating.

The documentary is available at the site and gives useful background before you visit the memorial. The two included WWII museums add photographs, artifacts, and personal stories that help explain the attack and its aftermath. If you want time to read every display, two hours will feel short.

That time limit is the biggest weakness of the tour. Your visit may include a restroom stop, the film, a boat schedule, and the walk back to the bus. That can leave little time for the museums. Some departures have required passengers to return to the bus after roughly two hours, even though the total tour was described as five or six hours.

The difference is important. A five-hour outing is not the same as five hours at Pearl Harbor. Hotel pickups, the drive, Honolulu sightseeing, and return drop-offs all count toward the day. If Pearl Harbor is your top priority, ask the operator exactly how long your departure is scheduled to remain at the site.

The USS Arizona Memorial and the current closure

The USS Arizona Memorial is the emotional center of the visit. When boat service is operating, the ride takes you across the harbor to the white memorial structure above the sunken battleship. You can see the wall of names, observe a moment of silence, and look for the oil sometimes called the tears of the Arizona.

The tour says Arizona Memorial tickets are guaranteed. That is valuable during normal operations, when timed access can be difficult to arrange. It does not mean you will take a boat during the present maintenance closure. The current conditions specifically state that the memorial is closed for repairs and that boat rides are not operating.

This point deserves careful attention when you book. The itinerary still describes the boat ride and memorial visit in detail, but the current included services say no boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. Treat the boat portion as unavailable unless the operator confirms that service has restarted for your date.

Even without the boat, the Visitor Center remains a serious place. Pearl Harbor is a war cemetery, not simply another sightseeing stop. The names, the film, and the harbor setting call for quiet attention. If you bring children, explain that expectation before arriving.

USS Bowfin: close-up view, extra admission

The USS Bowfin is parked beside the Visitor Center, so you can easily see it from outside. It is a useful photo stop and gives you a sense of the size and shape of a wartime submarine.

The tour does not include entry to the submarine or its museum. Admission is listed at $22. Because your time at Pearl Harbor is already limited, paying the extra fee only makes sense if you are prepared to skip or shorten another part of the visit.

If the Arizona boat ride is not operating, the Bowfin can be a tempting replacement. Still, do not assume you will have enough time to tour it inside. Ask your guide about the return deadline before buying the ticket.

The same warning applies to the USS Missouri and Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. They are not part of this tour’s included admission, and you need the free park shuttle to reach them across an active military area. They are worthwhile for visitors who want a full military-history day, but this tour does not give you much spare time for them.

Downtown Honolulu in short, useful glimpses

After Pearl Harbor, the bus makes a short city tour. The first stop is the King Kamehameha Statue, a large bronze figure honoring the Hawaiian ruler who united the islands. You get about 20 minutes here, enough for photographs and a quick explanation from the guide.

The route then passes several historic places. Iolani Palace is a drive-by rather than a full stop. The same is true of Kawaiahao Church, built with lava rock and coral, and the Hawaiian Mission Houses, which played a role in education, law, and the development of written Hawaiian.

Aloha Tower is also seen from the bus. Once an important arrival point for ships and a symbol of Honolulu, it is another place where the guide can provide context without giving you time to explore.

This part of the tour works as an introduction, not a substitute for a proper Honolulu sightseeing day. You will get better photographs at the King Kamehameha Statue than from the drive-by sites. If you care about architecture or palace interiors, plan a separate visit.

Punchbowl Cemetery adds a quiet final stop

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, often called Punchbowl, is visited on a short 15-minute drive through the grounds. The cemetery occupies a dormant volcanic crater above Honolulu, with rows of white marble headstones and memorials to service members from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and later conflicts.

The stop is brief, but its mood fits the Pearl Harbor visit. Your guide may share stories about the people honored there as the bus moves along the roads. You will not have much time to linger, so think of this as a respectful overview rather than a detailed cemetery visit.

Many people value this stop because it widens the focus beyond December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor tells one part of the military story, while Punchbowl places later American losses within the same solemn setting.

How the schedule affects your day

The tour is listed at about five to six hours, but the actual length can vary. Pickup and drop-off routes, traffic, and the number of hotel stops all affect the clock. Some schedules have returned people to Waikiki before the advertised end time, while others have included an optional shaved-ice stop that further reduced time available elsewhere.

The most common practical issue is not the total number of hours. It is the amount of time at Pearl Harbor. A couple of hours can be enough for the film, Arizona access, and a quick look at one museum. It is not enough for every museum, the Bowfin, the Missouri, the aviation collection, and relaxed reflection.

I would not buy an audio guide or extra museum admission unless you receive a clear schedule showing that you can use it. One sensible plan is to choose the film and Arizona Memorial first, then use remaining minutes for the exhibits. If the boat is closed, decide in advance whether the museums or the Bowfin matter more to you.

What the guides add

The guide is both your driver and your narrator. That makes the person at the wheel important. Chelsea has been praised for safe driving, local knowledge, and a distinctive personality. Shelly has received strong marks for energy, humor, and island stories, while Michael has been singled out for combining history with a light touch.

The quality can vary by departure. Some people have found the narration too constant, and one complaint involved a guide responding poorly when passengers questioned the short Pearl Harbor visit. That is a reminder to ask schedule questions early and keep the conversation calm.

At their best, the guides make the drive more than a transfer. You get explanations of Honolulu landmarks, local details, and reminders about Pearl Harbor rules. At their worst, an overly long talk or unclear answer can add frustration to an already tight itinerary.

Practical rules that can save you trouble

Pearl Harbor does not allow ordinary bags. Lockers are available, and a clear bag may be permitted under the stated rules. A small water bottle is allowed, but other drinks may not be. The safest plan is to leave purses, backpacks, and extra shopping bags at your hotel.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will move between the bus, Visitor Center, exhibits, and transport areas, often while watching the clock. A light layer is useful for the cold bus, and sun protection helps during outdoor portions.

The group can reach up to 50 people, though some departures use a smaller bus. A smaller vehicle makes loading and unloading easier, but you should still expect a group schedule rather than a private tour.

Most people can take part, and the location is near public transportation. Still, the tour requires everyone to use the bus and follow its return time. If you want to leave Pearl Harbor late or explore on your own, independent transport gives you more control.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a rescheduled date or full refund.

Who should book this Pearl Harbor tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Waikiki, want a guide, dislike arranging transport, and mainly want the Arizona Memorial and a short Honolulu overview. It is also a practical choice for first-time visitors who want a simple half-day plan.

It suits people who appreciate local narration and do not need to study every display. The included museums and film give you a solid introduction, while the city stops and Punchbowl add useful context.

I would hesitate if you want the full Pearl Harbor experience. Independent visitors can set aside more time for the Bowfin, USS Missouri, aviation museum, and Visitor Center exhibits. You also avoid the risk of spending much of your day on pickup and drop-off routes.

The current Arizona closure changes the calculation. If the boat ride is the main reason you are booking, confirm its status before paying. If it is still suspended, the tour becomes a guided transport package with museums, film, and city sightseeing, not the full memorial visit described in the usual schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this $74 tour for convenience, a guaranteed Arizona Memorial ticket when boat service operates, and a guided introduction to Honolulu. Chelsea, Shelly, and Michael are examples of guides who can make the ride informative and personal.

Skip it if you want several hours at Pearl Harbor or plan to tour more than one extra site. In that case, visit independently and protect a full day for the memorial, museums, submarine, Missouri, and aviation collection.

The best decision comes down to one question: do you value easy transport and a structured half-day more than freedom and extra time? If the answer is convenience, this can work well. If the answer is depth, plan Pearl Harbor on your own.

FAQ

Is the USS Arizona Memorial boat ride operating?

No. The memorial is currently closed for maintenance, and boat rides are not operating. Confirm the latest status before your tour date.

Are tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial included?

Arizona Memorial tickets are guaranteed when the memorial and boat service are operating. The current closure means the boat portion is unavailable for now.

Is transportation from Waikiki included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Waikiki is included in a premium coach or limo bus. You receive a nearby pickup location based on your hotel.

How long does the tour take?

The tour is advertised at approximately five to six hours. The actual duration can vary because of hotel pickups, traffic, and return drop-offs.

How much time do I get at Pearl Harbor?

The planned Pearl Harbor portion is about two hours. That time includes the Visitor Center, film, memorial arrangements when available, and returning to the bus.

Is the USS Bowfin submarine included?

No. The tour includes an outside view of the USS Bowfin. Full submarine and museum admission costs $22.

Can I bring a bag into Pearl Harbor?

No ordinary bags are allowed at Pearl Harbor. Lockers are available, and the stated rules allow a clear bag. A small water bottle is allowed, but other drinks may not be.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.