Pearl Harbor Day Trips from Maui

Because of its historical significance, Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited places on Oahu and a place you can't miss during your trip to Hawaii. Not even if you are staying on the neighboring island of Maui, because there are tours to Pearl Harbor that will take you to see the most emblematic U.S. naval base.

The attack on Pearl Harbor marked a turning point in the course of World War II, bringing the United States fully into the conflict.

Several movies have been made about this historic episode and many books have been written about it, but there is something moving and fascinating about seeing this naval base in person that cannot be described in words. It must be seen!

If you are passionate about history and want to take an in-depth look at the conflict on the Pacific front during your trip to Hawaii, my advice is to take a plane ride to Pearl Harbor from Maui.

There you will learn more about this tragic event and see the highlights of the naval base such as the USS Arizona Memorial (the monument to the victims on the wreckage of the ship sunk in the attack) and the USS Missouri (the ship that ended World War II with the signing of Japan's surrender).

After the guided tour of Pearl Harbor, the Oahu island tour continues with a tour of historic downtown Honolulu where you will see such popular sites as the Iolani Palace, Mission House Museum, Kawaihao Church, King Kamehameha Statue, Waikiki Beach, Punchbowl Crater, Nu'uanu Rainforest and more.

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Although you can do the visit on your own, in my opinion the best option is to take an airplane tour to Pearl Harbor from Maui because you won't have to worry about finding transportation to Oahu and the naval base, or waiting in line at the ticket booths of this National Monument to get tickets.

In addition, after the visit to Pearl Harbor this type of organized tours usually make a tour of the historic center of Honolulu so you can take advantage of the day in Oahu and see some of the most famous places of this Hawaiian island. I think it is a very complete tour.

A full-day Pearl Harbor tour from Maui with a guide that also includes the flight to and from the island as well as a tour of Honolulu can cost around 450 euros.

Absolutely. In addition to being a historically important enclave, the visit is quite emotional as the Pearl Harbor museums and memorials make you meditate on the fatal consequences of the war.

However, this place was intended to be a space to honor the victims and for reflection. That is why gardens were installed in the naval base to turn it into a quiet place to take a relaxing stroll in front of the waters of the bay.

The distance between Kahului (the airport of the largest city on the island of Maui) and Pearl Harbor is 161 kilometers. A regular flight takes about 55 minutes but the fastest flights usually take 30 minutes.

It is currently not possible to take a ferry from Maui to Oahu. Ferries only run between the islands of Maui and Lanai and between Maui and Molokai. To get from Maui to Oahu you must take a flight connecting both islands. The fastest ones take about 30 minutes.

Ford Island is an operational military base, so security personnel may ask Pearl Harbor visitors to show a photo ID for identification for security reasons.

As a memorial, the dress code for entering Pearl Harbor is smart casual as a sign of respect. For example, to visit the USS Arizona Memorial you are required to wear a shirt and shoes and heels are discouraged.

In addition, bathing suits are not allowed. Neither are backpacks or bags, which can be left in a locker for $5 per bag outside the main entrance.