Best 5 Pearl Harbor Tours

Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited places on Oahu, you have to go there to experience it! If you like history and especially this period of the 20th century, here are the best options to visit the most emblematic naval base in the world: Pearl Harbor.

There's no doubt that Pearl Harbor is a must-see for every traveler to Oahu but if you're really going to Hawaii for its beaches and surfing, you might be looking for a short, inexpensive U.S. military base tour that shows you the highlights without spending a lot of money.

This half-day Pearl Harbor tour from Honolulu is made for you! A bus will pick you up at your hotel to take you to this national monument. On the way, the guide will tell you about the role of the islands during the war in the Pacific and once at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center you will see several interesting exhibits that delve into its history.

You will then take a ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial, the most important site of the tour, where you can see the remains of the sunken battleship in which more than a thousand people perished during the attack. You will be very impressed to read all their names on the memorial to the victims located here.

Finally, you will return to the bus for a quick tour of downtown Honolulu and discover the history of the Aloha Tower, a symbol of Hawaii, before ending the tour in Waikiki.

Recommended... If you want to include Pearl Harbor in your trip to Hawaii but without spending too much money and without taking too much time to dedicate to other activities.

Pearl Harbor is a must-see site you can't miss during your trip to Hawaii. In fact, it is one of the most visited sites on the island of Oahu because of its historical significance.

With this tour, a bus will pick you up in the morning at your hotel to take you to Pearl Harbor. You will see the Visitor Center and its exhibits on the military attack and enjoy skip-the-line admission to the Arizona Memorial (memorial to the victims on the wreckage of the sunken ship) and the USS Missouri (the ship on which Japan's surrender was signed and World War II ended).

After the visit to Pearl Harbor, you will board the bus for a tour of downtown and visit sites such as Kawaiahao Church, King Kamehameha Statue, Mission Houses Museum, Iolani Palace, Honolulu Hale, Public Library or Punchbowl Cemetery before returning to the hotel with a fairly complete overview of the island's history.

Recommended.... For those who want to combine a visit to Pearl Harbor Naval Base with a tour of some of downtown Honolulu's main tourist attractions in just one day.

This option is very similar to the previous one but more economical. So if you have at least 3 days on Oahu, this option is highly recommended. The tour will also take you by bus to Pearl Harbor Bay and you will visit the Visitor Center to see the exhibits about this historical episode through which you will learn about the context in which the attack took place.

In addition, you will enjoy a skip-the-line entrance to the USS Arizona Memorial, which will give you direct access to the memorial located on the remains of the battleship sunk by the Japanese air force.

After the visit, you will return to the bus for a tour of downtown Honolulu. The guide will show you some iconic sites such as the Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific (honoring the U.S. Armed Forces), the historic Kawaiahao Church and the Iolani Palace (the only royal residence in the country) and explain everything about them.

Recommended... If you are on a tight budget but don't want to miss out on a visit to Pearl Harbor and a brief tour of downtown Honolulu to get a taste of the city's history.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in the course of World War II, as it provoked the entry of the United States into the war. Countless books have been written about this episode and many movies have been made, but if during your trip to Hawaii you are looking for an in-depth look at the conflict on the Pacific front because you are passionate about history, then I recommend you take this full day tour to Pearl Harbor.

A bus will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the military base. During the ride the guide will give you the necessary background on this historic site to understand what happened that day and Hawaii's role in the war, but you will be able to delve deeper into the subject with exhibits at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

You will then visit the highlights of the Pacific National Memorial such as the USS Arizona, USS Missouri and USS Oklahoma Memorial. Then you will return to the bus for a tour of downtown Honolulu to see some historical sites relevant to the history of Hawaii and its monarchy. Before ending the tour you will pass by the Punchbowl Crater to view the Pacific National Memorial Cemetery

Recommended... If you would like to take a cultural tour on Oahu that uncovers the history of the island and focuses especially on Pearl Harbor and delves into the role of the United States in World War II.

This half day tour to Pearl Harbor is perfect for groups. It is private, so only your group will participate and you will live a more personalized experience that will allow you to better connect with the guide, ask questions about the visit or ask for recommendations to make the most of your stay in Oahu.

A bus will pick you up at your hotel in Waikiki in the morning to go to Pearl Harbor Bay. What happened in this naval base is well known, even movies have been made about it, but to delve into this historical episode there is a documentary that will bring you up to date on the role of Hawaii and the United States in World War II. You will also see the Pacific National Monument to Valor in World War II as well as the USS Arizona Memorial, one of the most moving sites of the visit.

Later you will go to downtown Honolulu to learn from an expert guide about Hawaii's history, its monarchy and its inclusion as the 50th state in the country.

Recommended... if you want to enjoy a more personalized experience than large groups can offer but still enjoy the same itinerary.

The most complete tours are the Pearl Harbor Arizona, Missouri and City Tour and the Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour.

Not only will you see and learn about the U.S. naval base in detail, but you will also visit downtown Honolulu and learn about the history of Oahu and the Hawaiian monarchy.

It depends on the Pearl Harbor tour you choose and what you want to see during your visit. If you are looking for a short tour and are on a tight budget, there are tours to Pearl Harbor for around €40 to €50.

If you want a more comprehensive tour thatshows you in detail Pearl Harbor and also certain points of interest in downtown Honolulu, then you can find tours from 45 euros to almost 100 euros.

Absolutely. One of the most relevant attractions of Oahu is Pearl Harbor. We know the story well because we have read about it and it has been made into a movie several times (the last time in 2001 with Michael Bay's film) but nothing compares to seeing in person the place where the events took place and that changed the course of World War II, since as a result of the attack, the United States entered fully into the conflict.

The tour to Pearl Harbor is quite emotional as the museums and memorials of Pearl Harbor make you meditate on the fatal consequences of the war. However, it was intended to be a place to reflect and honor the victims. That is why it was endowed with a lot of vegetation to make this place a quiet place to take a relaxing walk in front of the waters of the bay.

Pearl Harbor Naval Base is located about 14 kilometers from Honolulu. Although you can get there by taking a cab or the City Bus, the best option is to choose an organized bus tour from Waikiki.

You won't have to worry about finding transportation or waiting in line to get tickets at the National Monument's ticket booths, and during the trip you can learn interesting stories and anecdotes about this place. Anyway, here is an interesting post if you want to know more about how to get around or Oahu

If you are looking to enjoy a private Pearl Harbor tour where only your group participates, then I recommend the Pearl Harbor City Tour for approximately 46 euros.

Admission to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is free but to access certain spaces such as the USS Arizona Memorial you are required to make a reservation on the official website.

In my opinion, the most recommended option is to book a guided tour to Pearl Harbor because you will combine the visit to the naval base with other attractions on the island and you will have a more complete and entertaining experience. It is well worth it!

Keep in mind

• What to bring to Pearl Harbor?

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

• How to dress to visit Pearl Harbor?

As a memorial, the dress code for entering Pearl Harbor is smart casual. For example, to go to the USS Arizona Memorial, a shirt and shoes are required but high heels are not recommended. In addition, swimsuits are not allowed. Neither are purses or backpacks. They can be left in a locker outside the main entrance for $5 per bag.