The In-Depth Visitor Guide to Visiting Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor — originally named Wai Momi (Native Hawaiian for "waters of pearl) — was once a sacred site for Hawaiians. In the 1800s, it became a hub for shipping and whaling, but it was the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor ("A date that will live in infamy," as President Roosevelt said) that turned this historic site into an international point of interest. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking to pay your respects to this World War II icon, these insider tips from locals will help you explore Pearl Harbor and provide you with a seamless, enriching experience. 

Pearl Harbor Directions, Hours, and Admission Costs

You'll find Pearl Harbor nestled on the northern end of downtown Honolulu:

• Address: 1 Arizona Place, Honolulu, HI 96818 (a short 20-minute drive from the conveniently located Waikiki Resort Hotel, although it's also accessible by bike, taxi, or Oahu's efficient public transit system)
• Hours and Admission: You'll be able to explore four major points of interest, each with its own hours and entrance fees
  • USS Arizona Memorial: Open from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (free admission)
  • Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum: Open from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (teens and adults cost $21.99 while children under the age of 12 cost $12.99)
  • Battleship Missouri Memorial: Open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily (teens and adults cost $34.99 while children under the age of 12 cost $17.49)
  • Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: Open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (teens and adults cost $25.99 while children under the age of 12 cost $14.99)

Planning Your Trip: Must-See Spots and Key Admission Details

Your visit to Pearl Harbor can easily take a full day, but you can adjust your itinerary based on what you're interested in seeing:

• USS Arizona Memorial: One of the most popular destinations in Pearl Harbor, expect to spend at least two hours. 
• Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum: Touring the whole site can take at least two hours.
• Battleship Missouri Memorial: This historic site also takes at least two hours to walk through. 
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: If you're short on time, the museum only takes 1 1/2 hours to go through.

At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, all key attractions—such as the harbor's historic exhibits, the friendly visitor center, the air-conditioned theater, and the shuttle to the USS Arizona Memorial—are conveniently located within walking distance of the parking lot. 

• Adjacent to the visitor center is the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, home to the USS Bowfin submarine. 
• A free shuttle service runs every five minutes between the visitor center and the parking lot, transporting visitors to Ford Island's attractions: the Battleship Missouri and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
  • The shuttle operates on a loop: 
    • First stop: visitor center
    • Second stop: Battleship Missouri
    • Third stop: Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
    • Final stop: You're returned to the visitor center

If you want to visit all four major attractions, consider booking the Passport to Pearl Harbor (the cost is under $90 per person). 

It lets you access nearly everything on-site, including a cutting-edge virtual reality center. The only exception is the USS Arizona Memorial. As the most-visited area of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona deserves special mention when you're planning your visit.

What to Know About Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial

Not only is the USS Arizona Memorial one of the most iconic relics of WW2, but it's also the most-visited attraction in all of the Hawaiian Islands. The tour includes a documentary film, a boat ride on a Navy ship, and extended time to walk through the memorial that's perched right above the sunken ship (which still releases oil to this day).

Due to it's popularity, you'll want to plan ahead:

• The US Navy boat shuttle can only hold 145 people at a time, and it's the only way to get to the memorial—thus, tours usually sell out 3-6 months in advance.
• If possible, always book a tour before your visit to Oahu to ensure you don't miss this historic site.
• If you miss your reservation time or don't have a reservation, you could get lucky: A standby line runs on a first-come, first-served basis. Obviously, wait times vary widely, and you can get a general expectation/estimate when you show up (since programs run daily every 15 minutes, a short line bodes well for you).

The Waikiki Resort Hotel Is Just Minutes From the Iconic Pearl Harbor

The Waikiki Resort Hotel is centrally located near all of the best sights and sounds of Waikiki—if you have a car, we have parking (just 20 minutes from Pearl Harbor), while guests who don't have a car are just steps from Waikiki's bike-sharing and Honolulu's bus system.  Book your stay at the Waikiki Resort Hotel online or call us at 1-800-367-5116 to see why our location, friendly staff, convenience, and amenities give us top ratings among our guests, whether they're history buffs or simply want to take in the stunning, historic stories of Pearl Harbor and it's importance to the world.