History

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Ultimate Guide to Pearl Harbor: Top 20 Historical Tours

Imagine stepping back in time to a pivotal point in history, where every corner whispers secrets of the past. Dive deep into the 20 best Pearl Harbor tours that promise a day of remembrance and discovery.

Tobi Miles
October 1, 2022

On December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked from the skies above. Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes bombed below and managed to destroy and damage twenty American naval vessels. More than 2,400 Americans died on that awful day and another 1,000 were wounded.

If you’ve been wanting to visit Pearl Harbor to complete a tour of these historic sites, there are many to choose from. You will get to view the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, The Aviation Museum, The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and more. These tours do a wonderful job of educating the public on the historic events that unfolded.

No matter what tour you decide to go with, there are tours available for all ages. We hope you have your walking shoes ready because some of these tours will last you all day!

If you’ve been wondering about what tour you should go with on your adventure to Pearl Harbor, don’t worry, we have you covered. Let’s dive into our top 20 Pearl Harbor tours in Hawaii.

1. Pearl Harbor Memorial and Battleship Memorial Tour

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Pearl Harbor is one of the most popular and memorable destinations in Oahu. The National Park contains the USS Arizona Memorial which has a magnificent white design. This is known as a hallowed ground where over 1,100 sailors remain trapped inside.

After you have toured the memorial to pay your respects, you will head over to Ford Island for the US Battleship Missouri tour. On this battleship, the Terms of Surrender were signed that ended World War II.

Finally, you will ride through Honolulu which is filled with popular destinations such as Punchbowl Crater, King Kamehameha’s Statue, and much more! If you're staying on the big island, in Maui, Big Island, or Kauai, you don’t want to miss the chance to visit the historic Pearl Harbor.

Price of Tour: Adult $139.99; Child $129.99
Length of Tour: 4 hours

2. The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience: USS Arizona, Missouri Battleship, Bowfin Submarine, & Aviation Museum

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The Complete Pearl Harbor experience will give you one of the most personal overviews of the commitment to World War II. There is so much to see on this tour that you need a whole day to go over everything. On the tour, you will visit battleships, and see bullet holes from the enemy in buildings, vintage planes, war footage, and more. 

The complete Pearl Harbor tour includes admission and transportation to all sites that are open to the public in Pearl Harbor. The medium group tour has 12 to 20 guests.

Price of Tour: Adult $189.99; Child $179.99
Length of Tour: Full-Day Tour

3. Pearl Harbor Oahu Circle Island

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Third on our list is the Pearl Harbor Oahu Circle Island Tour. You will take a boat ride on a United States Navy launch that will take you out to the solemn grounds of the USS Arizona memorial. It has been said by visitors that this memorial will make you very emotional while learning about the events that lead up to and after World War II.

After you have toured Pearl Harbor, your guide will take you on a 120-mile adventure in Oahu to circle around the island. On this adventure, you will see overlooks, towns, beaches, and parks. Some of these landmarks include Honolulu's historic buildings, Macadamia Nut Farm, and the North Shore beaches.

This tour will tour with only 12 guests, making this a small, personal tour for better interaction. Your guide will provide an abundance of knowledge as they customize the day based on your interests.

Price of Tour: Adult $139.99; Child $129.99
Length of Tour: Full-Day Tour

4. Polynesian Cultural Center & Pearl Harbor Tour

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Fourth on our list is the Polynesian Cultural Center & Pearl Harbor tour, where a full tour of the island of Oahu lies right at your feet. You will start your tour off at the USS Arizona Memorial before heading off on an island adventure. On this tour, you will start off at Pearl Harbor before heading to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

At the center, you will get to see the cultures that are represented through demonstrations and shows. Here you’ll get to watch the canoe pageant and even get the urge to go for a ride yourself. At the center, you’ll also get to have lunch which is included with your tour price.

In addition to touring the center, you’ll pass through unique towns and get to stop by overlooks throughout the day. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get photos taken at some of the most popular locations.

Price of Tour: Adult $239.99; Child $229.99
Length of Tour: 10 hours

5. Battleship Missouri With Pearl Harbor & Circle Island Helicopter Tour

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Fifth on our list is the Battleship Missouri With Pearl Harbor & Circle Island Helicopter Tour, where you’ll see all of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu from the ground and the sky. This tour has a combination of the most popular stops at Pearl Harbor with a forty-five-minute helicopter tour of Oahu. Your guide will take you to the Arizona Memorial, the white structure that is the size of the battleship.

Your guide will then take you to Mighty Mo, a battleship that was named after the state of Missouri. The guide will show you highlights of the ship before letting you explore on your own. Next, you’ll head to the airport to begin your helicopter tour.

You’ll fly over Pearl Harbor and see the outline of Arizona from above. You’ll also get to fly over the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, and Diamond Head.

Price of Tour: Adult $479.99; Child $469.99
Length of Tour: 7 - 8 hours

6. Remember the Battleships Tour

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Sixth on our list is the Remember the Battleships Tour, where you’ll visit the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor. These two sites are the main involvement in World War II. You will be picked up in their minibuses and brought to the Pearl Harbor visitor center.

Before boarding the boat to visit the Arizona Memorial, you will have time to explore the museums. The memorial straddles the battleship that was destroyed on the first day of the war. After coming back from the Arizona Memorial, you will drive over to Battleship Missouri.

On the battleship Missouri, you will be free to explore the ship and the many decks. You’ll be able to check out films, and exhibits, and even see the kamikaze attack that damaged the ships in the last days of the war. This is one that you don’t want to miss!

Price of Tour: Adults $108; Child $85
Length of Tour: 4 hours

7. Passport to Pearl Harbor

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Seventh on our list is Passport to Pearl Harbor, the full-day tour experience. You’ll get to visit the most popular museums that include the Bowfin Submarine, USS Battleship Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. You’ll get to see it from different perspectives such as below the ocean in a submarine, commanding the seas in a battleship, and high above in an aircraft.

You’ll be able to listen to stories with a free audio tour device so you can listen and hear points at every stop. You’ll also have the option to choose to go with a guide, which may be stress-free as they do everything for you.

Price of Tour: Adult $89.99; Child $44.99
Length of Tour: Over 8 hours

8. Pearl Harbor Warbirds

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Eighth on our list is the Pearl Harbor Warbirds Tour, where you’ll be able to take to the skies in a vintage warbird. A flying tour is a one-of-a-kind experience, even though it may not be for everyone. The T-6 was a very versatile plane that was built in 1944.

If you are an aviation enthusiast, this tour is a must-add to your list. The agency can even set up a custom tour so you’ll be able to visit the aviation museum before your flight. This tour will fly you over Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.

While in the aircraft, you’ll be able to see things the way a cadet would. You will get to circle the island and see the pathway that the Japanese took when they bombed many sites in Oahu. This tour is narrated with views of Pearl Harbor and Ford Island.

Price of Tour: $1,644.99
Length of Tour: 45 - 60 minutes

9. Pearl Harbor Fly-Drive Package

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Ninth on our list is the Pearl Harbor Fly-Drive Package Tour, the least expensive tour from the outer islands that includes an airline ticket, rental car, and other assistance to visit the Arizona Memorial. Once you arrive in Honolulu, you’ll proceed to pick up your rental car and head straight to Pearl Harbor. You can reach out for recommendations on how to make the most of your visit for that day.

If you want to see the historic sites at your own pace, you can choose an Oahu Island Circle your with a self-drive option. You may also add extra stops and tickets to see other museums in Pearl Harbor.

Price of Tour: Adult $349.99; Child $339.99
Length of Tour: Times vary depending on the attraction.

10. Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona, and City Tour

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Tenth on our list is the Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona, and City Tour. You will spend the day visiting the most important sites and landmarks in Honolulu. You’ll begin your tour with a visit to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you’ll enjoy the exhibits, galleries, and displays before you board a Navy boat shuttle for a tour along “Battleship Row.”

As you step off your shuffle to explore the USS Arizona Memorial, you’ll continue to the National Memorial Cemetery where you’ll see the historical landmark against the rolling hills and beautiful foliage. Towards the end, you’ll wrap up your tour with a narrated experience of downtown Honolulu. You’ll get to see the state buildings, and learn about lolani Palace.

This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation, a guide, national park fees, admission to the USS Arizona Memorial, a downtown Honolulu tour, and more. This tour will honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces.

Price of Tour: From $60 per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours

11. Pearl Harbor Heroes Adventure Tour

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Eleventh on our list is the Pearl Harbor Heroes Adventure Tour. You all immerse yourself in a full-day tour learning about World War II history in Oahu. You’ll get to visit the USS Missouri and the site where the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

After that, you’ll climb onto the Bowfin and learn about the role it played during World War II. You’ll get to honor the lost soldiers of the USS Arizona and visit the Pearl Habor Aviation Museum. Round-trip transportation from the Waikiki hotels will be included.

Included in your tour will be a live narration by your professional guide, pick up and drop off at Waikiki hotels, lunch, Battleship Missouri admission fee, and Pearl Harbor Aviation admission fee.

Price of Tour: From $209.79
Length of Tour: 9 hours 30 minutes

12. Honolulu Tour With Pearl Harbor

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On this tour, you’ll get to hear wonderful stories of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. You will witness the iconic sites and the memorials of the 1941 attack and experience the island’s history. Your tour will begin with a pickup in Waikiki.

You will first travel to Pearl Harbor and then ride the navy launch to the USS Arizona Memorial. You will get to explore the memorials of those who lost their lives and reflect on the wall of remembrance. After the memorial, you will return to the van for your tour of downtown Honolulu.

You will get to see sites such as the state Capitol and Aloha Tower as you learn about some of the history of Hawaii. Gratuities are not included on this tour.

Price of Tour: From $50 per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours 30 minutes

13. Pearl Harbor and Honolulu City Tour

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On this tour, you will get a complete experience of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center along with a historic Honolulu tour. On the tour visit, you’ll see lolani palace and get to stop for a photo opportunity at the popular statue of King Kamehameha. This was the king of the Hawaiian islands.

This tour includes MANY great features. Some things that are included are luxury round-trip transportation, the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Tour, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, a documentary film of the Pearl Harbor attack, and a professionally narrated tour.

Price of Tour: From $64 per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours

14. USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Audio Tour

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On this tour, you’ll experience one of the most powerful destinations in Hawaii on a fully narrated audio tour to the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. This narrated audio tour is 2.5 hours long that will take you through two class museums that include the amazing “Attack” and “Road to War.” These lead up to the attack on Oahu and the aftermath.

You’ll have your own guide to lead you along as you look at photographs, memorabilia, and more. This is included the audio tour, Pearl Harbor Visitor Center map guide, and disposable earbuds. The tour does not include tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial, which must be purchased separately.

Price of Tour: From $7.99 per person
Length of Tour: 2 hours 30 minutes

15. Oahu: Salute to Pearl Harbor

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On this guided tour, you’ll get to stand at ground zero of the Pearl Harbor attack and look up at the sky that once was filled with Japanese planes. During this tour, you’ll get to revisit the past and see artifacts and media displays that show the events and details that lead up to the attack. You’ll learn that Ford Island was the center of the attack, where residents once woke up to madness and destruction.

You’ll then head to the USS Arizona Memorial by shuttle boat. During your trip, you may see turtles swimming in the reef around the Arizona and how it is entombed below. You’ll get to see a historical film, a journey that takes you back in time to see a survivor of the attacks.

This tour includes centralized pickup, certified tour guides, and an entrance fee. This tour does not include food, drinks, or gratuities.

Price of Tour: From $46 per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours

16. Oahu: Pearl Harbor Heroes Full-Day Tour

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On this tour, you will get to retrace the footsteps of the brave soldiers of World War II on a full-day tour of Oahu. After you get picked up from the hotel, you will get to relive the days from the attack on Pearl Harbor to the signing of surrender aboard the USS Missouri. You will then get to visit the aviation museum where you’ll learn about the pilots of a bygone age.

You will also get to see how the US Navy has changed its base on Ford Island. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop off, a guide, navy operated boat tour, an audio tour of the USS Bowfin, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the guided tour of the USS Missouri.

Price of Tour: From $192
Length of Tour: 9 hours 30 minutes

17. From Waikiki: Pearl Harbor Premium Tour

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On this premium tour, you’ll get a guided tour with skip-the-line to access Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl National Cemetery, and downtown Honolulu. You’ll get to tour on a luxury mini-bus that comes equipped with USB ports, LED interior and exterior, frameless passenger windows, and a panoramic front view window. As you travel on this air-conditioned ride, your guide will narrate the history of all of these important sites.

Once at the site, you will have access to the USS Arizona audio guide. Included in your tour is a pickup and drop-off at your Waikiki hotel. With this premium tour, you’ll receive breakfast and lunch, a souvenir booklet, and an official Pearl Harbor tote bag.

Price of Tour: From $191
Length of Tour: 9 hours

18. Oahu: Diamond Head Hiking & Pearl Harbor Tour

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This Diamond Head Hiking and Pearl Harbor Tour are so popular that it’s likely to sell out! You’ll get to experience this hiking trail from a transfer from your hotel in Waikiki. On top of Diamond Head, you’ll enjoy panoramic ocean views and you’ll get to stop at Pearl Harbor afterward.

Once you get to Pearl Harbor, you can spend time shopping, grabbing lunch, or seeing other tour sites after your hike. At the end of your tour, you will be returned to the hotel. This tour cost does not include storage lockers, Arizona Memorial tickets, or tips.

Price of Tour: From $80
Length of Tour: 8 hours

19. Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Historic Honolulu Limousine Tour

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On this tour, you’ll go on a private limousine tour of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona, and Honolulu. You’ll get picked up from any address in Oahu and hop in a 10-passenger luxury limousine. Once you get to your destination, you’ll take a guided walking tour of the area.

Included in this tour are a chauffeur, limousine transportation, a wet bar on ice, snacks, Pearl Harbor souvenir, access to two Arizona Memorial Museums, and more!

Price of Tour: From $699
Length of Tour: 5 hours

20. Oahu: Doors Off Circle Island Helicopter Experience

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On this tour, you will go on a helicopter that covers the island from above, making this the only full-circle tour of Oahu by helicopter. You’ll get to see aerial views of Pearl Harbor, the World War II Arizona Memorial, and more.

You’ll then get to fly above Honolulu Harbor and the Diamond Head crater. It’s important to note that this tour is not suitable for children under 12 years old. Are you brave enough to tour the skies?

Price of Tour: From $552
Length of Tour: 1 hour 15 minutes

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
January 5, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
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