Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial – Honolulu Tour – Submarine Access

Pearl Harbor asks for your attention. This half-day tour pairs Waikiki pickup with the solemn USS Arizona site, Pearl Harbor museums, and a short Honolulu history tour. I like the easy transportation and the chance to see King Kamehameha’s statue, Punchbowl Cemetery, and downtown sights without arranging several separate visits. The main concern is time: some departures allow only about two hours at Pearl Harbor.

The USS Arizona Memorial is currently under maintenance, so boat rides are not operating. That changes the experience in a major way, especially because the tour title suggests submarine access, but USS Bowfin admission costs an extra $22. Guides such as Shelly, Chelsea, and Michael receive strong praise for their warmth, humor, safe driving, and island knowledge, though the quality of timing and communication can vary.

Key points to know before booking

• Arizona boat rides are currently unavailable: You can visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial grounds and museums, but the boat trip to the memorial is suspended during repairs.
• Waikiki transportation is the core convenience: Premium coach or limo bus pickup is arranged near your hotel, with round-trip service included.
• The Pearl Harbor visit may feel rushed: The planned stop is about two hours, which may cover the film and memorial area but leave little time for extra museums.
• The Bowfin submarine is visible but not included: You can photograph it from outside. Full admission to the submarine and museum costs $22.
• Honolulu sightseeing adds useful context: The route includes King Kamehameha’s statue, Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, Hawaiian Mission Houses, Aloha Tower, and Punchbowl Cemetery.
• Pack very lightly: Bags are not allowed inside Pearl Harbor, though lockers are available. A water bottle is permitted, and clear bags may be accepted.

Waikiki pickup makes an early start easier

The day begins around 8:30 a.m., with pickup near Waikiki accommodations. You are assigned a nearby meeting point rather than collected at every hotel door, so check the exact location carefully. People staying in Ko Olina or on the North Shore can join the bus in Waikiki.

I see real value in this setup. Pearl Harbor is not a casual walk from most Waikiki hotels, and public transportation adds its own wait times and decisions. A round-trip coach removes the need to arrange a rental car, find parking, and work out the route before breakfast.

The vehicle may be a premium limo bus or coach, with up to 50 people on the largest departures. Some rides are on smaller buses, which makes loading easier and gives the day a more personal feel. The tradeoff is that pickup and drop-off at several Waikiki locations can eat into the advertised five to six hours.

That timing matters. Some people have returned to their hotel in less than four hours, while others have experienced a longer outing. I would treat five to six hours as an approximate window, not guaranteed time spent at the memorial.

The drive through Honolulu puts Pearl Harbor in context

On the way to Pearl Harbor, the guide points out parts of Honolulu from the coach. This is a quick introduction rather than a full city tour, but it gives the day a wider historical frame.

The first planned stop is the King Kamehameha statue, where you have about 20 minutes. The statue honors the Hawaiian ruler who united the islands. It is larger than life, though not by much compared with the man it represents, who was said to be 7 feet 6 inches tall.

This is one of the more useful photo stops because you actually get out of the bus. Some guides, including Shelly, have been praised for allowing time to take pictures and for explaining local history in an entertaining way.

Several other sights are drive-bys:

• Iolani Palace, Hawaii’s former royal residence
• Kawaiahao Church, built with coral and lava rock
• Hawaiian Mission Houses, linked to education, law, and the written Hawaiian language
• Aloha Tower, a longtime Honolulu landmark connected with the city’s harbor history

These glimpses are worthwhile if this is your first visit to Honolulu. Still, you should not expect to enter the palace, church, mission houses, or tower. If you want interior visits and longer photo stops, plan a separate downtown Honolulu outing.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial deserves more than a quick pass

Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the main reason to book this experience. The visitor center is your base, with museums, facilities, a documentary, and the boats normally used for the USS Arizona Memorial.

Admission to the Pearl Harbor site and two World War II museums is included, along with the official Pearl Harbor documentary shown there. The museums and film help explain the attack, its human cost, and the events that followed. For many people, this material is the emotional center of the day.

The problem is the clock. The scheduled Pearl Harbor stop lasts about two hours, and the group must return to the bus at a set time. That can be enough to use the restroom, see the film, visit the memorial area, and pause for reflection. It is not enough for a relaxed visit to every museum and paid attraction in the harbor.

One important detail is the film schedule. It begins at 15 and 45 minutes past each hour. If your arrival and boat schedule do not line up, you could miss it and have no practical way to wait for the next showing. One departure reached the site at 12:20, with a 1 p.m. bus deadline, leaving no time for a later film.

You may also want an audio guide or video guide, but the tight schedule can make those purchases poor value. I would first confirm how much free time you have before paying for extras.

The USS Arizona Memorial is meaningful, but the current closure changes everything

Under normal conditions, the tour includes a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. The memorial sits above the sunken battleship, where visitors can see the wall of names, observe the oil sometimes called the Arizona’s tears, and spend a quiet moment honoring those who died on December 7, 1941.

At present, the memorial is closed for maintenance and the boat ride is not operating. The supplied tour details still contain older wording about guaranteed Arizona tickets, but the current operating note is the one you should rely on: there is no boat ride while construction continues.

You can still visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial, watch the documentary, and see the site from available viewpoints. A free shuttle may offer a different view of the harbor, but it involves waiting in line and may not fit within this tour’s short Pearl Harbor window.

This is not a minor adjustment. If standing inside the white memorial structure is the central purpose of your visit, I would postpone booking until boat service returns or choose a product that clearly confirms current access. If you mainly want the visitor center, documentary, museums, and a guided ride from Waikiki, the experience can still be worthwhile.

Pearl Harbor is also a war cemetery. The setting calls for quiet behavior and respect, especially around the names of the dead. Families can certainly visit, but young children may find the solemn tone difficult, and adults should explain the purpose of the site before arriving.

The USS Bowfin is close, but submarine access costs extra

The USS Bowfin submarine is docked beside the Pearl Harbor visitor center. This is where the title of the experience can cause confusion.

The tour includes an outside view of the submarine and time for photographs. It does not include admission to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. Full admission costs $22, and the limited schedule may not leave enough time to use that ticket comfortably.

If you want to walk through the submarine, study its exhibits, and explore the park, ask before booking how long your group will remain at Pearl Harbor. The submarine is a strong choice for military history fans, but adding it to a two-hour stop may force you to skip the film or other museum areas.

The included outside view is still a nice bonus. You can see the vessel up close without paying another fee, but do not assume that seeing the submarine means entering it.

Punchbowl Cemetery adds a quiet final note

After Pearl Harbor, the bus continues through Honolulu to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly called Punchbowl. The cemetery occupies a dormant volcanic crater above the city, with rows of white marble headstones and a calm, reflective setting.

The scheduled visit is a 15-minute driving tour rather than a long walking stop. Your guide shares stories about service members connected with World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and later conflicts.

This brief stop has been one of the most praised parts of the day. It offers a different kind of history from Pearl Harbor, focusing on remembrance and military service. You may wish for more time outside the bus, but the short drive through the cemetery still gives you a chance to see its layout and understand its importance.

For veterans and military families, this portion can be especially powerful. One former Army visitor described the whole day as emotional and connected it with the price of freedom. You do not need a military background to appreciate the site, but you should expect a serious atmosphere rather than a scenic sightseeing stop.

Guides can make or break the long ride

The guide is responsible for driving, timing, Honolulu commentary, and practical instructions. That is a lot for one person, and the strongest departures benefit greatly from a good guide.

Shelly has been praised for her energy, humor, local background, and safe driving. Chelsea receives similar praise for being friendly, funny, careful, and well informed about the island. Michael is also described as both entertaining and helpful. Snacks have even been provided on some departures.

The tone can vary. One passenger found the narration too long and the bus too cold, while others loved the lively storytelling. If you prefer a quiet ride, a talkative guide may wear you down. If you enjoy local stories and conversation, that same energy may be a highlight.

Communication before pickup has also been uneven. Pickup points have changed for some bookings, and a few people received confusing calls or texts about dates and availability. I would save the operator’s contact information, confirm the pickup point the day before, and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately after the tour.

Is $74 a fair price for this Pearl Harbor tour?

At $74 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transportation, a guide, guaranteed planning for the Pearl Harbor visit, and a short Honolulu tour. You are paying for convenience more than for a long, all-access Pearl Harbor experience.

The value is strongest for:

• First-time visitors staying in Waikiki
• People who do not want to drive or arrange public transit
• Families seeking a single organized outing
• Visitors who want Pearl Harbor plus a taste of central Honolulu
• People who prefer a guide to handle pickup, routing, and timing

The value drops if you mainly want time inside the museums, the Bowfin submarine, the USS Missouri, or the Pacific Aviation Museum. Those attractions require extra admission or more time than this outing normally provides.

You could visit Pearl Harbor independently, since the national memorial’s main facilities are free, and arrange your own transportation. That option gives you more control and may suit a history-focused visitor who wants several hours on site. The tour earns its fee through convenience and a wider itinerary, not through exclusive access to every attraction.

Keep the $22 Bowfin admission in mind if submarine access is important to you. The USS Missouri and aviation museum are also separate attractions on Ford Island, reached by the free park shuttle, and they are not included in this package.

Practical advice for a smoother morning

Pack lightly. No bags are allowed at Pearl Harbor, though lockers are available. A water bottle is allowed, and one passenger specifically noted that other drinks were restricted. A clear bag may be accepted, but I would confirm the current security rules before you leave your hotel.

Wear something comfortable and bring sun protection. The tour includes bus time, outdoor walking, museum visits, and a cemetery drive. You will want shoes that work for both paved paths and quiet stops at the memorial grounds.

Stay aware of the return time. Do not assume you can remain at Pearl Harbor after the group leaves. The bus timetable controls the day, and even a few minutes spent waiting for a shuttle can cut into museum time.

If your priority is the Arizona Memorial boat ride, verify its operating status immediately before booking. Maintenance is the most important fact here, and older descriptions can create the wrong expectation.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation caused by poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size should result in another date or a full refund.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want simple Waikiki transportation, a guide-led introduction to Pearl Harbor, and a compact Honolulu history tour. The combination of King Kamehameha’s statue, downtown drive-bys, Punchbowl Cemetery, and Pearl Harbor creates a useful first look at Oahu’s past.

Skip it if you want a slow, detailed day at Pearl Harbor. Two hours can feel tight, and the USS Bowfin costs extra. Most of all, do not book it expecting the USS Arizona boat ride while the memorial remains under maintenance.

My advice is to confirm three things before paying: the exact pickup point, the promised return time, and whether boat service has resumed. If those answers suit your plans, the $74 price buys a practical introduction. If the memorial itself is your main goal, wait until access is restored or choose an option that gives you more time on site.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes round-trip transportation from Waikiki, admission to Pearl Harbor National Memorial, two Pearl Harbor World War II museums, the Pearl Harbor documentary, the Honolulu drive, the King Kamehameha statue stop, and the Punchbowl Cemetery drive.

Is the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial included?

The boat ride is currently not operating because the USS Arizona Memorial is under maintenance. The tour information lists Arizona access as guaranteed, but the current closure means there are no boat rides during the repair period.

Is admission to the USS Bowfin submarine included?

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

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is provided near Waikiki accommodations at a convenient meeting location. The start time is 8:30 a.m. People staying in Ko Olina or on the North Shore must meet the bus in Waikiki.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is five to six hours, but actual timing can vary. Some departures have been shorter, and pickup and drop-off at several locations can affect the total length.

Can I bring a bag into Pearl Harbor?

No bags are allowed inside Pearl Harbor, although lockers are available. A water bottle is allowed, and clear bags may be accepted under the site’s rules.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.