Planning Your Pearl Harbor Visit

Pearl Harbor draws nearly 2 million visitors each year, making it one of Hawaiʻi's most popular attractions. That popularity means you need to plan ahead carefully. The logistics matter—from parking to security to tickets. Get these details right, and you'll have a meaningful, transformative experience. Get them wrong, and you might not get in at all.

I can't stress this enough: Pearl Harbor is not a place you can just show up to. The days of walking up and getting tickets are mostly gone. The security requirements, limited capacity, and overwhelming demand mean preparation is essential.

Getting There: Routes and Reality

Pearl Harbor sits at 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu. From most places on Oʻahu, it's about 30-45 minutes of driving, but Hawaiian traffic can be unpredictable. Plan for extra time, especially during morning rush hour.

From Waikīkī or Downtown Honolulu:

Take Ala Moana Boulevard west, which becomes Nimitz Highway, then merge onto H-1 West. Take Exit 15A for "Arizona Memorial/Stadium." This is important—don't take the "Hickam AFB/Pearl Harbor" exit, which leads to the active military base, not the memorial. Continue on Highway 99 (Kamehameha Highway) for about a mile, then turn left at Arizona Memorial Place at the fourth traffic light. You'll see signs directing you to visitor parking.

From West Oʻahu (Kapolei, Ewa):

Take H-1 East to Exit 13A (Moanalua Road). Stay right for the "Stadium/Aiea" exit. Turn left onto Highway 99 East (Kamehameha Highway), then right onto Arizona Memorial Place.

From East Oʻahu (Kāneʻohe, Kailua):

Take H-3 West to Exit 1C (Halawa/Camp Smith/Aiea/Stadium). Follow signs for Stadium/Honolulu. This route offers beautiful mountain views but can be confusing for first-time visitors.

From North Shore:

Take Highway 99 South through Central Oʻahu. You'll pass Wahiawā and other historic towns we'll discuss later. Merge onto H-2 South toward Honolulu, then continue onto H-1 East. Take Exit 13A and follow the directions above.

Alternative Transportation:

Many tour companies offer transportation from Waikīkī hotels and other locations. This solves the parking problem entirely and often includes other benefits. Taxis and rideshare services work too, though you'll need to arrange return transportation.

The Visitor Center: Your Starting Point

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service, serves as the gateway to your experience. Understanding what's here—and what's free versus what costs extra—helps you plan your time and budget.

The Visitor Center includes restrooms, a bookstore with over 120 titles about the Pacific War and Hawaiian history, and a snack shop for basic refreshments. The bookstore is actually quite good—you'll find everything from children's books about Pearl Harbor to scholarly works on Pacific theater strategy. Many books are written by veterans or historians with direct connections to the events.

USS Arizona Memorial Tickets: The Key to Your Visit

The USS Arizona Memorial program is what most people come to experience. It includes a 23-minute documentary film that sets the historical context, followed by a U.S. Navy-operated boat ride to the memorial structure itself, where you'll spend about 15 minutes in quiet reflection and remembrance.

The Reservation Challenge:

While the program is free, you must reserve tickets in advance through recreation.gov. There's a non-refundable $1 reservation fee per ticket. Here's where it gets tricky: tickets are typically released up to eight weeks (two months) in advance, and they sell out fast. The memorial accommodates about 4,000-5,000 visitors daily, with boat tours departing every 30 minutes from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Last-Minute Options:

A very limited number of next-day tickets are released at 3:00 PM Hawaii time on recreation.gov each day. These typically sell out within minutes. The old system of first-come, first-served walk-up tickets has been largely discontinued and isn't reliable.

Tour Company Advantage: This is why many visitors choose commercial tour companies. Reputable operators have allocations of guaranteed USS Arizona Memorial tickets, removing the uncertainty from your planning.

Security and What to Bring

Pearl Harbor's security rivals that of airports, and for good reason—it's an active military installation and national memorial.

Bag Policy (Strictly Enforced):

No bags of any kind are permitted inside Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. This includes purses, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, and fanny packs. The only exceptions are medical bags for items like insulin, and clear plastic bags smaller than 12" x 12" x 6" containing only allowed items.

Bag Storage: A private company operates bag storage near the entrance for about $5-7 per bag. The facility is secure but can have long lines during busy periods. Consider this extra time in your planning.

What to Wear:

Dress respectfully—you're visiting both an active military base and a war memorial. Comfortable walking shoes are essential since you'll walk quite a bit on uneven surfaces. The Hawaiian sun can be intense, so bring a hat and sunscreen. Modest clothing is appropriate; avoid anything that might be considered disrespectful.

Time Planning:

Allow at least two hours for the USS Arizona Memorial program alone—this includes check-in, security screening, the documentary, boat transport, time on the memorial, and return transport. If you plan to visit other historic sites, budget six hours or more for a comprehensive experience.

Accessibility and Special Needs

Pearl Harbor has made significant efforts to ensure accessibility for all visitors.

Physical Accessibility:

The Visitor Center, theaters, and outdoor pathways are wheelchair accessible. The Navy boats that transport visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial are equipped with wheelchair lifts. The memorial structure itself has ramps and accessible viewing areas. Reserved accessible parking spaces are available near the entrance.

Visual and Hearing Accommodations:

The introductory films include English-language captioning and audio description tracks. An induction loop system assists visitors with hearing aids. Braille brochures are available at the information desk. Sign language interpreters can be arranged with at least seven days' notice by contacting the National Park Service.

Service Animals: Service animals are permitted throughout Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. Emotional support animals, however, are not allowed due to security restrictions.