How much time do you need at Pearl Harbor?

While it's possible to visit all four of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites in roughly 6 hours, the best way to experience Pearl Harbor - and not miss a thing - is to make a full day of it.



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You need a full day minimum to visit the Park and the Arizona. It can be done in less, but you will be rushed and have to pick and choose. Reservations in advance are recommended, especially for the Arizona. Visit the National Park Service site for Pearl Harbor.

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With so many sites to see at Pearl Harbor, expect lots of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and breathable clothing.

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If you have your own transportation and do not want to go on a tour, you reserve your tickets in advance at the Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau. They offer the Passport to Pearl Harbor, which includes admissions and audio tours to all of the sites at Pearl Harbor (except the Arizona Memorial movie/boat tour).

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What You Should Know Before Visiting Pearl Harbor
  1. Book a Tour in Advance. ...
  2. Research & Study About Pearl Harbor in Advance. ...
  3. Pack Lightly. ...
  4. Dress Appropriately. ...
  5. Wear Comfortable Footwear. ...
  6. No Bags or Purses Allowed. ...
  7. Wear Sunscreen.


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Items that are NOT allowed at the monument: Bags, packages, or containers that offer concealment, such as purses, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage, etc. that exceed the measurements of 1.5 X 2.25 X 5.5, are not allowed at the monument.

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The memorial sits overtop the wreckage, where more than 900 bodies are still entombed in the ship's hull. While you can visit all of the above on your own and free of charge, you still have to reserve tickets and find your way around – which is why guided tours of Pearl Harbor are so popular.

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Millions of visitors from all over the world come to this majestic setting to see where World War II began for the United States on December 7th, 1941. This incredible self-guided, multimedia-narrated 30-60 min Tour is highly recommended to all visitors who desire a more engaging and enriching Pearl Harbor experience.

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The Pearl Harbor Excursion is the shortest Pearl Harbor tour.

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Many visitors say this is a must-do attraction, and recommend reserving your free ticket well in advance since availability is so limited due to high demand. A visit to the USS Arizona Memorial is free, but you have to reserve a time slot on Recreation.gov in advance for the boat tour.

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If you'd like, you can reserve your tickets online, up to two months in advance. This will ensure you get to visit the Memorial on your trip to Hawaii. Reserve your tickets for late morning or mid-afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds. The last program begins at 3:00 pm.

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Dress Code Dress comfortably, but not so much that you risk offending anyone visiting Pearl Harbor. Show respect for the lives lost and the men and women who served by dressing modestly, which means bathing suits and profanity-laced t-shirts are not acceptable.

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USS Arizona Memorial is a must visit for visitors as it is the most important WWII sites in the United States. The Visitor Center opens at 7:00 am daily and the programs start at 7:30 AM. The programs at the USS Arizona Memorial run every 15 minutes.

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Parking & Shuttle Free shuttles depart approximately every 15 minutes from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

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Pearl Harbor in Honolulu is 11 miles or a 25-minute drive from Waikiki Beach by car. Travelers can get to Pearl Harbor from our Waikiki Beach hotel by taking Highway 201 and following signs to the Pearl Harbor Historic Site and Visitor Center.

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Because Pearl Harbor National Memorial has a no bag policy, it is recommended that you bring snacks and water bottles that you can carry. There is a small snack shop on site that carries various sundry snacks and cold beverages. There are water fountains located throughout the park to use or refill water bottles with.

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Although there are 1,300 free tickets available daily, due to high demand there are often more people than free tickets and not everyone gets to visit the USS Arizona Memorial that day. For this reason, we encourage booking a guided tour. Guided tours include guaranteed tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.

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