Deluxe Arizona Memorial Bowfin Submarine and Honolulu City Tour

Pearl Harbor is the heart of this tour: you watch original footage of the December 7, 1941 attack, visit the visitor-center museums, and take a Navy shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial. I like that the Arizona ticket is arranged for you, and that the USS Bowfin gives you a second, very different way to understand the war.

I also like the small-group format and the added drive past Honolulu’s royal and civic landmarks. The trade-off is time: Pearl Harbor and the Bowfin have fixed windows, and the city portion is a short drive-through, not a full sightseeing tour.

At a glance

• Reserved Arizona Memorial ticket: The tour includes the ticket and Navy shuttle boat ride, subject to Navy operations and safety restrictions.
• Two distinct Pearl Harbor visits: See the visitor-center exhibits, then explore the USS Bowfin submarine and its museum.
• A small group: The maximum is 14 people, with round-trip pickup from designated Waikiki locations.
• A concise Honolulu introduction: The drive passes Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, and other historic sites.
• Plan for a long, food-free morning: Eat breakfast first, and bring no bag unless it is clear and see-through.
• Allow for schedule changes: Traffic, government restrictions, or Navy decisions can affect timing and access.

Pearl Harbor sets the day’s pace

This is a full-day introduction to Pearl Harbor and central Honolulu, running about seven hours. Its main appeal is that the essential transport and admission pieces are bundled: Waikiki pickup, a reserved Arizona Memorial ticket, Bowfin admission, and a return transfer. You do not have to arrange separate rides or hunt for the included tickets on site.

The group is capped at 14, a useful difference from large coach tours. It does not guarantee a private or personalized outing, but it can mean a more manageable pickup and a less crowded ride. The driver also serves as guide during the drive, with past tour guides including Vanessa, Akbar, and Roland.

The itinerary allows about two and a half hours at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and another two and a half at the Bowfin. Then comes about 90 minutes for the Honolulu drive and return transfer. Those blocks sound generous, but each Pearl Harbor stop has more to see than the headline attraction. Go in with priorities, especially if you like to read every exhibit.

The Arizona Memorial begins at the visitor center

At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, your time starts at the visitor center. The tour includes access to the two museums, Road to War and Attack, and an original-footage film about the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941. These exhibits provide context before the boat ride, helping you understand the events and losses connected with the memorial.

The visit to the USS Arizona Memorial is the emotional center of the morning. You board a U.S. Navy shuttle boat to reach the monument, which sits above the sunken battleship. The ticket is included, so you avoid arranging that part yourself. It is a practical advantage, since the boat ride is managed by the Navy and access depends on its schedule and safety decisions.

Use your time thoughtfully. The museums, film, and boat trip all share the same two-and-a-half-hour stop. If you linger over the exhibits, you may need to move briskly to make the scheduled shuttle. If the memorial matters most to you, keep an eye on the clock and follow the driver’s instructions about when to return.

The boat program can be canceled by the Navy for mechanical trouble, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns. Federal rules can also change access to Ford Island without notice. These decisions are outside the tour operator’s control, so the itinerary is not a guarantee that the boat will run. The supplied terms also say the tour is non-refundable if the National Park Service or Navy cancels the boat program for those reasons.

The Bowfin offers a close look inside a submarine

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is the day’s second major stop, with about two and a half hours set aside. Your admission and an audio set tour are included. Unlike the memorial visit, which is centered on a short boat trip and a place of remembrance, the Bowfin gives you a chance to examine a submarine and learn about its workings and wartime role.

The submarine’s narrow interior is part of the point. Displays help explain what it looked like in service, and the audio tour lets you move through at your own pace. For many visitors, this is the most hands-on part of the day: you are not just looking at an exterior landmark, but seeing the confined spaces and equipment that made life aboard a submarine so different from life on shore.

Two and a half hours gives you room to explore the submarine and museum rather than make a quick pass through. Still, you should check the group’s departure time before settling in. The driver coordinates the next leg, and a long stop in one exhibit area can leave less time for another.

A practical detail: the Bowfin ticket may be sent by text rather than handed over in person. Keep your phone charged and with you, and check for messages before and during the tour. That small bit of preparation can prevent an avoidable delay at the entrance.

Honolulu’s landmarks come as a drive-through

After Pearl Harbor, the tour takes a short route through historic Honolulu. The sights include downtown, Iolani Palace, the Hawaii State Capitol, the golden statue of King Kamehameha the Great, Washington Place, and Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The guide points out the landmarks from the vehicle; this is not a stop-and-walk city tour.

I like this portion as a useful introduction to the city’s history and civic center. Iolani Palace connects the route to Hawaii’s royal past, while the Capitol and Washington Place add a look at the modern seat of government. The King Kamehameha statue is one of the most recognizable public monuments in Honolulu. Punchbowl adds a solemn final note, though vehicle access there can be restricted by the authorities.

Keep your expectations in scale with the time allotted. The city portion is roughly 90 minutes, including the transfer back to Waikiki, so you will see several sites from the road rather than spend time inside them. If your main interest is museums, architecture, or walking around downtown, plan a separate visit.

There is an important exception for airport pickups. If your pickup location is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the tour returns you directly to the airport after Pearl Harbor. The Waikiki and downtown drive is not part of that return route, so do not book an airport pickup expecting the city portion afterward.

The $155 price buys convenience as well as admission

At $155 per person, the tour is not simply a ride to Pearl Harbor. The price includes round-trip pickup from designated Waikiki locations, the Arizona Memorial ticket and shuttle boat, the two visitor-center museums, Bowfin admission with an audio set, the Honolulu drive, and a bottle of water. For someone staying in Waikiki, having transport and the key tickets handled together can make the day easier to organize.

The value depends on how you prefer to travel. If you are comfortable arranging your own transport and securing attraction tickets, you may prefer to do Pearl Harbor independently. If you would rather have a driver, a reserved Arizona ticket, and a set plan, the package can be worth paying extra for. The Bowfin admission is especially useful because it covers a second major attraction in the same area.

The small-group cap helps, though the vehicle is shared and comfort can vary with the vehicle assigned and the number of people aboard. A few past guides, including Vanessa, Akbar, and Roland, have been praised for making the ride informative and friendly. The tour’s quality still depends in part on the day’s driver, timing, and coordination.

A few rules matter more than they sound

Confirm your pickup details the day before. The operator contacts you then, and travelers with international phone numbers or cruise-ship plans are asked to contact the company for pickup information. Be ready a few minutes early, keep your phone charged and switched on, and do not assume a late arrival can be accommodated. The stated policy is that missing pickup means missing the tour, with no rescheduling.

Eat breakfast before pickup. Food and drink are not allowed inside the vehicle, and no breakfast or lunch is included. A bottle of water is provided, but bring no meal to eat on the ride. With several hours at Pearl Harbor, eating beforehand is the simplest way to avoid being hungry while you are trying to pay attention.

Pearl Harbor’s bag restriction deserves particular attention. Bags of any kind, size, brand, or color are not allowed into the visitor center, except clear see-through bags. Bag storage costs extra and can involve a long wait. Bags cannot be left in the tour vehicle, and the vehicle has no room for luggage. Arrive with essentials in your pockets or a permitted clear bag, not a daypack or suitcase.

The schedule can change because of traffic, federal rules, or new Pearl Harbor restrictions. The tour operator reserves tickets in advance, but cannot control the Navy’s boat service or government access decisions. Keep the rest of your day flexible, especially if you have a flight or another timed activity.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Waikiki, want to see both the Arizona Memorial and the Bowfin, and value having transport and tickets coordinated. It suits first-time visitors who want a concentrated introduction to Pearl Harbor, plus a quick look at Honolulu’s historic center, without planning each transfer themselves.

It is less suited to anyone who wants an unhurried, self-directed day at the memorial, a long walking tour of downtown, or a substantial lunch break. The schedule is structured, the city tour is brief, and the two Pearl Harbor stops have several components competing for your attention. If you book, decide in advance which exhibits matter most, arrive early for pickup, and travel without bags.

At $155, the tour offers reasonable value when the included tickets and Waikiki transport matter to you. Book it for convenience and range, not for a deep exploration of every site. If you would rather set your own pace, organize the transport and tickets yourself and give Pearl Harbor more time.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts about seven hours. The schedule allows about two and a half hours at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, two and a half hours at the Bowfin, and about 90 minutes for the Honolulu drive and return transfer.

Is the Arizona Memorial ticket included?

Yes. The tour includes a reserved ticket and the U.S. Navy shuttle boat ride to the Arizona Memorial, subject to Navy operations and safety restrictions.

Is admission to the USS Bowfin included?

Yes. The tour includes admission to the USS Bowfin submarine and Submarine Museum, along with an audio set tour.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 travelers.

What should I bring to Pearl Harbor?

Bring no bag unless it is clear and see-through. Bags cannot be stored in the tour vehicle, and visitor-center bag storage costs money and may take time.

Is food included?

No. Breakfast and lunch are not included. Eat breakfast before pickup, and note that food and drink are not allowed inside the vehicle. A bottle of water is provided.

What happens if the Arizona Memorial boat ride is canceled?

The Navy can cancel the shuttle boat for mechanical issues, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns. The tour terms state that the tour is non-refundable if the National Park Service or Navy cancels the boat program for those reasons.