Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Bowfin Submarine

The most moving part of this six-hour Pearl Harbor tour is the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, where the ship remains the final resting place of 1,177 crewmen. You also get time at the visitor center, the history galleries, and the USS Bowfin, a WWII submarine nicknamed the Pearl Harbor Avenger.

I like the combination of the Arizona Memorial and Bowfin: one brings you close to the cost of the attack, while the other shows what submarine service in the Pacific involved. I also like that the Arizona boat ticket and Bowfin admission are included, with Waikiki pickup available to simplify the day.

The main consideration is time. Bowfin and its grounds can take 1.5 to 2 hours, and the full tour includes travel, so there may not be room for a visit to the USS Missouri. The boat program can also be canceled for safety or mechanical reasons, with no refund in that case.

What to know before you book

• The Arizona Memorial is reached by boat: The ticket for the ride is included, but the Navy may cancel the boat program for mechanical problems, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns.
• Bowfin is a substantial stop: Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the submarine and its grounds, including the free audio guides.
• The group is limited to 24: That gives the day a smaller-group feel, though the actual vehicle size and seating arrangements are not specified.
• Pickup is for Waikiki hotels: Ko Olina pickup is not offered unless the booking title specifically says it is.
• Bring no bag to Pearl Harbor: Bags are not allowed at the site, so plan what to do with anything you cannot leave behind.
• The tour includes more than transport: Arizona and Bowfin tickets are included, along with an in-person briefing at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

A focused day at Pearl Harbor

For $59, this tour links two very different parts of the Pearl Harbor story: the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Bowfin submarine. The included admissions and Waikiki pickup make it appealing if you want help getting to the site and prefer to have the central tickets arranged in advance.

The six-hour duration includes travel time, so do not treat it as six full hours inside the memorial grounds. The named stops have estimated visit times of 45 minutes at the visitor center, 45 minutes at the Arizona Memorial, 30 minutes in the galleries, and two hours at Bowfin. Those add up to four hours, leaving the balance for transport and any other parts of the route.

The tour also names Punchbowl Crater and historic Honolulu landmarks, including Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, Kawaiahao Church, and Aloha Tower. The details provided do not say how long the group spends at these places or whether they are viewed from the vehicle or visited on foot. If seeing any of them up close is a priority, ask the operator what the stop involves before booking.

Start at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

The first stop is the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center, with about 45 minutes allotted. An in-person briefing is included, which is useful for getting oriented before the memorial visit and understanding the day’s sequence.

The visitor center anchors the experience in the events of December 7, 1941. That context matters: the Arizona Memorial is more than a striking structure over a sunken ship. It marks the loss of 1,177 crewmen, and the galleries help put the attack and its consequences into a wider WWII setting.

A short film explaining the fateful day and its significance is part of the experience described for the visitor center. The schedule does not state exactly when the film is shown, so your time here may feel brisk if you want to watch closely, read every display, and explore the grounds. I would arrive ready to focus rather than expect a leisurely museum visit.

The boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial

The boat ride is included, and it carries you to the USS Arizona Memorial for a visit of about 45 minutes. The memorial’s importance is difficult to separate from its physical setting: it sits above the wreck, which remains the final resting place of the ship’s crewmen.

This is the emotional center of the tour. The galleries offer photographs and recovered objects; at the memorial, the history is tied directly to the ship and the people who died aboard it. I would leave room for quiet reflection rather than planning this as a quick photo stop.

There is one important uncertainty. The boat program can be canceled by the National Park Service or Navy because of mechanical issues, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns. The stated policy says that such a cancellation is non-refundable, so the Arizona visit is not guaranteed even though its boat ticket is included. If the boat does not run, the tour’s central memorial component will change substantially.

The Road to War and Attack galleries

The tour includes about 30 minutes in the Road to War and Attack galleries. They display photographs and recovered items connected with the attack on Pearl Harbor and WWII. These exhibits help explain the events leading up to the attack and what happened that day, rather than leaving the memorial to carry the whole story on its own.

Thirty minutes is enough for a selected look, not necessarily a close read of every display. If you tend to pause over photographs, labels, and personal objects, keep an eye on the schedule. You may need to choose the exhibits that matter most to you.

I like that the tour pairs these galleries with the Arizona visit. The memorial gives the day its human weight; the exhibits supply details and context. Together, they make a more rounded visit than either stop would on its own.

Aboard the USS Bowfin

The USS Bowfin is a WWII fleet attack submarine that served in the Pacific. Launched on December 7, 1942, one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it earned the nickname Pearl Harbor Avenger. Its permanent home at Pearl Harbor makes it a fitting counterpart to the Arizona Memorial.

Plan about two hours for the Bowfin submarine and grounds. Free audio guides are available for the submarine and outdoor exhibits, giving you a way to explore at your own pace while still following the tour’s schedule. The boat is the sort of place where its cramped working spaces help make the risks and demands of submarine service easier to picture.

I would not rush this stop. The two hours are the longest scheduled visit on the tour, and for good reason: you have the submarine itself as well as the museum grounds and outdoor displays. One useful caution is that anyone uncomfortable in confined spaces may find the submarine visit less appealing. The supplied information does not describe the interior route or accessibility in detail, so contact the operator with specific mobility questions before booking.

More than a memorial visit

The experience also lists Punchbowl Crater, an extinct volcanic tuff cone that serves as a memorial to members of the United States Armed Forces who served and those who died. It adds a broader military memorial to a day otherwise centered on Pearl Harbor and WWII.

The route also names historic Honolulu sites near the city’s business district: Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, Kawaiahao Church, and Aloha Tower. The Hawaii State Capitol, Washington Place, and Honolulu Hale are also identified as landmarks in this area. These places offer a different view of Honolulu’s history and civic life.

What is not clear is how much time is spent at Punchbowl or downtown, or whether these are dedicated stops rather than sights along the ride. Treat them as possible additions to the route, not as guaranteed long visits. If you want an in-depth look at the palace or other downtown landmarks, you may need to arrange separate time.

What the $59 price includes

At $59, the practical value is in bundling transportation from Waikiki with admission to the Bowfin and the boat ticket for the Arizona Memorial. You also receive an in-person briefing, and the tour keeps the group to a maximum of 24. For someone staying in Waikiki, that can be a straightforward way to cover the main Pearl Harbor sites without arranging each ticket and transfer separately.

The price does not mean every part of the day is open-ended. The scheduled visit times are limited, and the overall six hours include travel. If you want to spend a long time at every exhibit or add the USS Missouri, this format may feel too compressed. The Missouri is not included in the listed stops or admissions, so plan separately if that battleship is a must-see.

A guide named Robert has been praised for giving clear instructions and pointing out highlights on the ride. That is a useful kind of help on a day with several timed stops, but the provider does not promise a particular guide. If you are choosing the tour partly for his commentary, ask whether he is scheduled for your date.

Pickup, bags, and access considerations

The start time is 8:30 am, and pickup and drop-off are offered from Waikiki hotels only. Ko Olina pickup is not included unless the booking title specifically identifies the tour as departing from Ko Olina. Check your hotel location before paying, since the pickup area is limited.

No bags are allowed at Pearl Harbor. Keep your plans simple and do not arrive assuming you can bring a daypack into the site. The information provided does not say whether bag storage is available, so arrange accordingly before leaving your hotel.

Most people can participate, but not all tour vehicles can accommodate wheelchairs or scooters. Call the operator promptly after booking to discuss mobility needs and make arrangements. The submarine itself may also present practical challenges for people who have difficulty with confined spaces or moving through a vessel, so ask about the specific access arrangements before deciding.

Who should choose this tour

This is a good fit if you want the Arizona Memorial and Bowfin in one organized half-day, value Waikiki hotel pickup, and are comfortable following a set schedule. The included tickets reduce the number of pieces you need to arrange, while the two-hour Bowfin visit gives you a meaningful amount of time at the submarine and its grounds.

It also suits visitors with a strong interest in WWII history who want both a memorial experience and a look at the machinery and conditions of wartime service. The galleries, short film, and briefing add context before or around the memorial visit. The tour is not just a ride to a photo stop.

Choose another arrangement if you want a slower, more self-directed day, need a guaranteed boat ride, or want to include the USS Missouri. The schedule may also be too tight for anyone hoping to explore every exhibit at length. For a focused introduction to Pearl Harbor’s central sites, though, the combination is sensible and the price is appealing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Arizona Memorial and Bowfin are your priorities and you want transportation and key admissions handled together. I especially like the contrast between the memorial and the submarine: one asks you to pause, the other shows the cramped vessel that carried a WWII crew through the Pacific.

Before you book, confirm the pickup point, ask how the Honolulu and Punchbowl portions work, and consider the boat-cancellation risk. If you want the Missouri or an unhurried museum day, leave more time and arrange those additions separately. For a compact, guided Pearl Harbor visit from Waikiki, this tour offers a practical mix of history, memorial, and hands-on setting.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about six hours from start to finish, including travel time.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

Is the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial included?

Yes. The ticket for the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial is included. The boat program can still be canceled for mechanical issues, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns.

Is admission to the USS Bowfin included?

Yes. The tour includes a ticket to the USS Bowfin submarine and museum. Free audio guides are available for the submarine and outdoor exhibits.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from Waikiki hotels. Ko Olina pickup is not offered unless the booking title specifically says it is from Ko Olina.

Can I bring a bag to Pearl Harbor?

No. Bags are not allowed at Pearl Harbor.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.