USS Arizona Memorial & The “Mighty MO” #1 Limousine Private Tour

Pearl Harbor is a place where the scale of the past becomes hard to ignore. This five-hour private tour links the USS Arizona Memorial with Ford Island and the battleship Missouri, while a chauffeur handles the drive and guide David, a veteran, helps put the sites in context.

I like two things here: Arizona Memorial tickets are included, and a private ride gives your group a quieter, more flexible trip than a shared tour. The vehicle is stocked with bottled water, select drinks, and snacks, and a family outing with David included a film on the way and patient answers for an eight-year-old.

The main catch is cost: $999.99 for up to six is a serious outlay, and admission to the Bowfin and Missouri is extra. It makes most sense if you value private transportation and personal guidance, or can share the price across a group.

Key points before you book

• The Arizona Memorial is the emotional center: Included admission covers the visitor center experience and Navy boat ride to the memorial.
• Your group gets a private limousine: Pickup is offered, and the tour is limited to your party, up to six people.
• The Missouri costs extra: The guided shuttle and viewing time are part of the visit, but the optional 35-minute deck tour requires a separate ticket.
• Ford Island adds more than a photo stop: You’ll see the Control Tower and Hangar 79, including bullet holes left from the December 7, 1941 attack.
• Plan for a full five hours: The schedule also includes the Bowfin area and National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
• A veteran guide can help families follow the story: David has been praised for answering children’s questions and giving the visit context before arrival.

From Honolulu to the Arizona Memorial

The tour starts with a 9:00 am pickup. Be ready in the lobby or designated pickup area five minutes beforehand. From there, your group rides in an air-conditioned private vehicle to Pearl Harbor, with water, select beverages, and snacks provided.

That private ride is more than a comfort perk. The drive gives your group time to settle in and prepare for a solemn visit, rather than arriving straight from a busy morning of logistics. One family’s outing with David included a film on the way, which helped their children understand the events they were about to encounter.

At Pearl Harbor, the Arizona portion takes about two hours. You begin at the visitor center, where two USS Arizona museums and a documentary film introduce the attack and the ship’s fate. The film and exhibits give you a useful frame for what comes next: a Navy boat ride to the memorial above the sunken battleship.

The memorial is a place for quiet attention, not a quick photo checklist. The ship remains below, and the site honors the 1,106 people who died aboard it. Give yourself room to take in the names, the setting, and the weight of the event. The tour’s guide can add context, but the memorial itself is the central experience.

Arizona admission is included in the tour price. That is valuable because this is the stop most people come to Pearl Harbor to see, and it forms a clear, meaningful beginning to the day. The listed schedule also places a visit to Punchbowl, the National Cemetery of the Pacific, before the return trip. It broadens the day’s focus from the attack itself to remembrance of military service.

The Bowfin and the limits of the included visit

The next listed stop is the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, with about 30 minutes set aside. You’ll get a close view of the submarine, nicknamed The Avenger, and see the World War II Submarine Memorial.

Keep the distinction between viewing and admission in mind. Bowfin admission is not included, so the stop should not be mistaken for a full museum visit or a guaranteed tour inside the submarine. The Pacific Fleet Museum is also optional, with tickets available for purchase at the venue.

A family who toured with David described him giving detailed commentary aboard the submarine and fielding a steady stream of questions from an eight-year-old. That gives a useful sense of the guide’s family-friendly approach, though the itinerary itself describes this stop as a close-up visit. If going inside Bowfin is important to you, confirm exactly what your chosen tour includes before booking.

Thirty minutes is a short window if you plan to buy admission and explore at length. Treat this stop as a chance to see the submarine and memorial, and decide ahead of time whether you want to spend extra time and money on the museum.

Ford Island and the USS Missouri

The Missouri portion is scheduled for about two hours and includes shuttle service with a guide to the battleship. You’ll have time for a close view and photos. The ship, known as the Mighty Mo, offers a striking contrast with the Arizona Memorial: one is a sunken battleship associated with the tragedy of the attack, while the other is a large ship you can approach on Ford Island.

The important budget detail is that Missouri admission is not included. A 35-minute guided deck tour is optional, with tickets purchased at the venue. The stated prices are $35 for an adult and $18 for a child. If you want to go aboard, include those costs in your group’s total rather than comparing the base tour price alone.

That extra ticket can be worthwhile if you want more than a view and a photo. The tour schedule allows time for the Missouri visit, but does not make the deck tour compulsory. You can choose the level of access that suits your budget and interest.

The trip also includes a Ford Island Control Tower and Hangar 79 stop, scheduled for about 30 minutes. The views and historical explanations are delivered from the shuttle. Hangar 79 retains bullet holes from the December 7, 1941 attack, a direct physical reminder of the events discussed earlier in the day.

Because this is a shuttle-based visit, expect an overview rather than an extended walk through every site. That can be a plus if you want to cover several locations without adding a long independent visit to each one. If you prefer to linger, ask how much time is available at each stop before you set out.

What the private format is worth

The total price is $999.99 for a group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to about $167 per person before any optional admissions. For two people, the per-person price is close to $500, so the value depends heavily on your group size and how much you prize private transport.

You are paying for a private vehicle, pickup, a five-hour itinerary, included Arizona tickets, and a guide’s attention. You are not paying for all site admission: Bowfin and Missouri tickets are extra. The Missouri deck tour and Pacific Fleet Museum are optional purchases, too. Add these costs before deciding whether the convenience fits your budget.

The private format can be especially useful for a family or small group with different questions and interests. David’s ability to answer a child’s questions and provide small going-away gifts was part of one family’s experience. Gifts are not listed as a standard inclusion, so regard that as a personal touch, not a promised feature.

The tour is offered in English, and moderate physical fitness is recommended. You’ll be moving among several historic sites, and the day is not simply a drive with stops. If anyone in your group has specific mobility needs, ask the operator what the current route involves before you reserve.

The tour is typically booked about 34 days ahead. If your dates are fixed, planning ahead is sensible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this tour?

I’d consider this tour if you want to visit the Arizona Memorial and Missouri in one organized outing, prefer a private vehicle, and are traveling with a group large enough to share the cost. It is also a good fit for families who appreciate a guide able to explain the history in plain terms and keep children engaged.

If you’re traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, compare the private price with other ways to reach Pearl Harbor. You may prefer to arrange transport separately and pay only for the sites you want to enter. And if Bowfin or the Missouri deck is your main priority, check admission costs and time allowances carefully, since neither is included in the base price.

For a small group that wants a guided, convenient day with the Arizona Memorial at its heart, this is a strong option. Book it for the private transport and personal context, not because every museum or ship ticket is covered.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately five hours. Its scheduled stops include the USS Arizona Memorial, Bowfin area, USS Missouri, and Ford Island Control Tower and Hangar 79.

What time does pickup begin?

The start time is 9:00 am. Be ready at your hotel lobby or pickup area five minutes before pickup.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup are included.

Are USS Arizona Memorial tickets included?

Yes. Tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial are included in the tour price.

Are USS Bowfin admission tickets included?

No. Bowfin Museum & Park admission is not included. The Pacific Fleet Museum is optional, and tickets can be purchased at the venue.

Is admission to the USS Missouri included?

No. Missouri admission is not included. The optional 35-minute guided deck tour is listed at $35 for adults and $18 for children, with tickets purchased at the venue.

What is included in the tour price besides transportation?

The tour includes USS Arizona Memorial tickets, bottled water, select beverages, and snacks.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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