How do you even begin to understand a place as significant as Pearl Harbor? In my experience, taking a tour makes the experience easier to navigate and more meaningful.
Visiting Pearl Harbor is one of the most important things to do in Honolulu, especially if you want to learn more about what happened on December 7, 1941, and its impact on Hawaii, the United States, and the world.
When I visited Honolulu with my family, we took this Pearl Harbor tour from Waikiki and thought it was a really simple and well-organized way to visit the memorial. So, I’ve written this honest review to share exactly what the tour was like, what I loved, and a few things to know before you book.
My Itinerary on the Tour
Meeting Point: Waikiki
This tour offers designated pickup zones around Waikiki, rather than picking up directly from every hotel. This is due to Waikiki’s local regulations, but the good news is that all of the pickup zones are usually around a 5- to 7-minute walk from nearby hotels.
This particular tour company is known for being good with communication, too, so they’ll confirm your pickup location and let you know about any time changes. They were super proactive about communicating with us! Once we were picked up, it was around a 20-minute drive to Pearl Harbor, although that can vary depending on traffic.
During the drive, our guide began sharing information about Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and the places we passed along the way. This was a nice way to start the tour and get some context before we arrived at such a monumental historical site.
First Stop: Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Once you arrive at Pearl Harbor National Memorial, you’ll leave your guide and visit the memorial site independently. This is important to know before booking, because your guide doesn’t walk around the site with you. Instead, they help coordinate the logistics and provide information during the drive. Don’t worry – I found it really easy to navigate, and the exhibits were super informative in their own right.
You’ll have time to go through the “Road to War” and “Attack” exhibition galleries, which explain the lead-up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and what happened on December 7, 1941. It’s a powerful place to visit, and the exhibits give you a lot of important context before you continue to the USS Arizona Memorial.
One very practical thing to know is that Pearl Harbor has a strict bag policy. You can only bring clear bags into the site, and you can’t leave bags in the tour van. Either leave your bags at your hotel or be prepared to pay to check them at the memorial site.
Second Stop: Boat Ride to USS Arizona Memorial
After visiting the exhibition galleries, we watched a 20-minute documentary before taking the ferry out to the USS Arizona Memorial. For me, this was the most moving part of the visit, as it gave me the chance to see the memorial up close and take in the scale of what happened here.
The USS Arizona Memorial sits above the sunken battleship, where many of the sailors and Marines who died during the attack are still entombed. It’s a very sobering experience, and this is where the site’s history really hit me.
Just be aware that the boat ride is weather-dependent and can be canceled if conditions aren’t safe. This isn’t really a downside of the tour itself, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind. The memorial is such a big part of the experience, so you’ll be hoping for good weather on the day. You can take advantage of the flexible cancellation and rescheduling policy to ensure you go on a calm day.
Third Stop: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater
After visiting Pearl Harbor, we regrouped with our driver and guide before heading to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. This is located inside Punchbowl Crater, an extinct volcanic crater, so it’s a very striking place to visit! It’s interesting to see a different part of Honolulu beyond Waikiki and Pearl Harbor.
The cemetery itself is a memorial site for those who served in the United States Armed Forces, including many who died during World War II. It’s certainly a meaningful and memorable place to end the tour.
What I Loved About This Tour
Highly rated and positive reviews
There are lots of Pearl Harbor tours from Honolulu, but this one stood out because it has thousands of 5-star reviews. When you’re visiting somewhere as important as Pearl Harbor, it’s reassuring to book a tour that other travelers have consistently had a good experience with.
After taking it myself, I can see why people rate it so highly. It made the whole day feel smooth and simple, and gave us plenty of time to take in the memorial properly.
Great tour guides
The tour guides were personable, helpful, and clearly passionate about Honolulu’s history, which made the drive to and from Pearl Harbor much more interesting. They were also great at communicating the practical details, from pickup times to where we needed to be and when. That made the whole day feel very easy, which is exactly what you want when visiting a busy site like Pearl Harbor.
An immersive way to learn about Pearl Harbor and Honolulu
This tour isn’t just about getting from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. As you drive around Honolulu, your guide shares lots of information about the sites and areas you pass, as well as the history of Pearl Harbor itself.
That added a lot to the experience, because I learned much more than if I’d just taken an Uber there and explored alone. Our guide’s knowledge made our visit so much more worthwhile!
Balance of guided tour and free time
I thought that this tour struck a good balance between guidance and independence. Our guide gave us lots of helpful information during the drive and made sure the logistics ran smoothly, but once we were at the memorial, we had time to explore at our own pace. It was nice to be able to have space to take it all in rather than being hurried along.
Easy pickup points
Another big plus is that the pickup points are really convenient. The tour offers pickup from 15 designated zones around Waikiki, so you shouldn’t have to walk too far from your hotel.
This made life so much easier for us! We didn’t want to deal with traffic and parking, so being picked up made the day feel a lot smoother. Even though Pearl Harbor isn’t far from Waikiki, I definitely think that organized pickup is the way to go.
Free cancellation options
Another thing I liked is that this tour offers free cancellation, which gives you a bit more flexibility when booking. At the time of writing, you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure, which is always reassuring when you’re planning a trip.
It also offers a “reserve now, pay later” option, which is handy if you want to secure your spot without paying straight away. Since the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial is weather-dependent, having that extra bit of flexibility is definitely a bonus!
What I Didn’t Like About The Tour
Extra van time with pickups
The pickup service is really convenient, but the downside is that you may spend a bit of extra time in the van while everyone else gets picked up. Since this is a group tour, there can be quite a few other travelers to collect before you properly get going.
That said, this is pretty standard for hotel pickup tours, and it’s still much easier than trying to drive and park at Pearl Harbor yourself. Parking can be limited, so unless you really want to drive, the pickup option is probably still the less stressful choice!
Boat ride to USS Arizona is weather-dependent
This isn’t really a con of the tour itself, but it’s definitely something to be aware of. The boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial is weather-dependent, so if conditions aren’t safe, the ferry ride can be canceled.
You won’t be out of pocket if this happens, as this part of the visit is free. However, the USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most moving and memorable parts of Pearl Harbor, so it would definitely be disappointing to miss it. If your plans are flexible, it’s worth checking the forecast before you go and using the free cancellation policy to move things around if necessary.
Your guide doesn’t go to the memorial sites with you
Although your guide gives you lots of helpful information during the drive, coordinates your tickets, and makes sure everything runs smoothly, they don’t actually tour the memorial sites with you. Once you arrive at Pearl Harbor, you’ll explore the main memorial area independently.
For me, this wasn’t a bad thing, as Pearl Harbor is the kind of place where you may want some time and space to take everything in. However, if you’re looking for a fully guided tour where someone walks you through each exhibit, this may not be the right fit.
Related Read: Wondering what to do after your visit to Pearl Harbor? My Honolulu itinerary combines this unforgettable experience with the best beaches, cultural attractions, and tours to help you plan the perfect trip.
Would I recommend this tour?
Yes, most definitely. Visiting Pearl Harbor is one of the most important things to do in Honolulu, and this tour made the whole experience feel both smooth and informative.
I really liked that the guide gave us plenty of context during the drive, but we still had time to explore the memorial site at our own pace. It struck a good balance between being organized and giving us the space to take everything in properly.
If you want an easy way to visit Pearl Harbor from Waikiki without worrying about transport, tickets, or logistics, I’d definitely recommend this tour!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
Other Activities to do in Honolulu
A visit to Pearl Harbor is a must while you’re in Honolulu, but it’s only one of the many incredible experiences the island has to offer. Whether you want to explore more of Oahu, experience Hawaiian culture, or get out on the water after your visit, these are a few of my favorite tours to round out your trip.
- Explore the best of Oahu – This full-day island tour is perfect if you want to see more beyond Honolulu. I loved visiting highlights like Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, Halona Blowhole, the Dole Plantation, and the North Shore, all without having to worry about the driving.
- Experience a traditional Hawaiian luau – My absolute favorite Hawaiian luau is this Mauka Warriors Luau on Oahu. Between the hands-on cultural activities, delicious buffet dinner, and incredible fire dancing finale, it’s an unforgettable evening.
- Snorkel with Hawaiian sea turtles – Swimming alongside honu at Turtle Canyon on this snorkeling tour was one of my favorite experiences in Hawaii. We saw several turtles up close, and even spotted spinner dolphins from the boat afterward.
- Take a glass-bottom boat cruise – This relaxing cruise is an easy way to enjoy Waikiki from the water while spotting tropical fish, sea turtles, and, if you’re visiting during winter, you might be lucky and spot humpback whales like I did!
- Watch the sunset from a catamaran – There’s nothing quite like ending the day sailing along the Waikiki coastline on this catamaran cruise with a cocktail in hand. The sunset views are spectacular, and you might even spot dolphins or whales along the way.
Related Read: Looking for even more ways to make the most of your trip? Check out my guide to the best things to do in Honolulu, packed with my favorite tours, attractions, beaches, and local experiences you won’t want to miss.
Where to Stay in Honolulu, Hawaii
If you’re visiting Honolulu, Waikiki is the best place to stay. Not only will you be close to the beach, great restaurants, and plenty of shopping, but it’s also where this Pearl Harbor tour departs from. With hundreds of hotels to choose from, finding the right one can be overwhelming, so I’ve rounded up my favorite picks for every budget—including the beachfront hotel where we stayed on our last trip.
All of the hotels below are in central Waikiki, making it easy to reach the tour’s pickup points while enjoying everything this lively neighborhood has to offer. My biggest tip is to book early—Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s most popular places to stay, and the best hotels fill up fast!
The Royal Hawaiian – $$$
If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in that famous pink hotel on Waikiki Beach, this is the one. The Royal Hawaiian is an icon, a Luxury Collection resort with its own stretch of sand and that “old Hawaii” glamour. Rooms are bright and tropical, with garden or ocean views, and the hotel’s location on Waikiki Beach makes it easy to enjoy Diamond Head views and live entertainment.
With a full-service spa, two gorgeous outdoor pools, and cultural activities, it’s a proper treat-yourself stay. Luxury like this doesn’t come cheap, but it’s definitely money well spent! Rooms here start from around $500 USD per night. Check staying here off your bucket list by booking here!
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort – $$ (Where we stayed!)
The OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort is my favorite pick in Waikiki — I loved every minute of our stay! Located directly on Waikiki Beach, it’s steps from the sand and is home to the legendary Duke’s restaurant. I could listen to the ocean from our balcony and watch the water turn golden at sunset. Plus, it was so easy for beach days since we went from our room to having our feet in the sand in two minutes!
Rooms come with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, fridges, and coffee makers, so you’re set up for relaxed beach days and easy mornings. I also love the little extras like free water bottles and a beach bag, and daily cultural activities (think lei-making and ukulele lessons). It’s a brilliant all-rounder in Waikiki with rooms starting around $350 USD per night. See if there’s a room available for your trip here!
Hotel Renew – $
Hotel Renew is a budget-friendly gem just one block from Waikiki Beach. This modern boutique hotel is known for its calming vibe and thoughtful touches, like beach towels and gear for guests to borrow. The bright, clean rooms are simple but comfortable, with plush beds and a 50-inch flat-screen TV for cozy nights in. Some rooms even have a partial ocean view or a balcony—perfect for sipping a morning coffee before hitting the sand.
Rates at Hotel Renew typically start at around $150–$250 USD per night, making it a great option for budget travelers who still want comfort and a prime Waikiki location. Check availability and book Hotel Renew online in advance!
For even more options, check out all the hotels in Honolulu here.
Related Read: Still not sure where to stay? Check out my complete guide on where to stay in Honolulu, where I break down the best areas, hotels, and resorts for every budget.
Renting a Car in the USA
The United States is a vast country with diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to scenic national parks. While public transportation exists in major cities, renting a car is often the best way to explore the country’s wide-open spaces and hidden gems.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find the right vehicle for your needs, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in the USA
What You Need to Rent a Car in the USA
Ready to hit the road and discover the freedom of exploring the USA on your own terms?
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Thanks for reading!
Visiting Pearl Harbor was one of the most meaningful experiences I had in Honolulu, and this tour made the whole day feel effortless. Between the convenient Waikiki pickup, knowledgeable guides, and well-organized itinerary, it’s the tour I’d recommend to anyone visiting the memorial for the first time.
Before you head off, be sure to check out the rest of my Hawaii travel guides. I’ve put together plenty of itineraries, hotel guides, and travel tips to help you plan your trip, or browse a few of my favorite blogs below to keep the inspiration going!
4 Best Hawaiian Luaus in Honolulu: Which One to Book
The 10 Best Hotels in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Options to Get from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki – Shuttles, Taxis, and More
The Services We Recommend
From hotels to guided tours, we only recommend services we know and trust. Here are our recommended partners so you can explore with confidence.
Trelle is a Canadian travel writer who grew up on the prairies and never lost her love for wide-open skies and big adventures. She’s traveled across Canada, Europe and has extensively explored Hawaii, usually with her husband and two boys in tow. She’s all about helping travellers – especially families – feel excited, confident, and ready to explore.
