Pearl Harbor Sightseeing: Five Ways To Reach Secret Spots
If you are planning a Pearl Harbor sightseeing trip and hope to access secret areas of usually crowded tourist spots, or pack as much as you can into one visit, we’ve identified some ways to ensure a unique experience.
Pearl Harbor Warbirds Admiral’s Warbird Adventure
See Pearl Harbor From A World War II Aircraft
There are many air tours in Hawai‘i, but only one warbird airplane flight. Be immersed in the details of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor and soar above the important sites that played a part in the “Day of Infamy.” Relive history as you retrace the steps of the Army and Navy airmen in the days following the bombing. Fly on some of the same routes the Japanese attackers used into the airfields at Wheeler, Kāne‘ohe and Bellows. Located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i Pearl Harbor Warbirds provides a personal historical experience making it one of the best O‘ahu attractions.
Learn more about Pearl Harbor Warbirds Admiral’s Warbird Adventure.
Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
Take a walk on a World War II Submarine
During World War II, The United States Submarine Force, encompassing less than 2% of the U.S. Navy’s fleet, inflicted destruction on Japanese maritime power. U.S. submarines were responsible for sinking over 30% of the Japanese Navy including eight aircraft carriers, one battleship and eleven cruisers. More importantly, the Submarine Force sank 2,400 Japanese merchant ships totaling 4.9 million tons.
Explore a historic WWII submarine to imagine what life on board must have been like for her 80-man crew. USS Bowfin was launched on 7 December 1942 and completed nine successful war patrols. For her wartime service she also earned both the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation. USS Bowfin was acquired from the U.S. Navy in 1979 and opened to the public in 1981. In 1986 she was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior.
Admission to the Submarine & Museum Tour is $12 for adults, $5 for children (4-12), $8 for military, senior citizens, Kama’aina. Children under 4 are not permitted on the submarine for safety reasons. Learn more at bowfin.org
Take a short boat ride to and from the memorial
Admission to Arizona Memorial is free – but you’ll have to get there early because tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 1,300 walk-in tickets are available daily at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, which opens at 7:00 a.m. Tickets are free and available on a first come, first serve basis. Theses tickets are only available to visitors physically present at the time. All members of your party must be present to receive a walk-in ticket.
The entire program lasts an hour and 15 minutes and includes a 23-minute documentary on the history of Pearl Harbor and a short boat ride to and from the memorial.
Learn more at Recreation.gov
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial is located on Ford Island and is only accessible to the general public via the shuttle buses which depart from the Visitor Center every 15 minutes. The last shuttle back to the Visitor Center leaves at 5:00 p.m. from Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.
Visitors with a valid military ID or contractors’ permit are able to access Ford Island directly.
Guided tours of USS Missouri last anywhere between a half an hour and two hours, or explore the ship at your own pace on a self-guided walking tour that takes you above and below the decks of America’s mightiest battleship.
Learn more at https://ussmissouri.org/
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor
Along with the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pacific Aviation Museum is also located on Ford Island. If you have a fear of seeing Pearl Harbor by airplane, the Aviation Museum is a great way to get up close to warbird planes. Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor occupies two hangars and the Ford Island Control Tower that still bear the scars of our nation’s aviation battlefield. Ranked “One of the Top 10 Aviation Attractions in the Nation” by TripAdvisor®.
Learn more at http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/
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Pearl Harbor Warbirds offers the best Hawai‘i flight adventure tours available. Be immersed in the details of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor and soar above the important sites that played a part in the “Day of Infamy.” Relive history as you retrace the steps of the Army and Navy airmen in the days following the bombing. Fly on some of the same routes the Japanese attackers used into the airfields at Wheeler, Kāne‘ohe and Bellows. There are many air tours in Hawai‘i, but only one warbird airplane flight. Located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i Pearl Harbor Warbirds provides a personal historical experience making it one of the best O‘ahu attractions.
Experience an immersive two hour adventure that allows you to relive history as a Naval Aviator and fly Pearl Harbor like it was on December 10th, 1941. Learn more about the Admiral’s Warbird Adventure.