What To Know When Visiting Pearl Harbor

What do you need to know about Pearl Harbor before you go? Here’s a list of visitor FAQ’s around what to know when visiting Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor Tickets

The number one thing you need to know when visiting Pearl Harbor is how to get tickets. Here’s what Recreation.gov recommends to visitors.

Plan Ahead
Tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial Program are FREE.

There are many ways to access the USS Arizona Memorial at World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument — on your own, via public transportation, taxi-cab, rental car, or with one of the many commercial tour companies (permitted by the National Park Service) that provide their services for a fee.

Advanced Online Reservations:

Book two (2) months in advance available for groups and individuals online at www.recreation.gov.
Example: On January 12, 2015 tickets can be reserved for March 12,2015. January 13, 2015 tickets can be reserved for March 13, 2015 etc…

Next Day Tickets are available starting the day prior starting at 7 AM for a 24-hour period. These tickets are available for groups and individuals online at www.recreation.gov.
Example: On January 12, 2015 tickets can be reserved for January 13, 2015 etc…

Visitor Center Walk-In Ticket

1,300 walk-in tickets available daily at the Pearl Harbor visitor center. Tickets are handed out on a first come first serve basis.

Reservations book up quickly (especially during the busy season). Plan your visit to Pearl Harbor up to two (2) months in advance and reserve your tickets early. Reserved tickets must be picked up one hour prior to your USS Arizona Memorial tour. Unclaimed tickets will be reissued to the general public.

Arrive early!
Can I still visit if the on-line ticket reservations are not available? YES. An average of 1,300 walk-in tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are available each day; on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in tickets are free and may be obtained at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center beginning at 7:00 a.m. daily. If you arrive at the Visitor Center early enough to secure your own walk-in tickets without an advance reservation, you may have a few hours to wait before your tour. Depending on your ticket time, the National Park Service recommends you start your experience with the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour, explore the exhibit galleries, or visit other Pearl Harbor Historic Sites before your program begins or after it is completed.

Other Considerations

Bags: Bags are prohibited at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center due to strict security measures. Cameras, cell phones, wallets, and other similar personal items are allowed, but not if they are concealed in a purse, handbag, fanny pack, diaper bag, or camera bag. Although law enforcement and security bike patrols monitor the parking lots, do not leave items of value in your car. You may store your bags in the storage facility near the Visitor Center entrance for a nominal fee of $3 per bag. The Visitor Center is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Dress Attire

Civilian
Visitors are reminded that they are visiting a site of tremendous loss of life in service to our country. Sandals are permissible, but bathing suits or profane T-shirts are discouraged.

Military
Military visitors to the National Monument are within the boundary of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and military regulations relating to military dress are enforced by Navy personnel. Per the Pacific Commander, military visitors in uniform are required to dress in Class “B” or better in order to gain access to the shuttle boats to the USS Arizona Memorial. Battle dress uniform is not allowed on the USS Arizona Memorial, though it is allowed throughout the visitor center and at sites on Ford Island. Military visitors are welcome to wear civilian clothes when they visit.

Age Restrictions

There is no age restriction at the National Monument.

Nearby Landmarks

WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument is located in close proximity to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, Pearl Harbor.

On-Site Shopping

There is a snack shop on-site that offers sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, and Pacific Historic Parks operates the non-profit bookstore near the entrance.

Strollers

Strollers are allowed in the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, but not in the theaters or on shuttle boats to the USS Arizona Memorial. While strollers may be parked at the theaters and picked up once the visitors return from the Memorial, NPS is not responsible for monitoring strollers or other personal items left behind.

For all other questions, please visit http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

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.