If you find yourself on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii, a visit to Pearl Harbor to pay your respects is a must. This park is home to a beautiful and moving memorial. There are exhibits, museums, memorials honoring those who lost their lives, and of course the famous USS Arizona. It’s an absolute must-do on your trip to O’ahu. Here are my top tips for visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial!
Wear sunscreen
An obvious tip for everywhere in Hawaii, but important to note while visiting Pearl Harbor! Aside from a couple of indoor museums and the gift shop, the entire memorial is outdoors. There is very little shade and the Hawaiian sun is strong. This is especially true with the sun reflecting off the water while visiting the USS Arizona. I spent 6 weeks on O’ahu in May 2021, and the worst sunburn of the trip by far was after just a few hours at Pearl Harbor. Most visitors don’t think twice about it, but learn from my mistakes!
Reserve your tickets for the USS Arizona online
Absolutely no trip to Pearl Harbor is complete without visiting the USS Arizona. The key is to plan your trip well in advance. You don’t want to miss out on this spectacular and somber memorial.
Reservations are released daily at 3 pm HST (check your local time zone- especially during daylight savings!). You can only get them online, no walk-ups are accepted. Each day, you can either book for (1) 24 hours in advance, or (2) 8 weeks in advance. For example, when I spent a month in Hawaii in 2021, I tried each day to get tickets for the next day (because I didn’t plan ahead well enough 8 weeks prior!). If you have your trip planned for 2 months out or greater, book in advance! You’re not going to want to endure the added stress of trying to get tickets while you’re on vacation!
The tickets are completely free, but there is a $1.00 processing fee for each ticket.
Splurge for the audio tour
One of the regrets I have from visiting Pearl Harbor was not splurging for the audio tour. Toward the end of our visit (and after we visited the USS Arizona), my mom and I ended up chatting with a couple who raved about the audio tour. I asked the park rangers many questions during my visit, and while they were very kind and patient to answer, they did gently remind me that all of my questions (and more) were answered in the audio guide. I can only imagine how many times they get the same questions over and over again!
The audio tour is $7.99 and can be reserved at the desk located in the courtyard by the visitors center and is available in 9 different languages. According to their website, you can “[h]ear firsthand from actual USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Survivors, as they retell their stories and retrace the events of Dec 7, 1941. Then the Audio Tour takes you and your family along the shoreline of Pearl Harbor and covers the “Path of the Japanese Attack”. Next, the Audio Tour takes you to the “Remembrance Circle” and on to the amazing story of the “USS Arizona Anchor” that weighs over 19,500 pounds and was blown off its deck, over 100 yards into the ocean.”
If you want to ensure you’ll get a headset, you can book them in advance when you reserve your ticket!
Plan plenty of time for your visit
While your visit to Pearl Harbor can be as much or as little as you make it, try to plan for enough time to really take it all in. I’d recommend about three hours total. Spend the first hour before your USS Arizona time to walk the grounds and visit the outdoor memorials. The entire trip out to the USS Arizona takes about one hour in itself. It’s about 15 minutes on the boat in each direction and about 30 minutes at the memorial. Here, there are viewing areas, a memorial of all the names lost, and several park rangers to ask all of your questions. When you get back, take time to watch the films playing in the outdoor pavillion, visit the gift shop, and tour the museum.
Leave your big bags behind
Absolutely no big bags are allowed on the property so it is imperative to leave them in your car or hotel room! This includes all backpacks, purses, fanny packs, and diaper bags. To be precise, nothing larger than 1.5″ X 2.25″ X 5.5,” are allowed in. I personally have a small wallet about the size of my palm that I used. I was able to store a couple credit cards, my license, and a small amount of cash inside. It was perfect to bring in and tuck in my pocket or bra for the day.
If leaving your bags behind is not an option, there is an option to store your bags near the visitors center for a fee.
Don’t forget to dress with respect
Yes, this is Hawaii. You’re probably ready to live in your bathing suit and sundresses. However, it’s important to take a little effort with your wardrobe here. Many men and women lost their lives here, and it’s important to treat this memorial with respect. No, I’m not saying dress in blazers, suits, and ties, but looking somewhat presentable is important. Try to treat this site with the respect that you would give a family member’s final resting place. For a point of reference, my mom and I both wore shorts and blouses. We both felt like we were dressed appropriately and are glad we put the effort in.
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