The Pacific Ocean lagoon off the coast of Oahu is the home to the United States Pacific Fleet and was the site of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack by Japan that brought the U.S. into World War II. Pearl Harbor still contains the USS Arizona with the remains of 1,102 Navy and Marine military members who died during the Japanese strike and a National Memorial was constructed around the battleship remains in 1962. The harbor also contains the USS Missouri, the battleship where the Japanese surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945. The U.S. Navy first established a base at Pearl Harbor in 1899. Ready to see the world? Find your perfect Hawaii Vacation and discover the best Things to do in Oahu! Show All
Forever etched in the annals of history, Pearl Harbor is the site of the December 7, 1941 attack on US forces by the Japanese. That event led to 2,467 deaths, 2,403 of them American, and brought the United States squarely into the Second World War.
Located off the coast of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, the Pearl Harbor lagoon contains the remains of 1,102 military members who are forever interred aboard the sunken USS Arizona. The harbor is also home to the Battleship Missouri where the Japanese forces surrendered on September 2, 1945, officially ending the war.
Throngs of tourists visit Pearl Harbor each year. According to Pearl Harbor tour reviews, the chance to pay your respects to the fallen servicemen and personally stand in such a revered location is incomparable. Parents find that it is a unique and important experience to share with their children.
Although Pearl Harbor tour tickets are sold on site daily, the best and most hassle-free option is to book a package tour which pre-orders your ticket for you. You are spared the long lines, delays and possible disappointment of not getting to tour the site because there is a limited number of tickets.
• Honor the fallen soldiers at the USS Arizona Memorial – Travel aboard a navy vessel out onto the harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial built in 1962 above of the sunken vessel. The memorial straddles the battleship’s submerged hull but does not actually touch it.
• Visit USS Missouri – Often referred to as the world’s greatest battleship, the USS Missouri played a pivotal role in the Second World War. It holds the distinction of being the location of the signing of the declaration that signaled Japan’s surrender and the end of the war!
• Tour the USS Bowfin Submarine – Also known as the Pearl Harbor Avenger, this magnificent vessel is a part of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park in Pearl Harbor. Visitors can tour the submarine and find out about its operations during the war from onboard audio presentations.
Natural beauty, endearing traditions and warm, friendly smiles draw millions of tourists to Hawaii’s islands annually. Hawaii tours are certainly among the most popular worldwide, with many people planning repeat visits just to experience the unique flavor of each island.
Combine your Pearl Harbor tour with a convenient variety of Honolulu tours are a great choice because they often take you to see many interesting tourist attractions in the city as well. Hop aboard an open-air double decker tour bus with your knowledgeable and friendly local guide. Among the many wonderful sights you get to see are
• historical Kawaiahao Church in Downtown Honolulu
• Mission Houses Museum where historical documents and artifacts are kept
• the impressive statue of Hawaii’s first king - Kamehameha the Great
• Iolani Palace – the former royal residence of Hawaiian royalty
• Punchbowl Cemetery – officially named National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, this beautifully serene cemetery is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. It was built in honor of the men and women who have served and sacrificed for the US and its allies.
If you are staying in Honolulu’s beautiful Waikiki beachfront area, there are convenient Pearl Harbor tours from Waikiki that you can join.
There are also Pearl Harbor tours from other islands in Hawaii, such as Maui. Pearl Harbor tours from Maui let you travel from Maui to Oahu where you will certainly get the chance to visit some of that island’s attractions along with your trip out to Pearl Harbor’s memorials.