Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Bowfin Submarine

Pearl Harbor feels most powerful when you move from photographs and recovered objects to the actual harbor, then out to the USS Arizona Memorial by boat. This six-hour tour connects the visitor center, Arizona boat ride, and USS Bowfin submarine without asking you to arrange each ticket separately.

I like the included USS Arizona boat ride, and I like that the package gives you about two hours for the Bowfin submarine and Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. The main drawback is time: Pearl Harbor has more to see, and one review specifically wished for time at the Missouri battleship.

Key points to know before booking

• The Arizona boat ticket is included, subject to Navy and National Park Service operation.
• USS Bowfin gets about two hours, enough for the submarine, museum, and outdoor exhibits.
• Waikiki hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but Ko Olina pickup is not offered unless the booking title specifically says it is.
• Robert has guided some departures, giving practical instructions and pointing out sights during the ride.
• Bags are not allowed at Pearl Harbor, so plan to travel light.
• The group can include up to 24 people, with the six-hour length counting transport time.

Why the Arizona and Bowfin combination works

Many Pearl Harbor visits force you to choose between a memorial visit and a museum-heavy day. This outing links both sides of the story. You begin with the attack on December 7, 1941, then move into the cramped world of a World War II submarine.

That contrast gives the day a useful shape. The USS Arizona Memorial helps you understand the human cost of the attack, while USS Bowfin shows the conditions faced by sailors who fought across the Pacific. One is quiet and reflective. The other is close, mechanical, and physical.

At $59, the value comes from the bundled admissions and transport. You receive the boat ticket to the Arizona Memorial, entry to USS Bowfin and its museum, Waikiki pickup, and an in-person briefing at the visitor center. You are not paying only for a ride to Pearl Harbor, though the tour time includes travel from your hotel and back.

I would not book this expecting a complete Pearl Harbor day. The schedule gives clear attention to Arizona and Bowfin, while the Missouri battleship is not part of the included program. If your top goal is to see several ships, you may want a longer or more expansive Pearl Harbor visit.

Starting at Pearl Harbor’s visitor center

The first listed stop is the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center, with about 45 minutes assigned to it. This is where you get your bearings and begin placing the attack in its wider setting.

An in-person briefing is included, and Robert has been praised for giving clear instructions and highlighting sights along the ride to and from Pearl Harbor. That kind of guidance matters here. The site has several areas, scheduled boat procedures, and firm security rules, so knowing where to go next can save time.

The visitor center also puts the day into context before you reach the memorial. You are not simply looking at a sunken ship. You are preparing to understand how the attack affected the people stationed at Pearl Harbor and why the site remains an active memorial.

Keep your expectations practical. Forty-five minutes is an introduction, not a full museum visit. If you read every display slowly, you may want more time than the schedule allows. The benefit is that this tour moves you onward instead of letting the first stop consume the entire day.

The Road to War and Attack galleries

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial includes the Road to War and Attack exhibit galleries. These displays use photographs and recovered objects to explain the events leading to the attack and what happened during that Sunday morning.

I find these galleries especially useful because they give the memorial a human and historical frame. The Arizona boat ride can be quiet and moving, but the exhibits help you understand what you are seeing. Photographs and recovered items connect the broad military story to the people and equipment caught in it.

About 30 minutes is allocated to these galleries. That is enough for a focused look, but not enough for every panel and object. I suggest reading the introductory material first, then choosing the displays that most help you understand the attack. The tour’s structure rewards a clear, steady pace.

A short film follows, explaining the fateful day and its significance. The film is a useful bridge between the indoor exhibits and the boat ride. It lets you move from facts and images to the actual memorial without losing the thread of the story.

Taking the boat to the USS Arizona Memorial

The included boat ride is the emotional center of the tour. You travel across the harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place of 1,177 crewmen.

The memorial is not simply another historic stop. Its setting makes the visit different from walking through a museum or boarding a preserved vessel. You are looking at a place where the ship and the lives lost remain tied to the harbor.

The listed visit lasts about 45 minutes, including the boat portion and time at the memorial. That gives you enough time to take in the site, but you should not expect a long, unhurried stay. Follow the group’s instructions closely, since the boat schedule affects the rest of the day.

There is also an important condition attached to this part of the tour. The National Park Service or Navy may cancel the boat program because of mechanical trouble, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns. If that happens, the tour is non-refundable under the stated terms, even though the cancellation is outside your control. This is worth knowing before you book.

Inside the USS Bowfin submarine

USS Bowfin is the most hands-on part of the outing. This World War II fleet attack submarine fought in the Pacific and helped make the term Silent Service familiar. It was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and carries the nickname Pearl Harbor Avenger.

About two hours are planned for the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. That is a sensible amount of time for the submarine, outdoor displays, museum material, and free audio guides.

The submarine itself gives you a physical sense of wartime service that photographs cannot provide. Passageways are tight, equipment is packed into limited space, and the setting makes clear how demanding submarine life could be. A four-star review singled out this part of the day for showing how dangerous submarine service was during the war.

You should pay attention to the physical nature of the visit. The supplied information does not promise that every vehicle can carry wheelchairs or scooters, so contact the operator soon after booking if mobility equipment is involved. Most people can participate, but this is not the same as touring an open, level museum.

The Bowfin area also helps balance the day. The Arizona Memorial asks for quiet attention and respect. Bowfin invites closer inspection of machinery, rooms, and wartime equipment. Together, the two sites show different parts of the Pacific War.

Optional Honolulu sights along the route

The tour information also lists Punchbowl Crater and central Honolulu landmarks, including Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, Kawaiahao Church, Aloha Tower, the Hawaii State Capitol, Washington Place, and Honolulu Hale.

These places are connected to Honolulu’s civic and military story. Punchbowl Crater is an extinct volcanic tuff cone used as a memorial to people who served in the United States Armed Forces and those who died doing so. The downtown sights place Pearl Harbor within the wider story of Hawaii’s government and royal past.

The supplied schedule does not give separate visit lengths or admission details for these stops. Treat them as route highlights or possible sightseeing points rather than assuming you will receive a full guided tour of each location. If you want substantial time inside Iolani Palace or another downtown site, plan that separately.

This part of the route can add welcome context, but the core of the day remains Pearl Harbor, Arizona, and Bowfin. Do not choose this tour mainly for Punchbowl or downtown Honolulu.

Timing, pickup, and group size

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., with pickup and drop-off offered from Waikiki hotels only. Ko Olina pickup is not offered unless the booking title specifically identifies a Ko Olina departure.

The six-hour duration includes travel time from start to finish. That matters when you compare this tour with a self-arranged visit. You gain transport and direction, but you do not get six full hours inside Pearl Harbor’s museums and memorial areas.

The group maximum is 24 people. That is large enough to have the feel of a shared tour, but small enough that instructions should be manageable. Robert’s clear briefing style is a useful strength if he is leading your departure.

Bring only what you need. No bags are allowed at Pearl Harbor, so avoid arriving with a large purse, backpack, or other item that creates a storage problem. The tour confirms your booking at the time of purchase, and most people can participate, but mobility-device arrangements should be made by phone after booking.

How the $59 price holds up

The $59 price is reasonable for someone who wants a guided, arranged visit to the two main sites. The cost includes Waikiki transport, the Arizona boat ticket, Bowfin admission, museum access, outdoor exhibits, and an in-person briefing.

The strongest value is convenience. You do not have to build the day around separate transport and admission arrangements, and the tour keeps the two major Pearl Harbor experiences in one morning and afternoon schedule.

The tradeoff is control. A self-planned visit may let you spend longer at the galleries, add the Missouri battleship, or set your own pace. This tour is better for you if you prefer a clear plan and bundled tickets than if you want to inspect every exhibit at length.

The boat ride is also a variable. The tour includes the ticket, but boat operations can be canceled for safety or mechanical reasons. That condition is not a reason to avoid the outing, but it is a reason to understand exactly what is and is not guaranteed.

Who should choose this experience

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Waikiki, want the main Pearl Harbor story in about half a day, and prefer transport with a guide’s instructions. It suits first-time visitors who want the Arizona Memorial and Bowfin without arranging the day piece by piece.

It also works well for people who value contrast. You get a solemn memorial, documentary exhibits, a short film, and a preserved submarine with free audio guides. The experience is varied without becoming a general sightseeing loop.

I would look elsewhere if the Missouri battleship is essential, if you want many hours for detailed museum reading, or if you need guaranteed accessibility for a wheelchair or scooter. The operator specifically warns that not every vehicle can accommodate mobility devices.

The strongest praise centers on the Bowfin experience and Robert’s guidance. If you want a tour leader who gives clear instructions and adds sights during the ride, that is a useful reason to book. Just remember that guide availability and boat operation can affect the day.

Should you book the Pearl Harbor Arizona and Bowfin tour?

Book it if you want a focused Pearl Harbor visit with the Arizona Memorial boat ride and USS Bowfin admission included for $59. The route gives you a respectful look at the attack, a useful introduction to the memorial, and a vivid sense of submarine service.

Skip it if you want to add the Missouri battleship or spend most of the day reading every exhibit. For everyone else, especially Waikiki visitors who value simple transport and a fixed plan, this is a practical way to cover two important Pearl Harbor sites without wasting time on arrangements.

FAQ

Is the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial included?

Yes. The tour includes a ticket for the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Is admission to USS Bowfin included?

Yes. Admission to USS Bowfin, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and the related park area is included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about six hours, including travel time from the beginning of pickup through the return.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from Waikiki hotels only. Ko Olina pickup is not offered unless the booking title specifically says it is from Ko Olina.

Are audio guides included?

Free audio guides are included for the USS Bowfin submarine and its grounds.

How much time is planned for USS Bowfin?

About two hours are planned for the submarine, museum, outdoor exhibits, and grounds.

Are bags allowed at Pearl Harbor?

No. Bags are not allowed at Pearl Harbor, so you should arrive without one.

Can a wheelchair or scooter be accommodated?

Not every tour vehicle can accommodate wheelchairs or scooters. You should contact the operator soon after booking to make arrangements.

What happens if the Arizona boat ride is canceled?

The National Park Service or Navy may cancel the boat program because of mechanical problems, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns. The stated policy says the tour is non-refundable in those circumstances.