Pearl Harbor is one of Oahu’s must-dos, and the logistics can make it stressful. This small-group day plan pairs Arizona Memorial time with USS Bowfin (a real submarine museum) plus a short Honolulu landmark loop so you get more than just a bus ride.

I like that you start with round-trip Waikiki pickup and a tight group size (up to 14), which usually means less waiting around. I also like the structure at Pearl Harbor: Visitor Center museums, original attack footage, then the Navy shuttle boat to the monument and then a guided-feeling visit to the Bowfin with an audio set.

The main thing to watch is pace and rules. Bag restrictions at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center can slow you down, and if the Navy shuttle is canceled or you’re late for pickup, the day can’t be easily reshuffled.

Key things to know before you go

• Reserved Arizona Memorial tickets help you plan around a famously tough booking situation.
• Small-group Waikiki pickup keeps the ride calmer and more efficient.
• USS Bowfin includes an audio set tour, which helps you move through the boat at your own speed.
• Honolulu city time is a drive-through, so it’s for seeing landmarks, not extended sightseeing.
• No bags allowed at the Visitor Center can affect your start time and your boarding flow.

Why this day works: Arizona Memorial plus Bowfin, not just one stop

This tour shines because it gives you two very different ways to understand December 7, 1941—then tops it off with a quick view of Honolulu’s landmarks. Arizona Memorial is the emotional anchor. USS Bowfin is the hands-on, mechanical, look-under-the-hood side of the story.

The format is also practical. You’re picked up from Waikiki, you’re taken to the Pearl Harbor area with your key tickets handled, and you’re guided through the big moments. Then you shift to the submarine museum, which many people find more visually striking once they’re actually inside.

And if you’re short on time, the Honolulu portion helps you end the day with context—palace grounds, the state capitol area, Kamehameha’s statue, and Punchbowl—without forcing a second full day of touring.

Price and what you actually get for $155

At $155 per person for about 7 hours, the value depends on one reality: getting into Arizona Memorial usually takes planning. This tour includes reserved Arizona Memorial tickets, plus the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center experience, the Navy shuttle boat ride, and the USS Bowfin submarine museum ticket (with audio).

If you try to piece everything together on your own, the trouble usually isn’t the submarine part—it’s the Arizona Memorial timing. When you have a reserved slot, you spend your energy inside the sites instead of hunting for availability.

Also, this isn’t a giant coach tour. The group cap is 14 travelers, and pickup is arranged as a small-group transfer from Waikiki. You don’t get a long list of “extras,” but you do get the core parts that cost time and require tickets.

The transfer: small group, big difference (and one seating note)

Pickup is offered from Waikiki hotels as part of a small group, and you get a return transfer back to Waikiki at the end. The meeting rules matter because this is a time-sensitive itinerary: you should be ready a few minutes early, eat breakfast before pickup, and keep your phone charged so they can reach you.

One practical note from real-world feedback: sometimes the vehicle type can surprise you if you’re upgraded. You might be in a larger SUV for a smaller party, but seating can be a little tighter than you expect. In one case, an upgrade meant a different seating layout than someone anticipated. The day was still delivered, but it’s a reminder to avoid assuming every car will feel identical.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship or using airport pickup, the handoff is still built in—just be ready to confirm the details when they contact you the day before.

Stop 1: Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Arizona Memorial, and the Visitor Center flow

This is the heart of the day. You’ll start at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial area, with a tour guide and reserved tickets to the Arizona Memorial. The itinerary is designed to get you through the main Visitor Center stops first, then onto the Navy shuttle boat.

What you’ll do here

Expect a structured sequence:

• Enter the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center area and experience two museums: Road to War and Attack
• Watch the original footage video of the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941
• Ride the U.S. Navy shuttle boat to the Arizona Memorial Monument

This entire block runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, with admission tickets included.

What’s special (and what can slow you down)

The Visitor Center museums and the short original footage video set a tone fast. You’re not just walking around looking for context—you get a guided narrative that helps the monument make more emotional and historical sense.

The biggest potential slow point is the bag rule. You cannot bring any bags into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and you might need to check them into a paid storage area if you brought something anyway. That can mean extra waiting, and it can affect whether you keep your timing for the Arizona Memorial shuttle.

So my advice is simple: travel light. If you have any bag, plan to either leave it behind or accept the storage line and extra time pressure.

Booking reality: ticket handling saves real time

Arizona Memorial tickets are included and reserved for you. Practically, that means you should be able to enter at the scheduled time instead of fighting for day-of access.

In one experience, the value of the reserved tickets showed up clearly: the difference between walking into the Arizona experience and spending hours waiting for tickets. That’s the sort of benefit you’re paying for with a packaged tour.

Stop 2: USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park (where the day turns vivid)

If Arizona Memorial sets the emotional baseline, USS Bowfin often becomes the wow factor. This submarine museum gives you a different angle—more physical, more mechanical, and easier to picture because you’re literally inside the structure.

What’s included

You get a ticket to USS Bowfin Submarine and Submarine Museum + an audio set tour, with about 2 hours 30 minutes at this stop.

Why the audio set matters

An audio set is a smart match for a submarine. You’re moving through tight spaces, and it’s hard to read every display while also looking at the boat’s layout. The audio helps you connect what you’re seeing to what it was used for, without forcing you to stand still for every sign.

What to expect if you like hands-on history

This is the kind of stop that works well if you enjoy:

• Visual, physical history
• “How did it work?” curiosity
• Being in the space rather than just viewing it from outside

In feedback, USS Bowfin was often the favorite part because the interior setup feels real. Even if you’re not a submarine person, the scale and compact layout tend to hit hard once you’re inside.

Stop 3: Honolulu drive-through landmarks and a fast landing back in Waikiki

The final part is a short Honolulu tour by car, about 1 hour 30 minutes, with return transfer to Waikiki hotels included. This is a look-at-the-landmarks section, not an all-day walking program.

You’ll pass:

• Historical Downtown Honolulu
• Iolani Palace
• Hawaii State Capitol
• Golden statue of King Kamehameha the Great
• Washington Place
• Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery

How to think about this stop

You’ll see a lot from the road, which is great if you’re trying to keep the day efficient. But if you’re hoping for time to get out, take long photos, and explore, this part might feel thin.

Also, some landmarks may be affected by vehicle restrictions. One example in feedback referenced commercial vehicle limitations affecting access on a specific holiday, so it’s worth expecting that the exact driving route can shift depending on rules that day.

Still, the list of stops is useful. It gives you a quick “where things are” map for later. You’ll also have the momentum to explore on your own after if any particular place pulls you in.

Guides and the small-group feel: when it works well, it really works

A big part of this day is the human layer—how the guide frames what you’re seeing and how the driving time is used. In feedback, guides like Vanessa, Akbar, and Roland stood out for keeping the ride informative and making the day feel more connected.

Even if you’re mostly focused on the sites, that road context matters. Getting historical context on the drive helps the memorial not feel like a random stop on a checklist.

And because the group is small—maximum 14—the logistics tend to feel smoother. You’re not stuck in a giant crowd when you’re trying to keep track of ticket times and meeting points.

Practical tips so your day doesn’t get derailed

This itinerary is packed, so small choices matter.

• Eat breakfast before pickup. The tour does not include breakfast or lunch.
• No food or drink inside the vehicle. Plan snacks for before pickup or after the day, not mid-ride.
• Bring no bags to the Visitor Center. If you do, you may pay for storage and wait in line.
• Bring a charged phone. They can reach you if needed, and meeting instructions rely on communication.
• Don’t be late for pickup. If you miss the timing, rescheduling isn’t built in.
• Stay flexible on shuttle operations. The Navy has the right to cancel the shuttle for safety reasons, and you don’t control that part.

Also note that the tour includes a bottle of water for every passenger, which is a small detail but genuinely helpful when you’re walking around memorial spaces.

Who this tour fits best

This day plan is a great match if you want:

• A guided, ticketed Arizona Memorial experience
• A serious follow-up in a real submarine museum with an audio set
• A short car tour to orient you around Honolulu afterward
• A manageable group size and pickup from Waikiki

It’s also a good option if you’re the type who hates building an itinerary from scratch and just wants the big puzzle pieces handled.

When you might skip it

Consider another approach if:

• You want long stops at Honolulu landmarks. This is drive-through sightseeing.
• You know you’ll bring more luggage than you can leave at home. Bag rules at Pearl Harbor are strict.
• You’re extremely sensitive to schedule compression. This day has multiple time gates, so you won’t get to wander slowly.

If your ideal day is more relaxed with lots of walking time at every stop, you might prefer splitting into a Pearl Harbor-focused day plus a separate Honolulu day.

Should you book Deluxe Arizona Memorial Bowfin Submarine and Honolulu City Tour?

I’d book it if you want the highest-value parts of Pearl Harbor handled with less hassle: reserved Arizona Memorial access, the Visitor Center story flow, the Navy shuttle ride, and the USS Bowfin museum visit with an audio set—all plus a short Honolulu orientation.

I’d think twice only if you strongly dislike rules, time pressure, or quick drive-by sightseeing. In that case, you may prefer a more flexible schedule where you can slow down.

For most first-timers, this is a smart one-day combo: it gives you both the monument and the submarine, then ends with Honolulu landmarks so you leave with more than just one powerful moment.

FAQ

Is pickup included?

Yes. This tour includes round-trip pickup from Waikiki hotels as part of a small group.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 7 hours.

Is the Arizona Memorial ticket included?

Yes. The tour provides a reserved ticket for the Arizona Memorial, and you should review the Arizona Memorial ticket disclaimer.

What museum stops are included at Pearl Harbor?

You’ll visit two museums at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center: Road to War and Attack, and you’ll also watch original footage of the December 7, 1941 surprise attack.

Is the USS Bowfin ticket included?

Yes. You’ll get a ticket to USS Bowfin Submarine and Submarine Museum plus an audio set tour.

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast and lunch are not included.

Can I bring bags into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center?

No bags of any kind are allowed into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. If you have a bag, you’ll need to check it into the visitor center bag storage, which costs money and may involve waiting. Clear see-through bags are permitted.

What happens if the shuttle boat ride is canceled?

The U.S. Navy can cancel the shuttle for public safety. The tour notes that it is beyond the provider’s control and that tours are non-refundable if the national park service or navy cancel boat ride programs due to mechanical issues, dangerous weather, or other safety concerns.

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