Visiting Pearl Harbor is often at the top of the list for anyone traveling to Oahu. But planning a visit there can be overwhelming when you consider how much there is to see and do there.
If you want the full experience but don’t want to spend hours on your phone or laptop trying to secure tickets for each individual site, look into the Pearl Harbor Passport Experience. The Pearl Harbor Passport Experience includes access to all of the historic sites and exhibits, bundled into one convenient package. This passport is your key to unlocking the full story of December 7, 1941: let’s take a closer look at what you get with it.
In short, the Passport Experience is an all-access pass to the four major historic sites at Pearl Harbor: the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. This package allows you to immerse yourself in the complete narrative of the war in the Pacific, from the initial attack to the final surrender.
Let’s break down each component of this experience so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your Hawaiian vacation.
When you purchase the passport, you’re securing a full day of historical exploration. Here’s what’s on the itinerary.
The centerpiece of any visit to this historic ground is the USS Arizona Memorial. While the boat ride to the memorial itself is free (though requires a reservation), the passport includes the official narrated tour.
This award-winning audio tour guides you through two world-class museums at the Visitor Center and provides narration while you’re aboard the USS Arizona Memorial and during the “Path of Attack Tour” along the shoreline. The guide features powerful, first-hand accounts from Pearl Harbor survivors, allowing you to hear the stories of December 7, 1941, directly from those who lived through them.
Located right next to the Visitor Center is the USS Bowfin, also known as the “Pearl Harbor Avenger.” This fleet submarine was launched on the first anniversary of the attack and played a vital role in the Pacific War.
With your passport, you gain admission to tour the submarine itself. You can climb down the hatch and walk through the narrow corridors, seeing firsthand how 80 men lived and worked in such tight quarters. It’s a visceral reminder of the sacrifices made by submariners. The accompanying museum and park feature outdoor exhibits, including a Kaiten (manned suicide torpedo) and a missile display, offering a deep dive into submarine warfare history.
A short shuttle ride takes you to Ford Island, home of the “Mighty Mo.” The USS Missouri (BB-63) is a bookend to the war. While the Arizona represents the beginning of US involvement, the Missouri represents the end.
Your passport grants you General Admission to this massive battleship. You can walk the decks where the Instrument of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945, effectively ending World War II. Exploring the ship is an adventure in itself, from the towering 16-inch guns to the Kamikaze dent on the side of the hull. You will see the crew’s quarters, the mess hall, and the command centers, which give you a sense of life aboard a floating city.
Also located on Ford Island, this museum is housed in historic hangars that still bear the scars of the 1941 attack. Look closely at the windows of Hangar 79, and you can still see bullet holes from Japanese strafing.
The passport includes admission to explore a vast collection of vintage aircraft. You’ll see everything from a Japanese Zero and a B-25 Mitchell bomber to modern fighter jets. The exhibits cover not just the attack on Pearl Harbor, but the entirety of aviation history in the Pacific, including the Battle of Midway and the Korean War. It’s a fascinating stop for anyone interested in flight and military technology.
You might be wondering if it’s better to just pick one or two sites rather than committing to the full passport. Here’s why the comprehensive approach is often the better value.
Planning a trip to Hawaii involves a lot of logistics. Trying to coordinate separate admission times and tickets for four different locations can be a nightmare. The passport streamlines this process. You have one pass that gets you into everything. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling with family or a group, as it reduces the chaos of managing multiple bookings.
The events of World War II are complex. Visiting only the Arizona Memorial gives you the tragic beginning, but it leaves the story unfinished. By visiting the Missouri, you see the resolution. By visiting the Bowfin and the Aviation Museum, you understand the technology and the warfare that bridged those two events. The passport gives you the full story for a better learning experience.
If you were to purchase tickets for the Bowfin, the Missouri, and the Aviation Museum separately, the cost would add up quickly. The passport bundles these admissions at a reduced rate compared to buying them individually. While the Arizona boat ticket is technically free, the value added by the narrated tour and the other three paid sites makes the passport a financially smart choice for those who want to see it all.
The Pearl Harbor Passport Experience includes access to multiple historical sites, exhibits, and interactive experiences that provide insight into the events of December 7, 1941, and their impact on history. While the passport is fantastic for those who want to see everything, it’s a commitment! It involves a lot of walking, standing, and absorbing information.
It’s perfect for:
It might not be for you if:
Visiting Pearl Harbor is a somber, educational, and inspiring experience. It’s a chance to pay respects to the fallen and to understand the resilience of the human spirit.
The Pearl Harbor Passport Experience offers the most complete way to do this. Instead of leaving with questions, you leave with a comprehensive understanding of the “Date Which Will Live in Infamy.” You see where the bombs fell, you stand where the peace was signed, and you touch the machines that fought in the skies and seas. When you return home, you won’t just say you saw Pearl Harbor; you’ll be able to say you truly experienced it.
To book your complete Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona tour, visit our ticket page at pearlharbourtour.org. Here, you can see the full details of what the experience includes and reserve your tickets ahead of time for your visit.