Best Pearl Harbor Tour from Kona: Day Trip from Big Island

Are you staying on the Big Island, Hawaii but you have a dream of visiting Pearl Harbor?

Let me help you find the best Pearl Harbor tour from Kona (or Hilo) to make that dream come true!

Located on the island of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is home to several important landmarks from that fateful day on December 7, 1941 and others that played a key role in winning WWII. There is plenty of time to explore these iconic sites along with other attractions as a day trip from the Big Island.

Booking a guided tour will take the hassle out of planning the logistics to get to Pearl Harbor from Kona and having a tour guide at your disposal to answer any questions is convenient. Putting together a DIY self-guided tour gives you freedom to see and do exactly what you want and spend as much, or as little, time at each attraction that meets your needs.

Whether you’re interested in learning about World War II or just want to take in some incredible sights, taking a Pearl Harbor tour from Kona will not disappoint!

Guided Pearl Harbor Tours From Kona

1. Pearl Harbor Tours’ Complete Pearl Harbor Tour

⭐Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 10 hours

>> Check Rates & Availability for Pearl Harbor Tours Here! <<

Pearl Harbor Tours Highlights:

• Round Trip Airfare From Big Island With Honolulu Curbside Pickup and Dropoff
• Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and Tickets to USS Arizona Memorial
• USS Bowfin Submarine
• Battleship Missouri Memorial
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
• No-Host Lunch Stop at Laniakea Cafe (paid on your own)
• Driving tour past Punchbowl National Cemetery, King Kamehameha the Great Statue, Ali’iolani Hale & Hawaii State Capitol

Pearl Harbor Tours’ Complete Pearl Harbor Tour In Detail:
The Complete Pearl Harbor Tour from the Big Island with Pearl Harbor Tours begins with a pickup from the Honolulu airport after your included inter-island flight from Kona. Expert guides will provide a rich history of both Pearl Harbor and Honolulu during the comfortable ride to the site.

Upon arrival to Pearl Harbor, the tour group will be escorted to the visitor center where admission tickets are fast-tracked, allowing you to skip the long lines and dive right into exploring artifacts, informative displays, and memorials that tell the story of the attack on that fateful day.

After watching a short film, the tour continues with a Navy shuttle boat ride to the Arizona Memorial Battleship, where visitors can feel the solemn respect given to the fallen at the “Wall of Remembrance” and take a leisurely stroll through the gleaming white structure that is suspended above the sunken battleship below.

Returning from the memorial, the tour group will take a short walk to explore the USS Bowfin Submarine, imagining how 70 men lived aboard for months at a time.

Next, the tour heads to Ford Island to board one of the most famous battleships of WWII – the USS Missouri. Visitors can walk underneath the colossal 16-inch guns, see the Surrender Deck where Japan signed the articles of surrender, and learn about life at sea during wartime by going below deck.

Grab a bite to eat at the Laniakea Cafe for lunch on your own (not included in your ticket price).

Past Guest Reviews: “We thoroughly enjoyed our day with tour guide extraordinaire Willy. Not only was he highly knowledgeable about the history of Hawaii, Pearl Harbor and modern sites of interest, he was also funny and personable. The small group size added enjoyment as the group got to know each other. Highly recommend this tour! It’s a must!” – Lindsey (read more reviews)

The final stop at Ford Island is the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where two hangars survived the Japanese attack and still have bullet holes in the windows from that fateful day. Over 50 vintage aircraft, including fighters and bombers used in the WWII Pacific war front, jet fighters, bombers, and helicopters from the Korean and Vietnam wars are on display.

Before returning to the airport, the tour group will take a historic driving tour of Honolulu to see Punchbowl National Cemetery, King Kamehameha’s Statue, Iolani Palace, and other notable historic buildings during a leisurely narrated tour.

It’s a great way to end a full day at Pearl Harbor and experience a glimpse of the rich history of Honolulu before heading back to Kona in time for dinner.

2. Polynesian Adventure Tours

⭐Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 14 hours

>> Check Rates & Availability for Polynesian Adventure Tours Here! <<

Polynesian Adventure Tours Highlights:

• Round Trip Airfare From Big Island With Honolulu Curbside Pickup and Dropoff
• Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and Tickets to USS Arizona Memorial
• Battleship Missouri Memorial
• Lunch at Slider’s Grill 
• Driving tour past Punchbowl National Cemetery, King Kamehameha the Great Statue, Ali’iolani Hale, Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, & Hawaii State Capitol

Polynesian Adventure Tours Pearl Harbor and City Tour In Detail:
Departing from Kona airport, Polynesian Adventure Tours begins with a short flight to Honolulu International Airport. From there, you’ll be transported to nearby Pearl Harbor, where the adventure truly begins.

Your tour will be led by a professional guide and you’ll be riding in an air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring that you are comfortable throughout your journey. Step back in time as you cross Pearl Harbor in a Navy launch boat and visit the Arizona Memorial. This somber site is dedicated to the thousands of sailors who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. You’ll have the chance to witness first-hand the spot where so many brave men and women still rest in a watery grave.

Next, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the USS Missouri, the site where the Japanese officially surrendered to the Allies in 1945. Walk the decks and learn about the significance of this historic battleship as you take in the stunning views of Pearl Harbor.

Enjoy a delicious lunch from Slider’s Grill on the Battleship Missouri campus, taking a break from the history and soaking up all you’ve learned of Pearl Harbor.

Past Guest Reviews: “Great trip and hosts. Mahalo and thanks! The food was really good, the tour was informative, the travel was safe and comfortable.” – David (read more reviews)

The history continues as you tour the vibrant city of Honolulu. Pass by Kawaihao Church, known as the ‘Westminster Abbey of the Pacific’, and see Iolani Palace, where Queen Liliuokalani was illegally overthrown. You’ll also pass the statue of King Kamehameha and the Honolulu Hale, and end your Pearl Harbor tour driving through the Punchbowl National Cemetery, where soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II are buried and remembered.

You’ll then get dropped back off at Honolulu Airport to return to your vacation back on the Big Island.

3. Karma Tour Hawaii Private Tour

⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 4 hours

>> Check Rates & Availability for Karma Tour Here! <<

Karma Tour Highlights:

• Honolulu Curbside Pickup and Dropoff
• Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and Tickets to USS Arizona Memorial
• Driving tour past Punchbowl National Cemetery, King Kamehameha the Great Statue, Ali’iolani Hale, Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, & Hawaii State Capitol

Karma Tour In Detail:
Booking a private tour to Pearl Harbor from Kona with Karma Tour is great if you are looking to just visit the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. As this private tour can accommodate up to 15 people in your party, it is potentially a great cost saver as well.

After booking your own Kona to Honolulu flights, get aboard a clean and luxurious private vehicle airport pickup that transports and narrates you to the USS Arizona Memorial.

On this tour, you’ll be transported back to the infamous Sunday morning of December 7, 1941, as you wander the visitor center and explore the “Road to War” and “Attack” exhibit galleries. You’ll see pictures and artifacts from the events that took place at Pearl Harbor, offering a unique and emotional insight into the events that shaped the world as we know it today.

Past Guest Reviews: “Sergei was an excellent guide! He really knew the history of the places we visited and his local knowledge just added to our enjoyment.” – Melissa (read more reviews)

In addition to the USS Arizona Memorial, the tour includes an in-person briefing at the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center, which will help to provide context and a deeper understanding of the events that took place. You’ll also be given USS Arizona Memorial Boat Tickets, allowing you to make the journey out to the memorial and pay your respects to the brave soldiers who lost their lives.

You’ll have to time to grab a snack and shop at the Visitor Center gift shop before boarding your air-conditioned vehicle back to the airport, but not before doing a driving tour through Punchbowl National Cemetery and a scenic trip through Honolulu to see historical buildings.

If you’re looking for an even more personalized experience, contact Karma Tour to customize the tour by adding more museums.

A Word About Guided Pearl Harbor Tours from Kona

In my opinion, “guided” Pearl Harbor tours from Kona is a bit of a stretch. Any small group tour will have a tour guide narrate you on the drive, assist in getting you into the attractions, and be available for questions nearby, but once you are at the museum or memorial you are exploring on your own and will meet up with your guide at a designated time – they will not be with you 100% of the time.

Another thing to keep in mind, unforeseeable circumstances may leading to the Navy to suspend boat operations to the USS Arizona or capacity restrictions. In these cases, refunds on these tours are not issued, although visitors are still welcome to explore the Visitor’s Center, exhibits, and park monuments.

I am not trying to deter you from taking a guided Pearl Harbor tour from the Big Island, they are extremely convenient. Just use this information how you will to determine if a guided tour is best for you.

Next you can find out how to visit Pearl Harbor on your own from Kona.

Self-Guided Pearl Harbor Tour From Kona

Doing a self-guided tour to Pearl Harbor from Kona is easy and can be cost-effective.

Reserve Your Pearl Harbor Tickets

The first thing you need to do is reserve your Pearl Harbor tickets for the USS Arizona. These are hot commodities and can sometimes be a bloodbath to reserve, especially during peak travel season.

These tickets include an introduction video in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater, a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, and time to explore the USS Arizona Memorial. There are no official escorted tours of the memorial, it is all self-guided.

There are two rounds of chances to book your tickets online:

• 1st Round opens up 8 weeks prior to your date at 3:00pm HST.
• 2nd Round opens up 1 day prior to your date at 3:00pm HST.

Make sure you are logged into your account on the recreation.gov website and have your credit card ready.

While the tickets themselves are free, there is an online reservation fee of $1.00 per ticket, nonrefundable.

If you are unable to score a reservation, you can take your chance at standby tickets on the day of. Arriving early is your best bet but you may still find yourself in a long line, waiting hours, and still not get tickets for the USS Arizona.

If you are interested in a self-guided audio tour, Jamie Lee Curtis will narrate you around the memorial. This audio tour is the only “official” tour of the park, comes in nine different languages, and is an extra $7.99pp from the USS Arizona ticket.

The Visitor Center Deluxe Tour is an extension of the audio tour but with exclusive access to National Park Service World War II archives and videos on the attack at Pearl Harbor through your smartphone and a VR experience that lets you walk the decks of USS Arizona and witness the attack.

If you cannot manage to score Pearl Harbor tickets, you can still walk around the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center exploring interpretive exhibit galleries and waterfront interpretive displays. 

Book Your Plane Ticket

Next, you’ll need to book your plane ticket from Kona International Airport (or Hilo International Airport) to Honolulu International Airport. Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest are the only airlines that fly the 45-minute flight non-stop, direct.

✈️ >> Find Kona to Honolulu flights here! << ✈️

How to Get to Pearl Harbor From Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

When it comes to visiting Pearl Harbor direct from HNL, there are a few options to choose from, each offering its own challenges and prices.

1. Take a taxi or a ride-share service: Taking a taxi (approx. $30) or Uber/Lift (approx. $12-15) is the quickest and most convenient way to get from the airport to Pearl Harbor, with a journey time of about 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
2. Hop on The Bus : If you’re looking for a potentially more affordable option (depending on your party size) The Honolulu Airport Bus provides regular service from the airport to Pearl Harbor on Westbound Route #20 for $3.00pp, paid in cash upon boarding. This is about a 20 minute ride.
3. Rent a car: With your own set of wheels, you have the freedom to get to Pearl Harbor from the airport and then explore more of the Honolulu/Waikiki area at your own pace. Check car rental rates here!

No matter which option you choose, be sure to plan ahead to ensure a smooth and stress-free transport to this historic and beautiful destination

Pearl Harbor Museums and Memorials

Navigating all your Pearl Harbor museum and memorial options can be confusing and overwhelming. I’ve mapped out the attractions below to help navigate your options.

USS Arizona Memorial

When you think of visiting Pearl Harbor, touring the USS Arizona is what you think of and is the most popular attraction. You’ll begin at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you’ll be able to view historic artifacts and exhibits that offer a glimpse into the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The USS Arizona portion will take about 1.25hrs from when your reservation time begins. It starts with a short film about the history of Pearl Harbor and to prepare you for what you are about to see.

Then, you’ll take a short boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, the site where the USS Arizona sank in 1941.

You’ll have time to explore the USS Arizona Memorial where you can look down into the waters where the USS Arizona sank and killed 1,177 soldiers, some of whom remain below in their watery grave. Around the Memorial, you can observe the black marble wall inscribed with the names of those who died.

Take the boat back to shore and, if you’ve reserved other museum and memorials, continue on. Otherwise, your visit to Pearl Harbor is done.

Book your free USS Arizona tickets here.

Ford Island Bus Tour

A unique and “hidden gem” experience for visitors is the Ford Island Bus Tour. This tour of the the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah Memorials on Ford Island is fully guided and escorted by National Park Service Rangers, offering visitors a chance to explore the lesser-known sites of Pearl Harbor.

The 90-minute round-trip tour begins at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where visitors will board a motor coach to travel to Ford Island.

Once on Ford Island, visitors will have the opportunity to see the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah Memorials up close. These memorials commemorate the battleships that suffered during the attack on Pearl Harbor and serve as a reminder of the tragedy that took place on December 7, 1941. Additionally, the tour includes a visit to six historic officer bungalows, which provide a glimpse into the neighborhood life before, during, and after that devastating day.

The tour takes you on an active military installation. As such, if you do not have military ID, this tour is the only way civilians will have access to view these ships.

The Ford Island Bus Tour operates only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3:15pm with only 25 people allowed per day, so these will also be competitive tickets to acquire.

Book your free Ford Island Bus Tour here

Battleship Missouri Memorial

Another memorial to visit nearby is the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Again, if you don’t have military clearance, a free shuttle runs every 15 minutes from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center for civilians.

The USS Missouri, also known as the “Mighty Mo,” is a former battleship of the United States Navy that was commissioned in 1944 and served in several conflicts, including World War II and the Gulf War. Today, it is permanently moored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and serves as a museum ship and memorial, known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Visitors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial have the opportunity to explore various areas of the ship, including the main deck, the Combat Engagement Center, and the ship’s quarters, as well as learn about its history through exhibits and multimedia presentations.

One of the most iconic features of the ship is the Surrender Deck, where the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945, effectively ending World War II.

General Admission is $34.99pp (adult) and allows you to explore the memorial on your own using a digital tour map and reading informational placards. Staff are scattered about the premises, ready to answer any questions you may have. Your ticket also includes an optional 35-minute guided tour.

Upgrade your ticket for $30 more for the Captain’s Tour, a 45-minute guided tour through areas designated for officers. You’ll visit rooms like the Wardroom where they dined, the Captain’s cabin (visited by President Harry Truman, Bob Hope, and Marilyn Monroe), and the Combat Engagement Center to see where the weapons operated and Tomahawk missiles were launched. Tour size is limited to 10 people at a time.

Another add-on tour option for another $30 is the Chief Engineer’s Tour which offers a detailed look at Mighty Mo’s power and mechanics, including a visit to Fire Room #4 and Engine Room #4, as well as the aft plotting room. You’ll learn about the role of the Chief Engineer and the sailors who worked below the water line, and have the chance to fire the big guns. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and has a maximum capacity of 10 visitors.

Book your Battleship Missouri Memorial tickets here

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Airplane buffs will enjoy a visit to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Take the free shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center as the museum is on Ford Island, an active military base.

Starting with the attack on Pearl Harbor and delving into 75+ years of Pacific aviation history, you’ll be granted comprehensive access to a diverse array of over 50 authentic and restored aircrafts from both the US and Japanese, in addition to all displays featured in Hangar 37, 79 and The Raytheon Pavilion. Museum staff can be found throughout the museum eager to answer questions while telling stories that will enliven exhibit experiences.

Upon arrival in Hangar 37, visitors of the museum are invited to partake in complimentary viewings of its award-winning 12-minute documentary “East Wind Rain” every 15 minutes. In Hangar 79, view bullet holes in the blue glass windows left by the great battle.

General Admission is $25.99pp (adult) and also included are free audio guided tours available in 6 languages.

For an extra $19.99pp, add on the Top of the Tower Tour, accessing the 15-story tall Ford Island Control Tower where you ride the restored elevator to the upper cab, and take in breathtaking 360° views from the observation deck. Also included is entry into the Operations Building where you’ll explore a firehouse exhibit. Only 120 tickets are sold each day.

Add a one-hour long Guided Hangar Tour of Hangars 37, 79, and the Restoration Shop to your General Admission for only $10pp. Your tour guide will give you in-depth details of the history that took place here while taking you through an exclusive behind the scenes look at the restoration efforts being made. There’s even a free gift upon arrival, while supplies last.

Book your Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum tickets here

For a super interactive experience, try your hand at the Fighter Ace 360 Flight Simulator. Somersault and loop your way through a dogfight in a P-38 over the Pacific waters, getting a glimpse from the perspective of a 1940s pilot. Only 150 tickets sold per day, in-person only, and it’s a first-come/first serve basis starting at $10.70pp.

Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum

Adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center (no need for a shuttle) is the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. It showcases the WWII fleet submarine USS Bowfin, a museum, and outdoor artifacts. It is one of only a few museums in the world that educates visitors on the U.S. Navy’s “Silent Service” during World War II, Cold War, present day and beyond!

Tour the USS Bowfin which was launched on 7 December 1942, exactly one year after the harrowing attack on Pearl Harbor, and is proudly known by her nickname – the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger.’

Experience the tight spaces of a WWII submarine in the Conning Tower and pay your respects to the Waterfront Memorial that honors over 3,500 WWII officers and crewman.

See over a dozen missiles, anchors, propellers, and torpedoes; even a Japanese Kaiten, one of the only remaining Japanese-manned torpedoes left in the world.

The museum features several exhibits showcasing the history of submarines in the Pacific, a large collection of submarine-related artifacts and memorabilia, and interactive exhibits that provide a hands-on experience for visitors.

Do note that children 4 and under are not allowed on the USS Bowfin.

General Admission is $21.99pp (adult) for a self-guided tour through the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, USS Bowfin, a World War II submarine, and outdoor exhibits. Included are free audio guides offered in 7 languages.

For a truly exclusive experience, the VIP Captain’s Tour is a two-hour tour of the submarine and outdoor exhibits privately guided by a former Commanding Officer of a U. S. Navy Submarine. This one-of-a-kind tour is $600 for up to 6 people.

Book your Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum tickets here

Punchbowl Cemetery

On the opposite end of Honolulu, about 9 miles southeast of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you can continue your Pearl Harbor experience to Punchbowl Cemetery. This cemetery is free to enter and is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the 13,000 soldiers buried here who served during World War II. A visit to Punchbowl Cemetery offers visitors the chance to pay their respects and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that so many have made for our country.

Tour companies are only allowed to drive through the cemetery, not stop to let you out. By visiting on your own, you are free to take a self-guided tour around the 112-acre grounds and explore. As you walk through this sacred place, you will encounter monuments and memorials dedicated to those who perished in battle during World War II as well as memorials honoring those who served in World War I, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and more.

A couple of soldiers buried here who received the Medal of Honor posthumously after dying on Dec 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor are:

Chief Boatswain Edwin Joseph Hill was serving on the USS Nevada, the only vessel to escape that day. With no regard for his own safety, Hill leapt from the ship and swam back to cut her moorings so she could set sail. In a tragic turn of events however, merely moments later, an enemy bomb exploded at the bow of the vessel – taking Hill’s life.

Radio Electrician Thomas James Reeves was on board the USS California, which was hit early on in both the front and aft by Japanese torpedoes. Reeves was courageous and had no disregard for his own safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

In addition to these memorials, there is also the Courts of the Missing, which lists service members missing in action, including 26,306 servicemen lost in World War II.

Punchbowl Cemetery serves as an important reminder of both courage and loss while offering an opportunity for reflection on what it means to serve one’s country with honor and courage even unto death.

If you did not rent a car, taking a bus from Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is doable. It would be about 1.25hrs with a couple of transfers and would include walking a mile. Likewise, you would be able to take the bus back to Honolulu Airport in about an hour with a transfer or two (depending on how much you are willing to walk).

FAQs

While You Are On the Big Island, Don’t Miss:
Night Snorkeling with the Manta Rays
See Lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Epic Whale Watching
Eat All the Malasadas

Epilogue: Taking a Pearl Harbor Tour from Kona

Visiting Pearl Harbor is an incredibly moving and educational experience and is easily accessible if you are staying on the Big Island. From the USS Arizona Memorial to the Punchbowl Cemetery, there are many attractions that honor those who lost their lives during the attack on December 7th 1941.

Whether you’re looking for a guided tour or simply want to explore at your own pace, taking a Pearl Harbor tour from Kona will be an unforgettable journey into America’s past.