Your guide to Pearl Harbor timings and the best time to visit

Timings

A typical Pearl Harbor visit can be tailored from a few hours to a full day. For just the Arizona Memorial, expect 3–4 hours. Covering the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri requires 4–5 hours. A complete visit to all four major sites takes about 8–9 hours, with around 1–1.5 hours per attraction.

Overall Visit Duration

Arizona Memorial only: 3–4 hours (includes documentary & boat ride)
Arizona + Battleship Missouri: 4–5 hours (half-day, highlights focus)
All Attractions: 8–9 hours (full day, immersive experience)

Main Attractions and Suggested Time

Arizona Memorial

Plan for 2 hours. Watch the 23-minute film, take a boat ride, visit the memorial platform, and pay respects to those lost. Be mindful of scheduled boat timings and allow time for reflection in the memorial’s peaceful setting.

Battleship Missouri

Allocate 1–2 hours. Walk the historic deck, view WWII exhibits, visit the surrender site, and join a guided tour for immersive stories about its legacy.

Visitor Center

Spend 1–2 hours. Explore exhibits like “Road to War” and “Attack!” featuring artifacts and newspapers. Begin here for historical context before seeing other sites.

Other Attractions & Time

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum: 1–1.5 hours. Tour the submarine and museum exhibits about undersea warfare.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: 1–1.5 hours. See WWII-era planes, displays on Pacific aviation, and unique views from Ford Island hangars.

Recommended Time by Attraction

Arizona Memorial: 2 hours (boat, film, memorial)
Battleship Missouri: 1–2 hours (deck, exhibits, tour)
Visitor Center: 1–2 hours (exhibits, galleries)
USS Bowfin Submarine: 1–1.5 hours (submarine, museum)
Aviation Museum: 1–1.5 hours (aircraft, hangars, optional tower tour)

What to See at Each Site

Arizona Memorial: Wreckage view, documentary, names wall, Black Tears of the Arizona oil drop.

Battleship Missouri: Surrender deck, WWII armaments, guided history tours.

Visitor Center: Road to War, Attack! galleries, outdoor remembrance areas, and interactive kiosks.

USS Bowfin Museum: Submarine tour, WWII sub artifacts, torpedo displays.

Aviation Museum: Hangar exhibits, period aircraft, and control tower (additional experience).

Plan early arrival to maximize time, beat crowds, and ensure access to popular attractions—all within opening hours from 7 am to 5 pm.

Recommended time by attraction

Arizona Memorial: 2 hours (boat, film, memorial)
Battleship Missouri: 1–2 hours (deck, exhibits, tour)
Visitor Center: 1–2 hours (exhibits, galleries)
USS Bowfin Submarine: 1–1.5 hours (submarine, museum)
Aviation Museum: 1–1.5 hours (aircraft, hangars, optional tower tour)

What to see at each site

Arizona Memorial: Wreckage view, documentary, names wall, Black Tears of the Arizona oil drop.
Battleship Missouri: Surrender deck, WWII armaments, guided history tours.
Visitor Center: Road to War, Attack! galleries, outdoor remembrance areas, and interactive kiosks.
USS Bowfin Museum: Submarine tour, WWII sub artifacts, torpedo displays.
Aviation Museum: Hangar exhibits, period aircraft, and control tower (additional experience).

Plan an early arrival to maximize your time, beat the crowds, and ensure access to popular attractions, all within opening hours from 7 am to 5 pm.

Frequently asked questions about Pearl Harbor timings

Are Pearl Harbor timings the same for all memorials and museums?

No, each site, like the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, and Aviation Museum, may have slightly different hours. Always check before visiting.

What are the best timings to avoid crowds at Pearl Harbor?

Early mornings between 7am to 9am are typically less crowded, especially for timed-entry tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Do Pearl Harbor boat rides to the USS Arizona Memorial follow the same timings as the visitor center?

Not exactly, boat rides have scheduled departures throughout the day (every 15 min) and stop earlier than the visitor center's closing time (3:30pm). The boat runs from 8am o 3:30pm.

Do Pearl Harbor timings change on holidays or special events?

Yes, hours can vary on national holidays or during commemorations like December 7, when ceremonies may impact your access.