A trip to Oahu, Hawaii, feels incomplete without a tour of Pearl Harbor where the Japanese bombed American warships in 1941 during World War II. Several private tour companies offer tours of Pearl Harbor and a ferry ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, named after the bombed ship that sunk, killing 1,177 crew members. Due to security restrictions plan to keep your purse, bags and strollers in storage while taking the tour; only cameras and hand-carried wallets are allowed at the Memorial.
Tours of Pearl Harbor as well as a narrated visit to Honolulu's historic area are offered by Hawaii Travel and Tours. Trips start with a narrated ride to Pearl Harbor. Once you arrive at the harbor, you'll head to the visitor center to watch a documentary film, then ride the ferry to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. After you leave Pearl Harbor, the bus takes you through the National Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl Crater. You'll also go through Chinatown and pass the Iolani Palace. Stretch your legs with stops at the Hawaii State Capitol building and the King Kamehameha statute. As of September 2010, tickets range from $33.75 for adults to $30.25 for toddlers under the age of 5.
Hawaii Travel and Tours
17 Nana Pono Place
Kula, HI 96790
1-877-678-7333
adventureinhawaii.com
HawaiiWeb offers five different tours of Pearl Harbor, including a basic package that includes viewing a documentary film, a ride to the USS Arizona Memorial and a visit to the gift shop. Other tours include trips to Pearl Harbor along with narrated sightseeing in Honolulu or visits to the island's North Shore where pineapple and coffee fields thrive. The tours start early in the morning with free pickup and drop off at most hotels in Waikiki. Effective September 2010, prices range from $20 to $65, depending on the package you select.
HawaiiWeb, Inc.
PO Box 2185
Ewa Beach, HI 96706
1-866-268-7459
hawaiiweb.com
Choose from six different tours of Pearl Harbor, including the Pearl Harbor VIP Tour that provides an exclusive look behind the scenes of Pearl Harbor and a visit to three military bases. Or, take the Pearl Harbor Duck Tour for a ride on a World War II amphibious vehicle that delivers you to Pearl Harbor. After the tour of Pearl Harbor, the vehicle drives into the ocean for unique views of Honolulu's coastline. The company also offers packages that include full tours to Pearl Harbor along with a narrated visit to the USS Missouri. Other combination packages include a visit to the Pacific Aviation Museum. Hawaii Tours offers special rates for groups of 10 or more visitors. As of September 2010, prices range from $24 to $90, depending on the tour you select.
Hawaii Tours
PO Box 129
Hauula, HI 96717
1-888-755-8750
alohatopten.com
