USS Arizona Memorial
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4.5(42)yelp
HistoryMilitaryWarshipMust-SeeEducational
Overview
The USS Arizona Memorial, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and commemorates the events of that day. The attack on Pearl Harbor led to the United States' involvement in World War II. The memorial, built in 1962, is visited by more than two million people annually. Accessible only by boat, it straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it.
Practical Info
Every day7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2 hours
Best TimeVisiting this architectural canopy suspended over the sunken battleship wreckage is best between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Morning harbor waters are at their calmest and most transparent, optimizing visibility down onto the rusted gun turrets and the floating iridescent oil slicks known emotionally as the 'tears of the Arizona'.
Getting ThereDirect road or foot access is impossible. All visitors must check in at the main Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor center terminal; after historical film briefings, guests board official shuttle boats operated exclusively by the US Navy for a short harbor transit to the floating monument. Advanced transit tickets via Recreation.gov are vital.
Travel Tips
- The floating memorial sits directly over the sunken battleship hull; harbor wind gusts exceeding 25 mph or volatile tidal chop prompt immediate Navy suspension of the shuttle boats, voiding access regardless of reservation status.
- This shrine serves as the final resting place for 1,177 fallen service members; the structural interior is a federally designated sanctuary enforcing absolute silence, making loud speaking or disrespectful photography an arrestable offense.
- The white concrete offshore memorial building features zero public restroom facilities, no potable water access, and minimal cooling canopies; visitors must utilize visitor center restrooms on the mainland prior to boarding.
Reviews
Positive
- Standing over the sunken hull of the battleship Arizona and seeing the 'black tears' of oil is historic and deeply moving.
- The base admission is completely free, including a high-quality documentary and the round-trip ferry; order is flawless.
- The internal crowd flow guide is precise, and the premium multilingual audio guide greatly enhances educational interest.
- As Pearl Harbor's core landmark, its historical value and authentic educational atmosphere make it a must-visit in Hawaii.
Heads up
- Though free, daily slots are highly coveted; without booking online, waiting in the standby line on-site often wastes hours.
- Ferry operations are highly limited by sea winds; strong gusts can trigger sudden cancellations, preventing you from stepping onto the memorial.
- Due to constant crowd saturation, the memorial platform is tight and crowded, making it hard to find quiet space for reflection.
- Security rules are intensely strict; no bags of any size are allowed inside, and bag storage fees feel like a pricey tourist trap.