Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most moving experiences in America. The memorial is free, but you need a timed boat ticket reserved in advance through recreation.gov ($1/ticket fee). Arrive early, leave bags behind, give the morning quiet attention.
Key Highlights
- Memorial program free — reservations only via recreation.gov, $1 non-refundable fee/ticket.
- Tickets release 8 weeks and 24 hours ahead at 3 p.m. HST; sell out in minutes.
- Memorial straddles sunken battleship where 1,177 sailors/Marines died Dec 7, 1941.
- Plan 2+ hours: 23-min film, Navy boat ride, shrine room with marble wall of names.
- Visitor Center open daily 7am–5pm, free; strict bag policy, paid storage onsite.
What It Is — and Why It Matters
Dec 7, 1941: bomb struck USS Arizona’s forward magazine. Explosion sank ship, killed 1,177 crew — over half of Americans lost that day. Wreck rests where she sank; above it stands the memorial (Alfred Preis design, dedicated 1962), spanning the hull without touching it. NPS cares for site since 1980; 4,000–8,000 visitors daily.
Central deck open to harbor — look down through water at battleship outline. Oil still seeps (“black tears”) — a grave, not a museum. Shrine room: marble wall with 1,177 names. Facts about Pearl Harbor before you go.
Tickets and Reservations
Free memorial, but timed ticket required via recreation.gov. No walk-up boat boarding; same-day in-person distribution discontinued.
How Reservations Work
Two windows, both 3 p.m. HST: 8 weeks out, and 24 hours out. Eight-week sells out in minutes in peak seasons; next-day just as fast. $1/ticket fee; up to 10 tickets/person/day (infants count); non-transferable, non-resalable. QR code by email PDF — rangers can’t modify/rebook at park. Arrive 1+ hour before boat time; check in 10 min prior. Late = forfeited to standby.
Sold Out? Standby Callback
Free Standby Callback: signup tablets at Audio Tour booth — name, phone, party size. Text with SB Number; second text when called. Real but never guaranteed; waits stretch hours on busy days; may not be offered in peak. Meanwhile: museum galleries, park film, neighboring sites. Or guided tour (operators handle ticketing/transport). Optional audio narrated tour add-on.
The Experience, Step by Step
1. Visitor Center + film: free, two galleries (“Road to War,” “Attack”). 23-min film separate from boat program but worth watching first.
2. Boarding: programs ~every 15 min, 8am–noon and 1–3:30pm. Navy boats, 145 passengers. Short safety orientation; few-min ride.
3. On memorial: entry/assembly rooms, central deck (look down at battleship), shrine room (marble wall, 1,177 names). Take time; read names; notice the hush.
4. Return: boat back; walk shoreline, contemplation circle, remembrance exhibits.
No restrooms on boats/memorial — use Visitor Center before departure.
Etiquette
- Military cemetery — treat as one. Voice low, phone silent.
- Dress respectfully; no beachwear. Rangers redirect.
- No eating/drinking/smoking on memorial. Wallet, camera, phone, water OK.
- Photos discreet — no posed selfies, no climbing railings.
- Remove cap in shrine room — noticed gesture.
- Give veterans/families space. Flowers at wall: quietly.
Other Pearl Harbor Sites
- Battleship Missouri (Ford Island) — WWII ended on her deck, Tokyo Bay Sept 2, 1945. Missouri visit guide. ~$40 adult.
- USS Bowfin + Submarine Museum — “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” sank 44 vessels. Submarine’s side of the story. ~$26.
- Aviation Museum (Ford Island) — attack-era to jet-age aircraft, flight sim. ~$30.
Pearl Harbor Passport: all three + audio + VR, $99.99. Free shuttle Visitor Center ↔ Ford Island every 15–20 min, 8am–4pm. Historic Sites overview.
Practical Tips
Hours/cost: Visitor Center 7am–5pm daily, free admission + parking. Closed Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s. Go early — first boats quietest.
Bags: strict — no purses/backpacks/fanny packs/camera bags. Wallet, camera, phone, water OK. Paid storage near entrance.
Food/water: snack shop at Visitor Center; cafes at Missouri/aviation museum. Bring water — strong sun, uncovered grounds.
Sun: sunscreen, removable hat, walking shoes.
Stay length: 2 hrs min for Arizona program; 4–6 hrs with Missouri + museum.
Getting There from Waikiki
~13 miles NW, 25–30 min via H-1 West. Free plentiful parking before mid-morning rush. Rideshare easy. TheBus ~1 hr each way. Pair memorial morning with Waikiki afternoon — see things to do in Waikiki. Guided tours bundle pickup + tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the USS Arizona Memorial free?
Yes — program and Visitor Center free. Only $1/ticket recreation.gov fee. Partner sites (Missouri, Bowfin, aviation museum) charge separately.
How do I get tickets?
recreation.gov only. Windows: 8 weeks and 24 hrs ahead, 3 p.m. HST. Up to 10/person/day. QR by email; arrive 1+ hr early, check in 10 min prior.
Without a reservation?
Free Standby Callback only — tablets at Audio Tour booth, text with place in line. Not guaranteed; waits hours on busy days; may not run in peak. No same-day in-person distribution.
How long does the visit take?
Boat program 45–60 min; ~2 hrs with film + galleries. Full day with partner sites.
Are bags allowed?
No — any kind. Wallet, camera, phone, water OK. Paid storage near entrance.
Arizona Memorial vs Pearl Harbor National Memorial?
Arizona Memorial = white structure over sunken battleship (timed boat ticket). National Memorial = larger NPS site (Arizona + Oklahoma + Utah memorials + Visitor Center). Partner sites separate, ticketed, nonprofit-run.