USS Arizona Memorial

Totally worth it. Be sure to make a reservation in advance. The 10-minute boat ride is free, followed by about 15 minutes at the memorial with a volunteer. Photography is strictly not allowed on the boat or while getting off and walking to the memorial. It’s a beautiful and meaningful memorial experience.

Solemn memorial of the day of infamy. I actually saw the oil still floating off the sunken ship in the sacred place. The ferry ride is 5 minutes holding about 150 people from the main Pearl Harbor Memorial site. Takes about 45 minutes in total. Very organized added tour to take.

The USS Arizona Memorial is a beautiful and deeply moving place. The scenery is peaceful, with calm waters and open views that create a reflective atmosphere. Visiting the memorial offers a meaningful way to revisit history and honor those who lost their lives here. The ranger-guided program is well organized, and combining it with online travel guides makes the experience smooth and informative. Important tip: be sure to reserve tickets in advance, especially during weekends and holidays. Same-day availability is very limited, and planning ahead will greatly improve your visit.

A powerful, somber experience. The 10-minute Navy ferry ride is smooth and offers a striking perspective of Battleship Row. Standing over the wreckage is deeply moving. Arrive early and book ahead—it’s a must-see tribute to history. Highly recommend.

Visiting Pearl Harbor is an emotional and deeply moving experience that every American should have at least once. The site is beautifully preserved and serves as a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and history that shaped our nation. The USS Arizona Memorial is both haunting and humbling, offering a quiet moment to reflect and pay respect to the lives lost on December 7, 1941. The exhibits and museums are incredibly well done — informative, detailed, and full of authentic artifacts that bring history to life. The staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and respectful, ensuring the experience is both educational and heartfelt. The audio tour is highly recommended, as it gives a deeper understanding of the events and personal stories tied to that day. From the moment you arrive, you can feel the weight of history — but also the strength of resilience and unity. Pearl Harbor isn’t just a tourist stop; it’s a place of remembrance and gratitude. If you’re visiting Oahu, make this a priority. It’s a profound reminder of our past and a tribute to those who gave everything for our future.

This was a massive tick of the list of things to see in Hawaii. The memorial is very respectful of those who lost their lives. The 23 minute movie is a must to see to truly understand the history of this place. Please dont skip visiting this site it will make you stop and think about a time when the world was at war. I pray we never see this happen again. Peace

The USS Arizona Memorial was absolutely amazing and so so very sad at the same time. I was lucky enough to bee on the 1st boat out to the Memorial as well as I was there when the USN raised our American Flag. So very beautiful! And tear jerking...I was also lucky enough to have witnessed not once but twice of the Arizona "crying her oil tears". That was soooo very sad.

This Memorial is a reverent reminder to the magnitude of what occurred along Battleship row. The National Park Staff does a great job to remind all of us that we are entering a grave site for many, and the Navy service members very presence in the transport vessels helps reiterate that this place is hallowed ground. It is a valuable visit to pay respects to our fallen Hero’s.

I booked the ferry in the morning and because the memorial is in active military base, so all operation is done by National Park service and united state navy. Before we go to the memorial, they took us to the conference room and park ranger gave us the briefing that made me look at the memorial differently. It isn't an attraction, but it is a tomb that we should pay a respect to the soldier that passed away on that day. No talking out laud, phone must be put in silence, no taking picture on the dock but we can take a picture inside. They gave us 15-20 minutes until new round arrived then we took a ferry back to the base. I suggest if you want to visit all the museums, going to USS Arizona memorial in the morning it will make this trip flow and easier.

Haven't visited in a while but what a treat I thought that there was a charge but there was no charge and even the fairy was standby. Just have to pay $7.00 parking. Also is a national park

A half an hour documentary tells the story of the beginning of World War II for United States right here at Pearl Harbor. Then a boat takes you to the location where the USS Arizona sank. This memorial is a great way to remember and pay respect to the lives we lost on that tragic day.

My tears and heart are with the USS Arizona memorial to remind us of the gratitude we have for our precious military from all walks of life and also some from other countries who passed away 12/7/1941. The staff are wonderful to heartfully share their knowledge of this sad day in history. The tours on the USS Arizona are free or you can pay for tours also. But you should arrive by 7am or 8am to get yourself checked in on the text msg list for the line for the free tour and each day is different depending on how many people are booked on tours and who show up without reservations in advance that day. So I think there's nothing wrong w coming by 7am to get on the list and the first boat leaves at 8am. You don't have to book a private tour unless you want to and they start around $50 on various websites. There's a $12 audio tour phone w corded ear phones that you can hear while you walk around to the different exhibits before and during and after the boat that takes you to the USS Arizona memorial. I found the audio phone device to be poorly designed and old and the ear phones don't fit well, and the pics are too small and don't expand and the font and writing is in like 6 point font so it's tiny and hard to see, and it's not touch screen. There are no videos and the screen is the same size as an iPhone plus which is too small for those who can't see well. I would avoid this optional addition for $12. My personal preference is to research YouTube videos before and after even if the audio device you rent at the memorial will tell you what each exhibit represents. There is much more info on YouTube and Wikipedia. It's wonderful they have the honoring of the US and those who died with the Star Spangled Banner song at 8am daily where you put your hand on your heart and take off your hats to honor the sacred space and those who served in the military. Parking is not free as it's $7 with a QR code you have to scan w your cell phone to pay. It's best to come early after 7am so you can find a good parking spot or a spot at all during peak seasons.

Sobering and solemn. There are four commemorative places in the US where I end up with a lump in my throat, an overwhelming sense of reverence and respect, and an abundance of pride in our country. First is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The second and third are the memorials at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. And then there is the Arizona Memorial. The memorial commemorates the fateful day of December 7, 1941, a day which will live in infamy. And then there is the remains of the USS Arizona. When you're there, you are walking on the common grave of 1,102 military men who are interred here beneath the clear waters of Pearl Harbor. The trickle of oil has continued to surface since the day of the attack, lending an even more somber air to the place. It is a most reflective place in our land. Reservations are highly advisable to visit the Arizona and all the surrounding Pearl Harbor memorial activities. It should be noted that the Passport to Pearl Harbor does NOT include entrance to the Arizona Memorial. Once you get to the main site the visitors center is a huge place We had reservations in three different categories, We had the Pearl Harbor Passport, we also made reservations for the Arizona Memorial, and then the ones that were the hardest to get, which were the Ford island bus tour. All three different activities allowed us to see Just about all of Pearl Harbor's memorials, museum, the USS Missouri, and the memorials for the USS Oklahoma and the Utah. I would recommend every American visiting Hawaii, to stop at these memorials.

It's been years since I visited the memorial but when a friend from NY said he'd never been, I went on the national parks website, opened an account and immediately made reservations. The experience is emotional, respectful and patriotic, remembering the sacrifices made by many who were so young. The wall of names is overwhelming in scale and the immensity of devastating loss. And looking below into the water, one can only imagine what it looked like on Dec. 7, 1941. I admit it means more to me today now that my dad and uncles who served in WWII are long passed. There are other sites to visit such as the museum and battleship, which means we'll be back! Those are more expensive and deserving of time. $1 non refundable fee for the 45-minute tour. $7 parking. No bags allowed, except the clear kind. Please be respectful and keep voices low and quiet while on board the memorial.

The USS Arizona was an incredible experience. It is a very real reminder of the not so distant past and all the sacrifices and challenges that all the peoples of the world had gone through. The Memorial Park is a beautiful and well maintained park with various historical monuments and walkways. There is a little of a haunting aspect for us as we see the submarine USS Bowfin available for visitation as well as looking out across the water at the memorial to the Arizona. The sounds of various propeller flights always going by adds to the cumulative affect of the sensation of that bygone day. The monument to the Arizona itself is a stark reminder of the reality of the day. To be there in person looking down upon the ship is a very moving experience. The monument itself is a beautifully maintained structure that has the names of the personnel engraved on a wall of those who perished there. You can also see a tribute to the survivors who wanted to be entombed there with their shipmates after they have passed. The Navy does an excellent job of running the shuttle boats back and forth to the monument and you can see and feel their pride in being there. To all Veterans, we Thank You for your service.

Going to Hawaii is fun but while there make time to see this memorial if you haven't seen it already. It is an active burial site. The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is the site of the attack that resulted in the country's involvement in World War II. Certainly the highlight of the large historical site that also has several museums. You should reserve tickets online because it's a popular attraction for groups and programs. Come here knowing it's also an active gravesite. It's the final resting place of over 1,000 sailors killed in the attack on December 7, 1941. This is actually the most visited attraction in the state. Only way to get here is by a boat. Visitors first go to the Visitor Center, where they can watch a film and look at artifacts collected from the ship. As for the memorial itself, it straddles the sunken hull without actually touching it. The start of the memorial got help from Robert Ripley, of Ripley's Believe It Or Not! He visited the year after the attack. It took awhile to get it funded but it eventually was. Alfred Preis was a Honolulu architect who came up with the design. The U.S. Navy wanted it to be in the shape of a bridge floating above the ship. Basically there are three main parts. First the visitors go through the entry after leaving the boat and going up a ramp. In the assembly room is an opening overlooking the sunken decks, and you can see out the large open windows. At the far end is a shrine with the names of those killed in the attack. There's also a list of the survivors who chose to be buried here. Check out the Visitors Center to see things like one of the anchors. There's also a gift shop to get things like shirts and hats. Honestly it should be visited by everyone. It's free but it's a popular attraction, as reservations are often filled months in advance, with some more of these held back for release the day before it. There's only a processing fee for the online tickets.

It's worth visiting the USS Arizona Memorial memorial at least once if you're visiting Oahu. The memorial is built over the sunken Battleship Arizona that was destroyed in 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. It is known as the final resting place for over 1100 sailors and marines. The ferry ride over to the memorial was nice, and you get about 15 minutes to pay your respects and look around before the ferry returns to bring you back to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Centre. Reservations are required to get into the memorial, and it's recommended that you get your tickets in advance as spots book up pretty quickly. Reservations are made on the recreations.gov website and costs only $1.00 per ticket. Plan to arrive early for your reserved time slot because they do not accept late arrivals, and you may need time getting into the Pearl Harbor Visitors Centre (depending on the lines). Bags (unless they are clear) are also prohibited at the Visitor Center and will need to be checked in for $7 per bag before going in (allocate a bit of time for this too if needed). For this reason it is a good idea to wear clothes with lots of pockets for your phone, cards, cash, etc. It's also noted that there are plenty of other attractions for an additional cost at and around the Visitor Centre if you plan to spend the day at Pearl Harbour.

Impactful and poignant. This tour is a must see for any vacationer in Oahu. On the Recreation.gov website It's recommended to make an advanced booking, but I ended up registering as a standby on a Sunday morning and had zero problems getting a spot. Once you arrive to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, you simply put in your phone number and sometime later will get a text alert with a QR code when the standby line opens up. As quick as the experience was, it left a lasting impression.

Organized and very clean. This was a humbling experience. Top on our list to visit on our first trip to Oahu. Honored to have been able to visit and see this place. A must see when in this island.

The ferry (boat) ride over to the USS Arizona Memorial was very somber. I didn't realize I would be full of emotion. I am glad that the rangers stressed how serious it was and for everyone to show respect. To see oil still spurting out after all of these years! To know that over 900 men are declared buried at sea and we were standing there ! Gave me chills!

The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most amazing memorials and is a must-visit when going to Oahu and the Pearl Harbor site. The USS Arizona battleship was built leading up to World War I and was in Hawaii on December 7, 1941 when it was bombed. To get to the memorial, it's recommended to make a reservation online. It's free but costs $1 per person for the reservation fee. That'll secure your spot but if you don't make the reservation, you can wait in the standby line and wait until there's room on the boat for you. The boat will take people on a short ride to the memorial itself. The memorial was built across the ship's sunken remains and it includes a list of all the crew members that were lost on that day. You'll be able to see the remains of it, and if you have a keen eye you might still be able to see oil spilling out on the surface. Overall it takes about 45 minutes to get there, walk around for a little bit, and get back to shore. If you plan on going to Pearl Harbor, this is a stop you must make.

You MUST have a reservation to get to this memorial. It doesn't cost much but does sell out and is based on a time slot and day. Go to recreation dot gov to reserve it. Alternatively, you can try fir stand by tickets at the Pearl Harbor Memorial desk but it's risky. There is only one boat that reaches here (departs from the Pearl Harbor Memorial) and requires you to have a ticket. You'll only get maybe ten minutes to visit this memorial once you arrive so make it count. Sit on the left side of the boat in the middle as you depart to be the first one off the boat and into the memorial once you arrive.

This is ran by the national park service, and it really is one of their best programs. We enjoyed the afternoon there, and the sailors and rangers made us feel at home.

This is a very impressive visit. There are many different things to see which compliment the Arizona very well. We purchased the two day pass and we barely had enough time to see everything in detail. We thoroughly enjoyed each part of the park. The virtual tour was amazing and I thought that doing this after seeing the Arizona made sense. There were plenty of bathrooms around the park and the staff were pleasant and welcoming. The U.S.S. Missouri was amazing to see and tour. There were no negatives. Highly recommend.

It has been decades since we visited and it is best to visit on a clear day with low tide. It was overcast the day we went and the water was murky so couldn't see the ship well except for the part where there's an opening to look at the center of the ship. The entire complex is really big now and lots to see including a museum area with displays and models of war vessels. Getting advance tics is recommended. There's bathrooms and extra cost to tour some vessels. You can easily spend an entire day here if you pay to visit the extra ships too. The ferry ride over was fun with navy men and women driving the boat over to the memorial. In the way back, they let a couple of little girls steer the boat a bit for fun.

A friend made the reservations for us, so I can't speak to difficulties with the reservation system that others have commented on. I am not a huge war/military buff, but I am a big fan of graves and memorials. This was an extraordinary experience. The walk through exhibits were incredibly thorough and really gave an in depth view of the events leading up to the events as well as the ways ordinary folks were impacted. My only regret is that they are very rigid with the time you spend actually out on the memorial- I get the why (it is a limited space) but I would have liked to have been able to spend more time out there.

Made reservations for the boat tour, however it was cancelled due to high wind warning. The rangers were very kind and explained the situation, giving us the option to either standby for a later time in hopes that the wind warning will end, or come back the next day to use our reservation spots. However, if we chose to stay back for a later time slot, we wouldn't be guaranteed a spot on the boat. Due to time constraints for my family and I, we were not able to do either. The website where we booked the reservations (recreation.gov) does not refund your purchase. On top of that, we were not allowed to bring in purses, bags or backpacks. All bags have to be checked into a locker ($7 PER BAG!!) OR.... Leave it in your car and risk getting broken into and stolen.

It is best to schedule a time. Head to your line about 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time. The line does get long fast. No worries, they have seats for you. They will not let you ferry over more than 15 minutes before your time. There are 3 lines. The one to the far left is for the movie. It plays at 15 minutes after the hour and 45 minutes after the hour. The middle line is for people with scheduled times. The third line is for standby's. You can watch the movie when you get back. Be sure to turn off your ringer before you get to the memorial. It is a memorial. They expect you to be respectful. No texting or phone calls. Keep voices low. Pictures are ok. You get -5 minutes to look around. Then you step to the right side and wait for your ferry to return.

06/23/23- Friday I was stationed in Hawaii from 2012- 2015. One of my favorite Duty Stations. Lots of great memories .... Naval Health Clinic Hawaii :-)

This is an excellent display of history that would otherwise be washed away by a watery grave and Father Time. It was an engaging way to remember those who gave their lives defending our country. Make your reservations ahead of time to make sure you are assured a spot on the boat ride/memorial. Do not take a bag; you'll have to check it for $7.33.

Caveat: I'm giving this three-stars not to disrespect the individuals who passed away, but largely because this just isn't my thing. I'm not a war or history buff. Notwithstanding this about me, everyone says that you can't visit Oahu without visiting Pearl Harbor. I followed instructions and this the memorial didn't live up to my expectations. First, be absolutely sure to reserve your time in advance. This will save you having to wait in the standby line and possibly even missing it. Once you get to the memorial you'll have about 20 minutes. You get to look down on the sunken ship. Mostly what you see are some parts of the ship a few feet below sea level. I expected to see more. We went late in the afternoon (3:30 pm) and it was a little windy. Maybe if you go earlier the harbor will be calmer and you could see more. Overall the memorial is more of a solemn place akin to a cemetery as opposed to a place to learn about the history and/or see the actual ship. Visiting the actual memorial is free and parking is $7. High points: there are two great museums, the USS Bowfin submarine that you can tour (for a fee), and a gift shop. Those places were far more interesting and worth the time to me. I'm reviewing them separately.

Such a moving experience to ride to this site and a little disheartening as well considering it is a memorial reminding us of thousands of people who lost their lives. Also seeing the wall with the soldiers listed who gave their life to fight was impactful. We took a ferry to the site and paid $1 to reserve prior to arriving. I was uncertain how I would feel visiting but really appreciate how well reserved and taken care of the sites are remaining for us to value and not forget.

I currently reside in Oahu and my rating is based on my experience upon entering the gate . There is currently a $7 parking charge in effect since May 2023. That's ok, happy to pay. I often bring family & friends here when they visit Honolulu. Their baggage policy handling is absolutely ridiculous and totally selective today !! I had a tiny wallet belt and was told I needed to check my bag at check in for $7, instead I walked backed back to my car because it was really close thru it in the back seat and came back enter w/ my brother a 20 year retired cop visiting me on island for the first time. My app alerted us that we would be leaving on board the ferry soon . When a park ranger came out of no where looked for us on line pulled us off the line to integrate me like I stole something. He accused me of having a purse on me , I told him I NO I only wallet, phone & car key . He said I went to bathroom w/ purse . Told him no sir, I never went to bathroom, then he accused me of dumping my bag In the bathroom after I just told him I never went to the bathroom my bag belt bag was in car. Then he asked my brother a retired cop like some kind of thug to empty out his pocket which he complied with . WTH!! Well the park ranger Haole found NOTHING !! .. Not only were We were clearly targeted but the embarrassment & handling of situation was clearly uncalled for and never even got an apology for accusing us with no findings!! We boarded the ferry totally embarrassed only to find 3 people with wallet purse clearly displayed . The Aloha spirt which I proudly talked about was clearly not on display today. I was so embarrassed for me & my brother !. P.s here a lady purse when we exited the ferry at memorial . I guess I was wrong ethnicity!!

The reservation system is truly awful and left me sad. They release tickets 24 hours the day before the tour 3pm Hawaiian time https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/233338/ticket/16 The website has SO much traffic that it crashed multiple times at the 3pm hour. My wife and I tried for an hour and a half, constantly refreshing. Tickets showing unavailable, then available (due to web traffic). We were never able to get tickets. This is supposed to be a memorial. Not a Tailor Swift concert. Gotta do better.... I'm also a veteran and probably won't get a chance to visit anytime in the foreseeable future. Incredibly disappointing.

This is a place everyone should go to and remember the sacrifices that were made by all the sailors who perished on that day. Lots of exhibits to look at. I have taken my children here. I even brought my brother who grew up on Oahu and had never visited the USS Arizona Memorial. Sadly, I had never gone to the Memorial when I was younger. It was never taught about in History in my public schools I attended. My husband and I both served in the military and went there as adults. I reserved my tickets online and paid a $1 processing fee. It was easy to find the link on Yelp. The boat ride takes you out to the memorial and back

The Arizona Memorial is a must see for any person, American or not. With the present state of the world on the brink of a World War, this is a reminder of the total waste and destruction that war brings. It seems that history is not being taught in schools, and as the saying goes, failure to study history results in history repeating itself. If you are able to visit, make sure you take the time to visit each museum and attend the theater for a short film. We have the freedom of speech and protest; but if you are protesting, make sure you are well informed of the issues. Do not be a sheep who blindly follows the influence of social media. Get informed!My memory of being taught history that stays with me today ( I graduated high-school in 1969) is: we study the past, to understand the present, and prepare for the future. It doesn't take a long time to tour the memorial. At the end wall is a marble slab with the names of those lost. You will see a lot of many of the dead with the same last names. Not a coincidence; fathers and sons, brothers. Very sad...

Recreation.gov is worst website to get the ferry reservations to see the USS AZ Memorial. Tickets are gone in seconds, literally. Logged into my account 30 seconds before the 75 tickets in my time slot were released and requested 4 tickets. Website responded: requested time slot "unavailable" tried a later time slot and and the entire site sold out in 8 seconds. The way to get on the Navy ferry to the Memorial is to get there early and wait at the standby line. The line builds up around 630a but get there earlier on weekends. After you enter the gates, go left towards theater2.

December 7th, 1941 is such an important date in American History ! The day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor ! Yet my family never spoke of this date . Yes, I am third generation Japanese American. My learning of this tragic event was from history books in school. On our trip to the islands, our friend Nadine graciously arranged an UYE @ USS Arizona Memorial . This was our first time here . Everything was very organized and military like. Stand in line and wait for instructions ! Depending on which tour you plan on seeing, It is recommended to come early ! Parking lot can fill up fast and lines can get long. I was really surprised the tour of the "USS Arizona Memorial" was absolutely free. The tour consisted of a short film of the bombing of "Pearl Harbor"and then a boat ride to the Memorial Site . Standing on the Memorial site was so surreal, knowing that over 900 men are entombed in the ship right below your feet. To this day, oil from the ship continues to rise to the surface. My wife was able to place a lei at the foot of the monument listing all the men who gave their lives on December 7, 1941. With the rest of the lei's , my wife and I and Nadine dropped the rest of the orchids on the water below ( orchids only/no strings) honoring the men on the Arizona. There are so many things too see and do here at the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Museums to see, tours of ships and submarine, buying souvenir's at the gift shop. When visiting Hawaii, this is a must place to visit ! Big Mahalo to our friend Nadine ! Aloha !

UYE #5 of 5 for Karen and Ken of Sacramento When Karen told me that this #1 Visitor Attraction was at the top of her list of Places to Visit, I asked my Lunch Buddy, Dear Daniel to cohost with me. Sometimes he can rearrange his appointments, but unfortunately, he had to work this Monday morning. Karen & Ken got to the Visitor Center before me because I had to work until 7am. They got 3 tickets for the 7:30am movie, but I arrived a couple of minutes after it started. We explained to the staff that I came straight from the hospital, wearing my Hello Kitty scrub top! (We didn't want to wait for the 1:15pm show which would be the next available time.) Whew! There were a few empty seats left, so they let us into the 8am show! Yay!!! The FREE movie was well written and left a big impression on us all. We had locked our backpacks and bags in our cars because we didn't want to pay the $4 for a locker to store our belongings. Armed with just our cell phones, we were ready to photograph our adventure! We boarded the boat right after the movie and arrived at the Memorial in a few minutes. Karen and Ken brought some of the leis that they received from generous Yelpers at various UYEs. We took 3 leis apart (no strings allowed to prevent choking/tangling of sea creatures) and Karen laid one lei in the chapel where the 1,177 names of the deceased are inscribed on the wall. We tossed the flowers from the leis into the ocean where the current carried our well wishes to our Military Heroes. We walked around and listened to a War Veteran who shared some of his stories. Ken took a great photo of the oil which is rising from the USS Arizona to this day! We got back in line to board the boat to return back to the Visitor Center; toured the Gift Shop; used the convenient restroom; and took more photos at the Walk of Remembrance. There are some really great displays here with informative storyboards! So much work has been done to help us remember the events of December 7, 1941. I'm really glad that we got a chance to tour this Historical Place together! Thanks to Ken and Karen for being such enthusiastic guests! We're looking forward to your next visit to Hawaii! A hui hou! Tip: When using your GPS, the site: "USS Arizona Memorial" will take you to Ford Island which is a Military Base for which we need a Military ID. Instead, aim for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at 1 Arizona Memorial Place. Free parking is available in 3 parking lots nearby. If you have time, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Missouri (aka The Mighty Mo) tours are also available at the Visitior Center for small admission fees.

Grand time awesome experience friendly and helpful very enlightening can't wait to go back