Are you a history buff or want to world-school on your trip to Oahu? Check out these incredible Pearl Harbor private tours for the ultimate Oahu experience. Scroll for the full list!
This post about the best Pearl Harbor private tours was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
One of the most popular things to do on Oahu is visit Pearl Harbor. In fact, many go on Hawaii vacations to see Pearl Harbor!
If you’re a history lover, you’ve probably learned a lot about the attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred on December 7th in 1941.
On that fateful day, the Japanese attacked American military members at the naval base in Pearl Harbor. This caused the death of more than 2,400 people.
After learning about the attack and how everything happened, you may want to experience the area for yourself while learning more about its lengthy history.
Or maybe you have a friend or family member with a Pearl Harbor connection and want to learn more for personal reasons.
Sometimes, researching Pearl Harbor tours can be overwhelming. That’s why I pulled together this list of private Pearl Harbor tours. These are awesome for asking a lot of questions and hearing all kinds of stories about Pearl Harbor and World War II.
Here is your entire guide on the best private tours of Pearl Harbor. You will see half day Pearl Harbor tours, along with full day Pearl Harbor excursions the entire family will love.
Click HERE for the top rated private Pearl Harbor tour.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Oahu.
Popular Oahu Tours/Activities
- Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour (this is a fun adventure with the prettiest views)
- Full Pearl Harbor Tour (this is the BEST way to do everything at Pearl Harbor)
- Hawaii Bucket List Tour (you get to pick where you stop on this custom Oahu Circle Island tour)
- Toa Luau (this is my all-time favorite Oahu luau)
- CLIMB Works Ziplining (this is the longest zipline on Oahu)
- Book a Photo Shoot (this is a Hawaii souvenir you’ll treasure forever)
Favorite Oahu Resorts/Hotels
- Hilton Hawaiian Village (this is our favorite Waikiki resort because of the amazing pool area and nearby restaurants)
- Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa (this is a splurge that is totally worth it)
- Royal Hawaiian Hotel (this is a luxury resort in Waikiki that is pink and gorgeous)
Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
7 Amazing Pearl Harbor Private Tours
One of the best ways to really understand Pearl Harbor is through a private tour. These guided tours provide tourists with valuable information while allowing them to experience the area, take photos, and ask questions about Pearl Harbor. I think it is the best way to tour Pearl Harbor!
While Pearl Harbor group tours might be cheaper, you are more restricted on what you can do and learn.
If you’d prefer a private tour that gives you and your loved ones more time to talk with the guided tours who have plenty of knowledge to share, consider booking one or more of the private tours of Pearl Harbor listed below.
Here are some of the best private tours to Pearl Harbor!
1. Half-Day Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Landmarks Tour
Spend half your day on an enjoyable Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Landmarks Tour. During the tour of Pearl Harbor, you’ll get to see the USS Arizona Memorial. You can head over to the visitor center and watch a short film on Pearl Harbor. Plus, you can ride along the harbor in a US Navy vessel.
Private transportation is available for you and your group, whether you’re traveling with family or friends. Check latest rates and more information.
You can expect a professional guide to take you around Pearl Harbor and Honolulu to see famous landmarks and talk to you about each one.
This Hawaii Pearl Harbor tour will be an educational experience for you while taking photos of some of the stunning landmarks in the area.
Snacks and bottled water are available to guests to keep them hydrated and full throughout the duration of the trip. Feel free to ask your guide for tips and suggestions on other great places to visit during your stay on the island.
2. Private Pearl Harbor and Honolulu City Tour
Make your reservations on this convenient and enjoyable Private Pearl Harbor and Honolulu City Tour. One thing you may notice on your trip is that people want to see the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Because it’s such a coveted spot for tourists, the line forms early in the morning, and most people need to get there as early as possible to get a good place in line. However, if you book this Oahu Pearl Harbor tour, you’ll get to skip the line, making it the best USS Arizona tour! Check latest rates and more information.
Not only will you get the perfect opportunity to see the USS Arizona Memorial, but your tour guide will take you on a trip to the downtown area of Honolulu. You can expect to see beautiful things while on the excursion, such as the Iolani Palace.
If you decide to take this Pearl Harbor tour in Hawaii, your guide can pick you and your group up at the hotel and drop everyone back off at the end of the day. This makes things even more convenient for everyone.
You’ll get a chance to try locally-grown fruit while also enjoying snacks and beverages provided by your tour guide.
A maximum of 14 people can go on this tour. This makes it an excellent choice for a family or group of friends who’d like to explore Honolulu together. It is one of the best guided tours of Pearl Harbor by far!
3. Step Back Into History Pearl Harbor Private Tour
Enjoy the most freedom possible with the Step Back Into History Pearl Harbor Private Tour. Take a trip with a certified tour guide to experience Pearl Harbor and its natural beauty.
The best thing about this tourPearl Harbor VIP tour is that you’ll get to decide where you want to go. While most tours already have the itinerary planned out for guests to follow, this tour allows you to determine where you’d like to go next. It truly is the best way to visit Pearl Harbor! Check latest rates and more information.
The Pearl Harbor guided tour lasts for eight hours. And it consists of all the fun and exciting things you’re interested in doing and seeing while you’re there. During your tour, you’ll get to visit historical spots, including the USS Arizona Memorial.
If you’re unsure where to go next, the Pearl Harbor tour guide will provide you with plenty of suggestions for you to choose from, making this a customizable experience. This is one of the best Pearl Harbor tours.
4. Private Half-Day Guided Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu
Enjoy a high-end tour tailored to your needs with this Private Half-Day Guided Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. You can check out the visitor center in Pearl Harbor to learn more about the attack and the soldiers who lost their lives fighting.
This private Pearl Harbor tour is geared toward families who primarily want to see the USS Arizona Memorial and don’t have time/interest in seeing the other Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. Check latest rates and more information.
You can ride on a ferry to get to the USS Arizona Memorial, experiencing the beautiful ocean while you’re on your way to this popular spot in the area.
Plus, you’ll also get to take a tour of the Punchbowl Cemetery. Choose some of the monuments you’d like to see and places you’d like to visit, and your tour guide will make sure you get there with ease.
If you need a shorter trip, this Pearl Harbor half day tour is perfect for you!
5. Private Guided Pearl Harbor Tour for Small Groups
This is another one of the best tours of Pearl Harbor!
Tour a meaningful piece of history with one of the most popular things to do in Hawaii, visiting Pearl Harbor. And this private Pearl Harbor tour comes with free transportation from Waikiki. Or you can add transportation from other parts of the island for an added fee.
With this guided tour, you can experience this historic expedition at your own pace without feeling rushed or stressed about time and spend as much time exploring Pearl Harbor as you want! Check latest rates and more information.
After visiting the USS Arizona Memorial, you can choose to explore the Pacific Aviation Museum, the USS Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, or take a tour around Honolulu. This is an excellent option for anyone who wants their family members to see sights on vacation too.
Take advantage of a half-day or full-day sightseeing tour so that you have enough time around Honolulu’s best spots before heading back home. This is one of the best Pearl Harbor tours from Waikiki.
6. Private Pearl Harbor & North Shore Tour
If you are short on time during your trip, enjoy spending the entire day touring both Pearl Harbor and the entire North Shore.
With this full day tour, you will get a Lei, water, snacks, coffee, and so much more provided for you. You will head to Pearl Harbor and explore all they have to offer. Check latest rates and more information.
From there, you’ll hop back in the car and drive up to the North Shore where you will explore Dole Plantation, historic Haleiwa Town, watch surfing at Sunset Beach, see some sea turtles, and so much more.
This is a fun option if you are just island hopping to Oahu for the day or need a cruise shore excursion.
7. Royal Star Private Tour – Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial & Honolulu City Tour
If you are heading to Oahu with a group (like a bunch of extended family, work colleagues, wedding guests, or school group), you might consider booking this Royal Star Private Tour. They have private tours available for groups of 10 and possibly more.
On this Pearl Harbor tour Hawaii, you’ll get to visit Pearl Harbor and explore the moving history of WWII. You will be given a reserved ticket for the USS Missouri battleship. Check latest rates and more information.
Your driver will provide additional commentary about Hawaii’s involvement during WWII. Royal Star Tours is committed to making your experience unforgettable by providing friendly service from start until finish.
You’ll also drive past historic Hawaii sites like Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha statue, and Chinatown.
Something important to know about this tour is that they do NOT provide the USS Arizona Memorial tickets. You’ll need to reserve those HERE.
This is one of the Oahu Pearl Harbor tours that allows you to see the USS Missouri Battleship, so definitely check it out!
Pearl Harbor Small Group Tours
If you’re debating between a private Pearl Harbor tour and a small group Pearl Harbor tour, here are a few options to think about. Small group tours tend to be less expensive than private tours, but you might have strangers in your group.
Small Group Pearl Harbor City Tour
For one of the Pearl Harbor tours from Honolulu, get picked up at your hotel for a lengthy Pearl Harbor City Tour. You’ll get to spend the day with less than 25 people while traveling through the city and checking out different military memorial sites.
The guides will provide educational narration throughout the Hawaii Pearl Harbor tours. And they will make sure you understand the history of Pearl Harbor and how the events happened.
You don’t have to worry about feeling hot or uncomfortable on this tour. Guests get to ride around on an air-conditioned minibus. Check latest rates and more information.
The tour begins in the morning when you meet your guide. Then, head off on the journey, starting with a trip to the National Memorial Cemetery. This Hawaii cemetery is a place to pay respect to those who fought for the country.
It’s an eye-opening experience and a fantastic way to get the day started by learning about the Pearl Harbor attack.
Once you’ve stopped by the Cemetery, you and your loved ones can head to downtown Honolulu to visit churches and other important buildings. You can spend the day learning and exploring the city before getting dropped back off at the hotel.
It is another one of the Pearl Harbor best tours to go on!
Salute to Pearl Harbor Small Group Tour
If you want to visit memorial sites on Pearl Harbor, take the Salute to Pearl Harbor Tour. The tour lasts for four hours and is a fun yet educational experience appropriate for people of all ages. There are a maximum of 12 people on this Pearl Harbor tour.
You’ll get to ride in a minivan that picks you up from your hotel. Once you’re on the minibus with your loved ones, you’ll get to head over to several local hot spots. This includes the USS Arizona Memorial and Pacific National Monument. Check latest rates and more information.
Your guide will provide you with detailed information on the history of these monuments, including what they stand for and why people come to see them.
Hear some of the most remarkable stories about the island with your tour guide, who is happy to answer any questions you might have on your journey.
If you need one of the Pearl Harbor tours with hotel pick up, this is a great tour!
Pearl Harbor Tours for Large Groups
Just in case you want to compare prices or experiences between private groups and the regular Pearl Harbor tours in Oahu, I’m listing some more popular tours at Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor WWII Heroes Adventure Group Tour
If learning more about World War II is on the agenda, this Pearl Harbor WWII Heroes Adventure Tour is a must. The full-day tour typically lasts for about nine hours, giving you plenty of time to learn and explore. This tour holds up to 56 people.
You’ll get picked up at your hotel and conveniently dropped back off at the end of the day. Expect to visit the USS Missouri while learning about Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Check latest rates and more information.
Not only do you get to see these stunning sights, but you actually have the chance to get on them!
And don’t hesitate to step foot on the USS Bowfin. You’ll learn about the critical role it played in the war many years ago. The tour guide will provide you with in-depth information on each spot you visit, ensuring you know what these places are known for and why.
It is another one of the top Pearl Harbor tours!
Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour
Never forget what happened in Pearl Harbor when taking the Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour. The average tour lasts for seven hours, providing guests with many opportunities to experience the area’s history for themselves. This tour has a maximum of 60 guests.
During this tour, you’ll see the USS Arizona Memorial, along with the USS Missouri and Pacific National Monument. Check latest rates and more information.
Besides visiting these monuments and experiencing them firsthand, you can learn more about Hawaii’s history, tour the downtown area of Honolulu, and stop by the most popular places in Oahu.
Expect to have a memorable time with a considerate tour guide who will get you from one destination to the next while talking to you about the beautiful island. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
Pearl Harbor Oahu Tour Reviews FAQs
Pearl Harbor is located on Oahu right by Honolulu.
The top four things to do at Pearl Harbor are the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Battleship Missouri, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin Submarine and Park.
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial are free to enter, as long as you make your Pearl Harbor reservations online. However, you’ll need to get a ferry ticket for the USS Arizona Memorial. You can either get one of the free tickets they distribute first thing in the morning, or you can reserve online HERE. You’ll need to pay entrance fees for the USS Battleship Missouri, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin Submarine.
Pearl Harbor is about 15 minutes away from the middle of Honolulu.
Visiting Pearl Harbor on your own is nice and can certainly be done. But, I think the Pearl Harbor tours Oahu has to offer are incredible and worth doing at least once.
Yes absolutely. You should plan to go on at least once Pearl Harbor excursion, but most visitors do a Pearl Harbor Hawaii tour every time they visit the islands!
The best tour of Pearl Harbor all depends on what you want to see and do. A visit to Pearl Harbor can be done with a half day tour or full day tour. A private tour of Pearl Harbor is usually best so you can go at your own pace and enjoy all it offers. If you want to see all the sites, this is probably the best private tour of Pearl Harbor.
Take Educational Pearl Harbor Private Tours
When learning more about Pearl Harbor is one of several things you’d like to do while in Hawaii, these are some of the best tours to take. You can take advantage of private tours with fewer people.
Pearl Harbor trips are so incredible that you will want to take a least one Pearl Harbor tour Oahu has to offer!
Instead of traveling with large groups, visit the wonderful places on the island with loved ones, such as your family and friends. No matter which private tour Pearl Harbor you choose, you can have a fun learning experience while stopping by many memorial sites and historical places.
Purchase your best Pearl Harbor tours tickets above from the one that best interests you and enjoy!