Quick Details
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Availability: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish
- Location: 1 Arizona Memorial Rd, Honolulu, HI 96818
*This tour will even translate the National Park Service’s 23-minute movie documentary into the visitor’s language.
From
$10.50
What to Expect on the Admiral's VIP Tour
This tour offers a deep dive into the history of Pearl Harbor, focusing on the attack that brought the U.S. into World War II. You’ll experience the immersive Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center and have access to in-depth information not available on standard tours. Through multimedia presentations, you’ll explore the USS Arizona and its significance in one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
All equipment is provided, and the tour is designed to be informative, providing rich historical detail without requiring any prior knowledge. Whether you’re interested in aviation, naval history, or World War II, this tour will guide you through the events of December 7, 1941, and their lasting impact.
Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center Experience
Location:
1 Arizona Memorial Rd, Honolulu, HI 96818
This part of the tour takes you back in time using the latest virtual reality technology provided by the National Park Service. You will have access to several key experiences that make WWII history come alive.
Pearl Harbor VR Tours: What You Can Explore
1. Air Raid Pearl Harbor
In this immersive experience, you’ll find yourself on the deck of the USS Utah, one of the first battleships attacked. The experience details the timeline of the attack from the moment the first Japanese warplanes descended on Pearl Harbor. The broadcast message, “Air Raid Pearl Harbor, This is no Drill,” can be heard as you experience the moment that marked the beginning of U.S. involvement in the war.
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Equipment: All provided
2. Skies Over Pearl
This experience puts you inside the cockpit of a Japanese fighter plane, launching from the carrier Akagi, about 230 miles north of Oahu. You’ll see Pearl Harbor from above, gaining insight into the strategy and tactics used during the air raid. You’ll also learn about the different aircraft types and how the pilots relied on a Honolulu radio signal to find their way to Oahu while maintaining radio silence.
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Equipment: All provided
3. Walk the Deck of the USS Arizona
Step onto the deck of the Battleship USS Arizona on the morning of December 7, 1941. This historically accurate VR tour allows you to stand on the ship as it was that day, providing a 360-degree view. You can explore the main deck and observe key areas of the battleship, learning about the events that led to its sinking and the loss of so many lives.
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Equipment: All provided
4. Explore the USS Arizona Today
See the USS Arizona as it is today, resting on the floor of Pearl Harbor. This experience takes you below the waterline, showing the remains of the battleship in stunning detail. You’ll view the Arizona’s massive guns and other parts of the ship that remain untouched since the day it sank. This is a rare chance to witness a part of American history preserved underwater.
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Equipment: All provided
Tickets and Check-In Information
The VR Center is located in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. You’ll need to check in with your confirmation between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each VR experience lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, so plan accordingly if you wish to participate in multiple experiences.
Note that this program does not include boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial. You will need to purchase those separately via the National Park Service website.
Bag Restrictions
For security reasons, bags are not allowed at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. You can bring cameras, cell phones, and wallets, but any other bags will need to be stored in the facility near the visitor center entrance for a small fee.
Accessibility
Pearl Harbor is fully accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or scooters. The VR equipment is designed to be used by all visitors, and the tour sites, including the theater and exhibit galleries, have accommodations for hearing-impaired visitors as well.
Dress Code
Visitors are reminded that Pearl Harbor is a site of great historical significance and loss. Military visitors, in particular, are expected to adhere to certain dress standards if they plan to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. Civilians should dress respectfully, considering the solemn nature of the site.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is available onsite for $7 per day. However, the lot can fill up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early or plan for potential delays if you’re driving. Ride-sharing services are also an option, but be sure to follow pickup and drop-off instructions for those services.
USS Arizona Memorial Boat Ticket NOT INCLUDED
This program DOES NOT include the boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial. Please visit the USS Arizona Memorial tour to reserve those tickets.
When To Arrive
The Pearl Harbor Multimedia and Virtual Reality Tours are available to start all day long after 7:00 am but must be started with enough time to make the tour stops before the park closes at 5:00 pm. If you have boat tickets, please pick up your multimedia tour smartphone before checking into the boat if you have tickets as it has content that may be viewed on the USS Arizona Memorial.
Accessibility
The visitor center has reserved accessible parking near the entrance. The restrooms, theaters, exhibit galleries, bookstore, information desks, drinking fountains, Navy shuttle boats, and the USS Arizona Memorial are all fully accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or scooters. Walking the distance between facilities may be challenging for visitors with mobility issues. Several benches are located throughout the site for opportunities to rest. Please note: The visitor center does not offer wheelchairs to the public. Please use assistive devices with care; walkers with wheels have caused accidents when used as wheelchairs. Stay hydrated in the tropical climate.
For hearing-impaired visitors, all films are fully captioned in English. There is an induction loop for use with hearing aids in the theater. Visually impaired visitors will find signage in braille in addition to tactile models of various interpretive resources throughout the site. Braille booklets regarding Pearl Harbor are available at the information desk.
Bags are Prohibited
Bags are prohibited at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Clear, see-through stadium bags and bags containing medical devices or medication may be allowed into the site at the discretion of the National Park Service. Cameras, cell phones, and wallets are allowed. Bags may be secured in a storage facility near the visitor center entrance for a fee. More information is available on the park’s website.
Weather/Cancellations
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial may be canceled or modified due to high winds and other safety concerns.
Parking
Please plan for traffic and allow time to find parking in one of the nearby parking lots located within walking distance of the visitor center. Taxi cabs and ride-share companies must follow parking lot signage, as well as all pickup and drop-off protocols.
Dress Code
Visitors are reminded that they are visiting a site of the tremendous loss of life in service to our country. Military visitors to the memorial are within the bounds of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and military regulations relating to military dress are enforced by Navy personnel. Per the Pacific Commander, military visitors in uniform are required to dress in Class B or better in order to gain access to the USS Arizona Memorial. Battle dress uniform is not allowed on the memorial, though it is allowed throughout the visitor center and at sites on Ford Island. Military visitors are welcome to wear civilian clothes when they visit.
Booking the Admiral's VIP Tour
To ensure availability for your preferred date and time, it’s recommended that you book this tour in advance. You can choose between various VR experiences, or enjoy them all for a complete perspective on the Pearl Harbor attack and its aftermath.
Be sure to reserve your boat tickets separately for the USS Arizona Memorial if you plan to include that in your visit. Remember, these are released in two waves—eight weeks in advance and one day in advance at 3 p.m. Hawaii Time.
Explore More Pearl Harbor History
In addition to the Admiral’s VIP Tour, there are several other ways to experience Pearl Harbor’s history. You can explore two world-class museums at the visitor center or take part in guided and self-guided tours of the surrounding sites.
For a comprehensive day, you can also visit the nearby Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park.
Be sure to reserve your boat tickets separately for the USS Arizona Memorial if you plan to include that in your visit. Remember, these are released in two waves—eight weeks in advance and one day in advance at 3 p.m. Hawaii Time.
