Pearl Harbor Tours — Local services in Oʻahu

Do not visit Honolulu without visiting Pearl Harbor. This historical site is not to be missed. There is so much history and relevance to visiting Pearl Harbor, you will not be disappointed. I knew when planning our visit that I wanted a tour, something to really give me an inclusive experience. Unfortunately, the Pearl Harbor site itself does not allow guided tours. Not sure why, but that is what lead me to Pearl Harbor Tours. With quick Google Search, I was able to navigate to their website and learn of all the tours they offered. We settled on the USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Tour. The description of this tour perfectly describes the day.

Our tour guide texted me the evening before our tour with their name, contact information, pick up time and location as well as some useful information to note. (TIP: purchase a small clear bag for this tour as you are not allowed to bring a purse or backpack into the tour areas). Our tour guide was Cousin Shaq, and he was fantastic! He was prompt for all picks up, charismatic, and provided plenty of "tour" information without actually being able to guide us along on our tour.

At the USS Arizona Memorial, we were able to move through the exhibits at our own pace which was nice. And our tour provided a ticket for the boat to the Arizona itself. An excellent site, words cannot describe this historical memorial. The USS Missouri was my favorite because it was more interactive. First off, the battleship is huge! The battleship has been repurposed as a museum, but in a way that requires you to walk throughout the ship. It takes about 2 hours to get through the whole ship. There are also food trucks and snack bars located at this site for a lunch break or snack. (TIP: Try the Dole Whip if you haven't already!) After visiting the main historical sites, on the drive back to Waikiki, our tour guide drove us through the National Cemetery as well as by the Iolani Palace. We were able to stop at the King Kamehameha Statue for pictures as well as play around under a 160 year old Banyan Tree. Very neat!

Overall, I would highly recommend booking a tour with Pearl Harbor Tours, they truly take care of you! Thank you Cousin Shaq for an incredible...

This private chauffeured guided tour was worth every penny we spent. Every penny. And, Shaq, our guide, is now part of our family—Cousin Shaq. He was phenomenal.

I get it, you’re wondering is being driven around at sites you can find on your own and pay admission to get into worth the money. Yes, emphatically yes.

Pearl Harbor is a madhouse. Parking is crowded and not obvious. Traffic is horrendous to get there. It is not easy to find many of the attractions. There are tons of tour busses herding around 70 people at a time like cattle.

Skip the lines. Skip ticket windows. Get dropped off at the front. Customize your day and itinerary. Have Cousin Shaq tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Hawaii, it’s people, its customs and history. Pearl Harbor and its historical significance. Have a dedicated time slot for the Arizona Memorial. Get a shaded seat and tips on great food outside the USS Missouri (which you will also get a private tour). Don’t fight crowds, find parking, figure out security on an active military base. Shaq does all that for you. He told us how long we’d need at each attraction. Then picked us up curbside when we were done.

And, if you only have one day to see Pearl—this is the only way you get it all done.

In addition we got to see downtown Honolulu—the Iolani Palace, the Capitol, Supreme Court, King Kamehameha statue and a the pacific national cemetery in the Punch Bowl Crater.

We left at 9am and didn’t return until 5pm. And in that time, we made a new friend, saw more of Pearl that we could have without Shaq in three days. We learned a lot. Had a blast. And made memories for a lifetime.

I cannot more strongly recommend Shaq and this private tour by Pearl Harbor Tours and overall experience. If I could, I would give the tour ten out of five stars.

Finally—doing yourself a favor and specifically request Shaq. Our family takes quite a few curated and private tours when on vacation. We have never had a more friendly, more knowledgeable, more sincere, more efficient or more attentive guide than Shaq. Pearl Harbor was great. But Shaq made our day...

This was an AMAZING tour!!! It wasn't just about Pearl Harbor but rather a circle island tour giving an extensive "Cliff Notes" history of the island and Hawaiian culture.

There were many great stops along the beautiful scenic drive. Pearl Harbor was an unforgettable and sombering experience. Being on that hallowed site and hearing again the accout of that fateful day....no words to describe that feeling.

From the Dole plantation to the fresh Macadamia nut stops, to the literally breathtaking views at Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, the beautiful architecture of the Queen's Palace and government buildings and not to mention the food trucks for lunch and the Leonard's Malasadas for a last sweet treat stop...it was a whirlwind tour of unforgettable experiences!

Our guide, Tim, was a walking encyclopedia, full of information with stories referencing facts and explaining myths. He also provided tons of suggestions on other things very tourist must see and do while on the island. He really went above and beyond to provide a memorable experience for all! From the very moment he greets you he welcomes you as family and by the end, you really do feel like part of his "family" 😊.

Last but not least, I can't leave out our bus driver, Angus! He was an awesome driver! It was a very comfortable and relaxing ride, giving us great views and at a comfortable speed to take it all in, even slowing or pulling over for good picture opportunities. He was very patient and accommodating. 😊

Tim and Angus made a great team. You would have never guessed it was their first time working together!

I highly recommend...