What Island Is Pearl Harbor On?

Pearl Harbor is on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. It sits on Oahu's south shore, about 8 miles west of Waikiki in the Ewa district. Oahu is the most visited Hawaiian island and home to Honolulu, the state capital.

Where Exactly on Oahu

Pearl Harbor is a natural harbor on the southern coast of Oahu, carved into the landscape by the Pearl River (Wai Momi in Hawaiian — "pearl water," named for the pearl oysters that once filled the harbor). The harbor sits between Honolulu to the east and Ewa Beach to the west, with the Waianae mountain range visible to the north.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is at 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818. It is adjacent to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, an active military installation. For a detailed visitor guide, see our complete Pearl Harbor page.

Why Pearl Harbor Is Famous

On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise military attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack killed 2,403 Americans, sank or damaged 21 ships (including 8 battleships), and destroyed 188 aircraft. The next day, the United States declared war on Japan, entering World War II.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it "a date which will live in infamy." The USS Arizona, which sank during the attack with 1,177 crew members aboard, remains on the harbor floor. The white memorial structure built over the sunken ship is the most visited site in Hawaii.

What You Can Visit at Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor has four main visitor sites, all within walking distance of each other:

USS Arizona Memorial — Free. A boat shuttle takes you to the memorial built directly over the sunken battleship. You can see the ship's outline below the water and oil still seeping from the wreck 80+ years later. Timed-entry reservations required through recreation.gov.

Battleship Missouri Memorial — $29.99 adults. The USS Missouri is where Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending WWII. You can walk the deck and stand at the exact spot where the surrender documents were signed.

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum — $16.99 adults. Tour a WWII submarine and the adjacent museum. The Bowfin sank 44 enemy ships during the war.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum — $25.99 adults. Located in the original WWII hangars on Ford Island, with aircraft from WWII through the modern era. Bullet holes from the 1941 attack are still visible in the hangar walls.

How to Get There from Waikiki

Pearl Harbor is a 20-30 minute drive west from Waikiki on H-1 West. Exit at Pearl Harbor / Arizona Memorial (Exit 15A). Free parking is available at the visitor center.

By car: A rental car is the easiest option. Take H-1 West from Waikiki and follow signs to the Arizona Memorial. Morning traffic (before 7:30am) can add 15-20 minutes.

By bus: TheBus Route 20 (Airport/Arizona Memorial) runs from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. The ride takes 45-60 minutes. Route 42 also stops nearby.

By shuttle: Several companies run round-trip shuttles from Waikiki hotels for $10-15 per person.

Tips for Visiting Pearl Harbor

• Book early. USS Arizona Memorial reservations open 60 days in advance on recreation.gov. They sell out within hours. Check at 7am HST when new dates release.
• No bags allowed. Purses, backpacks, camera bags, and diaper bags are not permitted past the security checkpoint. A bag storage facility near the entrance charges $5.
• Plan 3-4 hours minimum. The Arizona Memorial program alone takes about 75 minutes (documentary + boat ride). Add time for each additional site.
• Arrive early. Gates open at 7am. Early arrival means less crowding and cooler temperatures.
• Dress respectfully. Pearl Harbor is a military cemetery. Swimwear and shirts with offensive language are not permitted.

For the full visitor guide with current prices, hours, and booking links, see our Pearl Harbor guide.