Pearl Harbor Battleship Missouri Helicopter Tour

Best Historical Aerial Experience

Experience Pearl Harbor’s profound historical significance from a unique aerial perspective before exploring the legendary Battleship Missouri up close. This moving helicopter and ground tour combines breathtaking views of the historic harbor with intimate access to the ship where World War II ended. Perfect for history enthusiasts and patriots seeking to honor American heroes while experiencing Hawaii’s most important historical site.

Activity Price

513 USD

Duration

9-10 Hours

Age

All Ages

Location

Pearl Harbor and Honolulu

Amenities

Audio Tour Systems – Multi-language historical commentary
Memorial Photography Service – Professional photos at significant locations

Special Instruction

Sacred Waters, Heroic Stories, Eternal Honor

Aerial Pearl Harbor Historical Overview

Your helicopter tour provides unprecedented aerial views of Pearl Harbor, revealing the harbor’s layout and strategic importance that led to the December 7, 1941 attack. See Battleship Row, Ford Island, and the Arizona Memorial from above while your pilot shares detailed accounts of the attack and its aftermath. The aerial perspective helps visualize the events that changed world history and demonstrates the harbor’s continued military significance today.

Exclusive Battleship Missouri Exploration

Step aboard the ‘Mighty Mo,’ the historic battleship where Japan formally surrendered, ending World War II. Your guided tour includes the surrender deck, massive 16-inch gun turrets, and crew living quarters that housed 2,700 sailors. Learn about the ship’s Pacific War service, its role in the Korean War, and restoration efforts. Interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts bring naval history to life while honoring the Greatest Generation’s sacrifices.

Comprehensive Historical Education Experience

This tour combines multiple perspectives to provide complete understanding of Pearl Harbor’s significance in American history. Expert guides share personal stories of survivors, military strategy insights, and the attack’s impact on Hawaiian residents. Educational materials, historical photographs, and documentary footage enhance your learning experience, creating lasting appreciation for military service and the price of freedom.

Complete Pearl Harbor Historical Experience

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Overview
Immerse yourself in the history of Pearl Harbor on land, then see it all from the sky on an unforgettable helicopter flight over Oʻahu. This full-day experience combines a guided visit to the Pearl Harbor historic sites—including the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri—with a 45-minute circle-island helicopter tour showcasing Honolulu, Waikīkī, Diamond Head, and more. Round-trip transportation from Waikīkī is included, so you can relax and focus on the experience.

Duration
9–10 hours (full-day experience)

Meeting Point
Complimentary pick-up from Waikīkī hotels and condos

Activity Details
Your day begins at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you’ll explore powerful exhibits and museum galleries that set the stage for understanding the events of December 7, 1941. You’ll then board a Navy-operated boat for a solemn ride across the harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place of over 1,100 service members.

Next, cross the bridge to Ford Island and step aboard the Battleship Missouri—“Mighty Mo”—where the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed, officially ending World War II. Walk the decks, visit key battle stations, and stand on the exact spot where history was made.

In the afternoon, your adventure continues in the air. After check-in at the heliport, you’ll take off on a 45-minute helicopter tour that traces the coastline and circles Oʻahu. Enjoy sweeping views of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, Downtown Honolulu’s skyline, iconic Waikīkī Beach, and the volcanic crater of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head).

What’s Included

  • Admission to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

  • Navy-operated boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial

  • Admission and guided visit aboard Battleship Missouri

  • 45-minute helicopter flight over Oʻahu, including Pearl Harbor and Waikīkī

  • Round-trip ground transportation from Waikīkī accommodations

What’s Not Included

  • Meals, snacks, and beverages

  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

  • Souvenirs and optional purchases at Pearl Harbor or gift shops

Itinerary (Sample Schedule)

  • 7:30 AM – Pick-up from your Waikīkī hotel or condo

  • 8:15 AM – Arrive at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and begin your visit

  • 9:00 AM – Watch the introductory documentary film about the attack on Pearl Harbor

  • 9:30 AM – Board the boat to the USS Arizona Memorial for a reflective visit

  • 10:15 AM – Return to shore and explore the visitor center’s museums and exhibits with your guide

  • 11:15 AM – Travel across the bridge to Ford Island

  • 11:30 AM – Board Battleship Missouri and tour her decks, exhibits, and surrender site

  • 1:00 PM – Free time for lunch and refreshments (on your own)

  • 2:00 PM – Depart Ford Island and transfer to the heliport

  • 2:30 PM – Check in for your helicopter tour and safety briefing

  • 3:00 PM – Enjoy a ~45-minute flight around Oʻahu, including aerial views of Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl, Downtown Honolulu, Waikīkī, and Diamond Head

  • ~5:00 PM – Return drop-off at your Waikīkī hotel or condo

(Times are approximate and may vary based on conditions.)

Highlights

  • USS Arizona Memorial – Honor the fallen at one of America’s most significant World War II sites, built above the sunken battleship where over 1,100 sailors and Marines lost their lives.

  • Battleship Missouri (“Mighty Mo”) – Stand on the exact spot where the Japanese surrender was signed in 1945, marking the end of World War II, and explore the ship’s decks, weapons, and crew spaces.

  • Helicopter Flight Over Oʻahu – Capture unforgettable views of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater, Downtown Honolulu, Waikīkī’s coastline, and Diamond Head from the air.

This Pearl Harbor and helicopter combo is ideal for travelers who want to combine deep historic insight with once-in-a-lifetime aerial views—all in one seamless, guided day from Waikīkī.

Check-in Details
Pick-up times and locations will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please be ready at your designated pick-up point at the specified time, as vehicles will depart promptly.

What to Bring

  • Valid government-issued photo ID

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat and sunglasses

  • Camera

  • Refillable water bottle

Special Requirements

  • All guests must be prepared to pass through security screenings at Pearl Harbor and other secured sites.

Restrictions

  • Bags are not permitted inside Pearl Harbor; paid storage is available on-site for an additional fee.

  • The tour involves walking and stairs and is not recommended for guests with significant mobility challenges.

Disclaimers

  • Tour inclusions, routing, and timing are subject to change based on availability, operational needs, and weather conditions.

  • The U.S. Navy may suspend boat operations to the USS Arizona Memorial at any time; in such cases, access to the memorial may be limited to views from shore and the visitor center exhibits.

Prices
Adults (ages 12 and up): US$513 per person
Children (ages 2–11): US$503 per child
Infants (under 2 years): Free when traveling on an adult’s lap; no separate seat is reserved.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Oahu Departures (Tours Originating from Oahu)

  • 100% full refund is available for tours that start from Oahu.

  • To qualify, you must cancel at least 72 hours before the tour start time.

  • For tours that include flights, you must purchase trip insurance at booking to be eligible for a refund.

Pearl Harbor Tours with Flights (From Maui, Big Island, or Kauai)

  • These tours can qualify for a full refund only if:

    • You add the US$20 per person flight insurance during checkout, and

    • You cancel at least 72 hours before your scheduled flight.

  • If you do not purchase flight insurance:

    • No refunds are offered for cancellations or no-shows at any time after purchase.

    • Rescheduling may be possible, but rescheduling fees may apply.

    • Tickets are non-transferable.

Operational Changes & Closures

  • No stop is guaranteed to be operating on the day of your tour.

  • Navy or Army operations may close Ford Island or suspend boats to the USS Arizona Memorial without notice.

  • If this happens, guides will adjust the tour and add alternative stops or experiences so the tour remains worthwhile.

Trip Insurance Requirement (Summary)

  • Oahu-origin tours with flights: trip insurance required for any refund.

  • Neighbor island Pearl Harbor flight tours: US$20 pp insurance + 72-hour notice required for full refund.

  • This specific tour is only available on Oʻahu, but day-trip arrangements from Maui, Kauaʻi, or the Big Island can be made. Contact us, and we can help you plan a Pearl Harbor visit that fits your schedule.

  • The helicopter portion begins at a local airport and lasts about 45 minutes, circling the southern part of Oʻahu. The aircraft seats up to six passengers, so you may share the flight with other guests. During the tour, your pilot provides live narration while you fly over landmarks such as Punchbowl, Diamond Head, downtown Honolulu, and Pearl Harbor. After the flight, you will be returned to your hotel or accommodation in Waikīkī.

  • Yes. This tour includes tickets for the Navy boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. You will have approximately 15–30 minutes on the Memorial before returning to the Visitor Center.

  • Photography is encouraged during the helicopter tour with personal cameras and phones. Professional aerial photography services are also available for purchase. However, no personal cameras or devices are permitted at Pearl Harbor itself due to security restrictions.

  • The guided battleship tour typically lasts 90-120 minutes, including time to explore the surrender deck, gun turrets, and interior exhibits. Self-guided exploration time is available after the formal tour. Audio guides provide additional historical details for visitors wanting extended learning experiences.

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