Pearl Harbor Guided Tour With Control Tower
Discover Pearl Harbor’s WWII history from the Ford Island Control Tower
Duration
10.75 hours
Includes
Lunch, transport, guided tours
Highlights
Travel through Pearl Harbor’s World War II history with a local guide, then continue through Honolulu’s historic district. Hear Hawaiian history and local legends while traveling in a small group by deluxe touring vehicle.
- Learn about Hawaiian history, local legends, and World War II in the Pacific
- Explore Honolulu’s historic district
- View Iolani Palace, Kawaiahaʻo Church, King Kamehameha Statue, the State Capitol, and Mission Houses Museum
- Drive through Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific, set within an extinct volcanic crater
Itinerary
- Pearl Harbor Visitor Center – Explore exhibits and learn about the events of December 7, 1941.
- Ford Island Control Tower – Enjoy stunning views and a guided historical experience.
- USS Arizona Memorial – Take a Navy vessel across the harbor to visit this solemn site.
- Battleship Missouri – Step aboard for a docent-led tour of the famous battleship.
- Buffet lunch at Hangar Cafe – Savor a delicious meal at a popular waterfront restaurant.
What's Included
- Individually packaged banana bread
- Bottled water
Important details
- Bring a valid photo ID for Ford Island access
- Pearl Harbor prohibits concealing bags, including purses, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, and camera bags; small clear bags with visible contents are permitted, but oversized clear bags may be restricted
- Children must be at least 42 inches tall to access the Ford Island Control Tower
- Infants and toddlers cannot join the Ford Island Control Tower tour
- The Ford Island Control Tower is not wheelchair accessible due to steep stairs; a lower observation deck is available for mobility challenges
- Strollers cannot enter the theater or shuttle boats
- Dietary restrictions require advance notice
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund. No-shows are charged in full.
FAQs
Wallet, cell phone, government ID, bottled water, and cameras are permitted. Only clear bags with visible contents are allowed; keep items minimal.
Wear comfortable closed-toe walking shoes and respectful attire. Sunscreen is recommended.
Bring your voucher or picture ID. If you don’t have a ticket, your name will be on the passenger list.
More about the Ford Island Control Tower
The Ford Island Control Tower rises above the heart of Pearl Harbor, an unmistakable red and white striped landmark that watched the events of December 7, 1941 unfold in real time. On the Premium Pearl Harbor Tour, this iconic tower becomes more than a backdrop, it stands as a silent witness to one of the most pivotal mornings in American history. Standing in its shadow, you sense the weight of the moment, the same airfield that scrambled to respond to the attack now framed by gentle Hawaiian trade winds and the quiet lapping of the harbor.
As your guided experience unfolds across Ford Island, the Control Tower anchors the story. You will move past the Pacific Aviation Museum hangars, where bullet holes from the attack are still visible in the glass, and the Ford Island Control Tower looms overhead as a reminder of the chaos and courage that defined that day. The tour weaves together the perspectives of the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri, and the runways below the tower, giving you a fuller picture of how the war in the Pacific began here and ended on the deck just steps away. Along the way, your guide shares firsthand accounts and lesser known details that bring the Ford Island Control Tower and its surroundings vividly to life.
This experience is ideal for history enthusiasts, veterans, families with curious teens, and travelers who want more than a quick photo stop. The Premium Pearl Harbor Tour offers access and context that day visitors often miss, and the Ford Island Control Tower is a highlight that lingers long after the day is over. If you want to understand Pearl Harbor not just as a destination but as a living memorial, standing near the Ford Island Control Tower with a knowledgeable guide is the most meaningful way to begin.
Related locations
USS Arizona Memorial
Admission included<p>Standing above the sunken hull of the battleship USS Arizona, this memorial invites you to pause at the place where more than 1,100 men still rest below the surface of Pearl Harbor. Oil still rises slowly from the wreck, a quiet reminder that history here is not abstract.</p><p>The USS Arizona Memorial is reached by a short Navy boat ride, and the open-air white structure spans the mid-section of the ship. Marble walls list every name of those lost, and the silence that visitors instinctively keep says more than any exhibit could.</p>
