Pearl Harbor & itinerary

Question

Hi all (again),

First of all, I wanted to really thank y'all for all your amazing feedback. I almost have our itinerary for next year's trip to HI and only missing some minor details plus reservations. In this case, I'd like to ask for help as regards our visit to Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial.

First question, how long does it take to visit?

Now it comes when I have to place it somewhere in our itinerary. Options:

- Option A. Upon arrival. Flight landing at 6.30am. Baggage claim plus rental car pick-up could take some time. The thing is we would be leaving our things IN the car during the visit and I've read about break-ins. This option is almost discarded.

- Option B. Before departure. Flight taking off at 9pm. In this case, there are several options:

-- B.1. From hostal to Pearl Harbor. Leaving things IN the car. Almost discarded just as option A.

-- B.2. From hostal to airport, car drop-off and bus to Pearl Harbor. We would need to leave our bags somewhere as they are not allowed I believe.

- Option C. During our trip. I already have most of the 8 days covered. However, I have a free day on the day before departure which I wanted to keep just in case we wanted to do something different or even repeat somewhere. An option is to visit Pearl Harbor during the morning and have the afternoon for free.

It seems B.2. or C make more sense than the others, but I'll certainly take your opinions into consideration.

TIA!

Answer

Visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial is a memorable and impactful experience, but it does require some planning, especially when it comes to logistics and timing. Here’s an overview of your options based on the details you’ve provided, along with some additional tips to help you make the best decision:

How long does it take to visit Pearl Harbor?

Generally, visitors spend around 3-4 hours at Pearl Harbor to get the full experience. This includes:

Time to watch the introductory movie (about 20 minutes)
The boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial (about 15 minutes each way)
Time to explore the memorial itself, the visitor center, and museum exhibits
Optional additional time to visit other parts of the Pearl Harbor National Historic Site, like the USS Missouri or the Pacific Aviation Museum

If you're just visiting the USS Arizona Memorial and the visitor center, you can expect to spend around 2.5–3 hours total. However, if you plan to explore more, allocate about 4 hours.

Option A: Upon arrival (6:30am flight)

Visiting Pearl Harbor right after you land is certainly an option, but as you mentioned, leaving your belongings in the car could be risky given reports of break-ins in the area. Additionally, the early morning arrival might leave you feeling rushed and tired, especially with the rental car pick-up and getting situated. Considering these factors, it seems like a less ideal option. You might want to discard this one to avoid the potential inconvenience and safety concerns.

Option B: Before departure (9pm flight)

Option B allows you to visit Pearl Harbor without the time crunch that you would have if visiting upon arrival. However, there are a couple of variations here to consider:

B.1. From hostel to Pearl Harbor with bags in car: As you noted, leaving your bags in the car is not the best idea due to safety concerns. While you could technically visit Pearl Harbor this way, this option is not recommended due to the risks of theft and the inconvenience of having to leave your luggage in the car.
B.2. From hostel to airport, drop off car, and bus to Pearl Harbor: This option requires more effort but would eliminate the issue of leaving your bags in the car. You could drop off your rental car at the airport and take a bus to Pearl Harbor. However, keep in mind that luggage is not allowed in the memorial, and you would need to find a place to store your bags. There are luggage storage services available at the airport or you could check with your hotel/hostel to see if they offer a safe place to leave your bags.

If you opt for B.2, you'll have to account for additional time to store your bags and get to Pearl Harbor via bus, but it could be a good option for visiting Pearl Harbor before your flight departs in the evening. However, it does add some complexity to the logistics.

Option C: During your trip (Free day on the day before departure)

Since you already have most of your days planned, having a free day before departure could give you the flexibility to visit Pearl Harbor in the morning and keep the afternoon open. This option seems like a good choice, especially because it doesn’t involve the stress of managing luggage or the risk of leaving bags in the car. You’ll have plenty of time to explore at a relaxed pace, and you won’t need to worry about time constraints before a flight. Plus, it keeps your schedule flexible in case you decide to add or change activities.

Recommendation:

Considering your options, Option C seems to be the best fit. It allows you to visit Pearl Harbor at a comfortable pace without worrying about luggage or tight timing. Since it’s on your free day, you can take your time at the memorial and have a relaxing afternoon afterward. You could also use the extra time to explore nearby attractions or simply enjoy some downtime.

If you prefer visiting Pearl Harbor before your flight, Option B.2 (dropping off your car at the airport and taking a bus to Pearl Harbor) is also a good choice, but just ensure you have a place to store your bags for the duration of your visit. While it adds a little more effort, it allows for a smooth visit without the risk of break-ins.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip to Oahu! It sounds like an amazing itinerary!