roberts hawaii pearl harbor tour

• Inter-Island Tours
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• Visiting Pearl Harbor
• USS Arizona Memorial
• Battleship Missouri Memorial
• The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
• USS Oklahoma Memorial
• Aviation Museum
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• Attack Timeline
• Heroes & Survivors

Guided Tours

Let us take the hassle out of your Pearl Harbor tour! Our certified guide will explain the significance of what you are viewing and offer fascinating details and advice. With pre-arranged tickets, you can sit back and fully enjoy the experience without any extra stress.

Remember Pearl Harbor Tour from Waikiki

Experience what is often called the “bookends of World War II in the Pacific.” It begins with the attack on Pearl Harbor and the bombing of the USS Arizona and ends with the signing of the Instrument of Surrender on the USS Missouri. Includes:

• Admission to USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Honolulu City Tour
• Round-trip transportation from Waikiki

Remember Pearl Harbor Tour from Ko Olina

• Round-trip transportation from Ko Olina

The Complete Pearl Harbor Tour Experience With Lunch

Experience the complete Pearl Harbor tour, the most comprehensive WWII Heroes Adventure Tour. See all the top sights with a hot lunch and transport included from Waikiki. Includes:

• Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine and The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
• Admission to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Pearl Harbor Memorial & Battleship Missouri Tour from Turtle Bay

Visit key sites of Pearl Harbor on a small group tour (12 guests or fewer) Including:

• Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri Battleship, and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Visit to the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater
• Honolulu Historic Visit and Sightseeing, including Pali Lookout, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts, and Iolani Palace
• Round-trip transportation from Turtle Bay

Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour from Waikiki

Our most popular tour includes expert narration as you cruise through downtown Honolulu as well as a visit to Pearl Harbor including USS Arizona Memorial boat tickets. Includes:

• Admission to USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Honolulu City Tour including key monuments
• Round-trip transportation from Waikiki on a double decker open air trolley

The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience (Small Group)

Experience a complete overview of the United States entry and role in World War II. Visit top sites with transport from Waikiki. Includes:

• Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri Battleship, USS Bowfin Submarine, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Missouri Battleship Museum, Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Honolulu Historic Visit and Sightseeing, including Iolani Palace

Pearl Harbor Excursion from Waikiki

The Pearl Harbor Excursion is the most basic tour to Pearl Harbor. It’s perfect for those who want to see Pearl Harbor, but don’t want to spend an entire day there. Includes:

• Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Visitors Center
• Certified tour guide to and from Pearl Harbor providing history and cultural information

Pearl Harbor Excursion from Ko Olina

Pearl Harbor Oahu Circle Island Tour

Embark on an enriching exploration of Oahu's history, culture, and natural splendor with our Pearl Harbor and Oahu Circle Island tour. This day long journey includes:

• Admission to the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Visitors Center
• Guided 120-mile adventure around Oahu with numerous stops
• Round-trip transportation from Waikiki, Cruise terminals, or Ko Olina

Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri Tour - Luxury Tour

Join us on this USS Arizona and USS Missouri tour that is designed to show you where WWII began and ended. This is a comprehensive tour of the most popular sites at Pearl Harbor. See these two iconic sites in style with lunch, tickets, and transport in a luxury mini-coach. Includes:

• Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• Honolulu Historic District Tour and visit the Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
• Round-trip transportation from Waikiki in a luxurious mini-coach

Pearl Harbor & Oahu Private Tour

Create your own personalized experience on the island with a private Oahu + Pearl Harbor tour. As your guide, we'll help you explore and experience everything you desire on this fully private tour.

• Pickup anywhere on Oahu
• Certified tour guide
• 8 hour private charter to Pearl Harbor and Oahu sites
• Vehicle options for up to 6 guests or up to 13 guests

Polynesian Cultural Center & Pearl Harbor Tour

Discover a complete tour of Oahu's most exceptional sights and experiences, beginning with a moment of solemn contemplation at the USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center in Pearl Harbor, followed by a thrilling island-wide adventure.

• Admission to the Polynesian Cultural Center
• Restaurant lunch at Hukilau Marketplace
• Visit charming towns and stunning lookout points

Maui to Pearl Harbor - The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience

If you want to visit Pearl Harbor from Maui, then take this tour and experience the history, the battleships, and some of the most popular sights in Hawaii. Relive WWII history with this complete Pearl Harbor Tour from Maui.

• Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial (boat ticket), Battleship Missouri, and The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
• Drive through Historic Downtown Honolulu and Punchbowl Crater
• Round trip inter-island airfare from Kahului
• Round trip ground transportation on Oahu

Big Island to Pearl Harbor - The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience

If you are staying on the Big Island and want to visit Pearl Harbor, on Oahu, this one-day inter-island tour is the perfect solution. On this complete Pearl Harbor Tour from Kona or Hilo you'll see the top Pearl Harbor sites and we'll handle the airfare, admissions, and transportation on Oahu.

• Round trip inter-island airfare from Kailua-Kona or Hilo

Kauai to Pearl Harbor - The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience

Want to visit Pearl Harbor, but you’re staying on the island of Kauai? This is the tour for you! This is a one-day inter-island Pearl Harbor tour from Kauai. You see the top Pearl Harbor sites and we'll handle the airfare, admissions, and transportation on Oahu.

• Round trip inter-island airfare from Lihue

The Pearl Harbor Attack

How our guides give you the best pearl harbor tour, overview of the attractions to see on pearl harbor tours.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is the starting point for experiencing the World War 2 Valor In The Pacific National Monument. Pearl Harbor tour-goers can watch a film about the attack on Pearl Harbor, browse informative displays, and learn about the events that led to the US entering WWII. There are also snack areas and food vendors available.

The USS Arizona Memorial is where visitors can honor and reflect on the heroes of the Day of Infamy and pay tribute to the sailors and marines killed on December 7, 1941. The memorial is built over the remains of the USS Arizona Battleship, and visitors can read the names of the 1,177 individuals who lost their lives. There is also an oil leak, known as the Black Tears, on the surface of the sunken remains facing the USS Missouri.

The USS Missouri is the last battleship built by the US Navy, finished in 1944. It earned 11 Battle Stars during its tour of duty. Visitors can walk the decks to learn about its history and stand on the spot where Japan surrendered, marking the end of WWII.

The USS Bowfin Submarine , also known as the Pearl Harbor Avenger,  was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the Pearl Harbor Attack. The sub resupplied troops and provided medical assistance during combat. Visitors can tour it and see artifacts from other submarines, including a collection of sub-launched missiles.

The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum displays airplanes in historic hangars from the past 80 years. The museum includes interpretive displays, historical artifacts, and plane remnants. Visitors can explore a variety of aviation marvels, including jets, helicopters, and seaplanes. For an interactive experience, try the flight simulators in Hangar 39 to pilot an airplane above Pearl Harbor!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there guided tours of pearl harbor, what is the best way to see pearl harbor, are pearl harbor tours worth it, how much are pearl harbor tours, what is the best day and time to visit pearl harbor, having trouble choosing a tour, plan your visit.

• TOLL FREE: 866-482-9775 / 808-892-2082

Roberts Hawaii Shore Excursions - Pearl Harbor and Honolulu City Tour

This tour is only available for cruise ship passengers. The dates provided line up with Pride of America's schedule.

Let us show you around our hometown! We have so much to share with you. Iolani Palace, the pride of the Hawaiian Monarchy and tearful site of its 1893 overthrow, the gold sheathed statue of King Kamehameha, Punchbowl National Cemetery and  the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Tour Highlights:

• USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor* – includes World War II museums, exhibit galleries and displays as well as a shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial
• Punchbowl National Cemetery – a memorial to honor the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces
• Iolani Palace – the official residence of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch and is the only royal palace in the United States. It features American Florentine architecture seen nowhere else in the world.
• King Kamehameha Statue – a statue of one of Hawaii’s prominent chiefs who united the Hawaiian Islands
• Honolulu City Hall – the site of the chambers of the Mayor of the City & County of Honolulu and The Honolulu City Council
• Kawaiahao Church – one of the oldest standing Christian places of worship in Hawaii, this church is often described as the Westminster Abbey of the Pacific. It was constructed from slabs of coral rock hand-chiseled by Hawaiian divers almost 200 years ago.

*denotes stops made

Please note that the Honolulu portion is just a scenic driving tour of the city.

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Roberts Hawaii - Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial & Honolulu City Tour

Combine a visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial with a tour of Honolulu's city highlights. This is a great tour that takes you to some of Oahu’s best attractions in one day! You’ll travel in a comfortable motorcoach and will learn many interesting facts about an important part of world history from your state certified tour guide.

A Navy shuttle boat will then take you out to the Arizona Memorial where visitors can pay their respects to the hundreds of American servicemen entombed in the battleship below. After spending some time at the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center and the exhibit galleries featuring a variety of World War II memorabilia, you’ll head to the rolling green hills of the Punchbowl National Cemetery. As somber as it is beautiful, this famous site stands in honor of the sacrifices and achievements of the American Armed Forces and commemorates the soldiers of 20th century wars, including those who were killed during the attack at Pearl Harbor.

Your day excursion ends with a tour through downtown Honolulu with more historical sights, including impressive Hawaii state buildings, Kawaiahao Church and Iolani Palace, the one and only royal palace in the United States. By the time you get back to your hotel, you'll feel part of Hawaiian and American history. Tour Highlights:

• Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial: Includes the World War II museums, visitor center, exhibit galleries and displays, as well as a Navy shuttle boat ride of the harbor along battleship row to the USS Arizona Memorial*
• Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific  
• Honolulu City Hall
• Kawaiahao Church – built between 1836 and 1842 of some 14,000 thousand-pound slabs of coral rock
• Hawaii State Capitol
• King Kamehameha Statue
• Iolani Palace – only royal palace in the United States

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March 16, 2018, roberts hawaii pearl harbor, uss arizona, honolulu city tour.

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Half day Pearl Harbour tour - Roberts Hawaii

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• Roberts Hawaii

Half day Pearl Harbour tour

I choose to take a tour to Pearl Harbour because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of getting out there on the bus with no guarantee of a ticket to the USS Arizona memorial. Robert's also include a brief city tour on the way back from Pearl Harbour which I thought might be interesting. I'll start with the positives. We left on time and had plenty of time at Pearl Harbour. We had time to look at all the outdoor exhibits, go onto the submarine, and look through both small museums before it was time to head out the the USS Arizona. I thought the video and the memorial itself were well done and very interesting. On the other hand the city tour was kind of a waste. We just rushed past a few buildings - I'm not even sure what they were. I know it was a half day tour but I would have liked to at least pull over somewhere so we could take photos. The negative - Our driver, I won't name him, was a bit too much. He spent the whole trip talking (rapidly) about himself, which school he went to, his wife, her school, his kids, his friends etc.... This is probably why I didn't know what the buildings were that we passed. When we drove through the Punchbowl cemetery he was rambling on about something in his life and I actually felt he was being quite disrespectful. Silence would have been nice, or at least some info on the actual site!! I actually felt like we were trapped on the bus with him. He spent about 20 minutes in the car park at Pearl Harbour going over our 'instructions' (Be back on the bus on time - got it.), and on the way back to the hotels it seemed like he was driving around in circles just so he could keep talking! I'm sure he's a lovely guy but I was so desperate to get off that bus! Book a tour to see Pearl Harbour to take away the hassle of getting there on the bus and to guarantee a trip to the USS Arizona. Maybe try another company or another driver!!! Or take earplugs!

• ery stop crowded and there was always a person who was 5-10 minutes late back after a stop. • The Roberts drivers we had at Kona, Kauai and at Pearl Harbor were all very friendly, accommodating and made the tours interesting. The buses were all very clean and comfortable. • a bit more relaxing • oked was an all day one that covered the Arizona Memorial, Pacific Aviation Museum, USS Oklahoma and USS Missouri. • The Pacific Aviation Museum was a fun place to visit. We managed to get over to Hangar 79 and we could get up close to the planes in there. • The city tour was enjoyable but you are on a bus not walking or getting off to explore. It is more of a one the way back to your hotel show. Punchbowl cemetery is more of a drive through than anything else as the bus cannot stop and unless you are on the correct side you are not going to see much We booked the tour easily via the Expedia local expert at the Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber lobby - James. He was easy to talk too and ask questions too. We had been told to be at the pick up location a block away from our hotel for a 6.30 pick up. We arrived a little earlier and was surprised to see two buses and drivers already waiting, including our first bus. They have a mini bus to take us to the main bus which is better than having to walk half hour away to meet the main bus so that's good. The first bus driver was polite and welcoming. Unfortunately some people attending the tour don't care too much for times or schedules and were late arriving which made us leave a little later; nevertheless we met our main bus. Second and Main bus - the group grew to approximately 30 people so a good size group I say for a All Day tour. The bus was a coach and air conditioned; the driver was very efficient and had the bus running prior to boarding so that the bus was cool upon boarding. We were welcomed by our driver, unfortunately we cannot remember his name, but he was very informative and made several jokes during the tour. The bus was clean and comfortable. The tour covered visits to the Arizona Battleship Missoouri Memorial, Pacific Aviation Museum includes Hanger 97 self guide (which you can book a deluxe experience and have lunch provided for you here but we were NOT offered this) than to the USS Arizona Memorial including headset guided tour, the USS Bowfin including headset guided tour, than self guide to the museum. The issue that made this tour not a good experience was others on the tour group did not respect the timetable / schedule. This is disgusting since they were all mature to adult aged people. We were given good time to tour each place ourselves and our tour guide gave reminders three to four times about times to be back at the bus AND where to find it. To those people, you made this hard for others and the tour bus driver. Otherwise on the USS Missouri we entered the line up and had our picture taken (that was available late for purchase at the gift shop area) and than all gathered on board for a brief 20 - 30 minute talk about the Missouri, this guide was located at the Missouri and was able to point out the historical aspects of the Battleship; the tragedy and the successes. Afterwards were had about 35 minutes to tour the Battle ship ourselves; downstairs underneath parts are air conditioned. Access to this opens your eyes to what life was like for the crew, but never could you gauge the actual emotion that they felt. It was extremely heartfelt to be able to pay respects to the many crew members who served on the Battleship Missouri. Back on the bus we went to the Museum where for the deluxe tourists had lunch; others had a chance to go on the simulator which is harder than you think; whilst it is a video game and "fun" to have a go - think about the true lives that were lost in battle in those planes and fighter crafts. Over to the USS Arizona Memorial as part of the tour we entered with ease and were promptly provided with ear phones. We moved to the line up for the Documentary information session. There were several real pictures of the devastation the attack had on Pearl Harbor. Exiting the Documentary session you move onto a ferry to take you out to the USS Arizona Memorial, where you use your audio tour by selecting numbers that walks you through some emotionally stories from victims, families of victims and crew of the Pearl Harbor attack. They are strict guidelines for photographs so make sure you follow them. Back to the ferry and returning to the dock; you have free time to tour the park. Moving to the ISS Bowfin you have another set of audio phones to have another audio tour. This hands on walk through the submarine again opens you heart to remember those who served to unite and defend America. This is a true way to pay respects to the many who gave their lives so you could live your life today. Overall: As I said the only downfall was that others failed to observed time frames and returned late to the bus; which made the Tour bus driver a little rushed in talking between driving from one stop to the other. The tour bus driver knew what he was talking about and gave great information about each stop before arriving and than gave a summary when leaving. Even asking those of us on the tour about our experiences. Paid $110.00 each for the tour x 2 = this guaranteed our chance to pay respects to the USS Arizona Memorial. Saved us time in lining up ourselves and maybe obtaining the chance to venture out (numbers are limited each day). No bags or carry cases are allowed - you will have to lock them in the lockers which you pay for- so plan ahead carry a phone or camera and bottled of water and you can take your own food. sunscreen and hat is a must and comfortable walking shoes.

We loved the stars and strips Pearl Harbor tour. They picked us up right in front of our hotel bright and early. The driver kept us entertained the whole day. The Battleship missouri and arizona memorial were interesting. Loved the self guided audio tour. We went at our own speed. The time they allotted for each stop was appropriate. Lunch wasn't anything fancy. If I went on this tour again, I'd buy my own lunch. Turkey sandwich with a drink, slice of pineapple and a small cookie. not worth what we paid for lunch. We were finished around 3:30ish, which gave us the rest of the afternoon! DO NOT bring your purse with you on this tour. They have to lock it up for $5!! cameras are allowed. I learned so much on this tour about the pearl harbor attack & hawaii.

Booked the Rogers Pearl Harbor and island tour because our normal tour was not available, picked us up close to the time, made it to Pearl Harbor and it was great, from then on it seemed that we were in a speed race to get finished, which was supposed to be 4:30 actually finished at 3:45, spent 1.5 hours on lunch, had two tours in our bus, although the driver was nice and polite he flew through everything, spent 30 minutes at dole, 15 minutes at the temple and 5 at sunset beach,to fast for all the views we saw in the past.

The only reason I'm giving this review a POOR and not a TERRIBLE is because the beginning portion of our trip was perfect. We booked a Round Trip transfer service to the Waikiki Sheraton last week. Our arrival on Friday, June 14th was perfect – greeted by a representative of Roberts, escorted to luggage, and then taken to our transfer. Couldn’t have asked for better service. Unfortunately, our return trip on Saturday, the 22nd was not satisfactory. We were instructed by the front desk at the Sheraton that our 6:00 p.m. shuttle pick-up would be at the Aloha Bus Terminal. We arrived at 5:45 p.m. I was nervous that we might need to be at the front drop off point (which was the spot where he delivered us), so I waited there, and my husband waited at the Aloha stop, along with another traveler. By 6:15, no Roberts shuttle had arrived at either location. We called and were told that our driver must be running late, and that we could take the 6:30 shuttle and were given a shuttle “number” to watch for. We all moved to the front circle of the Sheraton as directed. The 6:30 shuttle arrived, and the driver was less than happy to find out he had 3 additional guests. He insisted he had no room for us. He wanted us to pay again – having no record that we had purchased round trip service. He kept mumbling about losing his job, getting arrested. There were not enough seats for everyone. One man had to sit in the aisle on top of his suitcase. It was a nightmare. By the time all the luggage and overflow of guests were loaded, it was nearly 7:00. We arrived at the airport at 7:30 and our flight was at 8:30. Had the United Counter not allowed us to check in via their First Class Section, we would not have made the 45 minute restriction on checking luggage. The line for Economy passengers was 100 people deep – many flying an hour or more after us. Had we been picked up at 6:00, as our paperwork showed, none of this would have been an issue. I have contacted them. No response. No apology. I have used Roberts for tours and shuttles on other Hawaii trips, with great satisfaction. This trip was not one of them.

Roberts day tours / transfers were recommended to us by our Hawaiian based travel agent Abbey at Aloha Travel. We first booked with Roberts in 2009 for shore excursions during our Pride of America cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. Unfortunately I became ill and we were unable to travel. Although our cancellations did not qualify for a refund being within 24 hours Roberts were kind enough to issue a full refund for all our trips. The following year we made good the trip which had been cancelled the previous year. We again booked with Aloha Travel and with Roberts. Every shore excursion was enjoyable and informative. Our favourite driver / guide was Rocky on Kauai. This year we organised a group of 8 to do the Pride of America cruise again. We again booked through Aloha Travel - Abbey was again very helpful and appreciative. We again booked shore excursions through Roberts. Every shore excursion was again a great experience. Between islands the Pride of America underwent maintainance on its engines resulting in a 4 hour delay arriving at port, We had a full day trip and a half day trip organised with Roberts. We were able to complete the full day trip as two half days seeing sights we had not experienced on our first trip.We were prepared to accept the half day trip was lost due to circumstances. After our return home, I noticed Roberts had refunded the amount for the shore trip we were unable to do. We love Hawaii, we love the Aloha Spirit which is certainly alive and well with Roberts. Go Rabbit Go!!!

Get 10% Off All Roberts Hawaii Tours When You Book Online! Click to learn more.

• Available Now

STARS & STRIPES: PEARL HARBOR AND BATTLESHIP MISSOURI TOUR

Quick Details

• Duration: Approximately 7 hours (not including hotel pick up & drop off time)
• Availability:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Closed Dates:  Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day (December 7), Christmas Day and New Years Day.  The National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific (Punchbowl) will be closed to tour vehicles from Saturday to Monday during the Memorial Day weekend ceremonies.
• Waikiki Pickups: 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
• Waikiki Returns: Approximately 5:00 p.m.

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Book at least 7 days out use coupon code early10 at checkout.

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About the Stars & Stripes: Pearl Harbor and Battleship Missouri Tour

The Stars & Stripes: Pearl Harbor and Battleship Missouri Tour will take you on an emotionally resonating journey through history by exploring the legacy of Pearl Harbor and its profound impact on the world.

The journey begins at Pearl Harbor with exhibits of personal memorabilia, a collection of historic photographs, battle artifacts and real film footage of the attack on December 7, 1941.

You will then travel by boat for a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, which floats over the remains of the sunken battleship, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives.

While at the Battleship Missouri, also known as the Mighty Mo, you will hear colorful stories about the ship’s history and stand where General Douglas MacArthur accepted the Instrument of Surrender from Japan that ultimately ended World War II.

After your Pearl Harbor tour concludes, there will be a narrated drive to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Punchbowl, where many American men and women who died fighting for their country have been laid to rest.

The trip concludes with a historic drive through Honolulu to see the area’s noteworthy landmarks – Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu City Hall, Iolani Palace and Kawaiahao Church.

Tour Highlights (* denotes stops made)

• “Road to War” and “Attack” exhibit galleries – These galleries located at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Centre display personal memorabilia, a collection of historic photographs, artifacts of the battle and so much more.
• USS Arizona Memorial* – A must see for all visitors.  The Memorial marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 crew and built over the sunken battleship USS Arizona, killed on December 7, 1941.  The attack on Pearl Harbor led to the United States’ involvement in World War II.  The Memorial was built in 1962 and visited by over 2 million people annually.  A navy boat shuttle ride brings you to the USS Arizona Memorial and due to limited capacity, there may be days that the shuttle boat tickets sell out or bad weather prohibits the shuttle from operating.
• Battleship Missouri Memorial* – Meet the Mighty Mo, the last battleship commissioned by the U.S. and the site of Japan’s WWII surrender. Take part in a guided tour and walk in the footsteps of the General Douglas MacArthur as you envision the battleship’s most famous, historic mission. LUNCH ON OWN AT SLIDERS GRILL.
• National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl – The beautifully maintained cemetery at Punchbowl is a memorial to honor the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces, and those who gave up their lives in the line of duty. This is also the final resting place of Ellison Onizuka, the first astronaut from Hawaii who was in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
• Hawaii State Capitol Grounds – Includes the Father Damien Statue, a tribute to the Roman Catholic priest who died after 16 years of serving leprosy patients, the Eternal Flame, the Korean Vietnam War Memorial and the Liberty Bell.
• Iolani Palace – This majestic structure was the official residence of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch and is the only royal palace in the United States. It features American Florentine architecture seen nowhere else in the world.
• King Kamehameha Statue – A statue of one of Hawaii’s prominent chiefs who united the Hawaiian Islands.
• Honolulu City Hall -This site of the chambers of the Mayor of the City & County of Honolulu and The Honolulu City Council.
• Kawaiahao Church – One of the oldest standing Christian places of worship in Hawaii, this church is often described as the Westminster Abbey of the Pacific. It was constructed from slabs of coral rock hand-chiseled by Hawaiian divers almost 200 years ago.
• Chevron down Important Information
• Skip the line with reserved Navy Boat shuttle tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.
• Tour runs Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day when Pearl Harbor is closed.
• Moderate walking – please wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately.
• You may want to bring a light jacket in case of rain.
• Due to security requirements at the USS Arizona Memorial, bags and purses are not allowed. Bags cannot be stored on the tour bus.
• Cameras are permitted but not camera bags. Strollers are not allowed in the movie theater, on the Navy shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial, or on the USS Arizona Memorial
• All admissions are included in the ticket price.
• Lunch is on your own at Sliders Grill where they have a variety of selections.
• Locations/routes and times may be modified or restricted due to national and state park advisories.
• Chevron down ADA Requests
• If you require any special accommodations due to disability, please include them under the comment section at the time of booking.
• If you require a wheelchair accessible vehicle, the type of wheelchair must be specified in the comments section when booking online or by directly calling Roberts Hawaii. Due to limited availability, we require ADA vehicle reservations to be made a minimum of 48 hours prior to the date and time of service.
• We make all reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of disabled travelers.
• Chevron down Cancellation Terms

Cancellations made outside of 48 hours from service day is subject to a 10% cancellation fee.  Please allow 10-12 working days for refunds to be processed back to your card. Cancellations made less than 48 hours from service day is non-refundable. (100% charge). No shows are subject to full charge.

TOUR PHOTOS

Well organized day tour. Nothing was missed. It would be hard to do Pearl Harbor justice without such a tour.

Took a half-day tour to Pearl Harbor. It was just the right amount of time at the visitor’s center, Arizona and Missouri battleship. The history given during tour was great.

Our guide drove us to the USS Arizona Memorial and informed us very well on how everything worked with pickup times, audio guides and different choices. We enjoyed the day and everything worked out well. I do recommend the company Roberts Hawaii.

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Past Factory

Here's How A Pearl Harbor Plane Was Recovered From The Wilderness

Posted: April 30, 2024 | Last updated: April 30, 2024

Through war, accidents, and disasters, more than one airplane, ship, and vehicle became the stuff of legends after it was lost. One such legend is that of a warplane, Swamp Ghost.

Among military circles, there was an extreme desire to see "Swamp Ghost" uncovered after the Pearl Harbor warplane went down in a mysterious area, one that wasn't found until years later in the most unlikely of places. Keep reading to learn about this incredible story.

A hearty beginning

According to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, the plane that would eventually come to be known as 'Swamp Ghost' was originally just one of many B-17E "Flying Fortresses" that the Boeing company produced from a factory in Seattle, Washington.

But while its legend wouldn't be established for years, it is nonetheless known that it was completed on November 28, 1941. At that point, the United States had not entered World War II, but the nation was already preparing for it.

A quick change in venue

The aviation museum added that despite the plane's later association with Pearl Harbor, that's not where it began its military journey. That's because it was brought to Fort Douglas Army Air Field in Salt Lake City, Utah, after its completion.

That journey started after the B-17E was accepted by the U.S. Army Air Forces on December 6 of the same year and quickly transported away from Boeing Field. However, the plane would be used sooner than the American military realized.

A day that will live in infamy

According to the National World War II Museum, Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor came as a pre-emptive strike intended to prevent U.S. intervention as the island nation's military invaded Western colonies in Asia. Pursuant to this, their navy sent six aircraft carriers a few hundred miles north of Hawaii.

From those carriers, Japanese aircraft conducted a daring raid on the naval base that completely surprised American commanders. In 90 minutes, 19 warships were damaged, 300 were destroyed, and 2,400 sailors had lost their lives.

A holding pattern

Soon after landing at Fort Douglas, 'Swamp Ghost' was transferred to Sacramento, California. But as the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum noted, the sudden attack led to a sudden change in the plane's location and designation.

Ten days after Pearl Harbor, the B-17E Flying Fortress flew to Hickam Field in Hawaii. Given the aircraft's size, there weren't many other places that could have accommodated it. But while this new location still doesn't explain its association with Pearl Harbor, its next stop does.

A change in branches

From there, the plane that would later be called 'Swamp Ghost' was then assigned to the U.S. Navy, which then completed the thread of its American travels and explained what it had to do with Pearl Harbor. But while it wouldn't be long before it saw action, it had to stay grounded for a while.

After all, a Navy is not exactly ready to enter the fight once it loses so many aircraft and personnel at once. However, American industry and outrage flipped into overdrive, which led U.S. forces to rebuild faster than the Japanese high command expected.

First combat flights

By 1942, America's forces had stabilized enough that the B-17E Flying Fortress was ready to take to the skies. But while it would later take part in a historic mission, its first flights in action were a little more humble.

Throughout its time in Hawaii, 'Swamp Ghost' would take off from Hawii's Wheeler Field and patrol the area on the hunt for German submarines. After all, the last thing the last thing the nation's war effort needed was to see another attack on its bases in Hawaii.

A tour of the Pacific

On February 11, 1942, the Flying Fortress left Hawaii and conducted what the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum described as an "island-hopping flight" through the Pacific. However, this wasn't such a dramatic flight, as its only objective for this leg of the journey was to reach its new home base.

That would turn out to be Townsville in the Australian state of Queensland, where the plane arrived nine days later. And it would only stay there for two days before its nine-man crew played their roles in a historic engagement.

An American first

On the evening of February 22, Swamp Ghost was part of America's first strategic campaign that saw a coordinated attack by bombers. This mission involved flying over Papua New Guinea, which was one of the territories Japan had conquered in the midst of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Specifically, the B-17E Flying Fortress's crew was aiming for ships that approached the coastal town of Rabaul. In so doing, they sought to affect a key aspect of the war that casual observers often forget about.

Wars are fought with supplies as much as weapons

Alongside eight other bombers, Swamp Ghost was poised to attack Japanese merchant ships that would otherwise supply the forces occupying Papua New Guinea. If they were able to stop or at least severely reduce the number of ships reaching Rabaul's shores, they could ensure shortages among those forces.

The more supplies that the Japanese military saw running scarce, the harder it would be for them to fight against a better-equipped enemy. This is especially true considering how much ground Japan had gained and not had to hold.

Problems started before any explosives dropped

However, the severe setbacks that arose with this campaign don't exactly make it surprising to learn that it was the first time the United States had attempted something like this. After all, it didn't take any action from the enemy to take some of these bombers out of the fight.

According to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum , this was because some found themselves out of commission before they had even taken off. Two B-17s collided on the runway and had to stay grounded, while another never made it into the air due to its engine's failure to start.

And then there were five

Although six planes out of the planned nine made it into the air, only five of them would end up making it to the insertion point over Rabaul. And once again, this loss of a plane didn't have anything to do with any enemy action.

This attack was taking place at night to make the planes harder to engage, but this shrouding effect backfired one of the B-17s involved. That's because it got lost in the night clouds and had to turn back.

And then there were two

The problems that plagued the squadron only intensified as the mission progressed. According to the Smithsonian Magazine , their pilots were largely inexperienced; they were working with incomplete maps, dealing with bad weather, and mechanical problems beset the planes themselves.

All of these issues converged to leave Swamp Ghost far less supported than its crew had expected during this campaign. In fact, only one other plane would be left flying alongside it when it reached the target area.

There were more than just clouds

Although the dark clouds had forced one of the other B-17s to disengage earlier, that was far from the extent of the dangerous weather patterns the unlucky squadron had to deal with. Swamp Ghost's engineer, Clarence LeMieux, described the scene in vivid detail to the Smithsonian Magazine .

In his words, It was dark as hell at night. By the time we got there, we lost all the other planes but ours and one more. We ran into tornadoes—three or four of them—and we couldn't even see the harbor."

Swamp Ghost wasn't immune to these setbacks either

The squadron's luck didn't get any better when they reached their target location, either. And this was particularly true for Swamp Ghost itself. When it was in the perfect position to drop its payload, its crew discovered they weren't able to open the hatch doors and let any bombs out.

Since their first pass over the target was more pacifistic in nature than anyone aboard Swamp Ghost wanted, they decided to make a second pass once they had stopped the doors from jamming. However, this didn't exactly go perfectly either.

A lethal trade

Although Swamp Ghost was able to drop its bombs on this second pass, it was also struck by an anti-aircraft shell during this run. Although the plane left the target area after this, returning to base would be a harder fight than its crew may have hoped.

That's because the plane was intercepted by six Japanese Zeros while it was leaving the area, which meant the B-17 had to engage in a high-speed dogfight. According to HuffPost , this fight would see the plane riddled with bullets.

Shot down by degrees

Although Swamp Ghost managed to make it through this dogfight without being shot down, it wouldn't stay in the air for long. And there appears to be some debate as to why. According to The Los Angeles Times , the plane had been hit enough that it started leaking fuel.

However, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum instead suggested that the high speeds the Flying Fortress had to reach were too taxing on its fuel reserves. Either way, it was clear the plane wouldn't have enough fuel to make it back to base.

An emergency landing

As the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum noted, a more immediate concern for the crew was the fact that their plane wouldn't even have enough fuel to climb over the Owen Stanley Mountains as it approached Papua New Guinea. Since it's hardly ideal to land on the side of a mountain, they circled the area in search of a better landing site.

Although they soon found what looked like a wheat field, the pilot discovered that it was actually the Agaiambo swamp in which he had landed the aircraft. The Flying Fortress would end up settling in about four feet of water, thus beginning its legend as "Swamp Ghost."

A landing they could walk away from

Although all nine men aboard the Flying Fortress survived, the conditions of the landing were rough. As LeMieux told the Smithsonian Magazine , "We jumped off, and the damned stuff was up to our neck." He was referring to the swampy water they had landed in.

And while navigator George Munroe was the only one injured, his condition seemed worse than it really was at first. He said, "They pulled me out, and someone said: 'My God, your throat's cut.' That kind of shakes you up. But they had a flask, and they poured water on me, and it turned out I had little scalp cuts."

A rough journey back

According to the Smithsonian Magazine , the crew's emergency rations had sunk when the plane landed, which meant they would have to start their journey back to Australia hungry. Although they had exhausted themselves cutting through the area's sharp kunai grass for two days, they didn't find sleep any easier to get.

That was because the makeshift mounds they tried to sleep on kept sinking into the swamp. And even if they had found a suitable spot, the mosquitoes were so merciless that they wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway. Some of the crew members began to hallucinate phantom mess halls.

Rescued at last

After roughing it like this, the crew came across some Papuans chopping wood. Although the crew was cautious around the strangers, they soon learned the group was friendly and let the airmen stay in their village for the night. The next day, the Papuans brought the crew downriver by canoe and left them with an Australian magistrate down the coast.

By this point, most of them were experiencing malaria symptoms, and by the time they were finally brought back to Australia, they were hospitalized for a week. According to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum , it had taken six weeks for the crew to get there from the landing site.

A new landmark

After that week had passed, all nine men were sent back into combat. However, they were scattered among other units, which gave Captain Frederick C. Eaton a story to tell his new crewmates when the pilot flew subsequent missions.

Throughout the rest of the war, Eaton would fly 60 combat missions. Not only did these missions often take him back to Papua New Guinea, but they repeatedly saw him fly over the wreck of the famous B-17. Whenever he did, he circled it and told all his crewmates about what had happened before, further deepening the legend of Swamp Ghost (though the plane wouldn't have that name yet).

A graveyard of World War II vehicles

In the years that have followed the war, Papua New Guinea has remained littered with both Japanese and Allied vehicles that met their end in that leg of the conflict. According to the Smithsonian Magazine , freighters, submarines, and other ships dot their harbors and bays just as much as burned-out and rusted old planes are strewn throughout their old airfields and jungles.

This has made Papua New Guinea a popular destination for tourists retracing their respective nations' military histories, but it's an especially precious land for vintage war plane enthusiasts. But some aren't content just to see these downed planes up close.

Enter the salvagers

As the Smithsonian Magazine outlined, some of these visitors hunt for World War II wrecks so they can either take them out of Papua New Guinea or export pieces of them out of the country. These salvagers then hope to sell their finds to museums and private collectors.

The legality of this practice seems to depend on what branch of the military the craft originated from. While the U.S. Navy does not relinquish any rights to its lost vehicles, the Air Force considers any aircraft left on landed before November 1961 fair game for salvagers. However, that's not true for underwater wrecks like this plane. It's unclear which side of the equation a swamp falls under.

An unexpected rediscovery

Although Eaton clearly knew where his old plane was, it nonetheless went untouched and forgotten for about 30 years. And in that time, it just sat in the swamp it was left in. Finally, it was rediscovered in 1972 after it was spotted by Australian soldiers who were flying a helicopter during a training exercise.

The partially submerged plane's discovery made them curious enough to land the helicopter on the plane's wing. And when they examined it, they were stunned by how untouched it had been in the decades since the crash. For them, the effect was downright eerie.

It was loaded with artifacts

To better explain what made the plane seem so untouched, the Smithsonian Magazine outlined what the Australian soldiers found after they landed. For a start, the plane's machine guns were not only still in place but remained fully loaded.

Furthermore, the cabin still had a thermos with the mummified remains of coffee inside of it. Some accounts go as far as to claim there was an ashtray that even had the original discarded butts sitting in it undisturbed. Regardless of that detail's veracity, it was clear that salvagers hadn't touched this plane.

Why "Swamp Ghost?"

Shortly after the plane was discovered, the Australian press dubbed the plane "Swamp Ghost." Part of the reason for this nickname was to reference the fact that the plane seemed to exist outside of time, thanks to its uncanny preservation.

However, another major factor for why the name has stuck throughout the half-century after its rediscovery concerns how the landscape around it shifts. According to the Smithsonian Magazine , the kunai grass in the swamp periodically grew over it, concealing it under its 12-foot brush. What better way is there to describe something that's frozen in time and that frequently disappears than a ghost?

Not so hard to find

Although the discovery was a complete surprise to those Australian soldiers, it was uncanny that it had taken so long to find. Because when it wasn't shrouded by the tall kunai grass, the plane was visible for miles around.

Indeed, it would prove such a shining beacon that missionary pilots and others who passed over the wreck would use it as a navigational landmark for years after this "Swamp Ghost" name was first publicized. And how it came to be so visible is fairly easy to explain.

Time made it a bigger target

As the Smithsonian Magazine outlined, the plane had sat there long enough for the Sun to burn the green camouflage paint off the roof. Since this paint was the standard olive shade that would often coat military aircraft at the time, it effectively changed color once that happened.

After all, when that paint wore away, it left the plane's aluminum shell visible. And in times when the kunai grass wasn't concealing it, the sunlight would reflect off its silvery surface and make it a bright, easily spotted giant object to passing planes.

Word got around and hands got grabby

In 1979, a warplane collector named Charles Darby included multiple photos of Swamp Ghost in his book Pacific Aircraft Wrecks , which only further drummed up interest in the dormant plane. And as more people became curious about it, some of the Flying Fortress's new fans became more daring.

So, while it had all of its gear intact when the Australian soldiers found it during the '70s, the instruments they marveled at were slowly stripped away. Although the frame would remain well-preserved after this, the plane's guns, controls, and even its steering consoles (called flight yokes) were removed.

A salvager sought to preserve it

According to the Smithsonian Magazine , an American aviator and commercial builder named Alfred Hagen started traveling through Papua New Guinea to find the B-25 crash that claimed his great-uncle's life during World War II. But once he came across Swamp Ghost himself, he was compelled to buy it himself.

As he saw it, to leave what he described as "the holy grail of military aviation" would be "obscene" as it was both being blundered and in the process of deteriorating due to its prolonged exposure to the elements.

He wasn't being hyperbolic

According to HuffPost, Hagen's passion was based on Swamp Ghost's genuinely unique characteristics. For instance, it can arguably be considered the only B-17E bomber from World War II that's both intact and was never retired. Finding an original airplane of that caliber is one heroic task.

Just as intriguingly, Swamp Ghost is the only B-17 remaining in the world that retained the signs of the struggle it had been through. As Kenneth DeHoff from the Pacific Aviation Museum told the outlet, "This airplane was such a fortress. We counted 121 bullet holes in it."

At first, things went smoothly

According to the Smithsonian Magazine , Hagen was able to negotiate an export permit for Swamp Ghost through his company, Aero Archaeology. In essence, the deal amounted to him purchasing the craft and preparing to move it out of the country.

That's because he was able to obtain this permit from New Guinea's National Museum and Art Gallery in November 2005. In exchange for the museum's permission to do what he planned, Aero Archaeology paid them about $100,000. However, that permission wouldn't last long.

A heated debate arises

When Hagen had the plane taken apart and removed the following year, this caused an unexpected uproar. As the Smithsonian Magazine explained, the salvagers believed that they had cleared the plane's extraction with villagers thanks to a ceremony a local chief performed to appease the spirits of the swamp.

However, a group of other Papuans led by Augustin Begasi believed that Hagen should have paid more for it due to how its presence had affected ancestral lands. In his words, "They should have given us money because it was our accustomed land. The plane would bring tourists, but now there is nothing. That village has no name now. If they left it there, it would have a name by now."

The government stepped in

Although Swamp Ghost was brought to the coastal town of Lae and was boxed up in preparation for shipping to the United States, Hagen soon learned that it was blocked from going further. This happened in the wake of a special committee within Papua New Guinea's parliament determining that the National Museum and Art Gallery had no right to sell the plane to Hagen. Instead, they saw the museum's role as limited to monitoring it.

They also disagreed with the amount Hagen paid, arguing that the plane was worth between $3 million and $5 million. They further argued that Swamp Ghost was state property and should not be allowed to leave the country. Facing government pressure, the museum director asked the nation's director of customs to postpone the exportation pending a decision by the National Executive Council.

At loggerheads

According to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Swamp Ghost would sit at a warehouse in Lae for the next four years. In the early years of this deadlock, Hagen and the government suspected each other of unscrupulous practices. From the government's side, they accused the museum of colluding with international collectors to sell 89 planes or plane parts illegally.

As their missive put it, "The trade in war surplus materials is clearly big business." For his part, Hagen believed he had made a fair deal that the government of Papua New Guinea was suddenly trying to go back on. In his words, "I bought it legally, I salvaged it legally, I own it legally."

An agreement finally reached

According to HuffPost, the fate of the B-17 Flying Fortress would be subject to intense negotiations over the four years that followed. However, the salvage team and the Papuan government finally came to an agreement that released Swamp Ghost for export to American shores.

And so, the aircraft was shipped back to the United States in 2010. As the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum noted, it was first brought to California and would apparently sit in storage there for an additional three years.

A 71-year journey home

In 2013, Swamp Ghost made the final leg of its long, globe-spanning journey. After its three-year stopover in California, it returned to Oahu island in Hawaii, where it had once patrolled for submarines. Obviously, it wasn't here to be recommissioned as a military plane in its state.

Instead, it was there to become an exhibit in the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Indeed, it seems the Papuan government didn't have to worry about the plane ending up in the hands of a private collector after all.

A new spin on its old home

After Swamp Ghost was brought to the museum, The Los Angeles Times reported that it was moved to Hangar 79. Here, museum staff began painstaking restoration work. However, that doesn't mean that visitors had to wait until that work was done to see it.

As early as 2015, the newspaper reported that visitors would be allowed to see the plane up close as part of a special Swamp Ghost tour. This required an additional five-dollar fee on top of the $25 fee for general admission to the museum.

A long and winding road

Throughout its travels, Swamp Ghost's story presents it as both an absurdly lucky and an intensely unlucky aircraft all at once. On one hand, its only major mission saw it run out of fuel, which doomed it to decades of obscurity and yet more decades of languishing until Americans were finally able to convince the Papua New Guinea government to part with it.

However, it not only avoided destruction in Pearl Harbor but managed to survive being shot 122 times, including by an anti-aircraft shell. And when it did go down, all of its crew survived. Moreover, it was able to stay remarkably intact after staying put in a swamp for well over half a century.

Americans can share in its bizarre fortune

But while it's mind-boggling to consider the astronomical variables that all had to fall into place for this chain of events to happen, Americans nationwide now get to share in the plane and its crew's absurd luck.

After all, they're not just seeing a piece of history when they visit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. They're seeing the only B-17 Flying Fortress in the world that has managed to survive combat to such a narrow degree and that has the bullet holes to prove it.

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