While there is no bad time to visit Hawaii, planning a trip to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in summer can be beneficial for numerous reasons. For starters, summer is the perfect time to explore Pearl Harbor’s outdoor exhibitions. You can also take advantage of the perfect conditions to take stunning photos, head out onto the ocean while the waters are calm, explore the surrounding area on foot, and much more.
If you plan to book a summer tour of one of the popular historical sites like Pearl Harbor National Memorial, you might want to book in advance as tickets are in high demand. Below, we’ll provide you more top tips on making the most of a summer trip to Pearl Harbor. We’ll also let you know what makes summer the best time to visit.
Activities at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii this Summer
There’s never a bad time to visit the Aloha State and the historic site of Pearl Harbor. However, many people prefer to explore the area during summer for the following reasons:
Outdoor Guided Tours
Guided tours of Pearl Harbor can be much more comfortable and enjoyable during summer on dry, bright days. Many attractions at Pearl Harbor feature a host of outdoor exhibitions, including the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Winter weather can be less predictable and sometimes rainy, which can dampen the experience.
Photography Opportunities
Clear summer skies provide ideal lighting for photography at Pearl Harbor. You can capture stunning images of the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri, and other historic landmarks backdropped by a sunny sky. In winter, overcast skies and rain can make photography less ideal.
Boat Tours to the USS Arizona Memorial
During summer, the oceans are often much calmer than other times of the year. Without choppy currents to deal with, boat tours can feel much more relaxing and comfortable. Many tours include a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. So, if you suffer from travel sickness or would prefer to take to the waves without having to battle with the rain, summer is the best time for a boat tour of Pearl Harbor.
Walking Tours
The dry and warm summer weather is perfect for walking tours around the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and its various exhibits. Winter can bring rain, making walking tours less comfortable.
Outdoor Exhibits and Memorials
The summer weather is ideal for exploring the outdoor exhibits and memorials at Pearl Harbor, such as the Remembrance Circle, the Waterfront Memorial, and various interpretive displays. Winter weather can make spending time outdoors less appealing.
Top Tips for Visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in Summer
Now that you know what makes Pearl Harbor such a delight to explore in summer, let’s take a look at some pointers on how to make the best use of your time.
Beat The Crowds
Pearl Harbor has not seen “slow” days. But there are even bigger crowds to deal with during the summertime because kids are off from school and people from all parts of the world come to visit for a vacation.
One of the wise things to do is to book your Pearl Harbor tour advance. You might get the best deal and it will save a lot of hassle. So, finalize the dates and book the tour. There is always limited space on these experiences and if you are participating in an organized tour, it will be most convenient to get into and around the Harbor.
Aim for the Morning
If convenient, you might want to book a morning tour of Pearl Harbor so that you have fewer crowds to jostle with and you can enjoy a more personalised tour. By exploring the area in the morning, you can beat the scorching afternoon summer temperatures for a comfortable day of exploration. Also, as tickets are limited, visiting in the morning minimizes the risk of disappointment. Moreover, finding a space to park is much more straightforward early in the morning.
One Big Reason to Book In Advance
There is a secret that lots of people are unaware of and that is: you cannot be sure about the tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial program. You will get them for sure if you book a tour that includes them.
The National Park Service restricts the number of tickets given out for the timed program as there is a set number of guests that can be accommodated in the time the Memorial is open each day. Those tickets are usually taken by mid-morning during the summertime. People want to see everything at Pearl Harbor, therefore they rush to arrive at Pearl Harbor early in the morning so that they get plenty of time. That is why the limited number of tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial program is exhausted quickly.
Now you get an edge when you book the tour in summer. You remove the uncertainty as soon as you book a Pearl Harbor tour. The USS Arizona Memorial program is a big part of the total experience and is crucial to understanding the incidents of December 7, 1941.
Book Your Hawaii Summer Pearl Harbor Tour Early
Now, if you have decided to book your tour in summer, it means you will be traveling to Hawaii at the perfect time. But there are many people who are doing the same. We suggest you be a savvy traveler and book your summer Pearl Harbor tour early, and ASAP.
Organized tours offer extra perks in the summer including comfortable, air-conditioned transportation. You can explore the popular tourist attractions including Pearl Harbor Museums, the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and more. If you are planning a summer vacation to Oahu then Pearl Harbor should be on your list of things to do. Select the day of your choice, reserve your tour, secure your tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial program so that all the uncertainty is out of the picture.