Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited sites in Hawaii, and also one of the most security-conscious. Every year visitors arrive with a backpack or purse and lose time at the entrance. Here’s exactly what to bring, what to leave in your hotel, and how to dress for a respectful visit.
Rules can change, so always check the National Park Service’s Pearl Harbor safety page before your visit.
The Pearl Harbor bag policy in short
Bags that can conceal their contents are not allowed in the Pearl Harbor National Memorial or on the USS Arizona Memorial program. That includes:
- Backpacks
- Purses and handbags
- Fanny packs and waist bags
- Camera bags
- Diaper bags
- Luggage and carry-ons
The size limit for any concealing bag is tiny: about 1.25 × 2.25 × 5.5 inches, roughly the size of a small wallet or clutch.
What you can bring
- Clear bags with contents fully visible, similar to stadium-style bags
- Small wallets and clutches within the size limit
- Your phone and a small camera carried without a camera bag
- Water and snacks, as long as they aren’t hidden inside a bag
- Medically necessary bags, which may be inspected
- Strollers and wheelchairs, with fixed pouches only
Items that are not allowed
- Glass containers (except baby food jars)
- Alcohol
- Knives, multitools and any weapons, including pepper spray
- Aerosol cans and balloons
- Skateboards, scooters, bikes and other rideables
- Balls, Frisbees and similar sports gear
- Flowers in vases or pots, and wreaths on stands without a permit
Where to store a bag
If you arrive with a bag, a storage facility near the visitor center entrance will hold it for a fee. At the time of writing it charges about $7 per bag, with a higher rate for oversized luggage. Lines can build mid-morning, so the easiest option is to leave bags at your hotel or in your tour vehicle.
Guests on our Pearl Harbor tours don’t have to think about it: bags stay safely in the tour vehicle while you visit the memorial.
Is there a dress code at Pearl Harbor?
There’s no formal dress code, but Pearl Harbor is a war memorial and the final resting place for many of the USS Arizona’s crew. Visitors are asked to dress respectfully:
- Avoid clothing or hats with profanity or nudity.
- Swimwear on its own is not appropriate; bring a cover-up if you’re coming from the beach.
- Comfortable walking shoes are best; sandals are fine.
- Light, breathable clothing, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen help with the heat.
- Hats are customarily removed aboard the USS Arizona Memorial as a sign of respect.
Other tips for a smooth visit
- Reserve the USS Arizona Memorial program. Entry to the memorial grounds is free, but USS Arizona program tickets are booked on Recreation.gov with a small booking fee. Limited standby tickets exist, but don’t count on them.
- Arrive early. The visitor center opens at 7:00 AM and the first program begins around 8:00 AM.
- Plan time for the other sites. The Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin submarine and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are ticketed separately and take several hours to see properly.
Let us handle the details
Our Complete Pearl Harbor Experience and Battleships of WWII tour include hotel pickup from the Waikiki area, timed entry and guides who know exactly how to move through security quickly. We also run Pearl Harbor day trips from Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.