USS Arizona Memorial
Monument Overwater memorial honoring 1941 battleship casualties at Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona Memorial spans the sunken battleship at Pearl Harbor; visitors take a Navy ferry, view commemorative plaques and tour the adjacent museum documenting the December 1941 attack.
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The USS Arizona Memorial is a white memorial structure that spans the sunken hull of the battleship USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, Hawaii. It commemorates the sailors and Marines who lost their lives when the ship exploded and sank during the surprise attack on December 7, 1941.
The memorial is reached by a short boat shuttle that departs the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center; the Visitor Center includes exhibits, interpretive displays and a documentary that provides context for the attack and its consequences. The memorial structure allows visitors to look down at the submerged wreck and view the inscribed names of the dead.
The Arizona remains entombed beneath the memorial and oil from the ship can still be seen at the surface in small amounts. The site is part of the larger Pearl Harbor National Memorial and is managed as a solemn, commemorative place with interpretive programs and preservation work.
The memorial is located at Pearl Harbor on Oʻahu, within the urban Honolulu area and adjacent to Ford Island and other historic sites preserved as part of the national memorial complex.
- Casualties aboard the Arizona: The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941; 1,177 crew members aboard USS Arizona were killed when the ship exploded and sank.
- Visitor access: Access to the memorial is by boat shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and timed tickets or reservations are commonly required due to visitor volumes.
What to See #
- Arizona Memorial: The USS Arizona Memorial structure, built above the sunken hull and allowing visitors to view the wreck and the names of the sailors and Marines who died aboard.
- Visitor Center: Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, which provides exhibits, a short documentary film and ticketing for boat shuttle access to the memorial.
- Adjacent memorial sites: Nearby historic ships and sites within the Pearl Harbor National Memorial complex, including moored museum ships and the Battleship Missouri on Ford Island and nearby berths.
How to Get to USS Arizona Memorial #
The USS Arizona Memorial is at Pearl Harbor on Oʻahu, about 8-10 miles (≈13-16 km) west of downtown Honolulu. Drive west on Nimitz Highway (HI‑99) or H‑1 and follow signs to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial/Visitor Center; the drive from Waikīkī/Honolulu is typically 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has parking and a short walk to the memorial embarkation area; many visitors also join organized tours or use TheBus/public shuttles that serve the Pearl Harbor area-check schedules and the National Park Service ticketing requirements before you go.
Tips for Visiting USS Arizona Memorial #
- Obtain the free timed-entry boat ticket for the USS Arizona Memorial from the National Park Service website or arrive at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center early to secure a same-day slot-the boat runs fill quickly.
- If boat reservations are sold out, spend time in the Visitor Center museum and exhibits first; you can still get the full historical context even if you miss the memorial boat that day.
- Plan to arrive at least an hour before your assigned boat time to pass through security screening and to see other Pearl Harbor sites nearby-many visitors underestimate the time needed for tickets, screening, and the short but popular memorial boat ride.
Best Time to Visit USS Arizona Memorial #
The USS Arizona Memorial is accessible year‑round; visit in the drier months (Apr-Oct) or early in the day to avoid heavier visitor traffic.
Weather & Climate near USS Arizona Memorial #
USS Arizona Memorial's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (803 mm/year).
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (116 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 29°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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