HONOLULU BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Inside Pearl Harbor’s VR Time Machine: Walk the Deck, Ride the Raid, Remember
An official National Park Service virtual-reality program in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center that reconstructs December 7, 1941 through four 360-degree experiences—this guide explains what to expect, how to plan, and what the program does and does not include.
Inside Pearl Harbor’s VR Time Machine: Walk the Deck, Ride the Raid, Remember.
The Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center is an immersive, official National Park Service experience developed with Pacific Historic Parks that recreates key perspectives from December 7, 1941—placing you on ship decks, in cockpits and over the wreck of the USS Arizona—using 360-degree VR technology and full equipment supplied on site.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Eye-level Accounts of December 7, 1941
The center offers multiple historically grounded VR narratives—from the deck of the USS Arizona to the cockpit of attacking aircraft—designed to retrace the timeline and detail of the Pearl Harbor attack and give a 360-degree perspective that brings events into sharp, immediate focus.
Turnkey VR — Equipment Provided
All headsets and supporting gear are provided and easy to use, so visitors can step into each short experience without bringing their own equipment.
Courtyard Location at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
The VR Center operates from the Visitor Center courtyard, making it an accessible way to experience the Arizona and the attack narrative even if you do not have boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
You check in at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center courtyard and, in short sessions of roughly 10–15 minutes each, don a headset and are transported onto ship decks, inside a cockpit or over the wreckage of the USS Arizona—four concise VR tours produced by the National Park Service and Pacific Historic Parks that aim to place you in the moment rather than simply describe it.
THE HISTORY
Eye-level Accounts of December 7, 1941
The center offers multiple historically grounded VR narratives—from the deck of the USS Arizona to the cockpit of attacking aircraft—designed to retrace the timeline and detail of the Pearl Harbor attack and give a 360-degree perspective that brings events into sharp, immediate focus.
THE TECH
Turnkey VR — Equipment Provided
All headsets and supporting gear are provided and easy to use, so visitors can step into each short experience without bringing their own equipment.
THE SITE
Courtyard Location at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
The VR Center operates from the Visitor Center courtyard, making it an accessible way to experience the Arizona and the attack narrative even if you do not have boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience works best for—and who should adjust expectations.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan roughly 10–15 minutes per VR experience; check-in at the Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center is available between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Visitor Center courtyard.
You do not need to bring VR equipment—the operator provides all headsets and gear and the systems are described as easy to use.
$7 daily parking is available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center (1 Arizona Memorial Place); note that boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial are sold separately through the National Park Service.
For reservations and group discounts, contact the Pacific Historic Parks tour reservations department during business hours or email the provided address for group rates.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is each VR experience?
Plan to spend approximately 10–15 minutes for each Pearl Harbor VR experience.
Do I need to bring my own VR headset or gear?
No— all equipment is provided on site and is described as easy to use.
Are boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial included?
No—this program does not include boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial and they are not required to participate in the VR tours.
How much do boat tickets cost and how are they obtained?
Boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial are $1 each and are distributed by the National Park Service through Recreation.gov with releases up to eight weeks in advance and a second daily release one day prior at 3 p.m. Hawaii Time.
When and where do I check in for the VR Center?
Check in with your confirmation at the Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., located in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
Is parking available at the Visitor Center?
Yes—$7 daily parking is available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center located at 1 Arizona Memorial Place.