Complete Pearl Harbor Experience Tour from The Big Island

This was a bucket list thing for me. Transportation from Kona to Honolulu and back was a little tricky and cumbersome (had to be there by 5am and didn’t get back until 9:30pm). Part of the frustration was dealing with Southwest Airlines…. Our passes were basically at the end of the list so seats were limited. Once we arrived at Honolulu, everything was great. We were given specific instructions for the day but left alone for 6 hours to explore the area. Unfortunately, the National Park Service limits time at the memorial to 45 minutes but our driver had us well prepared. Such an awesome and moving experience. We had PLENTY of time to explore the Bowfin, USS Missouri, the museums, and the gift shops. Would have liked to have another hour or so to see the aviation museum (which is included), but didn’t have time. It was a day packed with both history and emotions. Recommend having a really good agenda and time limits when you go if you want to see everything. Tour actually ended about 4 1/2 hours before the flight back to Kona. We tried to get standby for the first flight out but despite being first on the list…. They gave one of the two seats to a Southwest employee who walked up at the past minute. I would recommend anyone traveling there from another island going ahead and reserving standby on the earlier flight just in case you get back early. Would do this tour again many times over…. Tour was excellent! Bucket list item that lived up to my expectations. Southwest Airlines was the only negative part of the day.

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