Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is a natural harbor on the south coast of Oahu that now serves as a naval base, including several offshore islands and deep anchorages. The water extends across multiple inlets and provides sheltered access to the Pacific through a narrow channel.

For centuries the inlet was a fishing ground for Hawaiian communities before it became a fleet base in the late eighteen hundreds. The attack in December nineteen forty-one changed the course of the war and turned the site into a worldwide symbol.

On the anniversary, survivors, veterans and their families gather to remember together and place wreaths on the water. Visitors from around the world join moments of silence and listen as the names of those who died are read aloud.

Access to the visitor center is available daily, and bags are checked for security reasons. Those wishing to visit multiple memorials should arrive early in the day and plan enough time.

Beneath the surface lie wrecks that remain protected monuments and may not be salvaged. In some spots, oil still rises from the sunken ships and leaves shimmering patches on the water.

Location: Honolulu County

Website: http://cnic.navy.mil/PearlHarbor

GPS coordinates: 21.36194,-157.95361

Latest update: December 13, 2025 14:08