Pearl Harbor Bag Policy: What You Can (and Can't) Bring
Key takeaway
Pearl Harbor's visitor center enforces a strict no-bags policy for security reasons: purses, backpacks, diaper bags, camera bags, and fanny packs with pockets or zippered compartments are not allowed inside. Small clutch purses (roughly 6 by 6 inches, with or without a strap) are permitted, along with items like wallets, cell phones, and cameras carried in hand or pockets. A paid storage facility near the entrance holds larger bags for visitors who arrive with them.
Key takeaways
- Bags larger than a small clutch (about 6"x6") are banned inside the Pearl Harbor visitor center and USS Arizona Memorial.
- A privately operated storage facility near the entrance holds prohibited items for a fee, cash or card.
- Cameras, phones, wallets, and small clutches are fine to carry in by hand or pocket.
Why Pearl Harbor Has Such a Strict Bag Policy
Pearl Harbor is an active U.S. Navy base as well as a national memorial, and the bag restrictions exist for the same reason many federal sites and monuments limit carry-in items: screening every bag slows entry for the thousands of visitors who pass through daily and creates security risk at a site that still houses military operations. The National Park Service, which administers the USS Arizona Memorial and visitor center as part of Pearl Harbor National Memorial, publishes the current restrictions and updates them as needed, so it's worth a quick check before your trip if you want the latest wording.
What's Not Allowed Inside
The prohibited list is broader than most first-time visitors expect. Items that will not pass the checkpoint include:
- Purses, handbags, and backpacks of any size
- Diaper bags and camera bags
- Fanny packs or waist packs with pockets or zippered compartments
- Backpacks or bags with wheels
- Luggage or suitcases
- Bags larger than roughly 6 inches by 6 inches, regardless of material or whether they're clear
This applies to everyone entering the visitor center complex and boarding the boat shuttle to the USS Arizona Memorial itself, not just certain buildings on site.
What You Can Bring
A short list of items are exempt from the ban:
- Small clutch purses (about 6"x6" or smaller), with or without a strap
- Wallets
- Cell phones
- Cameras (carried by hand or on a neck strap, not in a camera bag)
- Diaper bags are not exempt, so parents traveling with infants should plan to carry supplies in pockets or a small clutch, or use the storage facility for anything larger
Medically necessary items, such as diabetic supply kits, are generally accommodated, but visitors carrying them should be prepared to have them inspected at the checkpoint.
Where to Store Bags Near the Entrance
A storage facility operates near the Pearl Harbor visitor center entrance specifically for guests who arrive with prohibited items. It charges a per-item storage fee and accepts backpacks, purses, diaper bags, and similar items for the duration of your visit. Because this facility is privately operated rather than part of the National Park Service, hours and exact pricing can shift, so it's smart to bring small bills or a card and arrive with a few extra minutes built into your schedule to check bags before your tour time.
If you're coordinating a full day at Pearl Harbor, including transportation logistics from your hotel, reviewing Pearl Harbor parking guidance ahead of time can help you plan exactly when to arrive relative to your bag drop and entry.
Packing Smart Before You Leave Your Hotel
The easiest way to avoid the storage line altogether is to pack light from the start. Consider leaving backpacks, camera bags, and diaper bags at your hotel and instead carrying only what fits in pockets or a small clutch: ID, phone, a credit card, and sunscreen. Visitors joining a guided tour with Waikiki hotel pickup often find it easiest to consolidate items before boarding the bus, since once you're on the tour route there's no convenient stop to drop off a bag before reaching the visitor center.
Security Screening at the Visitor Center
Beyond the bag policy, Pearl Harbor's checkpoint includes walk-through metal detectors and bag checks for any exempt items you do carry in, similar to airport-style screening. This is consistent with security protocols at other high-visitation federal memorials; the Department of Homeland Security has published general guidance on public venue security screening that reflects the same rationale used at Pearl Harbor. Plan for a short wait during peak morning hours, when the memorial sees its heaviest visitor traffic.
Tips for a Smooth Entry
- Arrive with only a wallet, phone, and small clutch if possible
- Budget an extra 10-15 minutes if you need to use the storage facility
- Leave camera bags, backpacks, and diaper bags at the hotel or in your vehicle
- Bring cash or a card for the storage fee, since exact payment options can vary
- Check the memorial's current visitor guidance shortly before your trip, since screening rules are set by federal security policy and can be updated
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bring a backpack into Pearl Harbor?
No. Backpacks of any size are on the list of prohibited items at the Pearl Harbor visitor center and must be left behind or checked at the nearby storage facility.
Q: Are diaper bags allowed for parents with babies?
Diaper bags are not exempt from the bag policy. Parents typically carry essential baby supplies in pockets or a small clutch, or use the paid storage facility for a larger diaper bag.
Q: Is there somewhere to store my bag near the entrance?
Yes, a privately operated storage facility sits near the visitor center entrance and holds prohibited items for a per-item fee for the duration of your visit.
Q: Can I bring a camera to photograph the USS Arizona Memorial?
Yes, cameras are allowed if carried by hand or on a strap rather than inside a camera bag, since camera bags themselves are prohibited.
Q: What size purse is allowed inside?
Small clutch purses around 6 inches by 6 inches or smaller are permitted, with or without a strap, while any larger purse or handbag is not allowed inside.