USS Bowfin Tickets | WWII Submarine Experience

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Step aboard a real WWII submarine

Climb down into the USS Bowfin and walk through the same tight passageways that sailors once navigated during wartime patrols. You’ll see the cramped bunks stacked three high, the complex controls in the engine room, and the torpedo bays where missions began. Every switch, hatch, and valve is original, giving you a realistic sense of what life was like serving in the submarine fleet known as “the Silent Service.”

Explore what’s inside the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum

Submarine control room with dials and gauges, showcasing naval technology.

Aboard the USS Bowfin submarine

As you climb through the hatches, you’ll find yourself in the same cramped compartments where 80 submariners lived and worked during long wartime patrols. The control room, engine spaces, crew bunks, and torpedo bays are all preserved, giving you a vivid look at how submariners navigated, slept, ate, and fought in total secrecy. Authentic dials, switches, and periscopes make you feel like part of the crew.

Control panel with gauges and valves inside USS Bowfin Submarine.

Submarine interior with control panels and open hatch.

Bunk beds in a narrow cabin on an American World War Two battleship.

Torpedo detail with propeller and fins on display in a museum exhibit.

Pearl Harbor memorial plaques and submarine view, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Visitors exploring a Pacific Fleet submarine docked at Pearl Harbor.

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History of the USS Bowfin

The USS Bowfin (SS-287) was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Because of this symbolic timing, she earned the nickname “Pearl Harbor Avenger.” During World War II, Bowfin became one of the most effective submarines in the Pacific Fleet. Over the course of nine war patrols, she sank dozens of enemy vessels, disrupting Japanese shipping lines and striking deep into hostile waters.

Despite the hardships, her crew forged a reputation for skill and determination, completing every patrol successfully and returning home without being lost in battle, a fate that claimed many of her sister subs.

After the war, Bowfin served in various training and support roles before eventually being retired. In 1971, she found a permanent home at Pearl Harbor, preserved as a museum ship to honor the “Silent Service”, the submariners whose vital contributions often went unseen but were crucial to victory. Today, the USS Bowfin stands as both a memorial and a museum.

Visitor tips

Wear flat, closed-toe shoes since the submarine has narrow passageways, ladders, and uneven flooring.

Be mindful of the tight spaces inside, as the submarine’s interior can feel claustrophobic to you.

Children under 4 years old are not allowed inside the submarine for safety reasons, but they can enjoy the outdoor exhibits and museum displays.

There are no water fountains or restrooms inside the submarine, so take care of these needs before stepping aboard.

Frequently asked questions about USS Bowfin Museum tickets

Why is the USS Bowfin called the “Pearl Harbor Avenger”?

The submarine was launched exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1942. Her nickname honors her role in avenging the attack by serving in the Pacific during World War II.

Do I need tickets to visit the Bowfin?

Yes, you’ll need a ticket to visit the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. Entry is not included with the free admission to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

How long does it take to tour the submarine and the museum?

You can spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the submarine, museum exhibits, and outdoor displays, but history enthusiasts often stay longer.

Can you go into all parts of the submarine?

Guests can tour most of the submarine’s compartments, including the control room, galley, sleeping quarters, and torpedo rooms. Some areas remain off-limits for preservation and safety.

What makes the Bowfin different from other submarines you can visit?

The Bowfin is one of the few World War II fleet submarines open to the public and offers a remarkably intact interior, complete with original equipment and fittings, giving an authentic look at life aboard.

Are there artifacts from actual submarine missions on display?

Yes, the museum houses uniforms, photographs, weapons, and personal items from submarine crews, alongside larger exhibits like torpedoes and submarine periscopes.

Can children go inside the submarine?

For safety reasons, children under 4 years old are not permitted inside the submarine, but they can still enjoy the museum and outdoor exhibits.

Does the Bowfin Museum connect to other Pearl Harbor sites?

Yes, it’s located next to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, making it easy to combine visits with other historic attractions like the Battleship Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

What is the most unique feature of the USS Bowfin Museum?

The museum not only preserves the submarine but also educates about submarine warfare through interactive exhibits, a full-scale Regulus missile, and displays covering the history of undersea operations from WWII to the Cold War.

Are guided tours available, or is it self-guided?

The Bowfin experience is self-guided with a complimentary audio narration in multiple languages, allowing you to explore at your own pace.