Tips for Visiting the USS Bowfin Submarine - Discount Tickets & More

By Lindsay Eagan
Published: July 18, 2024

Bowfin Park is a Historic National Landmark, that contains the 1942 USS Bowfin submarine, a museum, and a waterfront memorial to the 52 submarines that were lost during World War II. The USS Bowfin is one of only 15 World War II submarines that remain intact, and offers a unique opportunity to board a sub and get a first-hand look at the inner workings of the stealthy vessels that make up the U.S. military’s “Silent Service.” Visitors can take a narrated tour of the ship’s interior, explore one-of-a-kind artifacts and exhibits, and experience what life was like for sailors aboard a World War II-era submarine. December 7, 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the attack and is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Visit the official website for a full schedule of events taking place during the month. Check out our helpful guide for visiting the the USS Bowfin Submarine at Pearl Harbor, with tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more.

Looking for USS Bowfin Submarine Discount Tickets?

If you are planning on visiting Oahu, especially during December, we highly recommend spending time at each of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. We’ve got you covered for tickets - USS Bowfin Submarine admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass - All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Build Your Own Pass - Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available Oahu passes, attractions & prices. Oh and just so you know, the Go Oahu Card includes admission to each of the below Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, so you can see them all with just one pass...

  • USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour
  • Battleship Missouri
  • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum
  • Pacific Aviation Museum

Tips for Visiting the USS Bowfin

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  • Get your ticket just inside the main entrance, and pick up your digital audio player near the entrance to the Bowfin.
  • Children under age 4 are not allowed for safety reasons.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing to navigate the sub’s close quarters.
  • The Bowfin’s interior is not handicap-accessible and is not suitable for service animals.
  • The stairwells are very steep and the interior is quite cramped-stooping and crouching is required to navigate the interior.
  • Bags of any kind are not allowed on the ship or at any of the memorials. Lockers are available to rent for $3 at the Visitor Center, or you can lock them out of sight in the trunk of your car.
  • Make sure to bring your camera to capture the unique displays and artifacts inside the sub.

When to Visit the USS Bowfin Submarine

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The USS Bowfin Museum and Park is open daily from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last visitors are admitted to the submarine tour at 4:30 pm each day. The Bowfin is located at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, which hosts nearly 2 million visitors every year. Because Pearl Harbor’s popularity and size, it’s best to arrive early in the morning to make sure you get to explore all the memorials. We suggest that you visit the Bowfin before or after the USS Arizona, then take the shuttle to the USS Missouri. The center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

USS Bowfin Highlights

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Named after the primitive, predatory fish known for ambushing unsuspecting prey, the USS Bowfin launched on December 7, 1942-one year to the day after the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Nicknamed the "Pearl Harbor Avenger,” the Bowfin sank 44 enemy ships during World War II, and completed nine patrols before retiring at Pearl Harbor in 1980. The USS Bowfin was opened to the public in 1981. Today, visitors can get a close-up look at the unique aspects of life aboard a submarine, imagine the hardships faced by the crew, and share in their victories.

Audio Tour

Don a headset and learn all about the USS Bowfin and life aboard a submarine with an audio tour that takes you across the 312-foot-long deck, down into the belly of the Bowfin, and out the other side of this sleek “stealth” weapon. Numbered stickers throughout the ship prompt you to play the proper audio file, and an interesting narrative features commentary from Navy service members. There is a separate narrated tour tailored specifically for kids. The numbers that guide the kid’s tour are colored differently than the adult tour, and the content is aimed at making the Bowfin’s tour more interesting and understandable for children. The tours last about 30 minutes, but plan to spend an extra hour exploring the museums and memorials.

Indoor Museum

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The 10,000 square-foot indoor museum displays artifacts from the Bowfin, documents detailing its travels, recruiting posters, battle flags, submarine weapons systems-including the only Poseidon C-3 Missile to be put on public display- and more. Two of the Bowfin’s artifacts on display had an interesting path to the museum and may not have even made it to the display. The Bowfin’s bell was missing for 24 years before being discovered at an estate sale, and the sub’s second battle flag had been stored, forgotten, in a crew member’s attic for 50 years! The museum’s 40-seat theater shows episodes from the 1960’s television show “The Silent Service” throughout the day, and a gift shop gives you the chance to take a piece of history home with you.

Outdoor Missile Museum

The exhibits at the outdoor missile museum feature a large number of impressive missiles, torpedoes, and other submarine weaponry. Learn about the history of a modified, 54-foot, 3,000 pound Japanese Kaiten, human-guided torpedo. A U.S. Regulus missile on display represents one of the first U.S. attempts at creating a deterrent missile and is modeled on German World War II V-Bomb technology. Walk through the cramped interior of the USS Parche’s conning tower, where the submarines submerged attacks were conducted from, and look through the periscopes mounted on the tower’s exterior. The McCann rescue chamber was key in the only successful rescue of American men from the sunken submarine, USS Squalus, in 1939.

Memorial

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52 marble memorials line the waterfront next to the Bowfin and pay tribute to the 52 American submarines and 3,800 servicemen lost during World War II. Each memorial supports a plaque detailing the vessel’s name, commanding officer, exploits at sea, and date it was lost at sea. The memorial also lists the names of all the crewmen who served aboard the submarine, now on “Eternal Patrol.” Visiting the memorial after touring the Bowfin really brings home the sacrifices made by our military members and their families during World War II, and in any war.

Nearby Attractions

There are plenty of other great things to see located nearby. Here are a few we suggest adding to your itinerary... The USS Bowfin is located in Pearl Harbor’s World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, and you can easily spend a full day exploring all of the memorials. The USS Arizona Memorial is the most well-known monument in Pearl Harbor, and it is not to be missed. Visitors watch a moving film featuring actual footage from the Pearl Harbor attack before boarding a Navy shuttle boat to the memorial. It’s a very emotional experience that inspires somber reflection and instills a deeper understanding of the tragedy and complexities of war. Check out these tips for visiting the USS Arizona Memorial. The USS Missouri is docked across the harbor at Ford Island. Tour the towering battleship, a sister to the USS Arizona, to experience the full grandeur of an intact, fully restored, World War II battleship. Visitors can’t help but to be awe-inspired by the sheer size and power of this gigantic vessel. Check out these tips for visiting the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial. The Pacific Aviation Museum is also located near the USS Missouri on Ford Island. Self-guided tours take you through the pock-marked airfield, control tower, and two aircraft hangars that house 70 years of Pacific aviation history including over 50 aircraft, historical videos-including an award-winning documentary, a museum store, and flight simulators.

Places to Eat Nearby

There is a snack stand next to the USS Bowfin that serves nachos, corn dogs, popcorn, shave ice, and water. There is also a small convenience store near the USS Arizona Memorial Theater stocked with sandwiches, chips, candy, and soft drinks. The Laniākea Café is located at the nearby Pacific Aviation Museum. The World War II-themed restaurant is the best place to eat in Pearl Harbor, featuring burgers, sandwiches, salads, sides, and desserts, with a classic kids menu and non-alcoholic beverages. Schooners restaurant is situated at Pearl Harbor’s waterfront across the bridge from Ford Island. Guests get a great view of the harbor and ships from a large outdoor deck or can catch a sports game on a large screen TV at the indoor bar. Schooners has a daily buffet spread as well as a varied lunch and dinner menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, seafood, steak, and local dishes. Open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, open until 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday.

Save on Admission with a Go Oahu Card

Remember, the Go Oahu Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes USS Bowfin Submarine at Pearl Harbor tickets, plus admission to dozens more top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.

Lindsay Eagan
Go City Travel Expert

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Is Oahu Safe?

Of the 137 islands that make up the Aloha State, Oahu is by far the most popular, pulling in as many tourists annually as the rest of the islands combined. No surprise perhaps, when you consider that it’s home to some of Hawaii’s biggest attractions – Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and the state capital of Honolulu among them. But is Oahu safe? We went undercover in Ray-Bans and our most eye-catching Hawaiian shirts to find out... How Safe is Oahu? Hawaii is among the safest places to visit in the United States, ranking in the lowest 25% for violent crime, well below other tourism hotspots like California, Florida, New York and Nevada. That Honolulu is frequently ranked as one of the planet’s safest big cities – as evidenced by independent studies like this one and this one – is also testament to Oahu’s low crime rate. None of which means you shouldn’t still keep your wits about you when visiting this remote Pacific archipelago, where data suggests that annual tourists outnumber residents by a factor of around six to one. That makes Oahu as much a paradise for petty thieves as it is for wide-eyed, sun-starved visitors fresh off the plane. Indeed, most of Oahu’s crime is theft-related, with pickpocketing, bag-snatching and car crime making up the majority of offenses. And, as inevitably as night follows day, it is you, the humble tourist, who is most likely to be on the receiving end, particularly around tourist hotspots where distracted punters and the anonymity of crowds provide easy pickings for modern-day Artful Dodgers. Even the very well-patrolled Waikiki Beach occasionally falls foul of opportunistic crooks. 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The waters here are turbulent and unpredictable and you wouldn’t be the first selfie-taker to fall fatally foul of a rogue sea surge or particularly violent geyser. Oahu Nights Solo travelers and seekers of lively nightlife will find much to enjoy in the Waikiki tiki bars and lively Honolulu club scene. Again, Honolulu is safer than most cities, but use judgment and caution, especially when meeting new people. Buy your own drinks while you gauge the trustworthiness of new companions and stick to busy, well-lit areas rather than drifting to dive bars down dark alleys. Just like any other big city anywhere else on the planet, you probably don’t want to be staggering drunkenly around unfamiliar downtown streets at two o’clock in the morning. And especially not alone – it only serves to make you an easy moving target for even the laziest of criminals. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have fun; you absolutely should – and will – have buckets of fun! 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Tips for Visiting the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial - Discount Tickets & More

After decades of service in the World War II, Korean, and Persian Gulf wars, the massive battleship USS Missouri rides anchor at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. The USS Missouri, also known as "Mighty Mo" holds distinction among the other battleships at Pearl Harbor for its historical value. Walk the sprawling decks, explore her inner heart, and relive the monumental moments of the Mighty Mo’s past. Check out our helpful guide for visiting the the USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor, with tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more. Looking for USS Missouri Battleship Discount Tickets? If you are planning on visiting Oahu, especially during December, we highly recommend spending time at each of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. We’ve got you covered for tickets - Battleship Missouri Memorial admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass - All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Build Your Own Pass - Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available Oahu passes, attractions & prices. Interested in seeing more of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites? Fortunately for you, the Go Oahu Card includes admission to each of the following, so you can see them all with just one pass... USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour Battleship Missouri USS Bowfin Submarine Museum Pacific Aviation Museum Tips for Visiting Battleship Missouri on Your Vacation When to Visit the USS Missouri USS Missouri Highlights As you cross the gangway and board the battleship, you are immediately struck by the immensity of this vessel. The USS Missouri is an Iowa-class, super-fast battleship measuring nearly 900 feet long, around 100 feet wide, and over 200 feet high. Its teak decks span over 1 acre -- 52,000 square feet. Each of the links in the two 1,200 foot-long anchor chains weighs 100 pounds. The entire ship weighs more than 58,000 tons. Mighty Mo’s service record spans almost 50 years, three wars, and three generations of military service men and women. Guns Second Deck Interior Tour Take a look over the port side of the ship to see the dent a Japanese Kamikaze pilot left when he crashed into the ship at Okinawa in April 1945. The crash started a gasoline fire, but it was quickly put out and the Mighty Mo’s damages were merely superficial. The Second Deck Interior Visitor Route features a Kamikaze Memorial, the “Crew’s Room” and a Korean War Exhibit, the Chief’s quarters and crew’s quarters/workshops/offices, and the crew’s mess hall, galley, bakery, and Big Mo Snack Shop. Upper Levels Exit the Second Deck Interior and find the stairs to the upper levels, where you will find the Captain’s Cabin, Tomahawk Missile Deck, Combat Engagement Center, Navigation Bridge (Pilot House), and the history-making Surrender Deck. Be aware that the upper decks get very high, the steps are quite steep and open, and the wind picks up as you go higher, so if you’re afraid of heights, you may want to prepare yourself. Surrender Deck The Surrender Deck is the most famous part of the ship, and probably the most meaningful to visitors. On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered to the United States aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending World War II. Stand on the Surrender Deck and hear General Douglas MacArthur issue his acceptance of surrender to the representatives of the Emperor of Japan. View the actual signed documents ending the war, preserved under glass. Relive that moment of victory and relief in the very spot it occurred. The Heart of Missouri The ‘Heart of Missouri’ tour is a guided tour that takes visitors behind locked doors and into restricted areas of the ship. Available for an extra fee, this tour provides a deeper look at the inner workings of the battleship and the lives of her captain and crew. Unfortunately, children under age 10 are not allowed on this tour, as it is more challenging and may be dangerous for younger children. Nearby Attractions Places to Eat Nearby You can get hot dogs and burgers at Slider’s Grill in the Pearl Canteen, a 40’s style canteen at the dock of Mighty Mo, or try Hawaiian Shave Ice at the Wai Momi stand -- they also sell pizza slices and huge churros. The Battleshop sells snacks, beverages, and ice cream in addition to souvenirs. Food trucks show up most days around lunchtime. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has a snack stand that serves corn dogs, popcorn, and shave ice, and there is a small convenience store with chips, candy, packaged sandwiches, and beverages. Schooners restaurant, on the other side of the bridge from Ford Island, is the closest real eatery to the USS Missouri Memorial. Schooners supplies great views of the harbor from its large outdoor dining patio along with lunch and dinner from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. The lunch buffet is popular, but a full menu is also available, along with a full bar. Save on Admission with a Go Oahu Card Remember, the Go Oahu Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor tickets, plus admission to dozens more top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Lindsay Eagan

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