USS Bowfin Submarine Museum Park - Activities On Oahu Honolulu, Hawaii

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is located at Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial. The experience contains both a museum and an actual WWII-era submarine that you can take a tour through.

Prices for both the self-guided submarine and museum tour are $12 for adults and $5 for children 4-12. If you just want to access the 10,000 square foot museum without going on the sub then prices are $5 for adults and $4 for children. Kids under 4 can go in the museum but not on the submarine due to safety reasons.

You'll get a digital audio player that narrates the tour as you explore the historic WWII submarine. It's a great way to imagine what life on board must have been like for her 80-man crew. The USS Bowfin launched on December 7, 1942 (one year after the attacks) and completed nine successful war patrols. For her wartime service she also earned both the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation.

The U.S. Navy acquired the Bowfin in 1979 and opened it to the public in 1981. In 1986 the Department of the Interior designated the Bowfin a National Historic Landmark.

Museum exhibits include an impressive collection of submarine-related artifacts. You'll see a variety of submarine weapon systems, photographs, battle flags, recruiting posters, and detailed submarine models. Exhibits include a Poseidon C-3 missile that allows visitors to examine its inner workings. It is the only one of its kind to be on public display.

The Bowfin is a neat thing to see, and it's hard to imagine that so many men could fit on this small sub. Claustrophobes need not apply! To tour the sub you'll need to be able to navigate some small hallways and climb through small doors (hatches). It's not for everyone.

Is it worth doing? If you've come to Pearl Harbor and enjoy historical or military "things" then you'll enjoy seeing the sub. It's not a great value because it's over pretty fast, and they'll try and upsell you on a souveneir photo (tacky, annoying). So, it's not for everyone.

If you need some quick eats, check out the Pearl Harbor Concession Stand that's right here by the Bowfin.

Uss Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park