USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
Pearl Harbor, 11 Arizona Memorial Drive, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
The USS Bowfin, a fleet attack submarine, was launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. This earned her the nickname of the Pearl Harbor Avenger. Fittingly, the USS Bowfin’s permanent home is at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, where she serves as a memorial and National Historic Landmark.
Pearl Harbor visitors can climb aboard the submarine for a self-guided tour of its cramped quarters. They can also learn submarine history in the museum, listen to a sonar, hear recently declassified accounts of Cold War missions, and participate in experiments with the museum’s STEM team. Visits to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park are typically included on guided tours of Pearl Harbor historic sites, alongside the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial.
Unlike other Pearl Harbor sites, there is no need to book USS Bowfin tickets in advance.
Military personnel in uniform may visit for free.
Free audio guides are available in multiple languages.
Visitors unable to board the submarine can experience a virtual museum tour.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is about a 20-minute drive west of Waikiki. Paid parking is available at the adjacent Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center parking lot. You can also get there in about an hour by public bus: Take route 20 or 42 from Waikiki.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is open daily, year-round, from early morning until early evening (the last admission is 30 minutes before closing). It is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Allow about two hours to tour the submarine, museum, and grounds.
While visiting the USS Bowfin, it is worth pausing at the Waterfront Memorial on the museum’s grounds. It is dedicated to the 52 submarines and more than 3,600 officers and crewmen lost from the submarine force in World War II. The memorial honors the memory of the fallen by listing their names and sharing the stories of the lost submarines.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!