Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum — Attraction in Hawaii

After our visit to the USS Arizona Memorial (reviewed), we toured the museum and gift shop followed by a walk to the "waterfront memorial," which is dedicated to the 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II.

I think our children got a kick out of seeing the antiaircraft guns and missiles that told a story of their own.  From the waterfront, you could see the USS Missouri (Battleship Row).  After a bite to eat at the only outside hot-dog and hamburger stand that didn't have refreshments.  For that you had to go the "soda machine" which I thought was tacky.

After our delightful meal (just kidding) I purchased our tickets inside of the gift shop for a tour on the USS Bowfin.  in my opinion, our kids wanted to take the tour aboard the USS Bowfin (SS/AGSS-287), looks like the USS Pampanito out at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf (See my review).

After a quick walk around topside, we started the steep climb into the interior of the sub.  I think pretty much the entire tour was self-guided which included headsets to hear the audio portion.  Since we were with a tour, it was crowded and once inside, got even tighter!

It also became quite warm inside with no air conditioning and only fans to blow the warm air around; I can only visualize what it must have felt like serving as a crew member in one of these "tin cans."  Trying to maneuver through the tight spaces and going from one section to another was sometimes challenging.  With the cramped bunks to dining quarters it must've been pretty crowded and lord help you if you had to pass gas!

Speaking of, during our little tour, we, I mean I, heard a couple people in front of us yelling, "oh man, he farted didn't help much, since we were in the rear and approaching fast!"  I held my breath but another behind me gave me dirty looks like I did it!  I couldn't tell what they were saying, but I'm guessing it wasn't nice....

Wow, it was nice to get back upstairs and feel the cool breeze of the outside!  I'm not expert when it comes to submarines, but once again, the interior looks similar to the USS Pampanito.

Of course there were those pictures of us, which were taken earlier and now depicted us in a new clipping which looked pretty cool, but not for $10.00 a pop!

I enjoy doing "Biography's" on the places that our family has visited which has been noted in a lot of my reviews for YELP.  Reviews of others are great to read, but not much is said about the place they visited which was often the case.  Anyway, here's my two-cents.

The USS Bowfin is a Balao Class Submarine (diesel electric) and was launched on December 7, 1942, which is the first anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  In May 1943 she was officially commissioned with a length; of 311 feet, 8 inches, Beam; 27 feet, 2 inches, Draft, 17 feet (surface trim), and Displacement, of 1,525 tons.  She carried ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, one 5-inch/25 caliber gun, one 40mm gun, and one 20mm gun for armament.

The USS Bowfin completed nine combat patrols in two years and was considered one of the "top-scoring U.S. submarines of WWII.  She is credited with the sinking of 16 Japanese vessels.  On a patrol in November 1943, she sank 12 vessels, but only five were officially credited to the boat.  After serving in the Pacific Fleet, she was transferred for active duty with the Atlantic Fleet and later after the war served as a training boat in Seattle Washington until she was decommissioned in 1971.

The USS Bowfin was only one of fifteen U.S. WWII submarines that was fortune enough not to have ended up as scrap metal or as target practice for another ship.  The USS Bowfin would resurface when she opened to the public in 1981.  In 1986, she was officially declared a National Historic Landmark and by 1985, over one million visitors toured her decks and learned about life aboard the submarine.

In 1987, the USS Bowfin appeared in films when she was dry-docked and portrayed three different submarines in the miniseries "War and...

Title: Dive into History: A Fascinating Journey on the USS Bowfin Submarine

Review: I recently had the incredible opportunity to explore the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum at Pearl Harbor, and I must say, it was an experience that exceeded all expectations. This museum offers visitors a unique chance to dive into history and explore the depths of a real submarine, providing an unforgettable journey into the life of submariners.

From the moment I stepped on board the USS Bowfin, I was immediately struck by the authenticity and attention to detail. The restoration work done on the submarine is truly remarkable, showcasing the dedication and effort to preserve this important piece of history. The knowledgeable and passionate staff were readily available to answer any questions and provide fascinating insights into the challenges faced by submariners during World War II.

One of the highlights of the museum is the opportunity to explore the different compartments of the submarine. From the cramped living quarters to the control room and torpedo tubes, each area offers a glimpse into the daily life of those who served on board. It's a humbling experience to imagine what life was like for these brave men who operated in such close quarters, carrying out their vital missions in often perilous conditions.

Additionally, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts that further enhance the historical significance of the USS Bowfin. From personal items belonging to submariners to informative displays, each exhibit contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the submarine's role in World War II and beyond. The interactive exhibits, including a periscope simulator, provide a hands-on and engaging way to learn about the mechanics and operations of a submarine.

The dedication and commitment to educate visitors about the sacrifices made by submariners and the vital role they played in the war is evident throughout the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum. The exhibits and displays are thoughtfully curated, offering a wealth of information presented in a captivating manner. It's truly an educational experience that will leave you with a greater appreciation for the incredible bravery and resilience of those who served on board submarines.

The location of the museum within the historic Pearl Harbor adds another layer of significance to the visit. Being able to witness firsthand the site of the infamous attack and understand the submarines' role in the defense of the harbor adds depth and context to the overall experience.

In conclusion, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum at Pearl Harbor is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone curious about the story of submariners in World War II. The authenticity of the submarine, the informative exhibits, and the passionate staff all contribute to an exceptional museum experience. Dive into history and explore the USS Bowfin – you won't be...

This was one of the most interesting and cool things we have done on our trip. We really enjoyed this museum! It is attached to the pearl harbor memorial and that is where you park (It is now $7 to park). Once inside the gates, then you go over to the right and that is where the submarine museum is located. Ask for the free audio tour! Especially for going into the submarine. They give you the device and you get complimentary cheap earbuds with it too. Pro tip, do this museum first, then go to the Aviation museum (who also has an audio tour) and you can plug in your earbuds to that device since they do not give you anything over there, and you have to hold the device up to your ear. I would recommend walking the submarine first to get a feel for everything and get some background knowledge before going into the actual museum building. Walking through the submarine was definitely the coolest part. The audio tour is definitely needed here as it is literally just a walk through with very limited signage so the only way we learned anything about the sub or knew what we were looking at is through the audio tour. You press the number 1 when you get onto the sub and then from there I am pretty sure it is RFID to know when you cross the threshold into different rooms and that is how it knows when to start playing the next recording. It will automatically go on its own as you walk through. It was very fascinating the way that they lived there on the sub. If you have mobility problems of any kind or are a very tall person, walking through the submarine is going to be very hard for you. I am 5ft 10in tall and I had to duck and maneuver pretty good to get in and out of the doorway openings to the next rooms. I hit my shoulder on one door so please watch your step and be careful as you walk through. Then you can go into the building with the museum. It starts forward and to the left and you loop around for general submarine stuff, and a little bit of WWII stuff. Then you cross over to begin the cold war era and modern submarines. So it goes from WWII to present day on everything submarine in this museum. You walk up to the sign and there is a number at the bottom that you type into your audio tour for this section. There is a lot of information in here that you could spend multiple hours. It was all so very interesting and I learned so much more than I did before. Any history buff, WWII buff, or navy buff would really enjoy this museum. However I will note there is a lot of walking around and virtually no areas to sit down so be aware of that. In between the museum and the sub there is a gift shop and a café. Overall I would highly recommend this museum as it was so interesting...