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Private USS Bowfin Captain's Tour in Honolulu, Hawaii - Honolulu

Private USS Bowfin Captain's Tour in Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulueasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

1–2 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; requires the ability to walk and stand during the tour and navigate narrow submarine hallways.

Overview

Explore the USS Bowfin Submarine with a retired captain on this exclusive private tour in Honolulu, Hawaii. Discover WWII history and unique memorials up close.

Boat Tour
Museum
Private
Shuttle
Pearl City, Hawaii

Private USS Bowfin Captain's Tour

Starting at $1450 • 4 hours • Black SUV or Sedan Transport • Friendly and local guide!

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Adventure Photos

Private USS Bowfin Captain's Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

Experience an exclusive, private tour of the USS Bowfin Submarine, led by a retired US Submarine Captain. Discover the rich history of this WWII hero, explore the Waterfront Memorial honoring fallen submariners, and view the only authentic Kaiten in the U.S. This unforgettable journey offers unique insights into submarine warfare.

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Rates

Private Tour (Includes 1-6 People): $1,450

Duration

Approximately 4 Hours

About

Fly Shuttle Tours has teamed up with the USS Bowfin to offer an exceptional tour. Hosted by a retired US Submarine Captain, this incredible tour takes you and your family on an exclusive tour of the USS Bowfin Submarine and of the WWII Submarine Waterfront Memorial.

USS Bowfin Submarine: The USS Bowfin Submarine was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger”. Credited for sinking 44 major ships on nine war patrols, the USS Bowfin fulfilled its nickname and became one of the most decorated submarines of World War II.

The USS Bowfin (SS-287) provides visitors with a rare glimpse at life on a submarine during World War II and has such incredible stories to share. It is considered the best-preserved and most visited submarine that served in WWII. This Balao-Class Submarine was relatively intact when the Navy turned her over to the Pacific Submarine Museum Association in 1979, unlike many of her sister ships which were scrapped or used for target practice by other naval vessels. That means the USS Bowfin still bears most of her original equipment.

WWII Submarine Waterfront Memorial: This Memorial is located shoreside, along-side the USS Bowfin and features 52 markers with the names of 3,600 U.S. submariners who gave their lives in service to their country during WWII. Each plaque tells the story of a different WWII submarine, its war missions and the crew that was lost. Although the submarine service was the smallest military unit, they made the greatest sacrifice in terms of loss of life -- one in five of the nearly 18,000 crewmembers who went into battle never returned to port.

Kaiten – A Kamikaze Suicide Manned Torpedo - USS Bowfin Park is host to the only authentic WWII Kaiten on display in the United States. Hundreds of these Kaitens were built at the end of the second world war by the Japanese to defend their homeland. Learn how these suicide torpedoes worked and how the Japanese stationed hundreds of these Kaitens along their coastline to sink large US ships.

This is a chance in a lifetime to spend time with an actual retired captain of a US nuclear submarine and hear the stories of WWII, and how the current and future submarines will conduct undersea warfare.

Tour Highlights

  • The highest level, private chauffeur service will be provided throughout the tour
  • Narrated tour to Pearl Harbor
  • Complimentary juice and cold bottle of water
  • Admission to USS Bowfin Submarine
  • The exclusive Captain’s Tour allows their guests to even visit the control tower of the USS Bowfin which is off limited to the public
  • Captain’s narrated tour of the World War II Submarine Waterfront Memorial.
  • Captain’s narrated tour of their WWII Japanese Kaiten
  • Shopping time at USS Bowfin’s Museum Store

Adventure Tips

Book in advance

Private tours with a retired captain are limited and fill quickly, so secure your spot early.

Wear comfortable shoes

Expect to walk and stand inside the submarine’s tight spaces, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Prepare for narrow spaces

The USS Bowfin has confined areas that may be challenging for those with claustrophobia or mobility issues.

Arrive early

Allow extra time for parking and check-in to ensure a smooth start to your private tour.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Hawaiian monk seals occasionally rest near the harbor
  • Various seabirds such as the white tern can be spotted around the waterfront

History

The USS Bowfin earned the nickname 'Pearl Harbor Avenger' after launching numerous patrols during WWII, playing a key role in Pacific naval operations.

Conservation

Efforts are in place at Pearl Harbor to balance historic preservation with environmental protection of marine habitats surrounding the memorial.

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Adventure Hotspots in Honolulu

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable walking shoes

Essential

Provides support and comfort while exploring the submarine’s interior.

Light jacket or windbreaker

Ideal for cooler or breezy days near the waterfront.

fall specific

Sunscreen

Essential

Protects your skin during sunny outdoor portions of the tour.

summer specific

Camera or smartphone

Essential

Capture memories of this exclusive historical experience.