Tour #10 – The USS Bowfin Submarine’s Captain’s Tour from North Shore Hotels

Tour Description

In conjunction of the 75^th anniversary of the end of WWII, the management of the USS Bowfin Submarine and Royal Hawaiian Limousine have teamed up 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 December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was nick named the “Pearl Harbor Avenger”. Credited for sinking 44 major ships on nine war patrols, the USS Bowfin fulfilled its nick name 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 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

Tour Exclusion

• Chauffeur gratuities is not included, recommended at 15%

Additional Information

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center- Please be advised that the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has a strict no bag policy. Visitors are allowed to bring their wallet, phone, camera (no camera bag) and bottled water.

USS Bowfin Submarine- Tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be conducive for slow walkers since the stairway into and out of the Submarine are very steep. For safety reasons, children under 4 are not allowed on the USS Bowfin. This program is based on availability and is available Monday – Friday. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year Days.

Royal Hawaiian Limousine– Rates are subject to tax. Full refunds are available if reservations are cancelled at least 2 days before the date of service. Royal Hawaiian Limousine shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage or accident to persons or property of any individual on the tour from any cause beyond its control.