USS Bowfin

Private Tour to the Arizona Memorial and USS Bowfin Submarine

  • Starting: $740
  • Pick-up time: 08:00 am
  • Maximum Number of people: 6 people
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Includes: Admission to the Arizona Memorial, Transportation, and Guide
  • Additional Cost: Admission to USS Bowfin
  • Vehicle Type: 6 passenger vehicle
  • Upgrade to Bowfin Captains Tour: $720.00 additional cost
  • Winter Rates (20 December - 10 January): Request Quote
  • Large Groups: Request Quote

Note: Child under 4 years are not allowed on USS Bowfin Submarine.

Admission prices to USS Bowfin or Captains Tour may be purchased at reduced rate on-site or through USS Bowfin’s site.

OVERVIEW

Our guides will introduce you to the historic site of Pearl Harbor and offer a brief explanation of the why, how, and when we were surprise attacked by the Japanese Imperial Navy. You will watch a 23min video documenting the attack that offers insight to the reasons why we were attacked as well as how the attack was so devastating. After the film, a US Navy patrol boat piloted by US Navy Seamen will escort you to the USS Arizona’s final resting place.

At the memorial you will have an up close in-person view of the resting battleship as well as see the wall that commemorates our lost sailors and those interred at the site. The Memorial is a final resting place for many young Navy sailors and Marines. Out of respect and quiet, our guides are not permitted to accompany you during this portion of the tour. Upon returning to shore our well versed tour guides, many of whom are US veterans, will attempt to answer any and all questions about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the quick destruction of the USS Arizona.

Immediately following the completion of the USS Arizona Memorial, our guide will escort your group to the USS Bowfin and the U.S. Submarine Memorial located on the opposite side of the visitor center. The memorial honors 52 Submarines and 3500 submariners, 1 out of every 5 submariners lost during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. Of the 52 submarines lost in WWII , 48 were to hostile fire. Take a moment to read one of the placards to find out what happened on their final patrol.

HISTORY

The USS Bowfin Submarine was commissioned in 1942 and served 9 patrols in the Pacific before being decommissioned, transformed into a museum, and transferred back to Hawaii in 1979. The USS Bowfin is known as the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," and is one of only 15 remaining submarines from WWII. The Bowfin sunk 44 enemy ships and one bus during WWII. Visitors can walkthrough the submarine and see what life was like for 80 crew members and their officers.

Located a stone’s throw away from the Arizona Memorial is the WWII Memorial. The memorial honors 52 Submarines and 3500 submariners. 1 out of every 5 submariners were lost during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. Of the 52 submarines lost in WWII , 48 were to hostile fire. Take a moment to read one of the placards to find out what happened on their final patrol.

The USS Arizona was 1 of 8 American Battleships docked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Fully manned at the time, there were 1,512 sailors on board. Unable to flee the wreckage created by the surprise attack from the Japanese, 1,177 of these young men would give their lives that Sunday morning with more than 900 sailors still entombed within the fallen USS Arizona. The USS Arizona continues to sit on the harbor floor in a final undersea resting place. Many of the surviving sailors have chosen to eventually have their remains brought back and interred with their shipmates here at the memorial.

VIP Captain's Tour

This is a unique opportunity to explore the Bowfin Submarine with a former Commanding Officer of a U.S. Navy Submarine. This will give you an opportunity to learn the inner workings of the submarine and gain a sense of submarine life in today’s active Navy. There is an additional charge for these tours. VIP Captain’s Tour is $720.00 plus tax in addition to our hourly charges. Maximum number of 6 individuals.

TAKEAWAY

In addition to experiencing the Arizona Memorial, our guests will be escorted through the confined spaces of an actual WWII submarine. Your group will head down an improvised hatch unto the forward torpedo room. From there our guide will explain how the torpedos were launched and re-loaded. Continuing through the submarine you will see officers berthing, the control deck/periscope room, crews berthing, engine rooms, battery compartment, and finally the aft torpedo room. Your group will ascend through another improvised hatch where we will be able to explore the topside of the submarine. Climb the sail and look forward over the bow as you imagine taking aim on a target. Man both topside guns, or sit on the gunners chair of its 5 inch cannon. The smell and feel of a submarine are as unique and rare as the submarine itself.

SERVICE

By choosing Keawe Adventures your party will be in a stress-free learning environment. We secure all reservations in advance in order to expedite your wait and make your visit as efficient as possible. All of our vehicles are chosen with the passenger in mind. Air conditioned, spacious and clean to provide you the utmost comfort. USS Arizona and USS BowfinTour is a 4-hour tour with pick-up times at 08:00 am. We also provide tours on site if you would prefer to use your own vehicle, our guides would simply meet you at a predesignated area on site and begin the tour from there.

REMINDERS

Please remember personal bags of any kind are not allowed on to the historical site, nor are they allowed to be left in our vehicles. The USS Arizona memorial does provide a bag check service at $5.00 per bag. Please wear covered shoes, comfortable clothing (no bathing suits), and sunscreen as you will be in direct sunlight for part of the tour. Please remember this is a final resting place for many people, maintaining respectable behavior is protocol.

FEES

Our prices are based on an hourly rate with a minimum of 4 hours per booking. The total number of individuals will change the price. The tour includes tickets to the Arizona Memorial. This is a private tour, and it will not be combined with another tour or group. This price is also based on pick up locations near Waikiki and Ko’olina.

Small Group (1-6 people):

  • Six passenger Vehicle: $185 per hour x 4 hours = $740

Large Group (7-12 people):

  • Ford Transit: $350 per hour x 4 hours = $1400

Large Group (13-18 people):

  • Sprinter or Bus: $450 per hour x 4 hours = $1800

Large Group (19-24 people):

  • Bus: $555 per hour x 4 hours = $2220

Admission USS Bowfin:

  • Admission USS Bowfin Submarine Adult: $20
  • Admission USS Bowfin Submarine Child: $12

VIP CAPTAINS TOUR:

  • VIP Captain’s Tour: $720.00

We require collection of payment prior to confirming the tour. Taxes and processing fees will be added to all prices. A service fee of 20% added to all admissions and VIP tour. Guest may purchase admissions at Pearl Harbor or on-line Pacific Historic Parks main site. If you are interested in this option please call 808-780-1253 or send us an email.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Tours cancelled within 48-hours are non-refundable. In the event that the USS Arizona ferry is not operational due to high-winds or debris or dock closure, no refunds will be offered.