submarine tour washington state

The 3 Best Naval Museums around Seattle

Are you looking for some great places to explore the history of the U.S. Navy? Check out this 3 amazing sites around Seattle. I believe we all have seen ships of the U.S. Navy in movies and TV shows, like the currently running show “The Last Ship”. If you are into this kind of stuff check out the three places listed below.

Naval Undersea Museum

The Naval Undersea Museum is an official U.S. Navy museum which concentrates around the history and technology of submarines. You can see what role the U.S. Navy plays in exploring the last frontier on our planet. The deep oceans!

• Ocean Environment: Tell you all about life in- and under the sea. Hear the sounds of whales, earthquakes and other undersea phenomena.
• Undersea Weapons Technology:  Learn about torpedos and mines and the history of naval warfare. You even get to see a Mark 48 ADCAP Torpedo, the current standard torpedo carried by the U.S. Navy submarines. See the portion of two starboard torpedo tubes of the USS Tecumseh located inside the torpedo room.
• Submarine Technology:  The highlight in this area of the museum is the control room of the USS Greenling (SSN-614), a Permit-class nuclear fast attack submarine.
• Diving & Salvage:  In this area of the museum you get to see remotely operated vehicles like the CURV III, diving suits, a swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV), used by SEAL teams and a Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV)

Outside, at the parking lot, you will see a couple of this DSRV’s and small rescue submarines. In front of the museum is the sail of the USS Sturgeon (SSN-637), a Sturgeon-class nuclear fast attack submarine. The museum is located right next to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport. Getting here is a bit tricky if you are visiting Seattle and don’t have a car. However, it is worth the drive if you are interested in that kind of things. Admission and parking are free and the museum is open from 10 AM to 4 PM every day, except October through April, where Tuesdays are closed. More info on the website of the museum .

Puget Sound Navy Museum

This museum is located near the Bremerton ferry terminal next to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. It’s easily reachable by the Seattle-Bremerton ferry and just a short walk from the ferry terminal. Building 50, in which the museum is located, was built in 1896 and served as the first Administrative Headquarters for Shipyard commanders. It was moved three times: first in 1910 when Dry Dock 2 was built, second in the 1930s to Farragut Ave where it served as apprentice classrooms and administrative offices, and third in 2006 to its present location where it serves as a museum. You can’t miss the building neither the sail of the USS Parche ( SSN-683) a Balao-class diesel-electric submarine.

This is an official U.S. Navy museum. You will learn about the history of the nearby shipyard, Special Operations Submarines and about the life aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). This was my personal highlight – I love aircraft carriers.

Admission here is free as well. Parking is available for free on some of the streets or paid parking near the waterfront. The museum is open from 10 AM to 4 PM every day, except October through April, where Tuesdays are closed.

www.pugetsoundnavymuseum.org

Behind the Museum is the Harborside Fountain Park. A great place for kids to cool down in the summer and to watch the bay.

Not far from here you can see two decommissioned aircraft carriers docked at the shipyard.

Always wanted to explore a destroyer? Head over to the…

USS Turner Joy a U.S. Navy Destroyer

This is by far the greatest museum, because the museum itself is a real war ship, which you can tour on your own and go pretty much everywhere in the ship. All the way down to the engine room and up to the bridge. Pretty much every area of the ship is accessible and you will have to climb some steep ladders up and down to get there. This gives you a real feeling of what life was aboard this ship. You will see the bunk beds of the crew and the captains quarters. You can even climb into one of the gun turrets. This is truly an unforgettable experience. The ship was commissioned on 3. August 1959 and donated as a museum and memorial to the Bremerton Historic Ships Association and berthed at Bremerton, Washington on 10 April 1991. You can find the complete history of the ship on the official website of the museum .

Make sure you bring your camera for an unforgettable experience.

The museum ship is located on the Bremerton waterfront and easily reached by ferry from Seattle. From there it is just a very short walk along the Bremerton waterfront to the ship. Same as for the Puget Sound Navy Museum, parking can be found along the streets or at one of the parking lots near the waterfront.

The ship is open daily from March to October from 10 AM to 5 PM. From November to February the ship is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Check the homepage for special events and for the different admissions they offer . Regular admission is $14 for an adult and as a AAA member, you get $1 off.

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Naval undersea museum.

See WWII torpedoes and submarines at the Naval Undersea Museum.

The free Naval Undersea Museum  is located at Keyport across Puget Sound from Seattle. 

To get there from Seattle, drive 1.5 hours around Puget Sound, or take the 35-minute  Bainbridge Island Ferry then drive 20-minutes to Keyport.

The Naval Undersea Museum provides a fascinating look at the history of undersea nautical and military ventures.  It's a superb museum and one of Washington State's hidden treasures. 

Check hours for the Naval Undersea Museum , at  1 Garnett Way, Keyport, WA 98345 .  The nearest restaurants are along the charming waterfront at the Scandinavian-themed town of Poulsbo.

5 best things to see at Naval Undersea Museum

1. Get up-close to real torpedoes from World War II.

A major highlight of the   Naval Undersea Museum  is seeing torpedoes and missiles at the Naval Weapons Exhibit. 

Learn about the evolution of torpedoes, starting with the  first self-propelled torpedo built in 1866 by Englishman Robert Whitehead. This was followed by  the faulty World War II torpedoes that ran circles around their targets instead of hitting them. Finally, there are the advanced torpedoes of today.

It's an awesome experience standing at the head of a German G7e torpedo , used on German U-Boats in WWII.  The green torpedo behind it, is the U.S. Navy's Mark 18 , launched from submarines. It accounted for nearly a third of torpedoes launched by the U.S. Navy in WWII, but was plagued with design problems.

This is the fearsome  German G7e torpedo , seen from another perspective.

2. Step inside a real control room from a U.S. Navy submarine.

Step inside the control room of a retired submarine; the USS Greenling (SSN 614).  This submarine served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1993, and was a fast attack, nuclear powered submarine. It held 12 officers and 95 enlisted soldiers in this tight space.

Submarines were of immense strategic importance during WWII for protecting shipping lanes, rescuing aviators, and launching offensive operations in the European and Pacific Theater. They were also pivotal to the U.S. victory over Japan in WWII, by cutting off Japan's supply line to fuel and food. The U.S. sunk over 1,100 Japanese merchant ships and 200 naval vessels. 

The U.S. Navy also suffered major loses in WWII, and 52 out of 275 U.S. submarines were sunk during WWII, leading to 3,506 casualties. 

Today's nuclear powered submarines are constantly on patrol, and are capable of staying underwater for months at a time.

3.  See the deep submergence vehicle from the blockbuster movie " The Hunt for Red October " (1990).

Another interesting display at the Naval Undersea Museum is the model of a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, used in the Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin Film " The Hunt for Red October ".  The main purpose of this type of vehicle, is to rescue crew members trapped in a damaged submarine.

4. Peer inside the chamber that rescued all 33 crew from a U.S. submarine.

In 1949, this chamber was used by navy divers to save all 33 crew-members onboard the USS Squalus  submarine. Crewmembers were  trapped at 240-feet when the submarine suffered a valve failure, but all made it out in the daring 13 hour rescue mission.

5.  Learn about deepwater diving suits .

There's some great information on the exploits of U.S. Navy deepwater divers at the Naval Undersea Museum, including the first awkward looking submersible suits used for diving. 

This is a MK V Diving System  developed by the US Navy in 1918, weighing a hefty 185 pounds. It was a revolutionary step forward for divers, enabling an airtight copper helmet to be sealed to a canvas suit, with air pumped through a tube from a compressor on a boat.

The huge Jim Suit at the Naval Undersea Museum  was launched in 1971, and  was very popular in the oil industry. It has a robotic appearance,  clad in armor to protect from water pressure changes, while still allowing mobility with articulated arms and legs. 

The  Navy One Man One Atmosphere Diving System (NOMOADS) was an improvement over the JIM suit.  It had an unobstructed field of vision compared to the JIM, which had four domes on the helmet.  It also allowed a greater range of motion.

Know before you go

• Naval Undersea Museum address:    1 Garnett Way, Keyport, WA 98345
• Hours:  check here .  
• Admission and Parking:  FREE

Things to do near the Naval Undersea Museum

If you're a military history buff, then travel 10-miles south to the excellent Puget Sound Navy Museum  at Bremerton.  There's also a Vietnam-era warship  on the Bremerton waterfront, the USS Turner Joy .

Visit the charming township of Winslow at nearby Bainbridge Island for trendy shops and a meal, then explore the gorgeous gardens and chateau at  Bloedel Reserve .  Drive to the Scandinavian town of Poulsbo to enjoy it's bustling waterfront and savor a sweet treat at its popular bakery.  The SEA Discovery Center at Poulsbo is fun for kids, with touchtanks full of starfish.  It's also free!

Visit the quaint town of Port Gamble just 16 miles north of the Naval Undersea Museum, with a cute cafe and interesting museum, then continue up to the breathtaking  Point No Point Lighthouse .

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Today's Hours Museum: Wednesday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

USS Blueback Submarine

Spring Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:10 AM - 4:30 PM

Get a sneak peek into the life on a real submarine.

Join a fascinating, 45-minute tour of the U.S. Navy’s last active duty diesel-electric submarine. Limited to only 12 guests per tour, you’ll have a unique opportunity to explore this 219-foot vessel full of marvelous period artifacts. Get a glimpse of how a crew of 85 lived on the Blueback for months, plus peer through a periscope, touch a torpedo, climb in a bunk, and much more!

Tours offered Tuesday – Sunday. Visitors must be ages 3+ and at least 36″ tall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We have answers! Explore frequently asked questions. For more information please contact us at [email protected] or (503) 797-4000.

OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Ave Portland, OR 97214. Visitors can pay for parking through the Parking Kitty app (as of 7/24/23), at the front desk, or soon at parking kiosks in the North and South parking lots.

OMSI parking costs $5 (+ fees) for 2 hours or $8 (+ fees) for all day parking. Guests arriving after 5pm can expect to pay a flat fee of $2 (+ fees) for the evening.

Commonly Asked Parking Questions

Submarine tours are approximately 40 to 50 minutes long.

The USS Blueback is a truly unique space at OMSI, but it can be challenging to navigate. Visitors must pass through a small, watertight door to enter the submarine, which requires some bending and stooping. There is a practice door you can try in the OMSI Lobby. Submarine visitors must be able to climb through through the lobby hatch in order to participate in the tour.

The submarine has stairs and is narrow in places. Wheelchairs, strollers and walkers are not allowed on the submarine. Canes are permitted. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Please note: The submarine has very steep stairs. Visitors must be able to self-navigate. Carrying children is not allowed.

The submarine has many informational panels with Braille text. Please contact a submarine staff member with questions or for additional support.

Advanced Tech Tours

Learn more about the technical workings of the USS Blueback on a Guided Tech Tour. Offered on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, this special three-hour tour is guided by a submarine veteran.

Visiting Soon?

OMSI is committed to making science-fueled fun available for all in our community. We are proud to offer admission assistance, financial aid, and accessible services throughout the museum. Explore access resources and amenities for guests visiting the museum.

Explore The Submarine

More for you, april 11 | 12pm, flight of the butterflies, march 2 - september 8, 2024, tyrannosaurs – meet the family, 1st sunday of the month, omsi $5 days.

The Puget Sound Navy Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the naval heritage of the Pacific Northwest for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and general public.

We hope you enjoy your visit.

The Puget Sound Navy Museum is open to the public! Our current operating hours are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday and Wednesday – Sunday. We are closed on Tuesdays. For information on the steps museum staff are taking to ensure a safe museum visit, please see our COVID-19 policies .

We remain dedicated to sharing the naval heritage of the Pacific Northwest while providing you with a safe visitor experience. We hope to see you soon!

PSNM is an AAM Accredited Museum

The Puget Sound Navy Museum is proud to announce that we once again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums! Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Read more about the details of accreditation here .

2023 Annual Report

All around, 2022 was another successful year for the Puget Sound Navy Museum. We look forward to the coming years, knowing that the Museum will continue to prosper with the strong support of the U.S. Navy, the volunteer staff, the PSNM Foundation, and you. Read all about what PSNM accomplished in 2023 in our Annual Report !

Join our mailing list to learn about future Museum programs and events.

★ Museum Hours ★

Open Mondays and Wednesdays-Sundays Closed Tuesdays Hours: 10:00am-4:00pm

FREE Admission

360.479.7447

251 First Street Bremerton, WA 98337

Visit the Foundation page to learn how you can get involved with and support the Puget Sound Navy Museum.

Mission Statement: "To unite all submarine museum authors, curators, docents, enthusiasts, historians, librarians, visitors, and volunteers through positive promotion and cooperative education in order to perpetuate the American submarine museums of our forefathers."

Each museum submarine is unique in her own way. Many hold some various record, some were used in movies, and a few have rare operational, functioning equipment. All of them have a following of hard-working volunteers that keep them going.

This site also has a forum that I hope you'll take part in. The forum is here for visitors to ask questions and learn about the different submarines. It is also here for all those who work and volunteer on the submarine museums to share ideas, talk about fund raising efforts, find restoration advice, promote special events, etc.

These are the submarines in your neighborhood! Find one near you and go visit it with your friends and family. All of these museum submarines are open for you get down inside and explore. Nineteen are still in the water while six ( Albacore , Batfish , Cavalla , Drum , Marlin , and U-505 ) are secured on dry land. It is truely an amazing experience to tour any submarine museum! Also, there is more to the submarine museums than just submarines. Many have exhibits of torpedoes, mines, and ships (targets) to see while you're there.

" They weren't just hull numbers, they were our home addresses. Now the old neighborhood is torn down and gone and all that is left are memories. " - Richard "Murph" Murphy, IC3(SS)

Here are some interesting facts about each museum submarine:

• Launched on May 12, 1941, she is the oldest of all the WWII fleet submarines remaining in the USA
• She was the first Gato class submarine commissioned
• Opened to the public on July 4, 1969, the Drum is the oldest submarine museum in the USA
• Due to heavy damage from a depth charge attack on her 8th war patrol in WWII, the Gato class submarine received a new Balao class conning tower
• The only German U-boat museum in the USA
• Is one of only two remaining class IX-C German U-boats in the world
• Is one of only five remaining WWII era German U-boats in the world
• The only submarine on display inside (under) a building in the USA
• Boarded and captured from the Germans on June 4, 1944, the only foreign enemy man-of war done so since the War of 1812

• Silversides sank 23 ships (3rd highest in WWII) and 90,080 tons (5th highest in WWII) making her the highest-scoring WWII submarine of all the submarine museum boats
• The first man to die on the top deck of a submarine in WWII died on the Silversides , Mike Harbin TM3c
• Was used to film exterior scenes for the movie Below in 2002.
• Houses one of only two Mark III Torpedo Data Computers (TDC) in existence
• Launched on the first anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, hence being called "The Pearl Harbor Avenger"
• Located today in Pearl Harbor
• Oldest remaining Balao class submarine in the USA
• Sank the Japanese cruiser Nagara on her first war patrol, along with two freighters, earning a Navy Unit Commendation
• Underwent SSK (hunter-killer) conversion in 1953
• Rescued the crew of the Dutch submarine O-19 in July of 1945, performing the only international submarine-to-submarine rescue in history
• Only submarine museum still in original WWII configuration
• Visitors enter and exit the boat using her original hatches and ladders
• Houses a fully operational Mark IV Torpedo Data Computer (TDC)

• Sank a record 3 Japanese submarines over a period of four days, hence nicknamed "Submarine Killer"
• Was placed on a dry berth when opened as a submarine museum boat
• Originally named USS Acoupa but was renamed Batfish before launch
• Spotted the famous Japanese battleship Yamato on her 1st war patrol
• Houses one of only two Mark III Torpedo Data Computers (TDC) in existence - the Pampanito 's TDC is the only one that is fully operational
• Rescued more than 73 Allied POWs who were aboard enemy transports that she sank in September of 1944
• Was portrayed as the fictional submarine USS Stingray in the movie Down Periscope in 1995
• The last fleet boat to patrol American shores in WWII
• The only museum submarine to retain all of her batteries
• First boat to be named for the lionfish
• Her first captain was Lt. Cmdr. Edward D. Spruance, son of the WWII admiral Raymond Spruance

• Sank the aircraft carrier Shokaku which had a role in the bombing of Pearl Harbor
• Was one of the submarines present in Tokyo Bay in September of 1945 for the Japanese surrender
• Underwent SSK (hunter-killer) conversion in 1952
• Houses the oldest operating radar set in the world
• Only submarine museum boat sold and bought back from a foreign country. She was sold after decommissioning in 1970 to the Turkish Navy - the city of North Little Rock, AR bought her back in 2004 for $1 plus shipping costs and opened her as a museum in 2005
• The Razorback is the only American museum submarine that is not subject to annual USN inspections due to being purchased from a foreign navy
• The most years in active service of any submarine museum boat
• Underwent GUPPY IIA conversion in 1954 by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
• Her #2 periscope is operational and freely rotates on ball bearings
• Spotted the famous Japanese battleship Yamato on her 2nd war patrol
• Underwent GUPPY IA conversion in 1951 by Electric Boat and took part in many Cold War excercises

• Launched on September 6, 1944, she is the oldest remaining Tench class submarine in the USA
• The last US submarine to sink an enemy ship via torpedo in WWII on August 14, 1945 with an electric Mark 27 passive acoustic homing "Cutie" torpedo
• Impressive number of dives/surfaces - 11,884 in her career
• Nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost of the Japanese Coast"
• Underwent Fleet Snorkel conversion in 1952 by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
• Her first captain was the famous Slade D. Cutter - his wife sponsored the boat launch
• Became one of the first converted radar picket submarines after WWII
• Underwent MIGRAINE II conversion in January of 1948 and was redesignated as SSR-481
• Underwent Fleet Snorkel conversion in 1959 by Charleston Navy Yard
• Final deployment was part of the search effort for the USS Scorpion
• The only submarine museum boat that underwent GUPPY II conversion in 1948 by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and GUPPY III conversion in 1962 by Charleston Navy Yard
• As a pure experimental submarine, she pioneered the modern teardrop hull
• Was built without any weapon systems

• Was originally named T-2
• The only SST (training submarine) submarine museum boat in the USA
• World's first nuclear-powered submarine
• The only SSN (nuclear powered attack submarine) submarine museum boat in the USA
• The only SSG (guided missile attack submarine) submarine museum boat in the USA
• The only submarine museum boat to display a Regulus nuclear missile
• The last diesel-powered, non-research submarine built by the US Navy, and the last to be decommissioned after 31 years of service
• Made the longest ever submerged voyage by a diesel-electric submarine, traveling 5,340 miles from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Diego, California
• Appeared in the movie The Hunt for Red October

• Also known as "Black Widow" and "Cobra"
• Built to be a research and development submarine
• With an operating depth of over 3,000 feet, she is one of the world's deepest diving submarines
• Holds the record for the deepest launching of a torpedo
• Was the last diesel-electric submarine in the US Navy fleet
• Performed the first two-way laser communication between a submarine and an aircraft
• First submarine to use the mobile submarine simulator (MOSS) decoy system
• Also known as "Scorpion"

While Lockwood Internet Base is no more, you can still purchase the patch from SubmarineShop.com to show your support for museum submarines.

EXPLORE A PIECE OF MARITIME HISTORY

Welcome to the USS Turner Joy (DD-951) Naval Destroyer Museum Ship,  moored in Bremerton, Washington.

SUPPORT OUR SHIP

We need you! Please visit, donate, become a member, sponsor, or volunteer.

EXPLORE & EXPERIENCE TODAY

Visit the lovely historic town of Bremerton, with it’s many shops, museums, and eateries.

"True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us."

SOCRATES - ATHENS, GREECE

"My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake."

ARISTOTLE - SOMEWHERE ELSE IN GREECE

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation."

PLATO - ALSO ATHENS

"A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea."

HONORE DE BALZAC

"As I've grown - dare I say it - older, I had hopes of indulging my dreams of being a sailor."

Long-Term Exhibits

The museum’s long-term exhibits provide a comprehensive introduction to the Navy’s undersea history and operations. Come discover the wide range of activities that happen undersea!

The Ocean Environment

Experience the remarkable and limitless diversity of the world that lies beneath the sea! This highly interactive exhibit explores key physical properties of the ocean such as buoyancy, pressure, density, heat transfer, light, sound, salinity, and oxygen. As you learn about these principles, consider how the Navy works successfully in this unusual and challenging environment!

Torpedo Technology

Torpedoes are the principal weapon of submarines for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. Navy aircraft and surface ships also rely on torpedoes to target enemy submarines. Learn more about the technological marvel that is the torpedo in our Torpedo Technology exhibit, which follows the history and development of U.S. torpedoes from early Howell and Whitehead torpedoes to modern torpedoes like the MK 48 ADCAP and MK 50. We hope you enjoy this look at the most comprehensive display of torpedoes in the United States!

Mine Warfare

Naval mines — prized for their efficacy, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness — have sunk more ships in the past 100 years than any other weapon. U.S. mine warfare involves both deploying mines and carrying out mine countermeasure operations. This exhibit traces the history of mine warfare from the Revolutionary War through modern operations and features examples of mines from these engagements as well as the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

Preserving Peace: The Navy’s Strategic Deterrence Program

Since 1960, ballistic missile submarines have patrolled the world’s oceans with ballistic missiles, deterring nuclear war by their very presence. “Preserving Peace” delves into the storied history of the U.S. Navy’s strategic deterrence program from its Cold War beginnings in the 1950s through today’s modernization efforts. Highlights of the new exhibit include a Trident I (C4) missile payload section and video interviews with retired and active-duty submariners who have conducted deterrence patrols.

Saving Submariners: Submarine Rescue and Escape

Learn how the Navy saves the survivors of a submarine accident in this new exhibit, which looks at the history of submarine rescue and escape from 1900 through today. Explore the changes to submarine rescue and escape over time and discover why the U.S. Navy strongly prefers rescue over escape as the safest, most reliable method of saving submariners. Throughout, witness examples of historic and present-day equipment used to rescue the submariners that risk their lives to protect the nation.

Can’t visit in person? View an online version of Saving Submariners here.

Greenling Control Room

The control room is one of a submarine’s most important areas — it contains the equipment that steers the sub, fires its weapons, and plots its position and course. Step inside a real submarine control room in our submarine technology gallery! This recreated control room from Cold War submarine USS Greenling (SSN 614) features equipment from the sub, including periscopes, the ship control panel, fire control panel, and ballast control panel.

Search, Spy, Rescue, Recover: Navy Vehicles Under the Sea  

Once confined to science fiction, undersea vehicles now make thousands of dives for the Navy every year. Throughout the world, Navy vehicles recover lost objects, spy for information, disarm undersea mines, rescue accident survivors, investigate the ocean, and more. Missions like these were once impossible, difficult, inefficient, or dangerous to do. This exhibit explores the many ways that undersea vehicles expand Navy abilities and reduce risk to Sailors.

Family Learning Area

Whether artist or astrophysicist, everyone starts as a new learner. Inherent skills allow us to ask questions, explore, and make conclusions- providing a launch pad for growth and confidence in learning. This space provides a kid-friendly, hands-on area to use skills of observation, inquiry, exploration, reflection, and resilience to understand our environment.

Outdoor Exhibits

Connect with undersea history before you even step foot inside the museum by touring our outdoor exhibits. Enjoy the chance to see and learn about these oversize artifacts on display outside the museum:

360.396.4148

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• NAS Sigonella
• NSA Bahrain
• NSA Souda Bay
• JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam
• PMRF Barking Sands
• CFA Okinawa
• CFA Yokosuka
• NSF Diego Garcia
• SAC Singapore
• CFA Chinhae
• NSA Andersen
• JEB Little Creek Fort Story
• Norfolk NSY
• NS Great Lakes
• NSA Hampton Roads
• NSA Mechanicsburg
• NSA Philadelphia
• NSA Saratoga Springs
• NSB New London
• NWS Yorktown
• Portsmouth NSY
• NAS Pax River
• NSA Annapolis
• NSA Bethesda
• NSA Washington DC
• NSF Dahlgren
• NSF Indian Head
• NAS Whidbey Island
• NAS Corpus Christi
• NAS Jacksonville
• NAS JRB Fort Worth
• NAS JRB New Orleans
• NAS Key West
• NAS Kingsville
• NAS Meridian
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• NAS Whiting Field
• NCBC Gulfport
• NOTU Cape Canaveral
• NS Guantanamo Bay
• NSA Mid-South
• NSA Panama City
• NSB Kings Bay
• NAF El Centro
• NAS Lemoore
• NAWS China Lake
• NB Coronado
• NB Point Loma
• NB San Diego
• NB Ventura County
• NMC San Diego
• NSA Monterey
• NWS Seal Beach

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Naval Base Kitsap Trips & Tours

Living in the Northwest, we are only a short distance from the ocean, lakes, mountains, rainforest, farmland, wine country, and a major city, not to mention a day trip away from Eastern Washington if a dryer climate is more your style. Let our local guides show you the best our area has to offer. Let Trips & Tours show you all the hidden hot spots and local favorites. We do all the driving and you travel in style!

What you get when you travel with Trips & Tours:

• Expert guides
• Affordable Trips
• Travel on one of our motorcoaches, mini-buses or vans
• Bring a friend along

Outdoor Programs

The Pacific Northwest is situated in the perfect location to take advantage of outdoor recreation and we have experienced guides to take you on new adventures! Programs include:

• Whitewater Rafting
• Stand Up Paddle Boarding
• Kayaking Evening, Day & Overnight Trips
• Hiking & Backpacking
• Mountain Biking
• Snowshoeing
• Ski & Snowboarding
• Bald Eagle Floats

Sign up Today!

Register online via myFFR - Search for the trip by using the myFFR Trip ID number. Don’t have a myFFR account? Create one online or visit any NBK MWR facility to setup a user name and password.

Register Online →

For more information or to register in-person, contact the Bremerton Recreation Center or the Bangor Recreation Center.

Bremerton Recreation Center → Bangor Recreation Center →

Trip fees include:

• Transportation
• Tour hosts and guides
• When applicable: entry fees, ferry tickets, admissions, lunch or dinner, demonstrations and shows

Design-a-Trip

Consult with our professional trip planner to create a custom trip for your group, on your time, where you want to go! We can plan your trip to any destination you can imagine. From single-day to overnight to week-long trips, we’ll help you plan your journey, pick you up and provide the transportation.

Call us today to get started!

All trips are family-friendly unless otherwise noted.

A transportation waiver must be signed prior to trip departure. Please have a completed waiver form with you when you arrive for your trip.

Personal coolers are welcome aboard the bus.

Mode of transportation may vary, depending on the number of participants.

Please wear appropriate clothing for each trip.

Trips to Canada

Joining us for one of our trips to Canada? Make sure to check the latest requirements for crossing the border.

Border Crossing Information →

Work With Us

Join our team! Check out our current Fleet & Family Readiness job openings.

Learn more about Fleet & Family Readiness Programs and services.

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Question, comment or feedback on our website or programs? Connect here.

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Pier extension at Bangor is complete, giving Seawolf-class submarines a new home

After several years of planning, funding and construction, the navy completed a pier extension project at the bangor base late last year..

BANGOR — After several years of planning, funding and construction, the Navy completed a pier extension project at the Bangor base late last year. Nicknamed "Olympic pier," the new infrastructure will support the Navy's Seawolf-class submarines at Naval Base Kitsap.

The pier extension project cost $121 million in total, which includes funding authorized by the Military Construction Appropriation Act in Fiscal Year 2017 and Fiscal Year 2020, according to Submarine Group 9 spokesperson Lt. Corey Jones. The Navy first envisioned the project in 2008. The Pentagon in February 2020 a warded a Seattle construction company, Manson Construction of Seattle, an $89.3 million contract to extend the pier , and construction began that year. In October 2022, Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 5 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Olympic pier to mark the completion of the project, according to a statement released by the Navy.

The pier's name stems from its view of the Olympic Mountain Range, according to the Navy. The pier becomes a new home to the Navy's Seawolf-class submarines, which includes USS Seawolf, USS Connecticut and USS Jimmy Carter .

Read more: America's most secret submarine undocks from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

USS Seawolf, previously homeported in Bremerton, arrived at the new Olympic pier in December 2022 after a seven-month deployment, according to the Navy. The arrival of USS Seawolf was the first time any ship has moored at the newly constructed pier, the Navy said.

USS Connecticut, originally stationed in Bremerton, will shift to Olympic Pier following the sub's scheduled depot repair period at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Jones told Kitsap Sun. USS Connecticut struck an underwater mountain in the South China Sea in October 2021 and was pulled into Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton for repairs at the shipyard in December of that year.

"In the near-term, the Seawolf-class submarines will call the Olympic Pier home. However, the pier is also configured for Virginia Block V and beyond class submarines, which gives us the capacity to homeport additional classes of submarines in the future, if required," Jones said. 

The Bangor base benefits from this pier extension because the base can better accommodate present and future submarines with greater efficiency, Jones said. Improvements include a 528–foot extension to the Service Pier, a 3,000-square-foot utility building, and parking for 315 vehicles to support ship crews and maintenance personnel, according to Jones.

The new pier "includes state-of-the-art technologies for security and pier services for moored submarines and incorporates the latest technology to provide multiple fully redundant power sources, ensuring continuous safe in-port operations and minimizing the affects due to normal wear and tear or natural disasters," according to the statement from the Navy.

Reporter Peiyu Lin covers the military for the Kitsap Sun. She can be reached at  [email protected]  or on Twitter  @peiyulintw .

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When Are the Next Solar Eclipses? 2026 Promises Totality in Europe, While Much of America Has a Decades-Long Wait

The next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. won’t take place until August 23, 2044—but eclipse chasers will have other opportunities to experience totality before that

Daily Correspondent

Tens of millions of North Americans watched in awe as the moon passed in front of the sun on Monday, temporarily obscuring its light and plunging areas located within the path of totality into darkness.

The highly anticipated total solar eclipse was just a few days ago, but many astronomy aficionados have already set their sights on the next opportunity to experience one.

Solar eclipses of any kind are relatively rare: According to NASA , 224 such eclipses have occurred or will occur during the 21st century (between the years 2001 and 2100). Of those, just 68 are total solar eclipses—or a little more than 30 percent.

That rarity is a big reason why Monday’s event was so special. Plus, the moon cast a shadow across densely populated parts of North America, with an estimated 31.6 million people living within the path of totality and another 150 million living within 200 miles of it, per NASA .

2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE — The most stunning natural phenomenon on Earth, a total solar eclipse, swept across North America today. Here’s the entire sequence as seen from Presque Isle, Maine, under crystal clear skies. pic.twitter.com/r2uZfHXsFZ — John Kraus (@johnkrausphotos) April 8, 2024

The next total solar eclipse visible from the Lower 48 won’t take place until August 23, 2044 —more than 20 years from now. And it will have a much smaller footprint: The path of totality will cross through just three states, darkening skies in Montana, North Dakota and a small part of South Dakota.

A year later, on August 12, 2045 , another total solar eclipse will sweep across the United States, passing over parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

If you can’t wait that long, don’t fret—eclipse chasers willing to travel will have other options. On March 30, 2033 , a total solar eclipse will be visible from remote northwestern Alaska. But as Space.com ’s Stefanie Waldek notes, this part of the state doesn’t have much infrastructure, so you’d need to do some advance planning to make that trip a reality.

The next total solar eclipse will take place August 12, 2026 . It will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and Portugal. Meanwhile, some North Americans will see a partial eclipse on this day—along with people across Europe and some parts of Africa.

That was UNREAL! Total #solareclipse timelapse from Burlington, VT. Watch the darkness roll in from Lake Champlain. pic.twitter.com/Kn371CRpvE — Ryan Breton (@RyanBretonWX) April 8, 2024

Outdoorsy travelers may want to head to Spain for this one, as the 2026 path of totality will pass over much of the Camino de Santiago , the network of ancient pilgrim routes that is now popular among hikers. Tour companies are already putting together itineraries for the occasion. Or, if you’d rather witness the spectacle without many other people around, you could book a more private travel experience—for example, Albatros Expeditions is taking travelers to Greenland as part of a 13-day voyage aboard its expedition ship, the Ocean Albatros .

If you have the means and the time to venture across the Atlantic, the 2026 total solar eclipse would be a good option, because Spain’s weather tends to be particularly dry at that time of year—usually with a 70 to 80 percent chance of sunshine, reports the Washington Post ’s Matthew Cappucci.

Another reason to try to make that eclipse? The Perseid meteor shower will be underway.

“It’s possible that a few Perseid ‘fireballs,’ or especially bright shooting stars, will streak across the sky during totality,” writes the Washington Post .

When it all went dark for the 2024 total solar eclipse in Cleveland, Ohio. pic.twitter.com/l4w9ZZAy3c — Alex Farmer (@alexfarmerphoto) April 8, 2024

A partial solar eclipse—when the moon appears to partly block the sun—will be visible from parts of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America on March 29, 2025 , according to NASA . Its path will cut across the northeastern United States. After that, the next opportunity to see a partial solar eclipse will be on September 21, 2025 , from Oceania and Antarctica.

An annular solar eclipse will cross part of South America on October 2, 2024 , then, on February 17, 2026 , another annular eclipse will be visible from Antarctica. ( Annular eclipses , also known as “ring of fire” eclipses, occur when the moon appears to pass in front of the middle of the sun, leaving only a thin ring of light around the edge.)

But at some point, millions or billions of years from now, total solar eclipses will no longer be visible from Earth, reports the New York Times ’ Katherine Kornei. That’s because the moon is slowly spiraling away from our planet—at a rate of about 1.5 inches per year—and, eventually, it will be too distant and appear too small to fully block the sun.

It’s hard for scientists to predict exactly when that day will come, but eventually, future Earthlings will only be able to see partial and annular eclipses. So, enjoy the total solar eclipses while the planet still can.

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.