Museums are time capsules of human experience, and submarine museums are no exception. Diving deep into naval history, these ten exhibitions reveal the hidden world of underwater warfare and exploration. These offer more than just static displays—they’re immersive portals into naval stories. History buffs, your next adventure awaits beneath the waves.

INS Kursura Submarine Museum, India

Commissioned in 1969 and retired in 2001, INS Kursura is a Kalvari-class submarine that served the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani conflict of 1971. Now stationed on RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, it showcases its preserved interiors, offering an in-depth look into naval operations and life underwater.

U-505 Exhibit, Chicago

The U-505, a German Type IXC submarine, was captured by the US Navy in 1944, and it marked a turning point in intelligence operations during the Second Global Conflict. Today, it’s housed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago where visitors can examine its Enigma machine and learn about its historic capture.

Royal Navy Submarine Museum, UK

Home to HMS Alliance, a submarine from the mid-20th-century conflict era, this museum in Gosport digs into the Royal Navy’s submarine operations over a century. Interactive exhibits include original periscopes and sonar technology. The site also houses memorials dedicated to lost submariners, adding a reflective dimension.

USS Nautilus Museum, Connecticut

The USS Nautilus was the first submarine to use nuclear propulsion, and it was launched in 1954. It famously traversed the Arctic ice in 1958 and has since then earned its place in naval history. Now preserved in Groton, Connecticut, it provides insights into technological advancements during the era of geopolitical tensions.

USS Bowfin Museum, Hawaii

Launched in 1942, the USS Bowfin is one of the few remaining submarines from the mid-20th-century conflict. Dubbed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” it sank 44 enemy ships. The museum is located in Pearl Harbor and presents historical artifacts and details of its role in Pacific naval campaigns.

Submarine Growler, New York

The USS Growler, stationed at the Intrepid Museum in New York, was one of the few submarines armed with nuclear missiles during the era of global superpower rivalry. Its tour highlights cramped quarters, navigation systems, and missile launch rooms, illustrating the strategic importance of submarines in global politics.

USS Pampanito, San Francisco

The USS Pampanito, a Balao-class submarine, operated in the Pacific theater during the global conflict of the 1940s, completing six patrols. Visitors can explore its original control room, torpedo bay, and living quarters at Fisherman’s Wharf, where you’ll gain a firsthand perspective of life aboard a remarkable submarine.

HMAS Onslow, Australia

Part of the Australian National Maritime Museum, HMAS Onslow is an Oberon-class submarine commissioned in 1969. Known for its advanced stealth capabilities, it served until 1999. Its exhibits focus on surveillance missions from the era of superpower tensions, and it offers a rare glimpse into Australia’s naval strategy during that period.

S-61 Delfín, Spain

Decommissioned in 2003, the S-61 Delfín served in the Spanish Navy as a patrol submarine. Docked in Torrevieja, it now functions as a floating museum. Its preserved compartments reveal the operational systems and daily routines of submariners in the Mediterranean during its service.

B-39 Submarine, San Diego

Until 2021, the B-39, a Soviet Foxtrot-class submarine, was on display at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It personifies the period of heightened international rivalries, carrying torpedoes and sonar equipment typical of the time. Though no longer on display, it remains an important chapter in naval history.