Travel Itinerary
Few cities are as entwined with Naval Special Warfare as San Diego, and this October that bond becomes tangible.
The Navy SEAL Museum opens on October 4, 2025, offering a rare invitation into the secretive world of the SEALs. The downtown location, once home to the city’s contemporary art museum, now sets the stage for a different kind of artistry: the precision, resilience, and ingenuity of men who train across the bay in Coronado.
Visitors will encounter the smell of salt air outside, and inside, the pulse of history – stories of underwater demolitions, daring raids, and silent courage brought vividly to life.
1. SEAL Delivery Vehicle
Suspended dramatically from the ceiling, this 21-foot, 1,600-pound submersible creates an unforgettable first impression.
Visitors can walk completely around it, examining this specialized underwater craft from every angle. The SDV represents one of Naval Special Warfare’s most distinctive and secretive transportation methods used for covert operations.
2. Operation Neptune Spear Exhibit
Walk through history in this immersive 3D experience narrating the bin Laden raid.
Narrated by Admiral William McRaven himself, visitors gain unprecedented insight into one of modern warfare’s most consequential missions. The exhibit combines cutting-edge technology with firsthand accounts to recreate the tension and precision of this historic operation.
3. Original UDT Gear Collection
Weathered flippers and primitive breathing gear whisper of grit and saltwater determination, while Underwater Demolition Teams born in WWII braved roaring surf with scant equipment and a tidal wave of courage, leaving behind artifacts salvaged from Pacific battle zones that still carry the tang of brine and metal, proof of ingenuity that set the tide for modern SEAL strength.
4. Combat Craft Section
From Vietnam-era patrol boats to modern rigid inflatables, this collection showcases SEAL maritime mobility evolution.
Full-size vessels occupy a dedicated hall, allowing visitors to climb aboard select craft. Maritime veterans often gather here, sharing stories of insertions and extractions that defined critical missions throughout Naval Special Warfare history.
5. Memorial Wall
Bathed in natural light, this solemn space honors fallen SEALs with personal mementos and service photographs.
More than a list of names, each warrior’s story unfolds through artifacts donated by families. The wall creates a moment of reflection amidst the museum’s high-energy exhibits, reminding visitors of the human cost behind SEAL achievements.
6. Training Simulation Zone
Challenge yourself in scaled-down versions of BUD/S obstacles that forge SEAL candidates.
Family-friendly physical activities let visitors attempt modified log PT exercises and teamwork challenges. Interactive screens display actual training footage alongside your attempts, creating memorable photo opportunities while demonstrating the physical standards required of America’s maritime commandos.
7. Trident Heritage Room
Gleaming gold insignia trace the evolution of America’s most recognized special operations symbol.
Original sketches of the SEAL Trident design sit alongside early prototypes. Retired SEALs serving as docents often share personal stories of earning their Tridents, creating powerful connections between artifacts and the human experience of becoming part of this elite community.