The closest I've gotten is on the fringe. What little I caught was fun to watch. I've had all of the involved race by me, out of range, several times. And once, I sailed with Halsey's TF when he was on the way. But, broke off before realizing where he was going.
I have the time and place plotted, now. So, I'll try and get into the mix at some time in the future. I also would like to try and catch Kurita's TF as it makes its way east, before he gets to SB Strait. Have you been there to see his loop back? The way the game renders, I can only imagine it's a Keystone-Kop drill waiting for a Fleet Boat to take shots.