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Bermuda

Bermuda landscape
Bermuda
Bermuda
Best Time to VisitMay to October (warmest water 25-29°C, best beach weather); March-April for fewer crowds
LanguageEnglish (official)
CurrencyBermudian Dollar (BMD), pegged 1:1 to USD — US dollars accepted everywhere
Time ZoneAST/ADT (UTC-4/UTC-3, observes daylight saving)
AirportL.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
Safety RatingVery Safe (Level 1 — one of the safest island destinations globally)
Plan Trip
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Photo: Kinø / Unsplash

Key Facts

Best Time to Visit

May to October (warmest water 25-29°C, best beach weather); March-April for fewer crowds

Language

English (official)

Currency

Bermudian Dollar (BMD), pegged 1:1 to USD — US dollars accepted everywhere

Time Zone

AST/ADT (UTC-4/UTC-3, observes daylight saving)

Airport

L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)

Population

~64,000 (entire territory)

Climate

Subtropical oceanic, avg 18-30°C, mild year-round, no true rainy season

Safety Rating

Very Safe (Level 1 — one of the safest island destinations globally)

Shipwrecks

Over 300 shipwrecks in surrounding waters, earning the nickname 'Shipwreck Capital of the Atlantic'

Top Highlights

Horseshoe Bay Beach

Horseshoe Bay Beach

Bermuda's most famous beach — a crescent of pink sand framed by dramatic limestone cliffs. The pink color comes from crushed red foraminifera coral mixed into the sand. Free public access with facilities (changing rooms, snack bar). Bus #7 from Hamilton ($5 token). Gets crowded when cruise ships dock — explore the hidden coves to the west.

Crystal and Fantasy Caves

Crystal and Fantasy Caves

Two spectacular underground caverns with crystal-clear turquoise pools, stalactites, and stalagmites illuminated by lighting. Crystal Cave is the larger and more dramatic. Combination ticket ~$30 USD for both. Open daily 9AM-5PM. 15 minutes from Hamilton in Hamilton Parish. Allow 1.5 hours for both caves.

Royal Naval Dockyard

Royal Naval Dockyard

A restored 19th-century British naval fortress at Bermuda's western tip, now an arts and shopping hub with the National Museum of Bermuda ($15 USD entry), glassblowing studios, craft market, and Snorkel Park Beach. The main cruise ship port. Free to wander the grounds. Ferry from Hamilton: $5 USD, 20 minutes.

Shipwreck Snorkeling and Diving

Shipwreck Snorkeling and Diving

Bermuda has 300+ wrecks in shallow, clear water. The Montana and Kate (both at 10m depth) are accessible to snorkelers. The Hermes and Constellation (from the inspiration for 'The Deep') are top dive sites. Dive charters from $120 USD for a two-tank dive. Visibility averages 20-40m. Best May-October.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

Built in 1846, one of the oldest cast-iron lighthouses in the world. Climb 185 steps for panoramic 360° views of the island and ocean — on clear days you can see the reef line 15 km out. Entry ~$5 USD. Open 10AM-4PM. Small cafe at the base. 10 minutes by scooter from Southampton.

Hamilton and Front Street

Hamilton and Front Street

The compact capital city with pastel-colored colonial buildings, duty-free shops (no sales tax in Bermuda), and waterfront dining on Front Street. Visit the Bermuda Cathedral (free), the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute ($15 USD), and grab fish chowder at any pub. Most sights walkable in half a day.

Cooper's Island Nature Reserve

Cooper's Island Nature Reserve

A former US military base returned to nature, now a protected reserve with hiking trails, secluded beaches, and nesting Bermuda longtails (white-tailed tropicbirds). Free entry. Rarely crowded — most tourists never make it here. In St. David's Parish, eastern end of the island. Allow 2-3 hours.

Planned Itinerary

7-Day Bermuda Itinerary

1

Arrival in Bermuda

Fly into L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA). Transfer to your hotel — remember, tourists cannot rent cars in Bermuda. Electric scooters/Twizys, buses, and ferries are your transport.

Airport transfer(20 minutes)

Taxi to Hamilton ~$35 USD, to Southampton ~$45 USD. Buy a 7-day transportation pass at the airport: $52 USD for unlimited bus and ferry rides. Individual tokens $5 each

Check into hotel(30 minutes)

Hotels $300-700+ USD/night. Fairmont Southampton or Hamilton Princess for luxury. Airbnbs $150-250 USD for budget. Southampton is best for beach access

Walk Hamilton's Front Street(1.5 hours)

Pastel colonial buildings, duty-free shops (no sales tax), and waterfront dining. Visit the Bermuda Cathedral (free) and browse the shops

Fish chowder and Dark 'n' Stormy(1.5 hours)

Every restaurant serves Bermudian fish chowder — always add Gosling's Black Seal rum and Outerbridge's sherry pepper sauce at the table. Pair with a Dark 'n' Stormy (Bermuda trademarked this cocktail). Try at Hog Penny Pub on Burnaby Street, ~$15-20 USD for chowder + drink

2

Horseshoe Bay & South Shore Beaches

Bermuda's famous pink sand beaches along the south shore.

Bus #7 to Horseshoe Bay(30 minutes)

$5 token or use your pass. The most famous beach in Bermuda — pink sand crescent framed by limestone cliffs. Free access. Changing rooms and snack bar available

Walk to hidden coves west of Horseshoe Bay(1.5 hours)

Port Royal Cove and Jobson's Cove are tucked between limestone formations — far fewer people than the main beach. Stunning. Free

Warwick Long Bay walk(1 hour)

A longer, wilder beach adjacent to Horseshoe Bay. Often much emptier. Pink sand and dramatic rock formations

Lunch at Henry VIII Restaurant(1 hour)

Near Horseshoe Bay in Southampton. Pub fare and Bermudian dishes. Fish sandwich $18, fish chowder $12. Casual

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse(1 hour)

185 steps to the top of one of the world's oldest cast-iron lighthouses (1846). 360° views. Entry ~$5 USD. Small café at the base. 10 minutes by scooter from the beaches

3

Crystal Caves & St. George's

Underground caverns and Bermuda's original capital — a UNESCO World Heritage town.

Crystal and Fantasy Caves(1.5 hours)

Spectacular underground caverns with crystal-clear turquoise pools. Crystal Cave is the more dramatic. Combo ticket ~$30 USD. Open 9AM-5PM. In Hamilton Parish, 15 min from Hamilton by bus

St. George's Historic Walk(2 hours)

UNESCO World Heritage town — Bermuda's original capital (1612). St. Peter's Church (the oldest Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere), the Unfinished Church ruins, and King's Square with daily reenactments. Free to walk

Lunch at Wahoo's Bistro & Patio(1 hour)

Waterfront in St. George's harbor. Fresh fish tacos and fish chowder. $15-25 USD

Tobacco Bay Beach(1.5 hours)

Sheltered beach near St. George's with excellent snorkeling off the rocks. Snorkel gear rental ~$10 USD. Beach bar on site. Free beach access

4

Royal Naval Dockyard & Snorkel Park

The western tip — a restored naval fortress turned arts hub.

Ferry from Hamilton to Dockyard(20 minutes)

Use your transport pass. The ferry ride through the Great Sound is scenic and faster than the bus

Royal Naval Dockyard(2 hours)

National Museum of Bermuda ($15 USD entry, housed in the massive Keep), Bermuda Craft Market, glassblowing studios. Free to wander the grounds

Snorkel Park Beach(2 hours)

Sheltered beach within the Dockyard with snorkeling and water sports. Entry ~$10 USD. Good reef snorkeling with tropical fish and the occasional turtle

Lunch at Frog & Onion Pub(1 hour)

Pub in a converted 19th-century cooperage. Fish and chips, Bermuda fish chowder. $15-22 USD

Dinner at Barracuda Grill(1.5 hours)

Intimate restaurant in Hamilton. Grilled local fish and steaks. $30-50 USD. Book ahead

5

Rest Day & Shipwreck Snorkeling

Leisurely morning, then snorkel Bermuda's famous shallow shipwrecks.

Elbow Beach morning swim(1.5 hours)

South shore beach in Paget Parish. Pink sand and calm water. Free public access

Shipwreck snorkeling trip(3 hours)

~$60-80 USD for a guided snorkel trip to shallow wrecks. The Montana and Kate sit at 10m and are accessible to snorkelers. Or dive the Hermes and Constellation for $120-150 USD. 300+ wrecks in Bermuda's waters

Lunch at Art Mel's Spicy Dicy(45 minutes)

Local roadside institution in Hamilton. Fish sandwich is the national snack — breaded, fried wahoo on raisin bread with tartar sauce. $12-15 USD. Cash only

Dinner at The Loren at Pink Beach(1.5 hours)

Beachfront fine dining at a boutique hotel. Bermudian-Mediterranean cuisine. $35-55 USD. One of the most beautiful dinner settings on the island

6

Cooper's Island & Railway Trail

Off-the-beaten-path nature and Bermuda's converted railway walking trail.

Cooper's Island Nature Reserve(2.5 hours)

Former US military base returned to nature. Hiking trails, secluded beaches, and nesting Bermuda longtails (white-tailed tropicbirds). Free entry. Eastern end of St. David's. Rarely crowded

Lunch at Black Horse Tavern(1 hour)

Local legend in St. David's. Bermudian home cooking — fish dinner, mussel pie, and curried conch. $15-25 USD. The kind of place where locals outnumber tourists 10:1

Railway Trail walk (Flatts to Shelly Bay section)(2 hours)

The former Bermuda Railway (1931-1948) has been converted into a walking and biking trail. The Flatts to Shelly Bay stretch has beautiful ocean views and passes through Bermuda's countryside. Free. About 4 km one way

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute(1 hour)

Interactive marine museum in Hamilton. Simulated deep-sea dive and shipwreck exhibits. Entry ~$15 USD

7

Departure from Bermuda

Final morning. Last swim and transfer to BDA airport.

Breakfast at Devil's Isle Café(45 minutes)

Hamilton café. Coffee and pastries. ~$10-12 USD

Last-minute duty-free shopping on Front Street(45 minutes)

No sales tax — Gosling's rum, Bermuda shorts, and Bermuda perfume make good gifts

Transfer to BDA airport(20 minutes)

Taxi from Hamilton ~$35 USD

Travel Tips

Visa & Entry

Entry Requirements

US, UK, EU, and Canadian citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory — not part of the US, UK, or Caribbean customs unions. You need a valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. No vaccination requirements.

transport

No Rental Cars Allowed

Bermuda prohibits tourists from renting cars to control traffic on the tiny island (35 km long). Instead: rent electric scooters/Twizys (~$80-100 USD/day from companies like Current Vehicles), use the excellent public bus system ($5 USD token/ride), or take the pink-and-blue ferries between parishes ($5 USD). Taxis are expensive ($8-10 USD flag drop).

Bus and Ferry Passes

Buy a Bermuda Transportation Pass at the Hamilton bus terminal or airport: 1-day ($19 USD), 3-day ($38), 7-day ($52) for unlimited bus and ferry rides. Individual tokens are $5 each. Buses run frequently (every 15-30 min on main routes) from 6:45AM to 11:15PM. The ferry from Hamilton to Dockyard is scenic and faster than the bus.

Budget

Extremely Expensive Island

Bermuda is one of the world's most expensive destinations. Restaurant dinners $50-100 USD per person, hotel rooms $300-700+ USD/night, a pint of beer $9-12 USD. There is no sales tax but prices include high import duties. Budget tip: grocery stores (MarketPlace) and food trucks offer meals for $12-18 USD.

Bermuda Is NOT in the Caribbean

A common mistake: Bermuda is in the Atlantic Ocean, 1,000 km east of North Carolina, not in the Caribbean. This means it is cooler — water temperatures drop to 18°C in winter. Pack layers November-March. Flights are 2 hours from NYC (JFK, EWR), not the 4+ hours to Caribbean islands.

Local Customs

Fish Chowder Is the National Dish

Every restaurant serves Bermudian fish chowder, traditionally laced with Gosling's Black Seal rum and Outerbridge's sherry pepper sauce (both bottled on-island). Always add both at the table. A bowl costs $8-15 USD. Pair it with a Dark 'n' Stormy (Gosling's Black Seal rum + ginger beer) — Bermuda trademarked the cocktail.

Safety

Scooter Safety

Bermuda drives on the LEFT. The roads are narrow, hilly, and can be slippery when wet. Scooter accidents are the #1 cause of tourist injuries. Wear the provided helmet, drive slowly, and avoid riding at night or in rain. If uncomfortable, stick to buses and ferries — they reach everywhere on the island.

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