Bermuda

Bermuda

Bermuda

Welcome to this tiny country in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. When you think of Bermuda, you probably think “pink beach”. But Bermuda is actually a very interesting place. Bermuda is a self governing British Overseas Territory and has a long and fascinating history, beautiful pink sand beaches, crystal clear water, pretty pastel houses, and businessmen in sport coats and Bermuda shorts. What’s not to love?

Length: 6 days

Transportation: You cannot rent a car on Bermuda – transport options are: a great bus, ferry system, and renting a scooter.

Guide book: Fodor’s Bermuda

Day 1 – Arrival

Day 2 – St George / East End

Day 3 – Hamilton

Day 4 – Royal Navy Dockyard and Bermuda Historical Museum

Day 5 – Somerset Island Walk

  • Bus or ferry to Somerset
  • Somerset Island walk
    • Bermuda Railway Trail
  • Bus to Elbow Beach
  • Lunch and/ or Drinks – Mickeys or Sea Breeze
  • Dinner – Consider a stay at the aforementioned for dinner, otherwise Bermuda Dining
  • Lodging – same place (night 5/5)

Day 6 – Fly Home

  • Bus or cab to the airport
  • Fly home

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival

Depending where you are flying in from you will probably have less than a full day. That’s ok as you are here to relax and enjoy the lovely scenery and beaches. The airport is near St George on the east end of the Island and most lodgings are further west. Grab a cab and head to your resort. The cab will not be cheap (about $40-50 to Hamilton, $60-75 to Cambridge Cottages on the far west end of the Island) but your alternative is the bus with luggage. If you are staying at the beach this is a great day to just hit the beach, go for a swim, have a drink, get a leisurely dinner at your hotel and enjoy the sunset. If you are in a town, you can take this chance to wander some of the fun shops.

For lodging, you have two options: town or beach. Hamilton, while the biggest city, still has charm and easy transit connections. However you’re in Bermuda, so we’d recommend staying on the beach. Generally the notion of stumbling out in the morning or evening for a swim in the warm ocean off of a pink sand beach trumps the convenience of town. Our favorite choice on the beach is Cambridge Beaches. Rosewood Bermuda is probably the most luxurious option. Other options include The Reef, Pompano Beach Club, or Elbow Beach Resort. If you opt to stay in Hamilton, consider Kingston House or Royal Palms Hotel.

Day 2 – St George / East End

St George is the second oldest European colonized town after Jamestown. St George was founded in 1612 a few years after English sailors were shipwrecked on a Bermuda Reef. Shakespeare’s the Tempest was probably based on the story of this exact wreck. St George is a UNESCO world heritage sight and well worth a visit.

To get here it depends where you are staying. Buses are the default transportation on the island and you ought to consider investing in a multi-day bus pass – where you can hop on and off island busses. If you are staying on the east end of the Island (for example at Cambridge beaches) you can also grab a bus to Royal Navy Dockyard (weekdays only) and then catch a 35 minute ferry to St George – getting a lovely tour of the north side of the island. Expect about an hour on the bus to get to St George from Hamilton. For more information on buses see Bermuda Bus Routes. For later in this itinerary for more information on ferries see Bermuda Ferry Routes.

Do a self-guided walking tour of St George or guided tour. Do not miss St. Peter’s church, the oldest Anglican church in continuous use outside the British Isles – in continuous use since 1612.

St. George

While on the east end of the island, head to Tobacco Bay for some great snorkeling (about 11 minute walk from St George, and you can rent equipment on the beach) or to St Catherine Beach below the old fort – where the first shipwreck survivors dragged themselves ashore 400 years ago. You can actually walk from Tobacco Bay to Fort St. Catherine if you want to do both.

Get lunch at Wahoo’s Bistro and Patio which is a local’s place with great fish – grab a place outside overlooking the water.

Bermuda, small island that it is, has some pretty limestone caverns – complete with an underground lake. On the way back from St George stop by Crystal Caves for a visit before heading home.

Very nearby is also a nature reserve – Tom Moore’s jungle (aka Walsingham Nature Reserve as its known by non-locals) with paths leading to a lagoon in the limestone perfect for a swim.

Looking for a sugary pick me up? Hit up Bailey Bay’s Ice Cream Parlor for locally made ice cream or Swizzle Inn for a drink with the island famous Rum Swizzle.

You can grab food at Swizzle Inn for dinner or, if you want a historic upscale experience, head just under a mile away to Tom Moore’s Tavern (reservations needed).

Take a bus back to your lodging.

Day 3 – Hamilton

Hamilton is the business canter and the only “city” on the island (population 854 – no that’s not a typo). To get to town you can opt for ferry, bus or scooter depending on your lodging location and fearlessness with scooter travel. Once there, take either a guided walking tour (10:30 Monday – Friday) starting from steps of city hall or do a self guided one. If rain is in the forecast, Hamilton is a good option on a rainy day. On the tour enjoy Front Street with its pastel shops, Parliament building, art galleries (Bermuda National Gallery, Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery), Bermuda Historical Society Museum, Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, and Victoria Park. None of these sites are blockbusters but they make for an enjoyable stroll and visit. In downtown Hamilton you will see the bus station – your transport hub to all over the island. During the week you are likely to see gentlemen dressed in standard business attire – knee socks, Bermuda shorts, and coats and ties.

Bermuda business attire downtown Hamilton

Grab lunch at Devils Isle Cafe or Pearl

Enjoy ships in the harbor and consider the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (shipwreck artifacts, simulated dive / shark cage).

Since you’re nearby, it’s a good opportunity to visit one of the beautiful south shore beaches. Grab bus 7 from the hospital near the gardens and take it to Warwick Long Bay Beach / Horseshoe Bay. This long gorgeous beach has a lifeguard but is also part of a beach park. By walking along to the east you can escape the cruise boat crowds and likely find a spot nearly to yourself. But even if you opt not to walk its a lovely beach.

Horseshoe Bay

If you’re a fan of lighthouses, here’s your chance. You can take a quick 4 minute ride to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and get the best bird’s eye view of the island.

If you want to skip the beach (or it’s raining), you can opt for an upscale tea instead at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

When sufficiently beached out, either grab dinner in Hamilton at Bolero Brasserie or see our Dining in Bermuda for other options.

Bus or ferry back to your lodging.

Day 4 – Royal Navy Dockyard and Bermuda National Museum

Today is Bermuda history day. Start by heading out to the Royal Navy Dockyard. Depending on where you are staying it may be more convenient to ferry than bus (it’s a long bus ride from Hamilton or a short ferry ride). Dockyard is where the cruise ships come in. Royal Navy Dockyard is home to the fantastic National Museum of Bermuda. Be sure and visits the information about the WW2 code breakers stationed here and the capture of the Enigma code machine from a Nazi submarine, as well as shipwreck artifacts and other fascinating tidbits of Bermuda’s history. On the grounds of the museum is a Dolphin Quest – where you can visit – and even swim with dolphins if so inclined (and willing to part with a whole lot of money). We don’t typically encourage or even mention animal encounters due to concerns over animal welfare, however this site is Humane Certified by American Humane and does a lot of education and conservation work. There’s also a lot of arts and crafts shops in the complex like the Dockyard Glassworks & Bermuda Rum Cake Company (remember reading about all those cruises docking and their passengers who need stuff to buy?).

Cruise ships at Royal Navy Dockyard

For grabbing a great lunch, head to the Frog and Onion Pub. If you find yourself fighting too many cruise passengers, consider heading off before lunch and grabbing food elsewhere.

Bermuda National Museum

After lunch take a boat tour for snorkeling or head off to Church bay where there’s great snorkeling right off the beach. You can also opt for an afternoon scuba dive with Blue Water Divers. Though if you’re a serious diver you may want to add additional days onto this trip to do more.

Bus or ferry home.

For dinner, select an option from Dining in Bermuda.

Day 5 – Somerset Island Walk

Bermuda is actually a series of islands connected mostly by bridges. Start your exploration of Somerset at the worlds smallest drawbridge – Somerset bridge. You can get here on the bus or via ferry from Hamilton. The drawbridge is just wide enough to accommodate the mast of a sailboat. There’s an 18 inch gap between two spans that needs to be removed by hand. The bridge was built in 1620. To get through, a boat needs an appointment or help from a kind passer-by.

Somerset bridge

From here walk a couple hundred feet up the road to the Bermuda railway trail. This trail was once the Bermuda Railway (“old shake rattle and roll”) which operated until 1948. The old railroad grade now is a trail that runs most of the country and can be hiked, biked, or horseback ridden. You can get a brochure at the TI. The whole thing runs about 18 miles all the way to St George. The trail passes through the parkland at Ft Scaur. This fort was built on the highest point in Bermuda in the 1870’s to protect against an American attack that never came. You can wander down to the great sound for good swimming. From here continue north to Sound View road passing some lovely houses to Cavallo Bay where the ferry from Hamilton arrives. Follow East Shore Road west to Somerset Village.

Near Somerset Village

From here head to Somerset Long Bay Park which offers a good beach, picnicking, and the large pond attracts migrating birds. You can head 15 minutes over and explore nearby Daniel Head Park with 9 little beaches and decent snorkeling.

To get back to where you started follow West Side road to Somerset Road to Somerset Bridge. Or just grab a bus at Somerset Village. Total walk is about 2 hours (1 1/2 hours to Somerset Village, Map)

Depending on your time / preferences this might be a good afternoon to visit another beach. Consider Elbow Beach if you’ve not been there yet. There’s plenty of amenities here including Micky’s Bistro or the Sea Breeze lounge for tapas style small plates which can make for the perfect dinner.

Day 6 – Home

Unfortunately all good vacations seem to end. If you have time on your last day grab a last jump in the ocean – otherwise cab back to the airport for your trip home.

There are a many other things to see if you end up with more time

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