Best of Bermuda: 18 Can’t Miss Experiences
Bermuda is an island in the Atlantic Ocean known for its gorgeous beaches and pastel buildings. I recently took a trip to Bermuda and I am already ready to go back. It’s hard not to fall in love with this welcoming, relaxed, and stunning island.
There are so many ways to enjoy your time in Bermuda. In this post, I am going to cover the 18 best of Bermuda experiences that you can’t miss. Ready to get started? Grab your sunscreen and let’s go!
1. Swim at Blue Hole Park
Blue Hole Park is a secluded 12-acre park in Tom Moore’s Jungle. Here you will find a gorgeous swimming hole which gives the park its name. When you reach Blue Hole, you can cliff jump or wade your way into the crystal clear waters. If you have snorkel gear, spend some time admiring the colorful fish beneath you. But, the water is so clear you will be able to see some fish without any goggles.
Blue Hole was my favorite part of my trip to Bermuda. There were only a few other people when I visited, so I felt like my husband and I had the water to ourselves. We spent some time swimming and enjoying the lush mangrove forest around us.
2. Try a Rum Swizzle
Rum Swizzle cocktails are one of Bermuda’s national drinks. Although the exact origins are unclear, the drink is most associated with Bermuda’s Swizzle Inn. This is the island’s oldest pub and it first sold rum swizzles in 1932. Conveniently, the Swizzle Inn is located very close to the entrance of Blue Hole Park.
Rum Swizzles are made with black rum, gold rum, lemon juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, Bermuda falernum, and Angostura Bitters. Orange slices and a cherry often garnish the drink. You can try one at almost any bar or restaurant in Bermuda.
3. Sunbathe at Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay is Bermuda’s most popular beach. The pink sand attracts many visitors to the island. The water is crystal clear and there are many places where you can swim or snorkel. Or, find a spot to sunbathe. Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent or just bring your own beach towel.
Once you reach the beach, head left. Most people congregate at the very entrance of the beach. But if you keep going you will find some more secluded patches. If you keep going past the cliffs you will be treated to some gorgeous photo opportunities and less crowded sunbathing spots.
4. Tour the Crystal Caves
The Crystal Caves are one of the two dramatic cave systems in Bermuda. Daily tours are available that take you down into the cool cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites. You can walk on a floating bridge and admire the impressive limestone feature around you.
Combination tickets are available for both the Crystal and Fantasy Caves. I only toured the Crystal Caves and this was perfect. The tour lasted about 45 minutes and gave me plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy being in the unique geological structure.
5. Ride a Ferry
One of the best ways to get around Bermuda is by ferry. You can use a transportation ticket, token, or day pass to pay for your ferry ride. All ferries leave from the Hamilton ferry terminal and head to a variety of destinations around the island. Check the schedule and routes here.
Besides being a convenient mode of transportation, ferries provide incredible views of the island. I took the ferry from Hamilton to the Dockyards (and back) and loved the view of the blue water, green hills, and pastel houses. This is a cheap way to spend some time on the water without having to book a boat tour.
6. Visit Front Street
Front Street is Hamilton’s waterfront street that is lined with colorful buildings. Here you will find a variety of restaurants and shops. Simply stroll along Front Street or find a restaurant with an outdoor terrace. The Pickled Onion, The Terrace on Front Street, and Birdcage are all great options. Spend your time enjoying a leisurely meal or drink and soaking in the colorful sites all around you.
Plus, you can see the Hamilton Ferry Terminal from many of the outdoor terraces. This is a great place to wait on the ferries, which often only run once an hour.
7. Bike or Hike the Railway Trail
Bermuda’s 18-mile Railway Trail follows the path the island’s railroad traveled from 1931-1948. Today this trail is divided in 9 sections which you can use for biking or hiking. Along the way you will be treated to views of the ocean, hidden coves, and beautiful flowers.
Since the trail isn’t continuous, you need to walk along parts of the trafficked road to reach another part of the Railway Trail. For more information about the route, check out this website or stop by one of the Visitor’s Centers on the island.
8. Admire the Sunset
Sunsets in Bermuda are stunning. As I watched the sunset multiple times on the island I realized where the inspiration came from for the pastel-colored buildings. There are many great places to photograph and enjoy the sunset. In Hamilton, you can’t beat the views from Front Street or the Hamilton Princess courtyard.
9. Eat Wahoo
Wahoo is a tropical fish commonly found in the waters surrounding Bermuda. Many of the restaurants serve a variety of wahoo dishes. Try a wahoo sandwich, wahoo sliders, or even wahoo nuggets. You really can’t go wrong with this local delicacy. Plus, this fish pairs very well with rum swizzles.
In St. George’s, Wahoo’s Bistro and Patio is the place to try this fish. Or, if you are in Hamilton, stop by The Pickled Onion for some delicious wahoo sliders. This was one of my favorite meals I had on the island.
10. Sip a Dark n’ Stormy
Bermuda’s other national drink is made with dark rum and ginger beer. The Bermudan rum company Gosling Brothers claims the Dark n’ Stormy was first invented just after WWI. Of the two national drinks I preferred the Rum Swizzle, but when in Bermuda you have to try both, right?
11. Explore the Royal Naval Dockyard
Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyards served as an important base for the British navy for more than 150 years. You can still see many historic buildings scattered around the island’s west end. Today this area serves as Bermuda’s main cruise ship port. Here you will find plenty of shopping an dining opportunities in the Clocktower Mall. The Frog and Onion (a sister restaurant of the Pickled Onion) is a favorite in this area.
Snorkel Park Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling, but be aware the beach charges a $5 cover charge. The nearby Fun Golf is a great mini golf course with incredible ocean views. Each hole was modeled after a famous course in Bermuda, Scotland, and America.
12. Learn about Bermuda’s History
Bermuda has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 1500s. The National Museum of Bermuda features exhibits that explain the island’s past. This museum is located in a large fort and there are many spots where you can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean.
As you explore the museum you will see artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the Venture’s fateful shipwreck that ultimately led to Bermuda’s first settlement. Throughout it’s history, Bermuda also served as a penal colony and has also been a popular tourist destination for hundreds of years.
13. Stroll the Streets of St. George’s
St.George’s was Bermuda’s original capital and the site of the island’s first settlement. Many of the island’s oldest buildings are found along this town’s brick streets. St. George’s is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow this self-guided walking tour to learn more about the colorful buildings you will pass in this town.
14. Snorkel at Tobacco Bay
While visiting St. George’s, don’t miss the beautiful Tobacco Bay Beach. This beach was named for the wild tobacco that once grew around the area. Today, this beautiful cove is one of Bermuda’s most famous beaches. The shallow waters make it a perfect spot to swim or snorkel. Or, you can rent paddle boards and kayaks from the beachfront kiosk.
15. See the Unfinished Church
The dramatic ruins of the Unfinished Church are an interesting and eerie site in St. George’s. Construction of this church started in 1874 and it was intended to replace the damaged St. Peter’s Church. Due to funding issues and problems within the local parish, the church was never completed. The roof was installed in 1897, which was the last construction ever conducted on the church. Since the church was abandoned and unfinished, it was vulnerable to weather. In 1926, a hurricane badly damaged the still unfinished church.
16. Stop by Fort St. Catherine
Fort St. Catherine is Bermuda’s largest fort. This 1614 fort is located at the end of St. George’s. You can pay to explore the fort or just admire the structure from the outside.
Nearby you will also find St. Catherine’s Beach. This beautiful beach features the clear waters and clean sand the island is known for. This was one of my favorite beaches on the island. I visited just after 5 pm on a Friday and there were less than 10 other people on the beach.
17. Dine at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
There are plenty of swanky resorts on Bermuda. While I didn’t stay at a resort, I still wanted to check one out. The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is a large pink resort located just past the main shopping strip of Front Street. Even if you are not a resort guest, you can walk around the resort’s ground and enjoy the art throughout the hotel. There are pieces by Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, and other famous contemporary artists.
Plus, there are some great eateries at this hotel. I dined at Marcus’ and the Crown and Anchor. Both had incredible waterfront views. If you just want a drink, sit in the courtyard and enjoy a delicious Rum Swizzle from the Crown and Anchor bar. I watched the sunset from this spot on my last night and it was a great way to end my trip.
18. Take a Picture with the Pastel Buildings
All around the island you will see beautiful pastel buildings. Pink, yellow, blue, green, and orange homes with white roofs dot the hillsides of Bermuda. These limestone buildings protect the locals from harsh weather conditions.
The buildings’ colors reflect the positive outlook on life most Bermudan’s share. Of course, be respectful when choosing a spot to take a picture. There are plenty of colorful buildings in the commercial areas of Hamilton and St. George’s so you don’t have to try to take a picture in front of someone’s home.
I hope you enjoyed my list of the 18 best of Bermuda sites. Have you visited this colorful island? What was your favorite part?
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