The Best Things to in Bermuda in 2020
Bermuda is open for business!
Upon hearing that the Government of Bermuda introduced the Work from Bermuda Certificate for businesses and students to work and live in Bermuda for a year, we realized that we never wrote much about our time in Bermuda except for our experience at America’s Cup.
But there are so many things to do in Bermuda, we felt that we should share more with you!
Bermuda is only a 2-hour flight from New York, 3-hours from Toronto, and less than 7 hours from London England, making it an ideal beach vacation for everyone!
Often mistaken for a Caribbean vacation destination, Bermuda is actually located in the North Atlantic Ocean, but thanks to the Gulf Stream, it stays pretty temperate throughout the year.
With its colonial past, restaurants, and museums, there are plenty of things to see and do, even when the temperature dips to around 60 degrees.
Best Things to do in Bermuda
Here are some Bermuda travel ideas to help you plan your trip, or maybe even entice you to move to the island for a year to live and work in paradise.
Getting Around Bermuda
Click here for your link of things to do in Bermuda Map
Rent a Scooter to Explore the Island
When visiting Bermuda, we loved having the freedom of renting motor scooter to explore every corner of the island.
The roads are safe and well maintained and by purchasing insurance at an extra $15 per day, we felt secure knowing should anything happen we’d be covered.
This was hands down a great way to explore Bermuda.
There are no regular car rentals in Bermuda but you can now rent mini electric cars to scoot around the island.
Take a Jet Ski Tour from South Hampton
A Jet Ski Tour takes you all around the harbour and outer island to see places in Bermuda that you might not get to visit.
This is a very cool way to see Bermuda’s multimillion dollar mansions, the H.M.S. Vixen shipwreck, and to feed the fish that love flocking to the jet skis for little bits of bread.
When you are on a jet ski, you really get to see the beauty of Bermuda’s turquoise waters.
Somerset Bridge
While on our jet ski tour we passed the smallest working drawbridge in the world. Somerset Bridge is a fun attraction in Bermuda connecting Somerset Island with the main island.
Dating back to 1620, the bridge is such a symbol of Bermuda, it is featured on the Bermuda dollar. Operated by hand, the tiny 32 inch gap is just enough to allow a sailboat’s mast to go through.
Bermuda’s Pink Sand Beaches
One ot the top things to see in Bermuda are its beaches.
There are so many of them that it is a good idea to get in your electric car or scooter and discover them.
But there are some beaches that are more famous than others.
Here are a few to get you started.
Horseshoe Bay Beach
One of Bermuda’s top attractions is Horseshoe Bay Beach.
Named so because of its horseshoe shape, Horseshoe Bay offers a blend of turquoise waters and soft pink sand made up of crushed coral and calcium carbonate.
While on the beach you can rent everything from towels, chairs and umbrellas to stand up paddle boards, and boogie boards.
Elbow Beach
Located just outside the city of Hamilton, Elbow Beach is a very popular beach due to the fact that three different resorts are on it. And with good reason.
Elbow Beach has a coral reef right off shore that is great for snorkelling. There is also a shipwreck just 100 metres of shore and you can join a guided snorkelling or kayaking tour to see it.
Warwick Long Bay
Warwick Long Bay is Bermuda’s longest beach at a half a mile. With trees, long grass and sand dunes lining the coast, it’s one of Bermuda’s most picturesque beaches.
Tobacco Bay Beach
Tobacco Bay Beach is a lovely small beach with limestone rock formations reaching 25 feet high offering shelter. There’s a beach bar here, and there’s great snorkelling.
It’s located near Saint George’s.
John Smith Bay
Another beautiful pink sand beach, John Smith Bay was named after Captain John Smith. Snorkeling is located right offshore, and it is a popular spot for diving. Especially night diving.
Saint George’s
Explore Saint George’s
Saint George is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is the oldest continuously-inhabited English settlement in the Western Hemisphere.
With Colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, it is a beautiful place to explore.
Even though it is located on the island’s eastern tip, it isn’t far away. Nowhere is far in Bermuda.
The narrow lanes take you back in time to the 18th century where the old merchant houses have been well-preserved.
Start your walking tour at the World Heritage Centre which was home to an old IS. Civil WAr warehouse.
Tour a Tall Ship
One of the most popular attractions in Saint George is the life-size replica of “Deliverance” a 17th-century ship that was built by the survivors of the shipwreck, Sea Venture.
The Deliverance is known as the ship that saved America” as it brought supplies to the colony at Jamestown, Virginia in 1610.
Unfinished Church
One of the most striking scenes on the island that we visited was the unfinished church of Saint George.
One can only imagine how beautiful this Gothic church would be if it were completed, but due to many problems over the years, it was never done. And that is what gives it its charm.
Due to funding problems and hurricaines, it was never completed, but visitors can explore the ruins for free.
Saint Peter’s Church
Dating back to 1612. Saint Peter’s Church is the oldest continuously running Anglican church outside of Britain.
Hamilton, Bermuda
Named after a Governor of Bermuda Sir Henry Hamilton in 1788, Hamilton has a cosmopolitan flair that is Instagram ready.
The sea express ferry service is a great way to get to Hamilton from different parts of the island. Our hotel, the Fairmont Southhampton offered free ferry service to Hamilton.
There are a lot of things to do in Hamilton, Bermuda so be sure to give it some time
Front Street
Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda and the colourful colonial buildings of Front Street are must visit when on the island.
Grab an iced latte and stroll along the waterfront shopping for trinkets to take home.
Sea Glass Beach
Black Bay and Sea Glass Beach in Hamilton are unique beach fronts where colourful sea glass has washed up upon the shore. Due to a glass making factory that was once located here, the waste was dumped into the sea and it has since spit it back out creating a glassy waterfront.
Taking glass from the beach is illegal.
Cathedral fo the Most Holy Trinity
Cathedral fo the Most Holy Trinity aka, Bermuda Cathedral is worth visiting to the 155-step tower for views of Hamilton Harbour.
Walsingham Nature Reserve
Located in Hamilton Parish, the Walsingham Nature Reserve is known by the locals as Tom Moores Jungle. It is here that you’ll find many grottos and caves of Bermuda.
The Crystal and Fantasy Caves
Everyone loves exploring caves, and touring the Crystal & Fantasy Caves makes for a great trip. With azure blue underground pools and crystal chandelier clusters, these caves are beautiful.
You can take a guided tour of both caves with floating pathways spanning clear blue lakes with crystallized soda straws hanging overhead.
Each cave is a different experience, but you’ll miss nothing as they both have great lighting.
One very cool story we learned was how the Crystal Cave was discovered by two young boys searching for a lost cricket ball in 1905. Can you imagine how excited they were?
Blue Hole Park
Outdoor lovers will enjoy exploring Blue Hole Park’s caves and grottos. The Blue Hole is a popular swimming spot with a deep pool surrounded by mangrove trees.
The Blue Hole isn’t the only grotto though, there’s also Castle Grotto, Walsingham, Subway, Deep Blue, Vine and Fern Sink.
Glass Bottom Kayaking
Bermuda is filled with watersports opportunities, and one of our favorite ways to explore any coast is to go kayaking.
There are guided tours around the island and Bermuda offers unique experiences with glass bottom kayaks to showcase its crystal clear waters. You can easily book a trip with your hotel concierge.
Different tours offer eco-adventures for marine life watching to see the HMS Vixen shipwreck, or a paddle through Whalebone Bay to Walsingham Nature Reserve & Blue Hole Park where you’ll explore a 12 acre nature preserve.
Whale Watching
In March and April, humpback whales migrate through Bermuda. Whale watching tours are offered during this time to catch views of the 10,000 whales making their way north to the Arctic Circle.
When we visited Bermuda, we spent a lot of time at the royal Naval Dockyard since we were there for America’s Cup.
Once known as the symbol of British military power, it has been transformed today to a popular tourist destination and home to cruise ships.
There’s the clocktower shopping mall built at the historic 18th-century clocktower, the National Museum of Bermuda, The Royal Navy Cemetery, and a replica of a Royal Navy sloop-of-war. A three-masted warship used during the 18th century.
Fort Saint Catherine
Fort Saint Catherine can be toured to learn about military past of Bermuda. It was the stronghold of the British Empire from the 1600s to the 20th century.
Tours are available and there are many tunnels and towers to explore in Bermuda’s largest fort.
Watch the Sunset from Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
While in the area, head out to Gibbs Hill for dinner at Bermuda’s highest point. The 185 step spiral staircase takes you up a 117-foot lighthouse for the best view of the island.
The Dining Room restaurant offers delicious Italian cuisine with a spectacular outdoor setting.
Traditional Afternoon Tea
The British influence cannot be denied in Bermuda, and they even have high tea to prove it. Take a break from the sunshine at the Crown & Anchor ainthe Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.
Cycle the Railway Trail
The Great Canadian Trans Railway Trail is popular here in Canada, and Bermuda has its own rail trail. Albeit a few thousand km shorter. The 18 mile rail trail takes you to beaches and beautiful ocean views.
The railway was in operation from 1931 to 1948 from Saint George to Somerset. In 1986, it was transformed into hiking and cycling trails.
Where to Stay in Bermuda
There are plenty of vacation rentals and lurxurious accommodation options on Bermuda.
Fairmont Southhampton.
This is where we stayed in Bermuda. Located on the South Shore. The Southhampton has a private beach club located directly beside the Famous Horseshoe Bay Beach.
The Fairmont Dock on Southshore Road in Southhampton offers complimentary ferry services to the capital city of Hamilton.
Waterlot Inn
The Waterlot Inn is a steakhouse dating back 350 years. Its historic buildings were used by seafarers for storage of cargo. When you enter, it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time to a waterfront cottage of the 1600s.
For more information on traveling to Bermuda during COVID and working from Bermuda see our post: Bermuda is open for business and Tourists – Spend a Year in Paradise
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