About Bermuda
So you are heading to Bermuda. Bermuda which is often thought of as Caribbean is a much more northern island located about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina. It has a unique blend of American and British culture. It is a British Overseas Territory. Check out some of these tips below for planning your itinerary. There are so many amazing things to do on this little island.
Parishes
Bermuda is 21 miles long and is divided into nine parishes. Each parish has its own unique offerings and attractions. You can easily travel between all of these by bus or taxi.
How to get to Bermuda
The two most common ways to come to the Bermuda are via plane to or via cruise. All international flights arrive through the L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) located in the Parish of St. George’s. When arriving by plane you will have to clear customs. Currently no visa is required for USA, Canada and the UK. Cruises can stop at one of the three main ports: St. George’s, Royal Dockyard and for smaller ship Hamilton.
Top things to do in Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay Beach
This beach is famous for its iconic pink sand and its crystal clear turquoise waters. It is great for swimming and sunbathing. You can get some pretty incredible pictures here. It is definitely a must do in Bermuda.
Enjoy the food and drink
Bermuda has some top notch dining options. It is a little on pricey side. Seafood is a stapple here and you should try fish chowder, spiny lobster, codfish cakes, mussel pie and more. Rum is a huge part of Bermuda so trying the rum cake and the infamous rum swizzel are a must.
Tour the Royal Naval Dockyard
This area is great to explore if stopping on a cruise or for a day trip from another part of the island. This former military base, is packed with history, shops, restaurants and has the National Museum of Bermuda.
Go Snorkeling or diving
There is some incredible snorkeling in Bermuda. Tobacco Bay has calm shallow waters and great snorkeling. There are great coral reefs and some sunken ships that are great for snorkeling and diving adventures.
Check out Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse gives incredible panoramic views of Bermuda. It is one of the oldest cast iron lighthouses in the world. It was built in 1846 and has 185 steps to the top. The lighthouse and its gift shop are open 10AM-4PM and tickets cost $2.50.
Caves
Visiting the Crystal and Fantasy Caves in the Hamilton Parish is a surreal experience. You get to be underground with dramatic stalactites, chambers and crystal clear pools. Reservations are recommended but not required. The caves are open from 9AM-5PM. You can visit one cave or do a combination ticket. There are about 88 steps down into the cave.
Watch the sunset
Catching the sunset in Bermuda is idyllic. You can do a sunset cruise or just take it in from the beach. Wherever you catch it, it doesn’t hurt to have a rum swizzle in hand!
Hamilton
Hamilton is the capital and largest city of Bermuda and has some great charm. There are tons of shops and restaurants. Front street is known for its pastel-colored colonial buildings. Here you can also check out the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.
St. George’s
St. George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and historical reenactments. Here you can find St. Peter’s Church which is the oldest Anglican Church outside of the British Isles.
Top Tips for Packing for Bermuda
Absolute musts beyond the essentials include swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, snorkels, waterproof camera or waterproof phone case, hat and sandals. You must also bring cash USD- new bills for tips so I recommend small bills. The Bermudan Dollar is the same value as the USD.
Top Tips for Bermuda
You are going to absolutely love Bermuda! Whether it is for a quick trip or for over a week there is so much to do and enjoy. Check out my ultimate guide HERE! Hope this inspires you to visit!
I hope you enjoy your trip to Bermuda. I hope this helps you prepare for your trip.
