As a globetrotter, I seldom visit a place more than once. However, Bermuda is one of the places that I would love to visit again, during a different season if possible. Even though being a British island territory, Bermuda is a blend of British and American culture, especially in the capital city of Hamilton. Known for its pink-sand beaches with turquoise water, Bermuda has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
Best time to visit
Often mistaken to be part of the Caribbean, Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 900 miles north of the Caribbean sea. Therefore, although the weather is nice year-around, the best months to visit are from June to September. With subtropical climate, the weather does get cooler in the Winter. We visited during the U.S. Thanksgiving, which is at the end of the hurricane season. Temperature during our stay was in the lower 60s Fahrenheit, so the water temperature was said to average around 65F, but it felt colder for us. Some people in our group braved the weather and swam. Personally, I stood in the water with water up to my waist (in bathing suit) for about 15 minutes, hoping my body would be adjusted to the temperature, but it never did! I live in a warm place, so I’m not very used to cold weather anyway, so perhaps I’m not the best person to comment. But I hope my experience gives you an idea of what it is like to visit Bermuda at the end of November. The time from mid-November to March is considered to be the off-peak period for Bermuda, so the airfare and accommodations should be cheaper than other months, but do keep in mind that you may not be able to swim in the ocean if visiting during this period.
If you would still like to be in the water during cooler months for swimming, snorkeling or diving, then I recommend that you invest in wetsuits. We brought wetsuits to battle the cold water. Note that wetsuits are meant to be worn fitted/tight to keep you warm, so consider this when choosing the size. A few to consider:
Where to stay?
Which part of Bermuda should your base be depends on what kind vibe you’re aiming for.
- St. George’s is the oldest English settlement in the Western Hemisphere, filled with old-world charms. Nearby beach is the picturesque Tobacco Bay to the north.
- Southampton is on the western edge of the island, hence is a great place to relax with spectacular sunset views. It is one of the top resort neighborhoods with big-name hotels like the Fairmont Southampton, which has hosted American presidents and British royalty in its time. Nearby beach is none other than the iconic Horseshoe Bay.
- Hamilton is the bustling capital of Bermuda. The famous Front Street along the harbor features pastel colonial buildings and high-end shops. The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity offers great city views from the tower. There’s also an Underwater Exploration Institute, Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.
- North Shore Village is where you’ll get a more local feel. It’s less busy than Hamilton, but still near enough to the capital.
- Hog Bay is a great base if your main activities include hiking. The Hog Bay Park has great hiking and biking tracks that lead to rocky coves.
Accommodation
If budget isn’t your concern, then there are many beautiful beach-front hotels and resorts to consider, even those offering all-inclusive packages. Or if you’d like a more homestay feel, then there are plenty of options on Airbnb, Homeaway or Vrbo.
Even though we visited during the off-peak period, hotel prices were still too high for our large group. So, we decided to rent a house for more privacy and freedom (where we can gather in large groups or have the kids roam around without disturbing other guests), while also be able to save money from eating out all the time.
We rented a beautiful historical home on top of a hill with a pool, that provided panoramic views across the Hamilton Harbor and the Great Sound. Although the house is no longer available for renting, I thought it’d be interesting to share with you the house that showcases the beauty of Bermudian architecture.
Such a beautiful island, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the hotel or house rental options. The hotels/resorts provide amenities and services that the rental homes lack. Rental homes, on the other hand, provide more space and privacy. Pick one that meets your needs, in a location nearest to your planned activities, and of course fits your budget!
Currency/Fares/Costs
The official currency is the Bermuda Dollar, which is equivalent to the U.S. Dollar. On the island, both the Bermuda and U.S. Dollar are accepted. However, when dispensing change, retailers may not always have U.S. Dollar to provide.
We consider ourselves as budget travelers, so we manage to find ways to cut costs where and when we can. However, it was not easy to travel on a budget in Bermuda. So, if you’re on a tight budget, then I wouldn’t recommend visiting Bermuda. In a recent global survey of the cost of living, which based on factors such as housing, transportation and every essentials, Bermuda was ranked as the most expensive place to live in the world! But if you were to ask me if it is still worth it to visit Bermuda, although with such high prices. It’s a definite YES!
For services such as restaurants, if the service charge has not been included on the bill, then it is customary to add 20% of gratuity.
Shopping
Since Bermuda is such an expensive country, shopping sprees are not recommended, except of course for souvenirs. There is no VAT/sales tax in Bermuda, so that’s one advantage.
If you do shop, please note that on Sundays and national public holidays, some shops, businesses and restaurants are closed.
Transportation
There are many ways to get around Bermuda, including electric car rental, scooter rental, taxis, buses and ferries. There is no Uber or Lyft.
Download the Government of Bermuda’s new Shorelink app to get your bus and ferry tokens, tickets and passes online. Note that the bus and ferry schedules are also limited on Sundays and national public holidays. Refer to the bus routes schedule on the Government of Bermuda’s website.
If you want to explore the island on a moped, then rentals can be made from these popular companies: Scooter Mart, Elbow Beach Cycles or Smatts Cycles.
Seeing Bermuda from a different vantage point by using the ferry! The ferry schedule changes per season (obviously more rides are scheduled during the Summer), so be sure to check before you plan your itinerary.
Since we had such a large group, it was more economical for us to use a car hire (very large van/shuttle). You can get a driver referral from your hotel or Airbnb host, then keep the driver’s contact if you’re satisfied with his/her service so you can use the same person for the entire trip.
Language
As a British island territory, English is the official language used in Bermuda. To be specific, it’s Bermudian English, which exhibits characteristics of English as spoken on the Atlantic Seaboard of the U.S., in the Canadian Maritimes, southern England, and parts of the British West Indies. Additionally, Portuguese is widely spoken among the large Portuguese community here (comprising approximately 20-25% of Bermuda’s population).
Attractions
Beaches – As noted, Bermuda has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so this is the most popular reason for tourists to flock over to this part of the world. There’s a beach for every activity, be it swimming and sunbathing, snorkeling, yachting, or rocky coves for hiking. I will share in detail about the most beautiful beaches that we visited on the island, in another post.
The town of St. George is considered to be the most beautiful town in Bermuda.
- St. Peter’s Church is the oldest Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere. The church was built in 1619 by the survivors of a shipwreck who made their home on the island.
- Near King’s Square (Town Square) is where you find the colorful buildings. Why are they so colorful? It’s told that Bermuda’s distinctive color palette began in the 17th century when the early settlers were challenged with building shelters from unfamiliar materials for a climate that was quite different from that of their homelands. The originals structures were constructed of indigenous materials including Bermuda Cedar, stone, lime and palmetto. Lime was mixed with water to make whitewash which was often tinted with color before being applied to the exterior of buildings.
Fort St. Catherine is the most impressive fort in Bermuda. It is set on a hilltop overlooking the spot where English settlers first crashed upon Bermuda’s shores. The fort requires a ticket and opens from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Check for updated information when you visit.
Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital city, is a harbor town with a blend of the old and new. It’s filled with history, cultures and nature. It’s home to government buildings, museums, galleries and gardens. If you like dining, shopping and nightlife, this is the place to be.
- Unfinished Church was originally built as a replacement to St. Peter’s church which was damaged by a storm. However, due to disagreements between the parishioners, the church was never finished. It only has the shell of walls with no roof, and offers a stunning backdrop for photographers and is a popular spot for to hold weddings.
- The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo are good places to visit if you travel with kids. The aquarium mimics the local reef system. The zoo features animals found in island ecosystems around the world. There are a few visit-worthy museums such as Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute or the Tucker House.
Royal Naval Dockyard is the most visited site in Bermuda. It was built in 1795 as a result of Britain’s loss of the American colonies, served as a strategic naval base for the British Navy from the Revolutionary War in the U.S. through the Cold War. Today, it houses the National Museum of Bermuda and also other fun activities (such as family golf), shops and eateries. You can plan your day here according to the events being hosted here.
(photo from Google)
Award Winning Golf Courses – Bermuda has the highest concentration of golf courses per square mile anywhere in the world. Most noticeably is the Port Royal Golf Course, where the PGA event Butterfield Bermuda Championship takes place. Bermuda is a golfer’s paradise with ideal weather, dramatic oceanfront fairways and many course options to choose from, including a family-friend course, Bermuda Fun Golf. It features 18 holes inspired by some of the most famous holes from Bermuda, the U.S., and Scotland.
The Crystal Caves of Bermuda is considered to be a hidden gem, featuring Ice Age-era caves where you’ll descend about 120 feet below the ground. The spaces that lead to the caverns are tight, so not recommended for those who are claustrophobic. Reservations are recommended for guided tours, but walk-ins are also available during peak season.
(Photo from Google)
Blue Water Divers – If diving is your cup of tea, then Bermuda is a great place to explore the world under the sea. Known as the shipwreck capital of the Atlantic (estimated of about 300 wrecks along the reef surrounding the island), then Blue Water Divers center can guide you to the best dive sites.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse provides a panoramic view of the entire island and beyond, if you can walk up the 185 steps to the top. At the base of the lighthouse, there’s a restaurant that serves sandwiches, salads and pizzas.
It’s hard to write about an entire island in one article, but I hope I’ve given you a few suggestions to build your itinerary. With numerous beaches on which to wiggle your toes in the sand, colorful quaint towns filled with history, Bermuda is truly a slice of paradise!
Note: Some of the photos used in this article were captured by Duc Tran, who traveled with us to Bermuda.
Making Memories 
Leave a comment