Making Memories

Unlike the urban legends and spooky tales you may hear about the Bermuda Triangle, Bermuda is a beautiful island that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Of course, there are many things to do in Bermuda, but the most common reason to visit Bermuda is its beautiful beaches. It is estimated there are about 300 beaches in Bermuda. In this article, I want to highlight some of the most visit-worthy beaches.

Iconic Beaches

Horseshoe Bay

Named for its curved shape, it is the most recognized beach in Bermuda. It is known for its signature pink sand, turquoise water and natural limestone cliffs. At the west end of the beach, there are lots of sea stacks that create a natural pool, perfect for swimming.

The beach is especially crowded during the summer months. From May to October, there are lifeguards on duty (there were none during my visit since it was during the cold month, so very few people would brave the cold temperatures.) Also during warmer seasons, there are other activities like beach volleyball; sometimes there are competitions as well. You’ll also find rentals, from umbrellas to beach chairs, towels, snorkeling gear, boogie boards and paddle boards. Available amenities include public restrooms and foot showers.

There is a beachside cafe serving the usuals such as burgers or fish and chips. This was the only eatery opened during our visit in November. However, there are other restaurants, bars, entertainment joints and gift shops that open during warmer months.

There are many beaches in Bermuda, but Horseshoe Bay remains our most favorite beach. We visited this beach more than once during our stay, even though most of us couldn’t swim in it due to the cold temperature.

Tobacco Bay

My next favorite beach in Bermuda would be the picturesque Tobacco Bay. How did the bay get its name? It was told that after the Sea Venture wrecked on the reefs in 1609, a group of castaways started to explore the area, and found a beach with tobacco growing wild in the surrounding area. Not just a scenic beach, the bay is a testament to the island’s rich colonial history, where the beach was the backdrop to the 1775 Gunpowder Plot where locals helped American revolutionaries steal a supply of British gunpowder from the Town of St. George.

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. George’s, Tobacco Bay is a top snorkeling spot. The bay’s unusual limestone rock formations make it a great haven for marine life. Its shallow and waveless waters are safe for any level of enthusiasts eager to view the colorful world under the sea.

There are beach rentals for snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and kiddie floats. There is a restaurant and bar serving sandwiches, wings and more. During summer months, there are live music performances by the bonfire on the beach.

Tobacco Bay is accessible by foot from the town center (about a 15-minute walk). There are no public busses that run directly to the bay, but there are car hires, taxi service, scooter or microcar rentals.

Beaches for snorkeling

Besides Tobacco Bay, as noted above as the top snorkeling spot, these 2 other beaches are among the favorites for snorkelers:

• John Smith Bay: the short swim from the shore to the reef, making this beach an ideal spot for snorkeling. There are lifeguards in the summer months. There’s parking, bathrooms, showers. There are seasonal snack concessions as well.
• Church Bay Beach: A place to escape the crowds on the South Shore, where you can swim out to a reef and see parrotfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, and more. There’s also a hill above the beach with views of the bay.

Beaches for swimming and sunbathing

Horseshoe Bay is a public beach that is free; there is no admission fee. It also offers convenient access to public transport and parking. Lying on Bermuda’s longest shoreline, from Horseshoe Bay, you can walk to the east to Warwick Long Bay whose idyllic stretch of pink sand is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, or to the west to West Whale Bay which offers a perfect vantage point for Atlantic sunsets.

Tip: Whale Bay is also the best place for shore fishing.

Elbow Beach is a top-rated beach that stretches for almost a mile with pink sand and has a gentle curve like an elbow, hence its name. With protective coral reefs in the surrounding waters, the waves at Elbow Beach are calm. It is also the closest beach to the City of Hamilton.

Kid-friendly Beaches

Not only known for its seclusion, calm and shallow waters, Clearwater Beach is also considered a hidden gem on the southeastern coast of Bermuda. The 36-acre public park features nature trails, playground equipment and views of outer islands. You will not find many tourists here; it’s more of a locals’ secret. There is a nearby restaurant and bar with entertainment, that offers Bermudian cuisine.

Another off-the-beaten-path beach that is little-children-friendly is the Parson’s Bay in Sandys Parish, or the Shelly Bay Beach in Hamilton Parish, where the water is very shallow even at high tide.

Photo-worthy

Every corner and every beach in Bermuda is Instagrammable! But my favorites remain the Horseshoe Bay, Tobacco Bay, and Elbow Beach. The interesting rock formations/limestone cliffs/sea stacks create very cool backdrops. The dark color of the rocks plays a nice contrast against colorful outfits. Of course, the island is truly paradise for landscape and seascape photographers.

It is impossible to name all of the beautiful beaches in Bermuda. I have picked out a few iconic beaches for your consideration. For other activities on the island as well as more information on Bermuda to plan your trip, hop over and read Bermuda: A Slice of Paradise. Summer may be over, but it’s never too early to plan for the next. But let’s be honest, a beach vacation is a good idea any time of the year, especially when it’s as beautiful as Bermuda!!

Note: Some of the photos used in this article were captured by Duc Tran, who traveled with us to Bermuda.