The beautiful island of Bermuda is a pretty unique place to visit. You will find that it is a mix of tropical island vibes and British style. There is a lot to see and do on this tiny island, and the beaches alone make it worth a visit.
If you are planning a trip to Bermuda or you are thinking about adding it to your bucket list, here is a quick guide to Bermuda for first-time visitors.
History of Bermuda
Tens of millions of years ago, a cluster of volcanic seamounts emerged as islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. After a long period of erosion, these seamounts were truncated below the present sea level, and covered in the carbonate sediments of marine life remains.
Unique to Bermuda, shallow waters persisted long enough for shoals, cays, and dunes to form. And slowly the Bermuda islands that we know today were created.
The history of Bermuda since its creation is really interesting too. From the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s, and British Colonization in 1609 to the present day, it has diverse and rich stories to tell.
Bermuda’s Location
Bermuda is often promoted alongside Caribbean destinations but it isn’t actually in the Caribbean. It is actually 650 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. So from the US East Coast, it will take you about 2 hours to fly to Bermuda.
How To Get To Bermuda
Unsurprisingly there is only one airport on the island of Bermuda which is L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) on the far east end of the island. It is close to the town of St. Georgeโs, so driving from the airport to the city of Hamilton will take you about 30 minutes. Driving to the opposite end of the island will take you about an hour.
Several US airlines fly in and out of the airport including American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, and United who all provide direct flights. You can get direct flights from any of these US airports:
- Miami: American
- New York-JFK: JetBlue, Delta or American
- New York-LGA: American
- Newark: United
- Philadelphia: American
- Boston: JetBlue or Delta
- Atlanta: Delta
- Charlotte: American
- Washington-National: American
Travelling to Bermuda from Canada
If you are in Canada you can only get flights with Air Canada or WestJet from Toronto-Pearson.
If you are going to Bermuda from the West Coast of Canada, you will find that most flights will connect at either Toronto Pearson or New York JFK.
Travelling to Bermuda from Europe
If you are in Europe, you’re only option is British Airways which offers flights from London-Gatwick airport.
Air Service Fluctuations
Depending on when you are hoping to visit Bermuda, you will find that air service fluctuates with the seasons significantly, and the price of flights fluctuates too. Some destinations are only served during the peak time of the year as well (June-August) so don’t be surprised if you have issues finding good flight options sometimes.
Visiting Bermuda On A Cruise Ship
A popular alternative, and the only alternative, to visiting the island by air is on a cruise ship. Bermuda is a popular cruise ship port because it’s an easy destination where you can see a lot in a single day.
All of the cruise ships dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard so you would need to plan for transportation from there. By public transport, you have a choice of a ferry or bus to get to other parts of the island such as the City of Hamilton. For Hamilton, the ferry located at the cruise terminal is the fastest option.
If you don’t want to travel far, there is lots to do within walking distance of the cruise ships such as the National Museum of Bermuda which is just a few steps away. You could easily spend a whole day at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Travel Insurance Is A Must Have For Bermuda
Medical costs in Bermuda are the second highest in the world, often higher than the US, so think twice before visiting the island without travel medical insurance.
Also, most British, American, and Canadian medical insurance companies won’t cover you if something happens to you while on the island so you need to factor this into your travels – and the activities you choose to do.
Bermuda’s Climate
Unlike the Caribbean, Bermuda’s high season is in the summer when temperatures can hit the high 80s. In the winter temperatures can fall as low as in the 50s.
What is the Best Time to Visit Bermuda?
As Bermuda is more affected by the seasons, the summer is the high season when hotel prices will surge. This is when the island sees most of its visitors so you need to plan early if you want to go between June and August. The island will be warm and humid during these months.
Shoulder seasons of spring and fall will be less expensive with fewer crowds. The weather will still be warm, but you may get some rainy days.
When planning your visit, you will need to factor in the risk of hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to November. Generally, September and October are the riskiest times to visit as that is the peak of hurricane season.
You Can Bring Bermuda Or US Dollars
As the legal tender on the island is the Bermuda Dollar, which trades at the same rate as the U.S. dollar and carries the same symbol ($), you can use either of these currencies on the island.
However, all of the ATMs only dispense Bermuda dollars.
If you need US dollars, you will need to go to the HSBC in the City of Hamilton which has a couple of US Cash ATMs inside.
There Are No Car Rentals On The Island
Car rental is banned by the Bermudian government. This tiny island gets around 600,000 visitors a year, and it just wouldn’t be able to cope if everyone rented cars.
How To Get Around Bermuda
So as only Bermudians are allowed to drive cars on the island, you will need to do a bit of planning in advance for your transportation. There are also no Ubers or Lyfts either. But you have a few options to get around Bermuda:
Hotel Shuttles
If you stay in a hotel ask about shuttle services as a lot of the hotels offer shuttle services of some sort.
Taxis
The quickest way to get around is by taxis, and it’s pretty easy to get a taxi in main areas like the airport, Dockyard or Hamilton. But you will find it harder in more remote areas. Charges are high, and even higher on Sundays and during Holiday periods. They are usually cash only so you will need to carry cash on you if you want to get a taxi.
Ferries
One of the best ways to get around is by ferry because it is inexpensive and fast.
4 different ferry lines crisscross the island. Get your tickets to ride the ferry at the ferry terminal building.
Public Bus
The public bus service is another inexpensive way to get around the island. They travel within a short walking distance of most of the major tourist attractions.
The bus fare is $5.00 for travel anywhere in the 14 zones (or just $3.50 if you are taking a 3-zone or less trip). Bermudian dollars or transportation tokens are both accepted. You can get transportation tokens at a discounted rate at visitor centers or bus/ferry terminals.
Plan your bus travels with the Official Bermuda Bus Map
Mopeds & Electric Cars (Twizy)
As an alternative to a car, you can rent a moped or a tiny two-seater electric vehicle called the Twizy. They are very popular so if you want to rent one you will need to book it well in advance of your visit.
Learn more about electric car rentals
Quick Tips:
The minimum age to ride in the back is 5.
Bermuda drives on the left.
The Parishes of Bermuda
The entire island of Bermuda is only 21 square miles, so it’s about half the size of a small city like San Francisco. In some places, you can easily walk the width of the island.
This tiny island has been divided into 9 parishes. Three of the main Parishes that you will probably explore are:
St. Georgeโs (East End)
This Parish is close to the airport on the eastern end of the island. The town of St. Georgeโs is the original settlement of Bermuda, and it is full of historic buildings and churches. There are also some small boutique shops and nice places to eat here. On this end of the island, there is also St David’s lighthouse, the unfinished church, amazing cave formations, and the Tobacco Bay Beach.
City of Hamilton & Central Bermuda
In the center of the island, is the City of Hamilton which is home to the government, and the major shopping areas. Fun things to do in Hamilton include the Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum & Zoo, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Queen Elizabeth Park, Fort Hamilton, Bermuda National Gallery, and the Cathedral Cave.
Royal Naval Dockyard (West End)
There are loads to do at the Royal Naval Dockyard, plus between the City of Hamilton and the West End there are lots of gorgeous beaches.
As Bermuda is so small you will find that you can tour the whole island really easily, especially if you have a few days there. Otherwise, it’s possible to see some highlights in a day without rushing around too much.
Bermuda Beaches Are Beautiful
In Bermuda, you can enjoy crystal clear turquoise waters, and beautiful soft, sometimes pink, sand. It is one of the main reasons that people constantly mistake it for a Caribbean island because they are just like the beaches you’d find there.
It is the Atlantic Ocean though, so the water is warm in the summer and a lot cooler in the winter.
Horseshoe Bay, Jobsonโs Cove, and Tobacco Bay are some of the most beautiful beaches.
Watch Out For Jellyfish
Bermuda is the home of a poisonous kind of jellyfish called a Portuguese man o’war. Thankfully they only appear occasionally, often after storms, and if there have been lots of jellyfish on a beach you will see warning signs up.
Bermuda Is An Expensive Island
Before you start planning your trip you need to consider your budget because even a short visit to the island will cost you a lot. It’s very easy, and typical, to spend anywhere from $80-$150 for dinner with a glass or two of wine. I’ve found lunch to range between $20-$50 depending on where I am and what I order.
Cooking at home is almost as expensive as eating out so you also won’t save money by buying groceries or supermarket snacks.
There Are Crystal Caves
There are a lot of caves to explore on the island, and the most beautiful are the Crystal Caves. These caves are one of Bermuda’s most popular attractions and for good reason.
They’ve been open since 1909, and they look like something out of ‘Journey through the Center of the Earth’. You will descend 130 feet into a limestone cavern with an underground, and stunning stalagmites and stalactites everywhere. It is a must-do if you visit the island.
Plan a visit to the Crystal Caves
You can swim in grottos
You will also be able to swim in grottos on the island as there are cave systems and grottos scattered all along the coast. They are beautiful, and you are allowed to swim in them.
There are also lots of companies who arrange swimming tours of the bigger cave systems including Prosperoโs & Cathedral Caves on the grounds of Grotto Bay Beach Resort.
The Historic Town of St. George is Very Instagrammable
The first settlement on the island, the Town of St. George is steeped in local history and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are lots of beautiful, colorful buildings, and heritage buildings to take pictures of for your Instagram while learning more about the history of the island.
Kingโs Square is in the center of town and a good place to start to explore the area. Some companies provide walking and minibus tours, but itโs easy to guide yourself around the town if you prefer to look around independently.
There Are A Lot of Expats On The Island
Bermuda is a tax haven so a lot of financial services companies have offices on the island bringing with it a lot of expats. In particular, you will find a lot of British and American expats.
Naturally, this comes with high salaries to cover the unavoidably expensive lifestyle on the island.
Wherever you go, you will experience quite a diverse international crowd, and a lot of international cuisine because of this.
I hope this quick guide gives you a taste of Bermuda, and helps you plan an amazing vacation on the island. It may be expensive there, but with the beautiful beaches, natural wonders, fresh food, and lots of attractions it is well worth a visit.
Learn More About Bermuda
- Ultimate Guide To Bermuda For First-Time Visitors
- 8 Hidden Gems In Bermuda That You Will Love
- The 7 Best Forts In Bermuda To Explore
- How To Spend A Day At The Royal Naval Dockyard In Bermuda
- 13 Great Reasons To Visit Bermuda On Your Solo Travels
Share Me
If you found this post helpful, share it or pin it! It’s one of the best ways to show your support. Thank you!
Gemma Lawrence is the creator of This Brits Life. Born and raised in England, she has been living in British Columbia, Canada as a permanent resident since 2016. A solo traveler for the past 9 years, she hopes to inspire and help others to enjoy solo adventures too. As someone who has always struggled with her self-confidence and mental health, she also shares tips and inspirational stories relating to self-love, self-care, and mental health.
Leave a Reply