Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Travelationship
Our Favorite Thing To Do: Beaches
Bermuda has several beaches all around the island. I think the best stretch of beaches is on the South side from East Whale Bay to Astwood Cove. This area covers about seven beaches, each offering something unique, such as pink sands, perfect snorkeling coves, amazing swimming, and cliff views. Pick one end to start at, arrive right before sunrise, and spend the morning hiking from one end to the other. Stop along the way and climb the cliffs and rocks. The little coves and high views all along the shore are amazing. If you don’t want to walk the shoreline and rocks, there are hiking trails next to the beaches that also provide breathtaking views. My favorite was Jobson’s Cove. The water was calm and perfect for snorkeling, and the high rocks protecting the cove were great for climbing and exploring.
You really can’t go wrong when it comes to the beaches in Bermuda.
Best Views
In downtown Hamilton, on Church Street off of Cedar Ave. The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity contains a wonderful 159-step tower. The spiral climb to the top costs $3. There are two areas to rest between the 1st and 159th steps. At the top, you can see all of Hamilton, Fort Hamilton, the Royal Navy Dockyards, and the Gibbs’ Hill Lighthouse. During the busy season, keep in mind that the tower steps are very narrow and can be crowded and busy. We were there in February and were the only ones in the entire church – we loved it.
Gibbs’ Hill Lighthouse is located on Lighthouse Rd in the Southampton Parish. The lighthouse is closed due to construction until March 2014, but the view on the hill is still breathtaking. Be sure to save time to eat at the Dining Room connected to the lighthouse. Quite possibly the best restaurant on the island. The party next to us was made up of locals who not only ordered a meal each to eat while there but also ordered two meals to go because they loved the food so much.
Free Tours: Check with your hotel or the visitor bureau for a list of free tours around the island. Several tours are offered daily throughout the island; you must provide your own transportation.
Bermuda Food
We didn’t have a bad meal in Bermuda. Every meal we had was mouth-watering delish! My favorite restaurant, hands down, was the Dining Room at the Gibbs’ Lighthouse in Southampton. If I could get past the cole slaw, I would love to tell you about my eye-rolling; OMG, no way, chocolate torte birthday cake, but back to the cole slaw…it was Amazing. It was made with lettuce instead of cabbage (I love cabbage over lettuce anytime, except this time) and smothered with a savory, sweet, creamy sauce. I am telling you, I am dreaming about this cole slaw. Go there and ask for Manandar; he was an excellent waiter!
Then there is Jasmine’s, located inside the Fairmont Southampton. It’s expensive, but I have to say it’s pretty darn close to worth the price. Get the Trio of Dips. A superb garlic hummus, artichoke dip, and melted cheese queso served with pita bread, potato chips, and a crunchy flatbread. The sliders and the pizza weren’t too bad, either. Ask for Tinashe; he was delightful.
If you are looking for something unusual, try Cafe Cairo in Hamilton. The food is a mix of Moroccan and Egyptian and splendid. It also turns into a nightclub with a DJ around 10 pm.
Two of the famous dishes in Bermuda are Fish Chowder and Cod Fish. I am not a huge fish fan, so I couldn’t bring myself to try the codfish. However, I did try the fish chowder at St. George’s Wahoo’s Waterside Bistro. Read about that adventure here.
Transportation
Public Transport
Bus The Bermuda bus system is fantastic. It’s cheap and easy to use. Blue poles represent buses going out of Hamilton. Pink poles represent buses moving into Hamilton. Buses run on a routine 15-minute schedule. It is impressive how quiet and polite the bus drivers and local (with an emphasis on local) riders are on the bus. It was pleasantly different than any bus experience I have had anywhere in the world. The printed bus schedule does not list all the bus times; check out their website for all times.
*You should note that the bus drivers will not change if you pay your fare while boarding, so if you only have $5, that is what you will pay. You can buy bus passes for three days or a week at the Hamilton bus depot or the ferry terminal.
Other Transportation
Taxi Service Taking a taxi is expensive. It is just the way it is on the island. The speed limit is about 20 miles per hour, so getting from point A to point B takes some time. Be patient and enjoy the view. I enjoyed our ride from the airport to the hotel. Our driver, Michael Levon with Levon Transportation, was full of information and recommendations and gave us some great maps to reference for our trip.
Scooters If the weather is warm and your trip consists of at least three full days or more, renting a scooter as your transportation is a great way to get around the island. There are a few different rental places across the island. Find one that is close to where you are going to be staying. As an activity, renting a scooter for the day to travel around the island is fun. Remember, Bermuda drives on the left side of the road.
Car Rental You can not rent a car in Bermuda, so don’t waste your time. Car rentals are reserved for citizens and permanent residents only.
Bermuda Lodging
We stayed at the Fairmont Southampton located in Southampton. It is the largest resort on the island. We went in winter and paid less than half the regular room prices. I am not a fan of big resorts. I think they are too secluded and don’t allow guests to experience the local culture. If you like resorts, like being secluded and pampered, then yes, either of the Fairmont (the other is the Hamilton Princess) is for you. Nowadays, I believe all hotels should offer free Wifi, especially large resorts such as the Fairmont. Instead, you can apply for 24 hours free, but the rest of the time costs over $13.95 daily. Ummm, no thanks!
I could not locate any hostels on the island, but if you check Airbnb.com, you may be able to find a room for under $100. Otherwise, the island has many lodging options, from big fancy resorts to bed and breakfasts to smaller guest apartments. We even saw camping sites next to the Southside beaches that looked cool. Options are out there; you may need to search for a deal.
Travel Basics
Language – English
Logistics:
Bermuda is distinctly British, and manners will get you a long way. Also, wearing your beach gear anywhere other than the beach is frowned upon. Bermuda is located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean, so it will not be as hot as other islands in the region. The high season stretches from April to October, with the shoulder seasons (Spring – April/May & Fall – Sep/Oct) being the most beautiful times on the island. Bermuda uses the same plug and voltage as the U.S., so any device that will work there will also work in Bermuda. If you plan to fly to Bermuda, you must check only one airport, L.F. Wade International (BDA).
Money Matters:
The Bermuda Dollar and the U.S. Dollar are in sync, i.e., 1:1. You can feel at ease about bringing and/or using only U.S. currency. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t be charged a Foreign Transaction Fee if you withdraw money from an ATM or use a Credit Card for purchases. Depending on your bank, there could also be an ATM fee for using a machine in another country. I would advise checking before you go as you may have a card that waives these fees but hadn’t intended on bringing it. If you are in the market for a card, I highly recommend the “Investor Checking Account” with Schwab. The account has no foreign conversion/transaction fees, refunds all ATM charges, and has a Visa debit card with chip and pin.
Tipping:
In Bermuda, it is customary to tip 10% for services such as taxis or baristas. Restaurants usually add a 17% service fee to their bill, if not that is the excepted base amount for a tip.
Recommendable: YES! If you go in the spring or summer, look into the camping sites along the southern beaches. It isn’t cheap, but you can find less expensive places to eat and stay. Check grocery stores and food stands for more affordable options on fruits, vegetables, water, and snacks for your everyday consumption.
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