Bermuda is not only a paradise island, although it can feel very close to paradise! It also has a fascinating history and a rich culture established by the many diverse communities who have made the island their home. Our wildlife is spectacular and can be seen right up close if you’re lucky!
Here we have chosen ten uniquely Bermuda experiences to help you plan your vacation, but we have plenty more up our sleeve, so do get in touch to talk to us about your trip, or for more information about our tours.
1) See Bermuda’s most colorful fish
Bermuda is a perfect location for scuba diving, snorkeling, or traveling by glass-bottomed boat. Our technicolor fish are amazing. My two favorites are the Queen Angelfish, which are blue and yellow with a distinctive crown, and the Parrotfish which are super important because they can scrape algae off coral reefs.
Our coral, too, is distinctive and I love spotting the familiar shapes, which you can guess from the names: Elkhorn Coral, Brain Coral, Star Coral, and even Lettuce Coral!
The other exciting things to see underwater are our local shipwrecks. Many have become vibrant artificial reefs. You can visit the Mary Celestia (sunk in 1864), L’Herminie (sunk in 1838), and look out for the lobsters living on the North Carolina (sunk in 1880).
2) Cross Somerset Bridge, the world’s smallest drawbridge
This bridge is really important because it provides a vital link between Somerset Island and the mainland. It is one of the first things we include on our Bermuda Island Tour.
The bridge showcases traditional Bermudan architecture and is a great place to stop and feed the fish.
3) Walk across Bermuda’s pink sands beach at sunset
Bermuda has unusually pink sands, formed by parrot fish eating the coral and expelling pink sand. The pink beaches look even more lovely at sunset as the light refracts and makes them appear even pinker!
Popular pink sand beaches are Horseshoe Bay Beach, Elbow Beach, and Warwick Long Bay Beach.
4) Put your head in the stocks in St George
St George is an UNESCO World Heritage Site because it represents the very earliest English urban colonial settlements. Walk down the narrow winding streets and get a real sense of history. You will be glad that you live in the present time, however, once you check out the vintage ducking stools and stocks!
The town is also home to the Bermuda National Trust Museum, and if you manage to time your trip with St George’s day on 23rd April, you will be treated to wonderful Bermudan parades, dance, and music. To learn more about the town’s fascinating history, join us on our Bermuda full island tour!
5) Experience Bermuda’s traditional Gombey Dance
The Gombey is a unique performance art, characterised by masquerades, dance, and drumming. It was influenced by African, Native American, and Caribbean cultures, and was banned by slave masters.
Slaves were permitted to dance only once a year, and did so in masks to protect their identities. The remarkable resilience of this art form is partly due to these genius adaptations, which form part of today’s performance.
During the summer months, you can see Gombey dancing every Wednesday night, at Bermuda Harbour Nights, or, for an extra special performance, time your visit with Bermuda Day Parade on 31 May, the Cup Match Cricket Festival in August (see below).
6) Watch cricket in Bermuda
Cricket is deeply ingrained into Bermuda’s culture, and you can see regular matches at weekends across the island. The island has an annual cricket event in August known as the Cup Match. This represents a friendly rivalry between the most eastern parish, St. George and the most western parish Somerset teams.
7) See Bermuda’s Crystal Caves
Cricket, in fact, played an important role in the discovery of one of the most beautiful things to visit here. Two boys were searching for a lost cricket ball, and they came across these fabulous caves, full of stalactite and stalagmite formations and a giant underground lake.
Now, you can visit the caves. the Crystal and Fantasy Caves to learn more about these incredible natural formations.
8) Get up close to Bermuda’s wildlife
Apart from the beautiful fish and coral, other popular species to spot here include turtles and whales. You can actually swim with turtles; they make curious and friendly swimming partners! In March and April, you can watch whales, who come to Bermuda’s waters to mate and give birth.
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute in Hamilton is also a great place to explore Bermuda’s underwater world. It includes interactive exhibits, replica ships, aquariums and a 3D cinema.
9) Visit the Bermuda Society of Arts
This is a really inspiring place for art lovers. It combines stunning exhibits that reflect the island’s history and culture with participation from local communities, such as the annual primary school art exhibition. If Bermuda’s lovely landscapes have brought out the artist in you, you can also attend classes at the museum.
There are many other cultural attractions in Bermuda which we didn’t mention here because we have a dedicated blog for Bermuda’s cultural attractions. We would also be very happy to tailor a private Bermuda tour to your specific cultural and historical interests.
10) Try Bermuda’s hugely diverse and delicious cuisine
We have an amazingly diverse cuisine, from the traditional American to sea-food-based Caribbean fusions. Our most unusual dishes are Shark Hash, Cassava Pie, and Pawpaw Casserole.
Shark Hash is actually a breakfast item, made with salted shark, onions, peppers and spices. Cassava Pie is a special dessert made with grated cassava, eggs and spices. Pawpaw Casserole is also a dish combining ripe pawpaw, breadcrumbs, and spices.
And don’t even think about leaving the island without trying a rum swizzle — a drink we love so much we have written a whole Bermuda rum swizzle blog!
We can’t wait to tell you more about our beautiful, friendly island. Born and bred here, we have a true passion to ensure that you have the best vacation of your life, so get in touch for more tips and to discuss any of our Bermuda tours.
