A Bermuda Travel Guide

Bermuda offers an island vibe quite unlike anywhere else. Bermuda is a vibrant, subtropical paradise with unrivaled hospitality and all the colors of the rainbow on display. Although only 21 square miles in size, the Bermuda archipelago offers a wonderfully diverse range of things to see and do.

Adventurous travelers can enjoy water sports, such as jetskiing, fishing, sailing, and snorkeling. Meanwhile, for those who like their vacations relaxing, there are Bermuda’s many pristine, sandy beaches, spa treatments, cultural sites, and top-class restaurants and bars.

The capital of Bermuda is Hamilton, the island’s financial center and a major port for the islands. Amazingly, this is a capital city with a population of just 854! Yes, it’s one of the world’s least populous capitals.

When you walk the streets of Hamilton, you can forget about the throngs of tourist crowds associated with other capitals the world over. You’ll be able to enjoy the city’s many parks, such as the beautiful Victoria Park, in peace.

Discovered in the early 1500s by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermúdez, Bermuda was uninhabited at its discovery. Spanish and Portuguese sailors began using the island as a stopping point for replenishing their ships.

The island, though, came to be associated with chilling legends (thought to stem from the eerie calls of birds and hogs echoing from the island’s coves), and the Spaniards and Portuguese would not attempt to settle there.

Bermuda was, in fact, referred to as the Devil’s Isle before being settled. An especially ironic title today, given that the island feels like paradise on earth!

The English would first create a settlement on the island, though they did so by chance. The English flagship, Sea Venture, was headed for America in 1609 when storms ran her off course. The ship was driven onto Bermuda’s reef to prevent her from perishing in the storm. The sailors, once safely in Bermuda, refused to leave.

In the 17th century, Bermudians largely abandoned agriculture in favor of shipbuilding. The islands also entered the salt trade, eventually becoming the world’s salt trade capital. In addition to shipbuilding and salt, Bermudians also pursued whaling and privateering.

Following the American Revolution, Bermuda was caught between the British and American powers, though, ultimately, the British would remain the dominant influence on the islands. Throughout the 19th century, the British Navy improved the island’s ports.

Bermuda was a launching point for British wartime expeditions during the War of 1812 and the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902).

If you want to spend plenty of time on Bermuda’s matchless beaches, enjoying sunny, warm weather, then you’ll want to plan your trip between late April and late October.

However, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the weather tends to remain mild throughout the year. In the capital, Hamilton, the average temperatures range between 18 °C (64.5 °F) in February and March to 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) in August.

October is the wettest month if you are particularly bothered by the rain. April and May will suit you better as this is the driest time of the year.

Suppose wildlife is one of the main motivations behind your journey to Bermuda. In that case, you may want to consider an April holiday, when 15,000 humpback whales migrate from the Caribbean into the waters around Bermuda.

The main attractions of Bermuda are the island’s natural beauty and wildlife and the famously warm welcome that awaits visitors. However, the islands also possess plenty of historical and cultural attractions.

St. George’s Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its historic British fortifications that illustrate early colonial architecture. Established in 1612, the town has elements of British military engineering from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Many reefs and wrecks can be found off the Bermuda coast for those who enjoy snorkeling and diving.

You will find the National Museum of Bermuda at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Elsewhere, there is a Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo.

Those who love to take pictures while on holiday will discover an array of unique landscapes in Bermuda, from peaceful areas of Bermuda cedar forests to dramatic coastal landscapes featuring historic lighthouses.

Bearing in mind that Bermuda’s capital city of Hamilton has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, visitors should not expect to find any towns or cities comparable to the urban environments they are used to.

Instead, you’ll find small, historic island towns and villages that pack lots of charm and offer a friendly welcome.

The island is divided into nine parishes: Devonshire, Hamilton, Paget, Pembroke, Sandys, Smith’s, Southampton, St George’s, and Warwick.

We thought we’d provide a run-through of essential tips and suggestions for first-time visitors to Bermuda. If you don’t find an answer to a question that’s been on your mind, please get in touch.

If you’re arriving in Bermuda by sea, you would likely be entering the island via a cruise ship. All cruise ships arriving in Bermuda will dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard, St. George, or Hamilton.

If arriving by this means, plan your onward journey. Consider a Custom Private Trip in Bermuda with Bermudaful.

Bermuda is home to one airport, the L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA). The airport is next to the historic town of St. George’s and is only a 30 minutes drive from the island’s capital, Hamilton.

Many US airlines fly to Bermuda, including American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, and United Airlines. Among the cities from where you can fly direct, you have New York, Boston, Charlotte, and Miami. Meanwhile, Canadians can fly direct from Toronto.

If you’re traveling from Europe, you must fly from London with British Airways.

If you are from the EU, UK, US, or Canada, you will not need a visa to enter Bermuda. You will, though, need to ensure you have at least 45 days left on your passport, and you will need travel insurance.

As of the 14th of November, 2022, there are no COVID restrictions to entering Bermuda. You will simply need to complete a digital arrival card. This can be completed here.

As mentioned previously, you will not be able to rent a car in Bermuda (excl., tandem-style electric microcars, which can be very expensive).

However, you will have access to the island’s efficient ferries. If, for instance, you have arrived at the Royal Naval Dockyard with a cruise ship, you could catch a ferry to Hamilton in 20 minutes.

With four ferry routes covering the island, this is an essential mode of transportation to familiarize yourself with.

And, of course, if you want a fully-customized travel solution, you can book with Bermudaful’s Bespoke Tour option.

The food of Bermuda is a winning combination of African, Caribbean, Spanish, and British traditions.

Given the island’s subtropical location, many fresh fruit and vegetables grow here.

Fish are a staple of the Bermudian diet, with local specialty dishes including curried mussel pies, fish cakes, fish sandwiches (the fish served battered with homemade tartar sauce), grilled lobsters, and chowders.

Old-fashioned American diner-style food is popular in Bermuda. The government here has prevented big international chain restaurants from moving in, meaning traditional diners have survived here.

And, of course, if you want a fully-customized travel solution, you can book with Bermudaful’s Bespoke Tour option.