Bermuda Travel Forum

Hi,

We will be visiting Bermuda for 8 hours in April on a trans-atlantic cruise. Any suggestions on what we might do? What would be the best use of our time?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

Well, if you are up for driving a scooter, that would be your best option for mobility and sight-seeing. They have 50cc motors and can carry two passengers. The maximum speed limit on the island is 30 km/h, and the actual speed is about 45. The bike shop will supply helmets and a good tourist map, which is actually good enough for most residents to use. The route I suggest below will work with the bikes or without.

Kings Wharf is more commonly referred to as the Royal Naval Dockyard, or just Dockyard. There is an excellent maritime museum (which also covers Bermudian history) there which could take up to three hours of your time, depending on your interest level.

From Dockyard I would take the public ferry to Hamilton. It will be very easy to find the dock for this and figure it out; they are well used to tourists there. You can take your bikes onto the ferry for an extra small charge. The route to Hamilton will take you across the Great Sound, this ride in itself a wonderful tourist attraction. In Hamilton, park your bikes on Front Street if you have them.

Spend an hour or two walking around Hamilton. To get back to the ship, drive the long way round. Your bikes if you have them, or psyche yourself up and pay for a taxi. With the stops suggested, it could be $30 or $40.

Make sure you take South Shore road. You will be on the left side of the road, the water side going in this direction, and there are many lookup points on the left side to stop for photos. You can also easily go down to the many beaches along the South Shore. They are all free and they are all beautiful. The water really is turquoise and the sand really is pink. It may be a bit chilly to swim in April, though, so I wouldn't bother with bringing swim gear along. The changing facilities are limited.

South Shore Road will end back up on Middle Road, which will take you all the way back to Dockyard. You may be able to take a bus as well, but you wouldn't be able to stop at all the lookout points, and I'm not sure which bus to specifically take for South Shore Road, althouth I'm sure there is one.

It rains frequently in April and since it's maritime weather, it's impossible to predict the showers coming. It may be sunny in Dockyard and raining in Hamilton four miles away as the crow flies. If you take the bike(s) option, you may want to bring along a cheapy rain suit from home.

Please visit my Bermuda page for tips and travelogue photos.

Jim;
8 hours! Not enough time!
I bet you will come back for a longer stay next time.
If it was me I would buy a bus pass and that would allow you to take the ferry one way to Hamilton(or both ways if you wished) and the bus back.
If you do not spend too much time in Hamilton you could stop at Horseshoe Bay and take a walk on the pink sand. To do this you would need bus #7 check routes here http://www.seaexpress.bm/portal/server.pt?space=Opener&parentname=CommunityPage&control=OpenObject&in_hi_OpenerMode=2&in_hi_ClassID=512&in_hi_ObjectID=252
From that site you can check routes times and ferry times too (click transport at top of page for ferries)
Bikes would be nice if you are so inclined but you have to be comfortable driving these and on the other side of the road from what many of us are used to. Public transportation works well in Bermuda and tell the driver where you want to get off and they are good at helping you.

Depending on your likes you could spend all 8 hours right at The Dockyard. Lots of shops (not my interest, but management always wants to take me with her and check all the shops). There are other activities available depending on the day check some sites with your day of visit to see what is on. There are tours available some days for free. There is the Maritine Museum which charges an admission but is worth a visit if you enjoy history. Dolpin show is also within the Museum.

So much to see and do, so little time.
If you have other questions I will try to answer.

I know you will enjoy yourself.

Bill

Well Jim, departure date is getting closer.
Hope you have some good ideas of things to do and when you get back hope you can tell what you ended up doing and seeing and if it was what you expected.
Enjoy your trip

Bill

Thank you for posting the advice to another traveler, my wife and
I will be cruiseing into Dockyard in May and it gives us some insights.
My 1st trip to Bermuda was an all expense paid cruise compliments of the
US Navy we tied up at the Royal Dockyard in the 70's.
Steve

Jim

Thanks for posting this question. From the posts you've received it's
given us some insights into Bermuda. We'll be there for 2 days in May
on a cruise from NY. It's our 1st anniversary cruise. I've been told the all day bus ticket is a good way to go. I've been there before and have used mopeds and scooters, but my wife is cautious so we'll probably be using bus and taxi. Anything you learn would be useful to post.

Enjoy your Cruise.
Steve

Steve;
If you have any specific questions I will try to answer.
We were there again end of February for 10 days so have our memory refreshed.

With 2 days you will have a chance to get out a little further and see the sights and yes in our mind the bus pass is the way to go unless you are there enough time to get familiar with the roads and traffic.

I am sure you will find changes since the 70ies

I know you will enjoy it.

Bill

Bill

If you could fill us in on some of the sights we shouldn't miss it would be great. We're also looking for some relaxing time at a beach, I guess accessible by Bus.

Steve

Ok Jim, 2 days.
I would get a 1 day bus pass and spend 1 day at or around the Dockyard. There is a Maritime museum and a large fort to look through at the Dockyard, for a fee, as well as the Dolpin Quest again for a fee. Lots of other entertainment depending on the day.
What do you like? Exploring? Forts and history? Shopping etc. It is all available.
How long are you there each day? Probably use the longest day to travel by bus.
Next question what days of the week are you there? That could make a difference as there are different activities on different days.
The bus one way and ferry the other to Hamilton would be my choice and if you get the right bus, will get number later, you can stop at Horseshoe BAy to check out the beach. Lots of nice pink sand there and lots of other small coves all the way east to Warwick Long Bay, to walk along and explore.

Will check back and see what might be on in Hamilton and the Dockyard on the days you are there as well as your likes.

Bill