Getting to Bermuda is a breeze. The 21-mile-long archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, famous for its pink-sand beaches, is just a two-hour flight from major U.S. East Coast cities. But before booking your flight, you may be wondering about the best time of year to visit. And the answer to that is easy—any time.
Bermuda is that rare, year-round destination with a mild climate and yet one that also has different appeals in every season. Whether you visit in January or June, you’ll find reasons to get out and experience the island’s nature and culture.
Sailing is the island’s lifeblood and visitors are invited to join in too. Experienced sailors can charter a bareboat yacht, but if you haven’t spent as much time on the sea, then you can opt for one with a crew. You can also choose to improve your sailing skills with classes offered by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club or one of the island’s sailing schools. You can watch sailors compete this summer in the Newport Bermuda Race in June, with celebrations at the finish for spectators and sailors alike. An appealing option to see the coastline from the water and as popular with visitors as they are with locals, are Bermuda’s ferries.
For water sports on a smaller scale, any day is a good one to kayak or paddleboard in Bermuda. And while anglers can go reef and shore fishing throughout the year, May through October is the sweet spot for reeling in a big one on a deep-sea fishing trip. The scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters is among the world’s best, and the island is especially popular with wreck divers. You can go diving (and snorkeling, too) every month of the year—in the colder ones, with the aid of a wetsuit.
Back on dry land, the scenic Bermuda Railway Trail, popular with both locals and visitors, runs for 18 miles following the route of an old railway. Whether you choose to walk, run, or bike it, you’ll come across breathtaking North Shore views. In Somerset, you’ll find a smaller trail that leads up to Fort Scaur, which dates from the 1860s. Located on a hilltop amid 22 acres of gardens, the fort rewards hikers with panoramic views of the Great Sound.
It’s easy to navigate the island on a bicycle, but if you want to follow the lead of a local, Kristin White’s East End Bicycle Tours explore the cobblestone streets of the Town of St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage site. She’ll bring the history of the island’s original capital to life, and then when you have built up an appetite, stop at Wahoo’s, the Beach House at Blackbeard’s Hideout, or one of the other restaurants in town.
Feathered visitors also know that Bermuda makes for a good escape. At the 64-acre Spittal Pond Reserve, naturalists can attempt to spot both colorful tropical birds dropping by on their migrations and also the rare cahow, Bermuda’s national bird. One of the world’s rarest seabirds, they breed only on Bermuda—specifically Nonsuch Island. At Harbour Nights in Hamilton, the island’s capital, you’re more likely to spot night owls. The weekly event—it takes place every Wednesday—begins in early May and runs through late August. Gombey dancers, artisans, and food vendors take over Front Street for an unforgettable summer celebration. Another highlight of the summer season is Tobacco Bay’s Bonfire and Bohemia event on weekend nights, when revelers enjoy live music and cold cocktails around a roaring fire on the beach.
Whether you choose to follow the birds and fly in for one of Bermuda’s events, want to explore the island’s parks and reefs, or have simply realized you need to spend a few days on island time, you’ll find a destination that’s appealing in every season.
