Bermuda

Families, friends, and honeymooners revel in the romance, refinement, and relaxation of Bermuda. From the British colonial character of St. George’s and the lively harbor of Hamilton to the maritime history at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda offers a wealth of surprises. Comprising more than 180 islands and islets, the archipelago is nearly all shoreline, and its most famous feature is its rosy sand. The pink hue comes from millions of tiny shelled organisms, tossed and turned by waves, broken down, and mixed with soft white sand. Offshore reefs protect the beaches from Gulf Stream swells, making for gentle swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking conditions year-round.

aerial image of Bermuda shoreline flanked by water

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Overview

When’s the best time to go to Bermuda?

While not technically in the Caribbean, Bermuda has a lush subtropical climate, with warm waves and gentle breezes from the Atlantic Gulf Stream. For a true tropical experience, the time to visit is May through mid-October, when low temperatures fall only to the mid-70s and highs are in the mid-80s. Humidity is high during these summer months. Fall and spring temps hover between the mid-60s and mid-70s, with the most rain falling in October. Winters are mild, with temperatures in the 60s.

How to get around Bermuda

A two-hour flight from most East Coast airports, the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda is about 580 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean.

Because of its small size, Bermuda offers no car rental services. Residents are restricted to one vehicle per household. Luckily, scooter and bike rentals abound, providing an even better way to see the island. As the scent of flowers follows you across the coast, down narrow lanes, and through wooded trails, you’ll pick up the taste of salty sea breezes, experience local neighborhoods, and discover off-the-beaten-path sections of the island. Pack a picnic and dine on a cliff with sweeping views of the coastline. Stop off at roadside stands where local farmers sell fruits and vegetables. Just remember to drive on the left.

Food and drink to try in Bermuda

Seafood is abundant on Bermuda (though most of its food has to be imported), and its spicy red fish chowder is the national dish. Much of the cuisine has its roots in the British settlers. And, of course, Bermuda onions are featured often in dishes, like onion pie. Bermuda is also known for its rum: Rum cake, made with locally-distilled Goslings rum, is the official desert, while the Rum Swizzle is the drink Bermudans call their own.

Practical Information

A valid passport is required to visit Bermuda. Electrical voltage is 110 and plugs are type A and B, so if you’re traveling from the U.S. or Canada, you won’t need an adapter or converter. The Bermudan dollar is equivalent to the U.S. dollar, which are accepted also.

Guide Editor

Sandy Allen is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer based in Virginia, where she contributes to a variety of online publications and tries to control her wanderlust for palm trees, endless blue water, and white net hammocks over soft pink sand. When she’s not traveling to beaches, historic sites, and fun attractions, she’s either writing about them or planning her next trip to them. Follow Sandy’s sunny excursions and travel tips at Somewhere in the Sand.

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When you think of the word pub, chances are you picture something like this place. Housed in the old Cooperage of the Royal Navy Dockyard, this causal bar-slash-restaurant is all about cozy atmosphere; there’s even a fireplace that was originally a forge used to produce iron hoops for barrels. The menu showcases comfort food—fish-and-chips, savory pies, and brisket with Yorkshire puddings—not to mention some local touches like the pepper jam served with red-onion rings. Enjoy a pint or two of ale, pilsner, or porter from the onsite Dockyard Brewing Company (the most established of the breweries on the island). The hoppy offerings change regularly.
A warren of rooms make up this cozy restaurant that some claim is the oldest on the island. The building itself was originally a private waterside home constructed in 1652—some 40 years after the first English settlers arrived to Bermuda—and it has operated as restaurant for more than a century. The name comes from the married Irish poet who lived here and spent his days on Bermuda composing love poems to local women. However, don’t let the tavern in the name fool you: The cuisine and vibe here is haute, and the menu showcases French influences on island favorites, as well as traditional Bermuda fish chowder and grilled meats; if they’re listed on the day’s menu, the soufflés are a must-try. There’s no longer exactly a dress code (the emphasis is on “elegant casual”), but like everything in Bermuda, it is best to err on the side of formal.
Bermuda waited 45 years for a new-build hotel, but the Loren has proved worth it. Situated on eight acres fronting the turquoise sea near the center of the archipelago, the architecturally sleek luxury property eschews standard tropical patterns and pastel palettes in favor of warm modernism, with world-class art, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sculptural glass staircase off the lobby. Each suite provides a plush landing thanks to marble baths with freestanding tubs and private terraces with ocean views, plus sumptuous Sferra towels and bath products by Malin + Goetz. For those who don’t want to drive the 20 minutes to Hamilton, the elegant seasonal cuisine at Marée (Bermudan baby greens with goat cheese croquettes and wild strawberries, local snapper with fava bean puree) exceeds expectations, and the botanical-infused treatments at the beachside spa will make the real world seem like a distant memory.
One of Bermuda’s most historic resorts—there’s even a 300-year-old sea captain’s cottage on the property—Cambridge Beaches is a traditional rose-hued confection that matches its four pink-sand shores. Though an English country club vibe prevails in many of the public spaces (think tennis whites and croquet on the lawn), the rooms are anything but stuffy, outfitted with vibrant coral and lime-green sofas, zebra-striped rugs, and in some rooms, private plunge pools. Relaxation can be found in the marine-sourced treatments on offer at the Ocean Spa, but if you’re looking to excite the palate, the acclaimed Tamarisk restaurant plates up local takes on creole specialties, from the iconic Bermudan fish chowder to fresh-caught lobster baked in garlic and coconut oil.
Known for generations as the Pink Princess, this legend opened its doors in 1885 and remains one of the largest and most celebrated hotels in Bermuda. Fresh off a $100 million renovation in 2016, the 170 rooms and suites are now what you’d expect from a Fairmont-managed property—clean, modern, and comfortably luxurious, all with water views—while public spaces have been elevated by an exceptional collection of modern art (Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Ai Weiwei are just some of the luminaries who grace the walls). The new infinity pool has gorgeous views over the harbor, the spa offers treatments and fitness classes in partnership with noted brand exhale, and the marina’s water-sports team can organize everything from kayak and Jet ski rentals to paragliding lessons. Guests also have exclusive access to a private beach club on Sinky Bay—just 20 minutes away from the hotel via complimentary shuttle—which features water hammocks and snorkeling-friendly waters. Back at the resort, dining options include the buzzing Marcus, serving signature dishes from celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson, and more casual options highlighting fresh seafood and local rum.
Owner Cesare Maranza managed to bring a little bit of Italy to the middle of the Atlantic more than 35 years ago, when he opened Portofino, named after his hometown. Just a short walk from Front Street in Hamilton, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in a northern Italian taverna. “It’s a lively and rustic restaurant,” Rebecca says, “and a great place for groups for a fun night out.” While they serve a number of hot and cold appetizers—calamari, prosciutto and melon, grilled vegetables—as well as soups and salads, Rebecca recommends that you order a pie instead. “To get better Neapolitan pizza, you’d have to keep traveling east to Naples!”