Bermuda’s parks and nature reserves are scattered around the island like a green necklace, providing quiet, tranquil areas to explore, picnic and bird watch. Pack a lunch, take your binoculars and camera and enjoy what has been carefully preserved:
Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve
Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve is located at the eastern end of Bermuda, in St. David’s. The nature reserve is 12 acres of unspoiled natural beauty, now part of Bermuda’s national parks. Until 1995, the area was restricted and occupied by the US Military and used by NASA to house a tracking station. On its east is Cooper’s Island Road with a stretch of quiet beaches and on its west beautiful Castle Harbour.Clearwater beach and Turtle Beach are two of the public beaches located next to the reserve and there is a seasonal beach house with rentals. You can find nature trails through a vast stretch of woodland area with introduced botanicals like Brazil pepper, casuarinas and allspice, there are patches plus native Bermuda cedars, palmettos and olive woods which are being re-introduced to the reserve.
Spittal Pond
Spittal Pond, located in Smith’s Parish, is the largest and the most premium nature reserve and national park on the island, spreading over 64-acres. It is also a large bird sanctuary and one of the best bird watching locations in Bermuda. Most of the bird-life can be seen from the trail itself and you can visit the is a historic landmark, Portuguese Rock, where shipwreck survivors left their mark in the 1500’s.
Hog Bay Park
Hog Bay Park is a quiet stretch of rural land featuring agricultural fields, woodlands and an old lime kiln. You won’t see any habitation, roads or hear any noise as you meander along the networks of trails that go around the park. Bird watchers should bring their binoculars as the park is a mecca for resident and migrant birds. The trails lead to the coast line and offer panoramic views to the east and west. To reach Hog Bay Park take bus route 7 or 8. The entrance and car park is on Middle Road, Southampton.
Local Tip: A great way to tread off-the-beaten track to experience Bermuda’s parks and nature reserves is with the award-winning Eco-Tour group, Hidden Gems of Bermuda. They offer all-inclusive full and half-day excursions for visitors with an adventurous spirit and a passion for the outdoors. (For more information, visit BermudaHiddenGems.com)
