Whether you’re visiting Bermuda for the first time or the 50th, there’s never a shortage of things to see and do on the Island. Try some—or all—of these unique and exciting “bucket list” ideas if you’re looking for cool places to visit, new foods to try and fun ways to spend your time in paradise.
Stop by for a Brew day or night
Start your day off right with breakfast at Brew. This favourite local eatery has a perfect menu featuring everything from whole fruit smoothies to grab-and-go options—and of course cold brew and nitro brew coffee on tap. Stop in later in the day for lunch or dinner and a local Bermudian Ale from Dockyard Brewing Co. Be sure to try their “special” wine, dispensed from a nitrogen generator designed by NASA. As their website jokes, “Having a few drinks at Brew is literally rocket science!”
Tel: 542 2739 brew@irg.bm or visit them online here
Shop till you drop at Bermuda’s thrift shops
You might not read about this in your typical Bermuda travel guide, but if you’re a shopaholic, thrift shopping is a national pastime in Bermuda. Many visitors and locals alike enjoy spending time sifting through the racks looking for deals at several well-known spots. Many are run by or support charitable organizations and clothes are donated by local residents.
The Barn in Devonshire located at 53 Devon Spring Rd is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am – 2pm
Bargain Box located in Pembroke at 2 Midsea Lane, Serpentine Road, is open on Thursdays from 5pm – 7pm and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm.
Upstairs Closet in Paget at Charleswood 9 Berry Hill Road open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am – 3pm
Orange Bay Company located in town at Magnolia Place, 45 Victoria Street and open Monday – Saturday 11am – 5pm
ReStore by Habitat Bermuda located also in Hamilton on 4 Front Street and open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
are just some of the many options for those who find shopping an adventure.
Check out the Royal Naval Dockyard
The Royal Naval Dockyard is one of the islands’ biggest tourist attractions. In fact, it’s been called the most visited site in Bermuda. That’s because there’s something for everyone at this historic British naval base-turned-entertainment hub. Once a bustling strategic military base and vibrant port, it lay abandoned for decades until the National Museum of Bermuda opened up on site and the government poured money into its restoration. Today, you can spend a day exploring shops, restaurants and history. There are often special events and you can also take your pick of unique experiences, including a visit with dolphins at Dolphin Quest and some exercise at FryDay’s Trampoline Park. More
Get out on the water
If you love water activities, you’ll want to check out BDA Watersports for a range of fun activities, including stand up paddle-board and crystal clear kayak rentals, jet ski tours and boat rentals. Located in Somerset at Robertsons Marina, you can book your water adventure online or call (441) 234 0914. Activity options depend on the season. Whether you’re in a group, coming with your family or as a couple, great adventures await.
Go down under with a visit to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute offers a range of interactive experiences for audiences of all ages. Check out the Ocean Discovery Centre’s exhibit Bermuda Triangle: Unlock the Secrets, the ultimate place to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. There’s an exhibit called the World Renowned Private Shell Collection featuring over 1,200 unique shells from a privately owned collection. Meanwhile, the Living with the Ocean exhibit enables visitors to interact above and below the water with state-of-the art technology and an immersive Google Earth experience. There’s even a Shipwreck Gallery that dives deep into the stories that have made Bermuda the shipwreck capital of the world.
Have fun in the sun on a pink sand beach
Bermuda is known for its pink sand beaches. Why not spend a day lounging, swimming or snorkelling at one of Bermuda’s finest? Horseshoe Bay is ranked as one of the best beaches in the world, with salmon-coloured sand and teal waters. While it tends to get busy in peak season (May to September), it’s a great place to rent an umbrella, enjoy some food and catch some sun. Tobacco Bay is another popular option, known for its calm water, which is perfect for snorkelling. Rent snorkelling gear onsite and you’ll get to see a variety of tropical fish, like parrot, clown and more.
Enjoy a “forage and feast” experience
Explore your wild side by learning to forage for wild herbs and plants in Bermuda. Bermuda’s own herbalist Doreen Williams-James will take you on an adventure through nature as you learn to identify and pick native plants in their habitat. Then, enjoy a cooking class, dinner or demo as Williams-James puts on her chef’s hat and cooks guests a meal to remember. There are a variety of tours to choose from, so whether you’re interested in a wild herbal remedy class, a wild edible tasting tour or want to put together your own private tour, this is a must-do on your next trip to Bermuda.
Enjoy some R & R in an underground cave
If you’re staying at Grotto Bay Beach Resort, a swim in the Cathedral Cave lake is an unforgettable experience. But if you are looking for a relaxing spa appointment in the same surreal setting, underneath a chandelier of hanging salt formations, you can book a treatment at the resort’s Natura Spa, inside Prospero’s Cave. Imagine having a massage or facial on a floating platform with a soft drip-drip echo in the background as you slip into a state of bliss. It’s a good idea to book your appointment well ahead to ensure space is available in the cave during your visit. www.grottobay.com
Swizzle Inn and Swagger Out
There’s a saying in Bermuda: Swizzle Inn and Swagger Out. In fact, that’s what locals have been doing since Bermuda’s oldest pub created the country’s national drink, the Rum Swizzle, in 1932. Described as a rustic, comfortable place, the Swizzle Inn Pub offers simple but delicious food in a lively atmosphere that includes live entertainment every summer and competitive but friendly quiz nights. After a day of sightseeing at nearby attractions, including Crystal and Fantasy Caves, Blue Hole Park and Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, you might just want to wander over for a bite.
