THIS SUMMER THE OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE TO Welcome to Bermuda Out Here, You Live Life Differently FOR OVER FOUR CENTURIES, OUR ISLAND HAS WELCOMED ADVENTURE SEEKERS, EXPLORERS AND ROMANTICS ALIKE. You’ll feel right at home. With a mix of British charm and island soul, Bermuda is intriguing and inviting. Our way of life is elegantly relaxed and genuinely warm. We celebrate cultures, revel in nature and stay open to whatever may happen next. Pink-sand beaches, historic towns and exciting year-round experiences may be the first to capture your attention, but it’s our original, ever-evolving take on island life that will bring you back. So dive in and add your own tale to the story. Share your experiences and connect with us online using the hashtag #gotobermuda. NASA Earth Observatory images by Jesse Allen, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Photo by James Acker, NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data Center/Adnet Inc., and Mike Carlowicz. GoToBermuda.com 1 Table of FEATURES 4 // 21 Square Miles of Summer Adventure Contents Discover 21 island adventures, from scuba diving to spa treatments 6 // Three Sides of Bermuda Get to know the people and places of East, West and Central Bermuda 14 // One Day, Four Ways Find ideas and inspiration for an 18 island getaway that’s just your style 16 // Beaches Immerse yourself in the island’s turquoise waters on these secluded shorelines 18 // Cricket Fever Join the locals in celebrating Cup Match, the island’s beloved cricket event 21 // What to Take Home 21 Find original souvenirs and gifts at Bermuda’s one-of-a-kind shops 22 // What’s Happening this Summer Browse the lineup of top summer events 28 // Tours & Excursions Let local guides illuminate hidden gems and remarkable historic places 34 // Dishing on the Destination Discover seasonal delights and the best 16 places to order the catch of the day PLANNING TOOLS 11 // Getting Around 12 // Ferry Schedule 36 // Adventure Almanac 20 Inside Back Cover // Signature Events Keep it Cool: Icy Treats to Try Out here, fresh frozen treats with an island twist are the best way to cool off after a fun-filled day in 34 the sun. These local delights will hit the spot. 2 GoToBermuda.com GoToBermuda.com 3 11 // Disappear in Tom Moore’s Jungle 21 Square Miles Walk lush forest trails, swim in translucent blue grottos and explore subterranean caves at this 12-acre reserve, named for the Irish poet who favoured the area for writing. of Summer Adventure 12 // Play Captain for the Day Steer your own adventure with a self-guided motorboat charter from H2O Watersports, You’ll find endless activities, inspiring sights and which operates out of Somerset’s stunning Mangrove Bay. thrilling adventure across the island’s 21 square miles and surrounding waters. 13 // Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding Whether on a guided tour or on your own, ST. GEORGE’S find balance as you paddle out to quiet coves, shipwrecks and coral reefs. 1 // Go Below the Surface For fresh views of Bermuda in all of its splendour, 14 // Submerge into the World of Scuba traverse transparent waters and see ocean life Bermuda has more shipwrecks per square on an active excursion with Crystal Clear Kayaks. mile than anywhere else in the world. Uncover sunken treasures, view abundant marine life 2 // Take a Jet Ski Safari and dive coral reefs. Zipping around the island on a jet ski is a great way to enjoy high-speed thrills, discover remote 15 // Catch an Underwater Fireworks Display islands and see Bermuda from a new perspective. Book a glass-bottom boat cruise and see bioluminescent glow worms engage in a 3 // See Bermuda as Artist’s Muse mating dance that creates a green, Visit Masterworks Museum and the Bermuda dreamlike glow in the water. National Gallery and witness how the island inspired visionaries such as Winslow Homer 16 // Dance to the Gombey Beat and Georgia O’Keeffe. Cheer on brightly adorned Gombey dancers, ROYAL NAVAL the pulse and rhythm of Bermudian culture 4 // Cruise into Happy Hour and shop local vendors at Harbour Nights, End a perfect day with a perfect Bermuda sunset. DOCKYARD a Wednesday night street festival. ÜberVida’s Friday night cocktail cruise serves drinks and island sounds aboard a luxury 17 // Snorkel with All the Family 70-foot catamaran. Fantastic for all ages, Tobacco Bay’s shallow water and intriguing rock formations are 5 // Tee Time a haven for bright blue parrotfish and a A perfect excuse to get the group out here – snorkeller’s dream. the island is a golfer’s paradise with more courses per capita than anywhere else and CITY OF 18 // Walk on the Ocean Floor dramatic oceanfront fairways. Hartley’s Helmet Diving leads underwater walks HAMILTON that take you eye to eye with fish, turtles and 6 // Walk on the Wild Side more. Using a helmet with large glass windows Tour Trunk Island with the Bermuda Zoological and air hoses, you can walk and breathe freely Society. This seven-acre sanctuary in Harrington as you explore a colourful reef garden. Sound was preserved to safeguard Bermuda’s diverse habitats. 19 // Take the Plunge Bermuda is home to some seriously exciting 7 // Revive Body and Sole cliff-diving spots. The most popular and best for Sun, sea and sand mean bare toes and feet. first-timers is Admiralty House Park, which has Relax and unwind with a hilltop pedicure or deep water and tall cliffs. signature Touched by the Sole treatment at Atlantic Willow Stream Spa. Ocean 20 // Jump, Slide and Dive 8 // Get Lost in the Triangle at a Floating Water Park Make a splash at X2O Adventures, an inflatable Uncover the mystery of sunken ships and fallen floating island in the West End. This obstacle planes at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration course features slides, runways, jumping pillows Institute’s Bermuda Triangle Exhibit. and bouncers. 9 // Indulge in Retail Therapy 21 // Have a Ball on Bermuda’s Courts The City of Hamilton is a compact capital packed Get out early for a round of tennis on one of with unique keepsakes, including graphic T-shirts Bermuda’s top-notch court facilities before emblazoned with local sayings, vibrant swimwear jumping in the ocean for a refreshing dip. and custom leather sandals. 10 // Shape Clay in Royal Naval Dockyard In a building that was once a British sailmaking Explore More workshop, local potters and ceramic artists show and sell their work. Bermuda Clayworks also hosts Find more summer adventures pottery-painting and clay-throwing classes. at GoToBermuda.com/summer-bermuda 4 GoToBermuda.com GoToBermuda.com 5 Three Sides of Bermuda We invite you to explore Bermuda and its surrounding waters. To get the lay of the land, start with the island’s three main regions. Out here, a small population (65,000 residents) makes for a strong neighbourhood identity. Each community brings with it a unique culture all its own, and a local character to match. Whether it’s the history-rich East End, still stamped by its Colonial past; the sophisticated and global capital City of Hamilton at the centre; Photos: Blue Hole Pool / Victoire Café or the West End, a popular sightseeing hub and maritime vestige, Bermuda is easy to get to, but a world away. Let the locals be your guide. East End St. George’s The island’s former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Town of St. George on the East End is rich with British Colonial history and culture. You’ll also discover many natural attractions, including Tom Moore’s Jungle and the Crystal Caves of Bermuda. Explore with Tyler Simmons // Cyclist and owner of Victoire Café East End Tyler Simmons opened Victoire with bare feet and fish in Experience it Like a Local: “I enjoy Café last year as a hub for cyclists their hand or carrying a bushel discovering places that I never Royal Naval to commune, grab a coffee and put of flowers is commonplace.” knew were there by turning over air in their tires. The coffee shop has rocks and looking down lanes Dockyard fast become a favourite hangout for and reading the plaques on the City of locals and anyone passing through. historical homes; things that maybe go overlooked. A lot of people want Hamilton Situated “St. George’s The Vibe at Victoire Café: to go to Tobacco Bay or Fort St. at the end of Water Street, the is like a living Catherine. There’s so much more modern, cosmopolitan cafe is to see in St. George’s.” Central framed by original cedar beams – organism – it’s its but there’s nothing dated about it. own functioning Pro Tip: Rent some race bikes from Bicycle Works in Hamilton for the The Vibe in Town of St. George: entity away from 13-mile ride to St. George’s. Up “It’s a little slower here than in the street, Long Story Short rents Hamilton but it’s charming and full other parts of beautiful day cruisers, perfect for of character and history,” Tyler said. Bermuda.” exploring the town. “People walking down the road West End Why are the roofs white in Town of St. George? Find out on a St. George’s Architecture tour, available every Saturday. Book through the Official Visitors Services Centre. 6 GoToBermuda.com GoToBermuda.com 7 West End A hub for sightseeing, shopping and entertainment, the historic Royal Naval Dockyard is one of Bermuda’s most popular destinations. Also in the West End, you’ll find many of the renowned South Shore Beaches including Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay.