Bermuda is one of the most popular cruise destinations out there. Despite the number of visitors dropping by a startling 98% during the pandemic, tourism has been steadily increasing ever since. The primary reason for its popularity is the number of fun activities families can enjoy while cruising Bermuda. Let’s explore what to do in Bermuda on a cruise. Keep reading to learn some of the awesome things you can do and experience while visiting.
Visit Stunning Beaches
Why visit Bermuda if not for the beaches? They are, perhaps, Bermuda’s most notable features. The archipelago’s beaches are famous for clean, pink sands, clear water, and beautiful natural scenery.
There are a few beaches in particular that you should visit as part of your cruise.
Horseshoe Bay Beach
Tourists and locals frequent Horseshoe Bay, and it’s known as one of the most photographed beaches in Bermuda. So it tends to be crowded, which can be a turn-off for some. However, it is one of the most remarkable sights you can behold with the azure water and clear blue skies. Horseshoe Bay also features stunning rock formations that make for beautiful photographic scenery.
If you don’t like a too crowded beach, turn off to the left once you get to the beach and take a stroll. You can then enjoy the incredible scenery without too many people around.
For families with very young children, like toddlers, Horseshoe Bay also has a section called Baby Beach. It is an isolated cove with exceptionally calm waters, offering an ideal environment for kids to swim and play. Because the water is so shallow, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe (but always supervised!).
Tobacco Bay
Tobacco Bay received its name when a group of shipwreck survivors discovered tobacco growing there. The beach won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2016 to 2019 and was voted Bermuda’s number one visitor attraction. The beach is rife with a history dating as far back as 1609.
You can enjoy an almost unlimited number of activities on this beautiful beach, including snorkeling and frequent bonfire nights.
Jobson’s Cove Beach
Like Horseshoe Bay, Jobson’s Cove Beach is most famous for its natural beauty. The beach has the same crystal-clear azure water and pink sands but with massive rock formations and tropical plant growth encircling it. There is also a small, tranquil lagoon, perfect for a relaxing swim.
For a more detailed guide to Bermuda beaches, check out Bermuda Beaches Near Cruise Port: 9 Spectacular Options By King’s Wharf.
Go Snorkeling
Bermuda features some of the most exciting things you can see underwater. Coral reefs and shipwrecks surround the island, so there is no shortage of things to discover.
Shipwrecks
Bermuda is regarded as the shipwreck capital of the world, with approximately 300 wrecks within easy reach. You can see the wreckage of the Mary Celestia, the Constellation, Montana, and many others; some of them are so old that their names are lost to time. But their remains are there for you to see under the shallow water.
The Hayes KB-501
This US B-50 Bomber plane crashed into the sea in 1963 during a refueling mission. Its fuselage is still there, about 25 feet below the surface, so it might not be easily accessible to anyone with a diving mask and a snorkel. Still, if you’re adventurous, a wrecked plane under the water is an unusual sight to behold.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are always beautiful to see and a popular attraction for snorkelers. Three types of coral reefs surround Bermuda: the North Lagoon Reefs, Terrace Reef, and Rim Reef. Here you can see beautiful colors and unique underwater life. You can see more than 16 types of tropical fish in their natural habitat rather than in an aquarium.
Hike The Railway Trail
Moving a bit further away from the water, another fun activity that cruising tourists like to do in Bermuda is to hike the Railway Trail. Or, if you prefer, you can rent a bike and traverse the trail that way.
It is one of the most remarkable ways to see all of Bermuda’s marvels and natural beauty. You will follow the old 1930s railway line built before cars were allowed on the island. It crosses a wide variety of different landscapes. You can see the beaches, hills, plains, old bridges, and other historic structures.
One of the entrances to the trail is right next to the Royal Navy Dockyard, so you can start the course immediately after disembarking.
Go Cave Crawling
When the tropical heat becomes too much, you can cool down by going to one of the two stunning cave systems in Bermuda. The first and more extensive of the two is the Crystal Cave, which was discovered in 1907. It features beautiful sights like stalagmites and stalactites that date back to the ice age. Crystal Cave also has an underground amphitheater and a stunning clear-water lake.
Fantasy Cave is the smaller of the two cave systems, but it has an even larger and deeper underground lake with unique crystal deposits that look like frozen waterfalls.
Visit Admiralty House Park
In the 19th century, Admiralty House Park was a British Naval Station and home to British Royal Navy. The site is rich in history and places of interest, including man-made caves that were once used as makeshift prison cells for convicts.
It has hiking trails, underground tunnels, ruins, and many other exciting things to see and experience. Adrenaline addicts may enjoy rock climbing on the massive overhanging cliffs or cliff diving into the clear blue ocean below. There is also a secluded beach with calm, lagoon-like waters for those who want a more relaxed experience.
Admiralty House Park is a little-known tourist attraction, so you shouldn’t be overwhelmed by large crowds of visitors.
Go Whale Watching
March and April are the ideal months to see whales around Bermuda, as the massive ocean mammals spend these months feeding in the waters of the archipelago. Though you can spot whales throughout the year, you will be in for a treat if you visit during this time since sightings are far more frequent. (Check out our guide on the best time to visit Bermuda.)
There’s no shortage of whale-watching guides in Bermuda, and even though it may seem quite expensive, the experience is worth every penny.
Explore The Town Of St. George
The town was established in 1609 when British sailors were shipwrecked there. You can see colonial architecture everywhere, and the locals embrace the town’s heritage so much that many still wear historical clothing as they walk through the streets.
Going to St. George is like setting foot in a time machine. Its historical relevance is so pronounced that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. No history enthusiast will want to miss St. George’s Town.
There are six museums and places of interest in particular that are worth a visit. They are the Town Hall, the Bermuda National Trust Museum, St. Peter’s Church, the Historical Society Museum, Bermudian Heritage Museum, and the Tucker House Museum.
Visit Dolphin Quest
The National Museum of Bermuda hosts a Dolphin Quest Center. It offers a natural lagoon setting where visitors may experience dolphins in a very personal way.
Dolphin Quest is a Humane Certified institute dedicated to conserving bottlenose dolphins. The center offers tourists the opportunity to learn more about dolphins, see how people should interact with them, and even swim with these incredible mammals, all within a safe and calming environment for the tourists and the dolphins.
Lili Bermuda Perfumery
Lili Bermuda is a world-famous perfume brand manufactured a stone’s throw from St. George’s Town since 1928. It is so well-known that some locals claim you can simply follow the scent to get to the perfumery from the town.
The perfumery offers tours showing how perfumes were made a century ago compared to how they are today. The guides will even allow you to try your hand at mixing a unique scent you can take home with you, leaving you with a unique reminder of your cruise to Bermuda.
The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, And Zoo
No, those aren’t three separate places. The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo (or “BAMZ,” as some call it) is a massive place with plenty of experiences for people of all ages. It was established in 1926 and is one of the world’s oldest establishments of its kind.
The BAMZ boasts more than 300 exotic tropical fish species and 200 rare birds. You can feed the animals, learn about conservation, and even participate in other fun activities like snorkeling and arts and crafts. The restaurants are also exceptional, so the BAMZ is an excellent place for your family to spend a day after the cruise ship has docked.
The Bermuda Botanical Gardens
For a quieter and more peaceful experience, the Bermuda Botanical Gardens offer an excellent place to have a picnic. The site was established in 1898 and is still thriving today, with over 35 acres of gardens featuring exotic plants and perfectly-maintained lush foliage.
The botanical gardens even feature a section that caters to the visually impaired, known as the Sensory Garden, with a range of plants chosen specifically to offer a fragrance feast.
On the premises, you will also find the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art and the official residence of the Premier of Bermuda, Camden House. Oddly, no Premier has ever lived in the house, but it dates back to the 1700s when the main building belonged to one of the wealthiest landowners in Bermuda, Colonel Francis Jones.
In Closing
Whether you choose to explore Bermuda’s beaches, museums, or towns, you’ll have plenty of options for planning a fun excursion for the whole family on the island of Bermuda.
