Bermuda: A Relaxing Island Escape from New England
It’s one of the easiest international trips from New England. A direct flight from Boston takes a little over two hours, and once you arrive, the pace immediately slows down.
We stayed at the Fairmont Southampton and upgraded to the Gold Floor. I wasn’t sure it would be worth the extra cost, but it absolutely was. The lounge access, breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and evening appetizers and beverages made it perfect with kids who are always hungry.
Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip
Crystal Caves, Swizzle Inn & Blue Hole Park are all within a few minutes of each other. Do them in this order, trust me.
Blue Hole Park
Crystal & Fantasy Caves
Tour both caves. The tours are guided and last about an hour. They are filled with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, and feature crystal-clear underground pools with floating bridges.Swizzle Inn
Right across the street from the caves is the famous Swizzle Inn, home of Bermuda’s national drink, the Rum Swizzle. It’s a fun, casual stop for lunch.Blue Hole Park
After lunch, head to Blue Hole Park, a beautiful swimming area surrounded by limestone cliffs and jungle-like vegetation. If you’re feeling brave, there are spots where people cliff jump into the deep blue water.
Renting a Boat
Joe did a lot of research and chose Fantasea Charters to rent the boat.
Admiralty House Park
We stopped at a local cliff-jumping spot near Admiralty House Park. There are a few cliffs to jump from, both high, but one is higher. The kids didn’t hesitate, and looking back, I can’t believe I let them jump so young. The twins were 11, and Ben was 9, when they jumped from a 40-foot-high cliff.
We also stopped to snorkel near a shipwreck. The island is often called the “shipwreck capital of the Atlantic” because its surrounding reefs have claimed more than 300 ships over the centuries. Many of the wrecks are in shallow water and have become part of the marine environment, which makes them perfect for snorkeling.
Note: Try to rent on a day when cruise ships are in port. When cruise ships aren’t docked, the Royal Naval Dockyard area feels almost completely shut down, which means fewer taxis and services. When we returned the boat, there were no taxis available, so getting back to the hotel was difficult.
Beaches Worth Finding
Bermuda is famous for its beaches, but some of the best ones require a little effort.
Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve (Long Bay Beach)
Long Bay Beach, Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve
One of the quieter beaches we loved is Long Bay Beach inside Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
Long Bay Beach
Have your taxi driver take you as far into the reserve as they’re allowed to drive. From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk through the nature reserve to reach Long Bay Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand at the far end.
The walk itself is part of the experience. Cooper’s Island was a U.S. military base during World War II, and today it’s a protected nature reserve with walking trails, coastal views, and several observation towers where you can see across the island and out into the Atlantic.
When we arrived at Long Bay Beach, we were the only ones on the beach, and it was peak tourist season. The water is incredibly clear, making it easy to discover the coolest sea creatures.
Just make sure to get your taxi driver’s contact information before they leave; otherwise, you may have trouble finding a ride back.
Warwick Long Bay (Best Pink Sand)
If you want to see Bermuda’s famous pink sand, the best beach we found was Warwick Long Bay. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Horseshoe Bay, but far fewer people make the walk. Head toward the far end of the beach to see the most vibrant pink sand. The color comes from crushed coral and tiny marine organisms mixing with the white sand. It’s quieter, wider, and one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
A Helpful Beach Tip:
One thing locals quickly learn in Bermuda is that which beach you go to can depend on the wind that day. The famous pink-sand beaches like Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay are on the south shore, which is usually where you’ll find the most beautiful water and dramatic waves. But if the wind is strong or the ocean is rough, locals often head to the north shore beaches, where the water tends to be calmer because it’s more protected by the reef system surrounding the island. So if one side of the island feels windy or rough, it’s always worth checking the other side. Bermuda is only about 21 miles long, so switching beaches can be a quick drive.
A Few Helpful Things to Know
• Bermuda is not in the Caribbean; it’s in the Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina.
• The island is only about 21 miles long, so nothing is very far away.
• Visitors cannot rent regular cars. Most people get around by taxi, scooter, or electric mini cars.
• U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere, even though the local currency is Bermudian dollars.
One of the things I love about living on the South Shore is how easy it is to reach places like this, a short flight, and suddenly the only thing on the schedule is pink sand, turquoise water, and slowing down for a week.