Travel to Bermuda: cheap flights to the pink-sand island

Bermuda at a glance

Why visit Bermuda

Pink sand, lagoons, history and British polish

Places to see

Horseshoe Bay, Hamilton, St George's and the Dockyard

The archipelago forms one long fish-hook-shaped island joined by bridges: you can cross it in under an hour, yet each area has its own mood. Here is a quick tour, from the pink beaches to the lanes of St George's.

Pink-sand beaches and coves

The south shore strings together pink-sand beaches and coves of limestone rock: Horseshoe Bay, the best known, with its tinted sand, summer lifeguards and cafe; Warwick Long Bay, longer and wilder; and Church Bay, ideal for snorkelling. Rock and clear water make Bermuda a postcard setting.

Hamilton, the Great Sound and the bays

Hamilton, the capital, is a small harbour town: Front Street with its shops and restaurants, and ferries crossing the Great Sound towards the west. In the surrounding bays, islets, anchorages and turquoise water make for lovely boat outings.

St George's, the historic town

Founded in 1612, St George's is the oldest surviving English town in the New World, and its historic centre with its fortifications is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit St Peter's Church, the old State House and narrow lanes lined with pastel houses, then follow the shoreline.

The Royal Naval Dockyard and the west

At the west end, the former Royal Navy dockyard holds the National Museum of Bermuda, shops, restaurants and the cruise pier. Further south, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the Crystal Caves and Somerset Bridge, the world's smallest drawbridge, complete the visit.

Diving, wrecks and reefs

The reefs and wrecks, often shallow, give divers and snorkellers good visibility. In 1609 the wreck of the ship Sea Venture on these reefs led to the English settlement of the islands.

Before you go

Mild all year, with summer best for swimming

Area	Climate	Best time
South-shore beaches	Warmer water in summer; cool before May.	May to October
Hamilton and the Great Sound	Mild weather, lovely boat days in spring and autumn.	April to October
St George's and the east	Comfortable sightseeing in mild weather; quieter outside holidays.	March to May, then October and November
Diving and the sea	Good visibility; cooler water in winter.	May to October

The climate is mild and humid, moderated by the Gulf Stream: roughly 18 C at its coolest and 27 C at its warmest, and never freezing. The hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking in September, so check forecasts, keep your dates flexible and consider travel insurance. Bermuda sets its own entry rules: check the official conditions for your nationality.

Getting around

Buses, ferries, taxis and scooters

Visitors mostly get around by public bus, taxi and fast ferry between Hamilton, the west end and St George's. Traditionally non-residents have not rented cars; electric scooters and, more recently, small cars are available, but rules change, so check before you go. Traffic drives on the left, at low speed limits.

The island is small and distances short. A transport pass often covers buses and ferries; south-shore beaches are reachable by bus, sometimes with a short walk or shuttle.

Food and culture

Fish chowder, Dark 'n' Stormy and tradition

Local food mixes fish, seafood and British heritage: fish chowder seasoned with rum and pepper, the fish sandwich, and the Dark 'n' Stormy cocktail of rum and ginger beer. Bermuda shorts, worn with a jacket and long socks, are a local dress tradition.

Gombey dancers, masked and costumed, are a living tradition; the tourist board lists a weekly performance in spring. On the history side, the House of Assembly dates from 1620, among the world's oldest legislatures, and the islands are today a recognised financial centre.

Travel to Bermuda

The Bermuda airport covered by SniperAir

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Bermuda