There are plenty of reasons to love Bermuda, especially if you like being outdoors. The sunny skies and gentle sea breezes create perfect weather for playing golf, strolling streets lined with pastel colonial buildings and lounging at the beach. In fact, hanging out at the beach is one of the top things to do in Bermuda.
If you’re cruising to Bermuda, you have to enjoy some sand and surf. The North Atlantic island is home to more than 30 spectacular beaches known for their pink sand and clear blue water. The reefs surrounding the island help keep the water shallow and the waves calm, so swimmers of all levels can find a place to take a dip.
Getting to the Beaches
Cruise ships dock at King’s Wharf, also called Royal Naval Dockyard, on the western tip of the island. The most popular, most photographed and most talked about beaches are along the southern shore. You have to take a taxi or bus from the port to get there, or you can explore them on a shore excursion.
Carnival cruises gives guests as much as three days in Bermuda. As you plan your time on the island, be sure to schedule time to check out one of these best beaches in Bermuda.
1. Church Bay
Arguably the best spot in Bermuda for snorkeling, Church Bay attracts visitors for a snorkeling experience that is like swimming in an aquarium. The beach’s deep pink sand leads to a reef that attracts a variety of sea creatures, especially angel fish and parrotfish. It’s a great stop in the morning or afternoon when the air is cooler.
2. Elbow Beach
Although it shares its name with a private resort, Elbow Beach also has areas open to the public. Plan to go snorkeling or kayaking here so you can see the Pollockshields shipwreck located 100 yards offshore. The ship sank during a hurricane in 1915, and the wreckage continues to fascinate visitors who want to see the debris.
3. Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay continues to be one of the most popular beaches in Bermuda, and it’s well worth the 35-minute ride to get there. Located on the southern side of the main island, it’s one of the most photographed beaches in the world. It comes with calm currents and a lifeguard on duty in the summer, so the whole family can enjoy swimming.
4. Shelly Bay
Shelly Bay is nearly an hour away from the dock, but it may be worth the drive if you love the outdoors. The shallow water is a great place for novice swimmers, but it’s also popular with snorkelers and wind surfers. If you want to take a break from the sand and surf, you can explore the nearby mangrove tidal pool or enjoy some time at the public park and playground.
5. Somerset Long Bay
If you want to maximize your time at the beach, head to Somerset Long Bay. It’s one of the closest beaches to the Royal Naval Dockyard where the cruise ships dock, so this beach is bustling with activity. You can kick back and relax in the salmon-colored sand or head out into the water for a kite-surfing adventure.
6. Tobacco Bay
Named for the tobacco that once grew near the beach, Tobacco Bay is the most popular stretch of sand in St. George’s Parish. Everyone in the family can find something to do, from swimming and snorkeling to sampling local beach food and dancing at night. While you’re there, take a stroll down Government Hill Road and check out the Unfinished Church, a local landmark.
7. Warwick Long Bay
If you like to take long walks on the beach, head over to Warwick Long Bay. Stretching for a half mile along the southern shore, it is Bermuda’s longest beach. An offshore reef keeps the waves at bay, and there’s even a playground for children.
8. Jobson’s Cove
Just a short walk from Warwick Long Bay, Jobson’s Cove is a secluded beach where you can escape from the busier stretches of sand. Nestled between two rock cliffs, the swimming area at this beach looks like a lagoon or swimming pool, and the clear shallow water makes an ideal swimming or playing spot for the family.
9. Chaplin Bay
Connecting Jobson’s Cove and Warwick Long Bay, Chaplin Bay is a small and secluded beach known for the distinctive coral wall that rises out of the water. The beach disappears during high tide, but it’s close to other south shore beaches you can visit if you arrive at the wrong time. The beach comes the most alive on July 1st, when revelers come in to celebrate Canada Day.
10. West Whale Bay
There’s so much to see at West Whale Bay, especially if you’re in town in late winter or early spring when humpback whales migrate. You can spot these magnificent creatures from the shore. During low tide, you have a chance to explore the reefs that live just below the surface of the water. At high tide, head over to the remains of the battery and learn more about Bermuda’s history.
Bermuda is a fascinating destination, but make sure you carve out some time to explore the beaches. They provide the perfect backdrop for vacation photos to make unforgettable memories, from the moment you step on one of our cruise ships until the moment you say goodbye.