Bermuda Cruise

Bermuda Highlights

Home to many historical landmarks and plenty of pink-sand beaches, Bermuda is one of the top cruise vacation spots for travelers from the United States, who can easily depart for the island from any of several East Coast cities. Cruising to Bermuda continues to grow in popularity at a remarkable rate, and the island boasts a visitor return rate of over 50%.

Only 22 miles in length, and barely two miles wide, Bermuda is actually a group of many islands that are connected by roads and bridges. Bermuda's small size, combined with its large popularity, help make it the third-most densely populated place on Earth, although it's just the fifth-smallest country in the world.

Renting cars is prohibited for visitors, but buses travel along all of the major roadways, stopping approximately every 15 minutes. One of the main reasons cruising to Bermuda is so popular is that visitors are never more than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean – regardless of where they are on the island.

Bermuda Ports of Call

Cruises to Bermuda depart from several cities located along the East Coast of the United States – including Charleston (South Carolina), New York, Philadelphia, Ft. Lauderdale, Norfolk (Virginia), and Baltimore – and sail to either Hamilton, King's Wharf or St. George's. Generally speaking, shorter itineraries will only stop and stay in Bermuda, but longer itineraries that visit Bermuda may also cruise to ports of calls in Turks and Caicos, as well as other exotic Caribbean islands.

Popular Bermuda cruise destinations include:

Hamilton: The capital of Bermuda, Hamilton is one of Bermuda's busiest cities.

King's Wharf: This is the only port in Bermuda capable of handling today's largest cruise vessels.

St. George's: St. George's was Bermuda's first settlement and England's second in the New World (after Jamestown).

Bermuda Activities & Attractions

Admiral's Tour: A private guided tour of the Maritime Museum.

Afternoon Tea: Traditionally offered in many Bermudian restaurants and hotels.

Art & Architecture Tour: A guided tour of the Bermuda National Gallery and the City of Hamilton.

Bermuda Aquarium / Natural History Museum & Zoo: Highlights include humpback whales, moray eels, and the North Rock Exhibit. Located in Hamilton.

Bermuda Maritime Museum: Located in King's Wharf. The museum houses artifacts from many of Bermuda's shipwreck sites. It's also home to the 19th century's restored Commissioner's House.

Bermuda Rum Cake Company: Pick up a delicious rum cake in King's Wharf!

Bermuda National Gallery: A “Heritage Pass” allows you access to the Bermuda National Gallery and many other Bermuda tourist sites.

Bermuda Golfing: Bermuda is home to more golf courses per square mile than any other place on Earth, so you're sure to find at least one that suits your skill level. Recommended courses include Port Royal Golf Course, Riddell's Bay Golf & Country Club, the Southampton Princess, the Mid-Ocean Club, the Bermuda Golf Academy, St. George's Golf Club, Ocean View Golf Club, and Tucker's Point Golf Club.

Bermuda Beaches: Options include Shelly Bay, Elbow Beach (for swimming and body surfing), Horseshoe Bay Beach, Mangrove Bay, Somerset Long Bay, Tobacco Bay (for snorkeling), Achilles Bay (for snorkeling and windsurfing), Clearwater Beach & Park (for snorkeling equipment and nature trails), Church Bay (for snorkeling), Discovery Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Astwood Cove, and Coral Beach.

Bermuda National Trust Museum: Explore the history of St. George's via a tour of the building that the governor once lived in.

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute: This incredible facility contains the world's first simulated "deepwater submersible" and a collection of over 3,000 shells. Located in Hamilton.

Bermuda Train Company: A 90-minute guided tour of the Royal Naval Dockyard in King's Wharf and Somerset Village.

Bermuda Forts: Highlights include Alexandria Battery, Fort St. Catherine, Fort George, Fort William, Little Head, St. David's, Smith's Island, Fort Scaur, and Fort Hamilton.

Bermuda Tennis: Tennis courts are available all over the island. Contact your cruise line for reservations!

Biking Tours: Explore Bermuda's historical and natural wonders on one of the island's many established bike trails.

Botanical Gardens: Home to exotic subtropical plants, flowers, and trees.

Bottom Peeper: View Bermuda's colorful marine life and famous shipwrecks from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat.

Camden House: The official residence of the Premier of Bermuda.

Carriage House Museum: Learn more about transportation in Bermuda prior to the invention of the automobile. Located in St. George's.

Carter House: Explore the history of fishing, farming, and whaling in one of Bermuda's oldest residences.

Clocktower Mall: Duty-free shopping. Located in King's Wharf.

Crystal Caves: Located 80 feet below sea level, these caves boast the highest concentration of limestone of any collection of caves in the world.

Catamaran Cruises: Swim, snorkel, or sunbathe on one of the many catamaran cruises available in Bermuda.

Cultural Art Walking Tour: Explore the art and architecture of historic Hamilton.

EZ Rider Electric Bike 'n' Hike Expedition: A guided tour through Bermuda on a motor-assisted bicycle. Your expedition also includes a ferry ride.

Famous Homes & Hideaways Cruise: See how the rich and famous live in Bermuda!

Featherbed Alley Printery: Early editions of the Bermuda Gazette (from the 18th and 19th centuries) were printed here.

Front Street: Every Wednesday night in Hamilton, local vendors line up for one of the biggest parties in Bermuda. During the day, there's plenty of shopping available on Front Street, too.

Gibb's Hill Lighthouse: The oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world can be found near King's Wharf.

Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve: Located on Somerset Island, Gladys Morrell boasts magnificent views of Mangrove Bay.

Hartley's Underwater Adventure: Helmet diving into the Atlantic allows you to walk the ocean floor and feed the fish without swimming or scuba skills.

Heydon Trust: An historic site, located near King's Wharf, that's home to a bird sanctuary, a 1620s chapel, fruit groves, and a garden.

Horse & Buggy Ride: Travel through St. George's like they did in the 19th century!

Kayaking Excursions: Contact your cruise line for reservations!

King's Square: The main gathering place in St. George's.

Old Cooperage: A former barrel factory in King's Wharf, now home to the Bermuda Craft Market.

Old State House: Bermuda's oldest building, built in 1620. It's also where Bermuda's parliament used to meet.

Nonsuch Island: A nature reserve that's home to 25 species of migratory water birds.

Reef Fishing On The Eureka: An excursion offered by most major cruise lines.

Royal Naval Dockyard: Home to the Bermuda Arts Centre. It's also the point of departure for many land and sea excursions.

1610 Deliverance: A replica of the centuries-old cedar ship.

St. George's Heritage Walking Tours: An excursion offered by most major cruise lines.

St. George's Historical Society Museum: Artifacts dating back to the pre-Revolutionary War era can be found in this 18th-century house.

St. Peter's Church: The oldest Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere. It also houses the oldest piece of furniture in Bermuda.

Snorkel Park: Rent snorkeling equipment or take an electric water scooter ride! Located in King's Wharf.

Somers Gardens: The tomb of Admiral Sir George Somers is located here.

Somerset Village: Site of the 1962 film A Touch of Mink.

Somerset Bridge: The narrowest drawbridge in the world leads to Somerset Island and offers excellent views of the Cathedral Rocks.

Skyrider Parasailing: Adventurous, kid-safe excursions that depart from King's Wharf.

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve: Bermuda's largest wildlife sanctuary. Jeffrey's Hole Cave, another popular attraction, is also located here.

Swimming With The Dolphins: Several excursions are offered; contact your cruise line for more information.

Trolley Tour: Ride a trolley through Hamilton! The tour visits historic landmarks and stops at the Ocean Discovery Center.

Tucker House Museum: Former residence of a wealthy Bermudan family, which now houses a collection of Bermudian furniture, portraits, and silver.

Ultimate Water Tour: A narrated boat tour through the bays and islands of Bermuda, featuring periodic stops so that passengers can view expensive estate homes.

Unfinished Church: Although it's never been completed, Unfinished Church remains a beautiful site and a Bermudan landmark.

Verdmont Museum: Built in 1710 and since restored, this fascinating building is located in Hamilton.

West End Sea Trek Eco-Historical Tour: A nature lover's favorite!

When To Visit Bermuda

Summer is Bermuda's peak season, offering travelers weather that's similar to the summertime weather found in most mid-Atlantic U.S. cities, so most Bermuda cruises sail from May to October. Bermuda has no definitive rainy season, but the months of August, September, and October are considered the island's hurricane season.