11 Things To Know Before Visiting Bermuda + Bermuda Travel Tips

Visiting Bermuda soon? Check out 11 things you should know before traveling to the island + some useful Bermuda travel tips.

Bermuda is a beautiful island that is full of hidden surprises. However, there are quite a few misconceptions about the island, and unlike more popular travel destinations, there are things that not many people know about it. But there are definitely things you should know before visiting Bermuda!

So if you’re thinking of visiting Bermuda, or you’ve been thinking where to go on your next vacation, read through these helpful Bermuda travel tips + where to stay in Bermuda tips.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING BERMUDA

1| Bermuda is NOT in the Caribbean

This is one of the most popular misconceptions about Bermuda. Although it resembles a Caribbean island in many ways, Bermuda is actually in the North Atlantic. While this doesn’t actually make much difference to enjoying the island, it does make a difference on how you get there. If you are from the East Coast, Bermuda might be closer than you think!

2| It’s very close to the East Coast of the US

On that note, Bermuda is located very close to the East Coast of America, and this is where you’ll likely fly from to get to Bermuda. Flights to US cities such as New York and Boston take just over two hours, although you can make connections to almost any East Coast city.

On the other hand, if you don’t feel like flying, a more enjoyable way to reach the island is by combining Bermuda and New England on a cruise. Discover Celebrity’s Bermuda Cruise and imagine being able to visit the idyllic island of Bermuda for a few days followed by dreamy towns in Maine, the young city of Boston, and finish your trip in New York City.

3| Bermuda boasts some beautiful beaches

One of the main reasons Bermuda gets mistaken for a Caribbean island is the quality of the beaches. You can expect crystal clear water, beautiful sand, and plenty of sunbathers, similar to those you would find in Turks and Caicos or other Caribbean islands. Keep in mind though that the island is in the Atlantic: during the summer the water is warm, but can dip to much cooler temperatures in the winter.

Some of the most beautiful beaches are Jobson’s Cove, Tobacco Bay beaches, and, of course, the pink beaches… keep reading!! West Whale Beach is also great, however because of the low tide this is accessible only a few hours a day.  Humpback whales pass here in April, but most of the time they will be too far to actually see them!

4| You can’t rent a car on the island

Car rental is banned by the Bermudian government. The main reason for this is because the island is quite small (21 square miles) and has a small population of 65,000. However, the island expects around 600,000 tourists a year, and if they all rented cars the infrastructure wouldn’t be able to cope.

So what are your options? You can rent scooters and mopeds, as these are freely available and cheap to rent, or there is an emerging market of electric minicars too. Alternatively, there are places for renting bicycles if you prefer (and you can get some exercising done at the same time), or there are plenty of taxis available across the island.

5| You can swim in grottos

There are many grottos and cave systems on the coast of Bermuda, and all of them are beautiful. And to make things even better, you’re allowed to swim in them! There are plenty of companies that arrange swimming tours of the bigger cave systems, and this is usually the best way to experience them as you can take advantage of local knowledge.

Prospero’s & Cathedral Caves are located on the grounds of Grotto Bay Beach Resort, and are definitely worth a visit.

6| You should get travel insurance before flying out

Everyone traveling to Bermuda should think twice before flying out to the island without travel medical insurance. Medical cost in Bermuda appears to be the second highest in the world, often even higher than in the US! Most, if not all, American and British medical insurance companies won’t cover you if something happens to you while on the island, so you really need to think ahead before traveling. 

7| The historic Town of St. George is super instagrammable

The Town of St. George was the first settlement established on the island and is steeped in local history. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for this very reason. There are so many beautiful buildings to see, many of which are very colorful and make for those perfect Instagram shots.

Make sure you visit King’s Square, which is in the center of town and a good place to start any tours. There are companies that provide walking and minibus tours, although it’s perfectly possible to guide yourself around the town if you prefer.

8 | It’s quite expensive

This is an important thing to consider when thinking about visiting Bermuda. Many people who have emigrated to the island don’t bother cooking at home because it’s just as expensive as eating out. The main reason for this is because the island is so small the vast majority of things are imported from other countries, which adds to the price massively.

9| Yes, it’s true. There are pink sand beaches!!

Do I have to say it again? PINK BEACHES! Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches, and they make ideal photo opportunities, particularly at sunset. The sand is made from tiny invertebrates that live on the coral reefs along Bermuda’s coastline.

I’m sure you’ve seen photos of Horseshoe Bay Beach before. Ranked by Conde Nast one of the top 20 beaches in the world, there is no way you can miss this unreal pink beach when visiting Bermuda!

10| Watch out for jellyfish

Bermuda is a known home of the Portuguese man o’war, a poisonous kind of jellyfish. Now, I don’t want to scare you. This jellyfish only appears occasionally, usually after storms, and shouldn’t deter you from visiting the island.

The beaches will have warning signs up if the jellyfish are seen there regularly, but it pays to keep an eye out anyway. Ask locals or your hotel if there have been any recent sightings at the beach before you go swimming on some lesser known beaches.

11| Bermudians speak English!

Hey, it will be easy to communicate with the locals! Bermuda’s national language is Bermudian English, which is a mix of American, British, and West Indian English. Some locals also speak Portuguese, but you won’t have any language problems.

WHERE TO STAY IN BERMUDA: BEST HOTELS IN BERMUDA

As I was telling you earlier, Bermuda is not a cheap destination. I usually recommend luxury, middle-range, and budget options, but in this case I had to add a super luxury category as middle range is already expensive.

READ ALSO: Where To Stay in Bermuda | 12 Bermuda Hotels To Book This Year

Book your accommodation by using the map below ⬇

Super Luxury Hotels

Rosewood Bermuda: A 5-star luxury resort with its private pink sand beach, Rosewood Bermuda is synonym with luxury. The gorgeous facilities include 4 swimming pools, a beach club, and a spa, and you can imagine that the rooms and suites are as elegant as they come as well. Stay here if you’re looking for the ultimate luxury beach getaway. ➤ BOOK IT HERE

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – A Fairmont Managed Hotel: The iconic, 5-star pink hotel you’ve probably seen on Instagram at some point. The star of this luxury hotel is its infinity pool with Hamilton Harbor view, plus its 4 restaurants, first-class rooms, and great spa make this hotel a wonderful choice. Great location, 5-min walking distance from Hamilton. ➤ BOOK IT HERE

Luxury Hotels 

Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa: A lush, adults-only resort that makes for the perfect romantic getaway. The private beach, tropical ocean views, 3 restaurants, and the Ocean Spa are all you need to relax, but you’ll also find two tennis courts and gym if you want to be more active. ➤ BOOK IT HERE

Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa: Free shuttles to the 18-hole golf course and to the beaches makes this 4-star hotel super convenient. It features elegant rooms and studios and suites that come with kitchenettes. All the rooms have private balconies with incredible views of the harbor. You’ll also find a spa, gym, outdoor pool, and hot tub. What else do you need? ➤ BOOK IT HERE

Boutique & Middle Range Hotels

Inverurie Executive Suites: Located in Mount Pleasant, this hotel offers easy access to all other places in the island. The incredible views of the ocean from your balcony will make you feel like you are on a cruise ship! All the suites come with either a kitchenette or a full kitchen, which will help save money on meals. ➤ BOOK IT HERE

Oxford House: A charming property with great access to Hamilton, the bus, and the ferries. This Bermuda-style townhouse features 12 well-appointed rooms and a wonderful complimentary breakfast. It feels like you’re staying in an English country house! ➤ BOOK IT HERE

Bermuda is a beautiful island that is definitely worth visiting. However, if you are planning to visit, make sure you’re not caught off guard by things like food prices and drinking water. These things can be enough to ruin a trip, and so it pays to be prepared before visiting Bermuda.  Hopefully these Bermuda travel trips were helpful to organize your trip. Have fun!