We’ve all heard a story involving the Bermuda Triangle. Legends of planes and ships disappearing without a trace…
Surely, an unsettling concept to consider while boarding a flight to Bermuda.
Insanely turquoise waters paired with a tropical paradise landscape, the island truly looks photoshopped at every turn. Apart from the shipwreck capitol of the world, Bermuda is known for its’ expansive coral reefs and vibrantly colored aquatic life. Famed for its many pristine beaches, this little island sits in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. If you pay attention, there are hundreds of tropical fish to be seen right off shore waiting for tourists to drop their food.
A couple things to know before visiting Bermuda…
- Bermuda is NOT in the Caribbean
- The island is very expensive
- Beware of Portuguese Man O’War’s. VERY painful stings!
- You can’t rent a car – only motor bikes
My Bermudian holiday was that of business, though traveling to an island can only be considered “work” in so many ways!
Upon arrival, a friendly local man at the airport gave me the full scoop on Bermuda’s history and the “must-do’s” and “must-avoids” during my visit. He recommended I tour some of the less popular beaches, instead of Horseshoe Beach – the famous, overcrowded, pink sand beach. That way, I’ll practically have the entire beach to myself while I sip on my rum cocktail!
My shuttle driver, also an incredibly kind man, was ecstatic when I mentioned this was my first visit to Bermuda. He pulled the shuttle over to all the scenic spots while giving me an insiders-tour. I learned about sunken treasure on the island, popular spots where marine life like to hide, and saw the world’s tiniest drawbridge – just under 2 feet wide!
Did you know? Historians estimate there are over 1000 shipwrecks in Bermuda’s waters. Only 300 of these ruins have been found to date, so think of all the lost treasure in the areas surrounding the island! Unfortunately, the term “finder’s keeper’s” does not necessarily apply here. All discovered valuables, whether that’s gold, jewels, or artifacts – belong to the government. Specifically; the Royal family of Great Britain. Maybe that’s why we don’t hear of more treasure hunts in Bermuda!
During my free time, I started exploring with the island’s capital: Hamilton. Known to local’s simply as “town”, Hamilton is the business and financial district of Bermuda. The city is famously peppered with pastel-colored buildings and modern boutiques. The town comes alive at night, with many bars & clubs sprinkled throughout Front Street with patrons drinking until the early hours of the morning. Liam and I experienced a bit of the nightlife scene while attending a work-hosted party at The Front Yard downtown.
If you’re walking around downtown Hamilton, it’s hard to miss the Bermuda National Gallery. This pristine white structure functions as both the municipal government building and the art center. A 90-foot clocktower features a bronze weathervane of the Sea Venture. The English ship crashed into Bermuda in 1609, and the survivors established the island. Inside, there are musical and theatrical performances throughout the year, as well as a large collection of world-class artworks.
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club hosted our work events in Bermuda. This 5-Star luxury hotel is lovingly referred to as “The Pink Palace” for its bright pastel color. The hotel could easily be an art gallery – with over 300 pieces of modern art including works by Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, and Pablo Picasso. The Hamilton Princess has several attached high-end restaurants and cafes, as well as tennis courts, pools & spas, and a private beach club – you’ll never have to leave the resort!
A great place for a date night is the Crown & Anchor, an outdoor restaurant attached to the resort. Liam & I dined on incredible seafood and sparkling cocktails in the courtyard overlooking the marina.
The 1609 Bar & Restaurant hosted our work events for VIP guests. This ocean-front indoor & outdoor venue was the perfect setting for an extravagant afternoon filled with champagne, culinary artwork, and high-speed sail racing.
Liam & I stayed at the Willowbank Resort on the west side of Bermuda. This seaside oasis features two different private beaches perfect for an afternoon snorkel. Our room was standard, honestly a very tight space, but very clean. We barely spent time at the hotel, opting to explore the beach with whatever spare time we could find. Though we didn’t get the chance to swim, we watched the sun set over the ocean almost every night. On our last night, I saw the famous parrot fish from the beach!
The West End of Bermuda features the Royal Naval Dockyard, which served as the United Kingdom’s largest naval base in the Atlantic. The dockyard went out of use in 1995, and now the area is a cruise-ship docking point. Dockyard is littered with tourist attractions such as Bermuda Rum Cake Company and Snorkel Park. There are tons of souvenir shops, restaurants & bars, and daytime excursions for cruise guests.
Obviously when in Bermuda, you have to drink a Dark n’ Stormy and a Rum Swizzle! You can find the two classic cocktails absolutely everywhere on the island. I recommend checking out the Swizzle Inn for the original recipe! Both drinks feature Gosling’s Black Seal Rum – the official rum of Bermuda. I was fortunate enough to meet one of the Gosling men (who wasn’t drinking rum!) on one of the company yachts. He recommended my coworkers and I check out Bone Fish Bar & Grill for a post-work cocktail. This bar is located right in the dockyard, so it was super close & convenient for us to walk to after hours.
On our last night in Bermuda, Liam & I walked to the Sea Glass Beach – a tiny hidden beach tucked into a corner of the island, completely covered in sea glass! The waves washing over the glass make a twinkling sound, adding even more serenity to the scene. This beach was formed many, many years ago when glass bottles were thrown overboard near the dockyard… and they all washed ashore in one area. Please note; it is illegal to remove glass from this beach! Please leave it the way you found it for others to enjoy.
Though I did not get the chance to experience all of Bermuda, most of my time was spent on the gorgeous blue waters on one of the company boats. You can’t go wrong with spending a day sipping ginger beer on the ocean!
If we had a little more free time on the island, I would’ve definitely checked out the Crystal Caves. This intricate system of subterranean caves comes with crystal clear waters adorned with stalagmites & stalactites. Similarly, Blue Hole Park is a free, secluded, natural turquoise pool surrounded by mangrove forests & underwater caverns. Mostly frequented by locals, this swim-spot is a bit of a hike to reach – but worth the trip! Brightly colored fish will dart below while you jump off moderately tall cliffs.
My “must-do’s” for the next trip are these pinpoints, plus a ton of offshore snorkeling! Maybe I’ll be brave enough to dive to one of the sunken ships, and find long lost treasure. There are many boats offering diving trips or lion fish spearfishing from shore – another activity for next time!
Hopefully, we’ll go back and explore Bermuda solely for vacation!
If you have any follow up questions about visiting Bermuda, please email me at alostblonde@gmail.com
♡ Abigail Reagan
Save for Later!
Great article!
Thank you Ben!