Best Bermuda Beaches
By Nancy Norris
(A Special Report on Visiting the
Best of the Best on Your Own)
Beautiful Bermuda Beach
There are 34 beaches
scattered along the coastline of Bermuda, some are
public others private; some are expansive stretches of
soft, pale, pink sand others tiny, secluded coves; some
are a crowded beehive of activity others serenely quiet.
Although they vary in size and nature, all hold a
special magic found only in Bermuda. Based on personal
experience and multiple visits, I would like to share
what I believe to be the best public beaches to easily
explore on your own while on a Bermuda cruise.
Bermuda’s Pink Sand
Beaches
The majority of Bermuda's
best beaches can be found along the South Shore, easily
accessible by public bus. The Bermuda bus system is very
easy to navigate. Just look for pink and blue poles
along the road, which signify a bus stop. Pink poles
indicate the bus is traveling towards Hamilton and blue
poles mark bus routes traveling away from Hamilton.
(TIP: If you plan to use public transportation for more
than one round trip – buying a 1 day or multiple day
pass good for all buses and the ferries offers the best
value.)
Since most cruise ships
now dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard, that will be the
starting point for my “on your own” directions. To reach
any of the beaches on the south shore, begin your
journey by taking Bus #7 from the bus stop located
across from the ferry terminal at the Dockyard.
Dockyard Bus Stop
Bus #7 leaves the Dockyard
every half-hour, beginning at 8:20 AM. The first of my
recommended beaches and closest to the Dockyard is
Horseshoe Bay.
Horseshoe Bay
Located in Southampton
Parish, it takes about 35 minutes to arrive at the
Horseshoe Bay bus stop. The bus stop is easily
recognizable. Just watch for the red and white awnings
of Tio Pepé Restaurant, which sits across from the road
leading to Horseshoe Bay.
Horseshoe Bay Bus Stop
Horseshoe Bay is
arguably the most popular and most widely photographed
beach on the island. Part of Bermuda's South Shore
National Park system, this picturesque beach is a “must
see” for all first time visitors. From the bus stop,
just walk down Horseshoe Road hill until you reach the ¼
mile stretch of pink sand.
Horseshoe Road to Beach
There are restrooms,
changing facilities and a snack bar/restaurant serving
hamburgers, hot dogs and other light refreshments.
Snorkeling equipment, beach chairs and umbrellas can be
rented and there is even a small shop selling sunscreen,
t-shirts, towels, etc. Known as one of the best beaches
on the island, it can become quite crowded. If you are
looking for a lot of beach action, you will find it
here.
Horseshoe Bay Crowds
When you are ready to
leave, you can hike back up the hill, or you can pay $2
for the shuttle to take you to the top of the road.
Shuttle Service
Warwick Long Bay,
the second of my recommended beaches, can be accessed
from the same bus stop as Horseshoe Bay. Rather than
following the crowds heading down Horseshoe Road,
continue walking east along South Road for a short
distance and you will see the main entrance to Warwick
Long Bay. A short walk down the road leads to a car park
and the entrance to the longest beach in Bermuda. Almost
½ mile long, it is a beautiful stretch of sand and sea
that begs to be explored.
Warwick Long Bay Beach
Warwick Long Bay is also
part of the South Shore National Park, and in addition
to spending time on the shoreline, the park itself has
steep cliffs, wooded trails and even a children's
playground. The complete opposite of neighboring
Horseshoe Bay, if you prefer solitude on a nearly
isolated beach, Warwick Long Bay is the perfect choice.
There are restroom facilities on the beach and there is
a concession stand across the road above the beach
serving sandwiches, ice cream and cold beverages.
Warwick Long Bay
Elbow Beach,
in Paget Parish, is the third
of my recommended South Shore beaches and my personal
favorite. If you are beach hopping, you can get back on
Bus #7 towards Hamilton (pink pole) and remain on the
bus for about 12-13 minutes to reach the Elbow Beach bus
stop. (If going to Elbow Beach directly from the
Dockyard, the bus ride will take approximately 48
minutes.)
Elbow Beach Bus Stop
The bus will stop across
from the Elbow Beach Hotel, but to access the entrance
to the public beach look for Tribe Road #4 which begins
at the sharp bend on South Road just west of the hotel.
Tribe Road
This
unbelievably beautiful stretch of pristine pink sand is
only partially open to the public. The eastern section,
accessed from the hotel grounds is reserved for the
Elbow Beach Hotel guests.
Elbow Beach from
Hotel
Travel down Tribe Road #4 about 500 yards and take the
stairs down to the public portion of the beach.
Elbow Beach (Public
Entrance)
There
are toilets, but no changing facilities. During the
summer months, a lunch wagon usually parks at the bottom
of Tribe Road #4 serving fast food, snacks and cold
drinks. (TIP: Although it is a bit expensive, if you
dine or have drinks at Mickey's Bistro, the Elbow Beach
Hotel's seaside restaurant, they will usually allow you
to use the restrooms and changing facilities.) Swimming
in the calm, clear waters, taking long walks on an
uncrowded beach and feeling the cool, soft sand of Elbow
Beach on my feet is one of my favorite Bermuda
indulgences.
Elbow Beach
Tobacco Bay,
in St. George's, is the last beach that I recommend as a
“don't miss”. Since St. George is on the opposite end of
the island from the Royal Naval Dockyard, the best way
to access this beach is via the ferry. Taking the
ferry’s Orange Route, which operates daily between
Dockyard and St. George in the summer, the travel time
is approximately 35 minutes.
Ferry from Dockyard
Once you arrive in
the center of the Town of St. George, you can hike to
Tobacco Bay.
Take the Duke of Kent Street north from
the town center and you will see a sign that reads
"Tobacco Bay". From there it is a 20 minute walk up the
hill towards the bay. (More detailed directions can be
found in the Port Highlights section of our St. George's
Port Review.) If you prefer not to walk, grab the St.
George's mini-bus at King's Square for $2.
Tobacco Bay
Tobacco Bay is known as an
excellent snorkel beach. Protected by surrounding rocks,
Tobacco Bay has calm, shallow, crystal clear water that
abounds with sea life. Safe for even the most novice
snorkelers, it offers an unlimited array of tropical
fish, corals and other sea life. Tobacco Bay has
bathrooms, changing facilities, a beach bar and a
snorkel rental concession.
Tobacco Bay Beach
