Bermuda Travel Guide

If Spanish sea captain Juan de Bermudez had claimed these uninhabited islands when he first sighted them back in 1503, the six principal islands of Bermuda might be known for an entirely different cultural flavor than they are today. But as it happened, British Admiral Sir George Somers rediscovered the islands a hundred years later, kicking off nearly four centuries of British rule that have left a legacy of tidy cottages, traffic-guiding bobbies, cricket matches and pint-pouring pubs.

The most common mistake made by most travelers bound for the beautiful pink-beached islands is that they mentally misplace Bermuda a thousand miles south in the Caribbean. In fact, the eight main islands (collectively known as "the island") and 120 other assorted volcanic fragments that form this 21-square-mile fishhook archipelago aren't in the Caribbean at all, but 600 nautical miles off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean.

Despite this high latitude—roughly the same as Atlanta—Bermuda manages to maintain a sub-tropical climate thanks to the swaddling waters of the warm Gulf Stream. Never in recorded history has the temperature on the islands dropped below 40?F, yet another reason why Bermuda hovers in our collective mental geography somewhere in the Caribbean.

This combination of mild climate, proximity to the U.S. (less than two hours by plane) and quaint English culture draws nearly half a million visitors each year, the majority during the summer months. Though it is only a nominal British Territory, Bermuda still recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. Not surprisingly, life ties to England are strong and the island exudes a sort of conservative British charm. The classic Bermuda shorts, falling two inches above the knees, are the uniform of choice for businessmen and civil servants. Worn with a white or blue short-sleeved shirt, a blue blazer and tie, they are not only an island icon, but also a beloved institutional style.

While there's no mistaking the reserved culture for a Caribbean isle, West Indian and African influences still filter through in music and dance. Gombey, a unique island dance, is rooted in African tribal music that arrived during the slave trade.

British and African fusion aside, Bermuda has one other feature that will delight even the most jaded Caribbean traveler—coral sand beaches and cool, transparent waters. Getting to these enchanting beaches isn't difficult (the island is less than half a mile wide in most places) but requires some transportation decisions. Since visitors are not permitted to hire cars, the best way to get around is via taxi, bus or even a stately horse carriage.

Tourists who insist on having their own transportation can rent a motor scooter. But take heed. As the sixth most populated country on the planet (more densely peopled than Bangladesh), Bermuda boasts 2,500 vehicles per square mile, all hurtling down (according to U.S. standards) the wrong (left) side of the road. Imagine all these people and vehicles trying to navigate the narrow, winding roads that trace the contours of the hilly interior, and you have a fair idea of why most travel agents recommend against scooter rentals.

Chances are, like you, every other visitor on the road is heading for the tranquility of either the North or South Shore beaches. The South Shore Park, a small coastal reserve, has the best swimming beaches on the island, though some of the 12 beaches are no larger than tennis courts. The reserve is bookended to the east by scenic Warwick Long Bay, a rugged headland fringed with white coral sand. North Shore Beaches, like Tobacco Bay, are known for excellent snorkeling.

After getting your fill of sun and sand, you might want to head to "town," as Hamilton, the island's commercial capital, is known. Dockside Front Street offers an interesting stroll along pastel-colored Victorians with flowered verandahs. The Bermuda Historical Society and Bermuda National Gallery both offer insights into the historic and artistic aspirations of locals and visitors alike. On the hillside above town, Fort Hamilton beckons with its sweeping view of the harbor.

For a taste of colonial Bermuda, spend some time exploring the crooked alleys of St. George, the island's original capital. You can wander around Kings Square, Town Hall and the Old State House. The nearby Bermuda National Trust Museum houses relics and memories of a time when Bermuda found herself caught up in the U.S. Civil War.

Take a moment when wandering the quiet halls of the museums in Hamilton and St. George to ponder the strange history that led these isolated islands in the western Atlantic to become known as the most famous non-Caribbean Caribbean Islands, a destination for 550,000 annual honeymooners, retirees, divers, beachcombers and sun worshippers. Juan de Bermudez didn't bother to pause here on his treasure voyages to the Americas. British Admiral Sir George Somers, very nearly didn't as well. In fact, you can thank the notorious Bermuda Triangle for Sir George's discovery and everything that's followed. He arrived on Bermuda quite by accident, after managing to sink his ship on her reefs—coral reefs, like the islands they protect, one thousand miles north of where they should have been.