Tempting Sights

There is so much to see on the islands of Bermuda that you'll want to return again and again to explore it all.

Whether you’ve arrived by air or ship, by now you have seen enough of Bermuda’s ­astounding beauty to be intrigued. This is no ordinary island; it is pure oceanic wonder: 21 square miles of ­mid-Atlantic paradise tightly packed with more history, culture and character than you can imagine.

Communities here date back to the 17th century, with many original buildings still intact and in use. Though Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and primarily English in its traditions, you’ll find an amalgamation of cultural influences here, which can be traced to the island’s multinational past. Portuguese ties run deep because of the nearest island group, the Azores. And Bermuda’s proximity to the United States gives it that New World flavour in spite of its unbroken ties to the crown.

In addition to the people of Bermuda, the territory itself will fascinate you. There’s no better way to see the island than to rent a bicycle or scooter and explore on your own. You’ll find a well-marked network of roads and trails traversing through valleys, hills and channels, providing magnificent views of rosy beaches, enigmatic bluffs and protected nature reserves.

If you still crave more incredible sights after exploring the lay of the land, take your adventure below ground and delve into the depths of an underground cavern complex. Or explore the ocean surrounding the islands! Glass-bottom boat tours are perfect for observing marine life, and a whale-watching trip will get you up close with the gentle humpback whales that migrate through these waters. You can also stroll along the sea floor with a helmet diving tour and actually pet the fish that thrive in the reefs.

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St. Georges Parish
The historic town of St. Georges a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Unfinished Church
Fort St. Catherine
St. Peters Church

Southampton Parish
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

Smiths Parish
Spittal Pond

Paget Parish
Botanical Gardens

Sandys Parish
Scaur Hill Fort and Park

Timeless Marvels

Part of the fun of exploring a new ­setting is discovering its past. Both Bermuda’s natural formations and historic buildings provide a unique peek into the lives of the people who made these islands what they are today.

Devil’s Hole was Bermuda’s first bona fide tourist attraction. As the water rises and falls, eerie noises that emanate from the sinkhole near Harrington Sound spooked 19th-century tourists, who went away ­imagining they had heard the moans of Satan. Speaking of which, in the 17th and 18th century the devil seemed to be as busy in Bermuda as in the rest of the English colonies, as witchcraft mania swept across the islands. When you visit St. George, stop by the Old State House, where Gov. Josias Foster condemned Jeane Gardiner for blinding a woman using the dark arts. Gardiner was “thrown twice in the sea... She did swim like a cork and could not sink,” according to reports, but ultimately she was drowned. Other witches were burned at the stake on Gibbet Island, near Flatts Village.

Almost any cottage or house in Bermuda that dates back more than 100 years can harbour a (friendly) ghost. Several have a literary bent. Noel Coward reportedly wrote his famed play Blithe Spirit based on his Bermuda encounters with a beautiful French ghost. Playwright Eugene O’Neill also reported “unusual events” whilst living in Spithead, a lovely old house built by 18th-century privateer Hezekiah Frith on Harbour Road in Warwick. In St. George, the Old Rectory welcomes a musical ­spirit rumoured to play an invisible harpsichord. In Camden, the official residence of Bermuda’s premier is where some have spotted the ethereal former wife of a government ­official strolling the grounds on moonless nights. Built around 1710 and especially interesting to students of American Colonial history, 301-year-old Verdmont has had plenty of time to collect ghosts. An exemplar of Georgian architecture still in pristine condition, it was used as a private residence until opening as a National Trust museum in 1956. Virtually no structural changes were ever made. The former owners never even added electricity or plumbing. The house is renowned for its wonderful collection of antiques, including the pint-size furnishings and period toys that fill its upstairs nursery. An early 19th-century piano was imported from England, but many pieces are made of local cedar crafted by Bermudians. A fine china coffee service on display was supposed to be a gift from Emperor Napoleon to U.S. President James Madison, but was seized by a privateer and brought to Bermuda.

Devonshire Parish offers views deep into Bermudian history. On Middle Road, look for Old Devonshire Church. Its present ­foundation was laid in 1716, and its ­first incarnation dates back to 1624. An ­explosion on Easter 1970 destroyed the tiny building, but it was reconstructed and now serves as a national icon. Also worth a look is Palmetto House, one of the few ­remaining examples of an early ­18th-century ­cruciform home.

Don’t miss the Bermuda Railway Museum, in Hamilton Parish, with a nice collection of maps, photographs and ­memorabilia. It occupies a Bermuda Railroad station from the early 20th ­century, when trains rumbled through the landscape. Sometimes called Old Rattle and Shake, the local train service only ran from 1931 to 1948. What’s left of the line is now the Bermuda Railway Trail, a walking trail and bridle path divided into seven sections that each take a few hours to walk. Along the way, hikers enjoy the native flora, scenic views and warming sun.

In Paget Parish, Waterville, now headquarters of the Bermuda National Trust, dates to 1725. It was home for the Triminghams, whose descendants operated the biggest department stores in Bermuda for more than 150 years. Waterville’s drawing and dining rooms are full of antiques, china and art. Gracing the well-tended grounds is a lovely Victorian rose garden. Walking tours through the grounds and to Paget Marsh preserve offer information about traditional gardens and unusual plants.

For a primer on Bermuda’s 400-plus years of history, stop at the Bermuda Historical Society Museum, on Queen Street in Hamilton, to see artefacts from the life of Admiral Sir George Somers, who led the settlers. The museum also houses an impressive collection of antique Bermudian silver and cedar furniture. Whilst on Queen Street, pop in at the Perot Post Office, headquarters of 19th-century Postmaster William B. Perot, who produced the first Bermudian postage stamp. Only 11 of these “Perot Provisional” stamps are known to exist, and each is worth more than $100,000.

Sessions House, an 1815 Georgian-era building with a striking clock tower, is where the House of Assembly and Supreme Court meet. Visit the Parliament Street landmark Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2 to 5 p.m. In the downstairs court, Bermudian judges still wear wigs and red robes, carrying on a tradition that dates to the 17th century.

In Sandys Parish, Scaur Hill Fort and Park affords visitors majestic views of Great Sound and Ely’s Harbour. The British Army built the fort from the 1860s to the 1880s to protect against feared American attacks. The park is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Designed in London and opened in 1846, the cast-iron Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse — 117 feet tall and 362 feet above sea level — still towers over Southampton Parish. The modern 1,000-watt lamp can be seen 40 miles out and by planes 10,000 feet above. The 185 stairs to the top are challenging, but the panoramic views of Bermuda are well worth the effort.

After the American Revolution, Royal Naval Dockyard became the headquarters of the British Navy in the western North Atlantic. It now houses shops, cafés, recreation, attractions and the National Museum of Bermuda, located within Bermuda’s largest fort, The Keep. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., this museum is home to the most extensive collection of maritime and other artefacts. A walk along the ramparts also offers panoramic views of the ocean and coastline.

For visitors interested in military history, there are three can’t-miss structures on Bermuda in addition to the National Museum: Fort St. Catherine, which includes a museum and towers over the beach where the Sea Venture survivors washed ashore in 1609; Fort Hamilton, a 19th-century fort offering great views of Hamilton and its harbour; and The Keep, the largest fort in Bermuda, at Royal Naval Dockyard.

Cultural Melting Pot

After 400 years, this crossroads of culture has amassed quite a collection of music, art, architecture and literature, with elements from Britain, Africa and the Americas.

The Bermuda National Gallery, located in the City Hall and Arts Centre in Hamilton, provides ample evidence of the islands’ multicultural history with both temporary and permanent art exhibits. The gallery believes art is for everyone, so admission is free. Join free tours each Thursday at 10 a.m. Call to confirm. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on public holidays.

The Masterworks Foundation and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art concentrate on Bermuda-inspired works. Besides Winslow Homer and Georgia O’Keeffe, visiting artists have included Marsden Hartley, Albert Gleizes and Charles Demuth, whose works are amongst 1,200 in the museum’s growing collection. An artist-in-residence programme spotlights visiting artists through exhibitions and selling shows, and there’s a new Homer Café on-site where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea or a sandwich.

Natural Highs

For nature lovers, Bermuda has preserved several beaches, bays, ponds, parks, gardens, caves, forts, lighthouses, scenic overlooks and hiking trails.

The Bermuda Railway only operated in the 1930s and 1940s, but it left a fabulous recreational resource, the Bermuda Railway Trail. Reopened in 1984 as a scenic pathway for walking and riding, the trail offers spectacular views, stunning seascapes, lush gardens and exotic flora. Quiet stretches amble through nearly every parish, but the best parts are from Paget west. Points of interest along the way include historic Fort Scaur, in Sandys. Sign up for a walking tour, or catch a bicycle tour to cover more territory, and get some colour commentary along with the beautiful scenery.

If you enjoy hiking, check out the four-mile walking trail from Dockyard to Somerset. The path crosses Gilbert Nature Reserve and passes the Royal Naval Cemetery, which dates to the 19th century. The hike allows ample opportunities to take dips in the ocean along the way and enjoy fabulous views of Great Sound.

A way to commune with nature whilst learning some history, flora and fauna is on walking tours. Join locals for an informal six- or seven-mile walk on a Sunday morning with the Walking Club of Bermuda. Though its primary purpose is exercise, members of the club can range from insurance executives to directors of art galleries. In other words, you’ll be in good company with locals who’ll surely impart a thing or two about the island.  Bring your water bottle, sunscreen and walking shoes. Find a schedule at walk.free.bm.

To see Bermuda as the early settlers did, pay a visit to Paget Marsh. The 25-acre preserve is a palmetto and cedar forest with distinctive mangroves. An elevated wooden boardwalk takes you past the pond and its peat marsh. It also gives you an opportunity to see a wide array of wildlife and birds.

The Botanical Gardens, in Paget Parish, are simply magnificent. Species range from lush, subtropical foliage and ferns to cacti. Established in 1898 at Camden House, the garden is open without charge from dawn to dusk. Orchid lovers should take time to explore Firefly Nature Reserve and Freer Cox Memorial Reserve, in Devonshire, home to many animal species as well. Blue Hole Park, part of Hamilton Parish’s Walsingham Nature Reserve, is known for its palm groves and a veritable carpet of elephant ears.

vers should take time to explore Firefly Nature and Freer Cox Memorial reserves, in Devonshire, home to many animal species as well. Blue Hole Park, part of Hamilton Parish’s Walsingham Nature Reserve, is known for its palm groves and a veritable carpet of elephant ears.

Like the humans, many species of birds migrate from North America to spend their winters in Bermuda, so birdwatchers flock to Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, on the south coast of Smith’s Parish. The 34-acre reserve features trails and footpaths through wetlands and along the south shore. The woodland habitat hosts a great variety of resident, migratory and rare birds. It is also where you find the oldest evidence of human activity on the island. Along the coastal path, look for Portuguese Rock. Carved on it are the initials “RP” and the date “1543,” believed to be carved by a Portuguese sailor who had wrecked on the reefs 66 years before the first English settlers.

While the herons and egrets are roosting at Spittal, the great blue herons are found along Great Sound. Pied-billed grebes settle around many ponds, and double-crested cormorants fish the inshore waters. The National Audubon Society of the United States has held a Christmas Bird Count for over 100 years, and the Bermuda Audubon Society has taken part since 1974, averaging 90 species per count, totalling 200. Grab the binoculars and look up.

Learn about the local wildlife by visiting the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) located at 40 North Shore Road in Flatts Village. It is one of the oldest continuously operating aquariums in the New World, exhibiting native fish, local reptiles, pink flamingos and a giant replica of a living coral reef.

Get a glimpse of the deep oceans at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, on the harbour east of Hamilton. Sophisticated multimedia demonstrations teach about heretofore-unknown creatures. “The more information visitors have about the ocean environment, the more we are able to protect it,” says Director Wendy Tucker, daughter of famed undersea archaeologist Teddy Tucker. Go ahead and pet the friendly fish and explore other magnificent sea life at Hartley’s Under Sea Adventures. Fun for the entire family, the shallow-water helmet diving is the safest undersea adventure yet devised, but everyone — even certified divers — finds the experience exhilarating.

Need a break from the sun? Then go underground. The limestone that capped the islands’ volcanic origins left them crisscrossed with caves and caverns. Each of the 150 caves found under the islands has its own impressive display of stalactite and stalagmite formations. Two great places to learn about underground Bermuda are Crystal Caves and Fantasy Caves, at Bailey’s Bay in Hamilton Parish. Crystal Caves opened in 1908 after two children stumbled upon the cave system looking for a cricket ball. In Fantasy Cave, startling white crystal formations are viewed from a walkway floating above underground lakes. Other caves accessible to the public are Prospero’s Cave and Cathedral Cave, beneath Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Hamilton Parish. Regular “cave crawls” take place for interested guests. Prospero’s beautiful underground lake alone is worth the visit.

As you Experience Bermuda, don't miss these attractions:

Bermuda National Gallery
City Hall and Arts Centre,
Church Street, Hamilton
Tel: 295-9428
E-mail: director@bng.bm
Website: bng.bm

Located at the City Hall and Arts Centre in the heart of Hamilton, the Bermuda National Gallery is at the centre of the islands’ vibrant arts scene. Each year, BNG shows several temporary exhibitions, with the Ondaatje Wing committed to telling Bermuda’s rich, multicultural history through its fine and decorative arts. The gallery believes art is for everyone, so admission is free. Join free tours each Thursday at 10 a.m. Call to confirm. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on public holidays.

The Bermuda Train Company
Tel: 236-3130
E-mail: oleander@logic.bm
Website: www.bermudatrain.com

On the tour of Royal Naval Dockyard are highlighted such areas as Lagoon Park, Royal Naval Cemetery, Somerset Village and Bermuda Maritime Museum. Learn how the Clocktower building, built in 1857, initially contained the naval store offices, secretary cashier offices and the office of the captain-in-charge of Dockyard. The walls are three feet thick and the towers are 100 feet tall. The southern tower originally contained a clock made in 1856 by John Moore & Sons in London. The face on the eastern side of the northern tower had a single hand, set daily for the time of high tide, to the nearest quarter hour. Hear about the old Royal Naval Hospital, its epidemic of yellow fever, Bermuda’s largest fort and Dockyard as it was in the 1800s. Sit back in the train and be transported through time. A Hamilton tour highlights the City Hall, Parliament, Bermuda Cathedral, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and Botanical Gardens. Learn how a house is built in Bermuda, including details like how to catch rainwater on the roof and store it in tanks beside or under the house. The above is just a fraction of the historical facts and stories you learn during the 60-minute tour of either Dockyard or Hamilton.

Dolphin Quest Bermuda
National Museum of Bermuda, Royal Naval Dockyard, Sandys
Tel: 234-4464 / 1-800-248-3316
E-mail: dqbermuda@dolphinquest.com
Website: www.dolphinquest.com

Dolphin Quest is a place where you can swim with beautiful dolphins in their ocean-water safe haven, within the old stone fortress now home to the National Museum of Bermuda, one of the world’s most extraordinary naval history museums. Feel the thrill of a lifetime as you touch, swim with and even kiss a dolphin! Enjoy a wide range of encounters for adults, children, families and groups. Dolphin Quest is open daily all year round from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reserve your encounter online or by phone.

Lady Boats
Tel: 236-0127
E-mail: ladyboats@northrock.bm
Website: www.ladyboats.com

See breathtaking views of Bermuda’s shoreline while cruising in total luxury. Celebrate weddings, anniversaries and birthdays like never before. Invite a couple hundred of your closest friends, or keep it intimate with just you and someone special. Lady Boats may be the largest and most experienced charter company in Bermuda, but the staff of the family-owned-and-operated fleet still believe it is the personal touch that counts. Let them work for you.

Marquis Ranch
Royal Naval Dockyard, Sandys
Tel: 505-5575
E-mail: marquisranch@yahoo.com
Website: www.marquisranch.bm

Slow down and enjoy the dynamic, scenic Royal Naval Dockyard by travelling on Bermuda’s original form of transportation. Climb aboard a charming horse-drawn carriage with Marquis Ranch. Enjoy the peaceful sound of horse shoes as you leave Dockyard and head out to Bermuda’s only lagoon. Experience views of old Bermuda cottages and learn how the locals harvest fresh rain water. Photograph some of Bermuda’s most intimate and secluded beaches. Carriages ­operate when cruise ships are in port.

MV Venetian
Tel: 704-3000
E-mail: info@venetian.bm
Website: venetian.bm

MV Venetian is luxuriously equipped to ensure that any event, ranging from a private social soiree to a fancy corporate affair, is a spectacular success. Lavish, well-appointed staterooms and state-of-the-art communication systems provide the perfect setting for a relaxing day cruise or an ­overnight voyage. The well-established catering service offers the finest cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, supported by the best crew ­available in Bermuda.

Oleander Cycles, Ltd.
Valley Road, Paget
Tel: 236-2453
Gorham Road, Hamilton
Tel: 295-0919
Middle Road, Southampton
Tel: 234-0629
York St., St. George’s
Tel: 297-0478
Cockburn Road, Royal Naval Dockyard, Sandys
Tel: 234-2764
E-mail: oleander@ibl.bm
Website: oleandercycles.bm

Bermuda’s No. 1 scooter livery offers quality scooters at competitive rates. You receive friendly five-star service and safety demonstration in a private practice area. Oleander’s reputation is the best in Bermuda, earned over years of serving visitors. Free delivery or transportation to and from your hotel is available, depending on your location. Shops are open daily. No security deposit is required; however, a major credit card must be on file.

Quality Transport 
Tel: 505-1584 (Cyrus Ratteray) / 505-4604 (Yusef Bean)
E-mail: cy@northrock.bm / seff@digicel.blackberry.com

This is a small company big on service, catering to singles, couples and large groups, deploying a network of reliable, courteous and experienced drivers, offering prearranged airport transfers with 24-hour notice. Use Quality as transportation for weddings, dine-arounds and personal island tours, as well as general sightseeing, beach excursions, golf, shopping, luncheons and tourist attractions. For same-day service, contact Cyrus or Yusef directly via the cell-phone numbers above. Prearranged appointments can be booked via e-mail or phone.

Wheels Cycles Moped and Scooter Rentals
117 Front St., Hamilton
Tel: 292-2245
E-mail: information@wheels.bm
Website: wheelscycles.com

When visiting Bermuda, the only way to see and enjoy the true beauty our tropical island has to offer is on a scooter from Wheels Cycles. Our cycle rentals allow you to explore Bermuda at your own leisure. The quality of product and excellent service record has earned Wheels Cycles a reputation second to none with visitors around the world. All drivers and passengers are given comprehensive instructions and personal training in the handling of our scooters before you are allowed to set out on your journey. We at Wheels Cycles want all our visitors to experience a safe and happy vacation as well as return home with fond memories of this paradise we call Bermuda.

The St. George’s World Heritage Centre
Penno’s Wharf, next to Penno’s Cruise Ship Terminal,
St. George’s
Tel: 297-5791
Website: stgeorgesfoundation.org

The World Heritage Centre offers a bright, welcoming space with a large reception desk. Visitors can proceed to the orientation gallery, the Gateway to Bermuda exhibit, and upstairs to more exhibits and the theatre. Large photo installations illustrate the splendours of St. George’s and its fortifications. The centre provides a walkthrough of Bermuda’s early history from the Age of Discovery to the U.S. Civil War. Interpretive panels and audios describe Bermuda before the English arrived, when New World explorers used Bermuda as a navigational marker, when mariners dubbed Bermuda the Isle of the Devils, and when castaways explored its fruitful shores.

Bermuda’s historic links to Jamestown and the first settlers are illustrated. There is a scale model of the town based on illustrations from the 1626 John Smith map and other research, which includes the original State House, St. Peter’s Church, stone and wood dwellings, small bridges, model ships in St. George’s Harbour, and early forts. Upstairs, there is a “time tree,” interactive touch-screens featuring UNESCO World Heritage site info, fortifications, military bases and much more, open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Getting Around Bermuda Relax, enjoy, save and see Bermuda by bus. A blue or pink pole indicates bus stops. If the pole is topped with blue, the bus travels from Hamilton; if the pole is topped pink, the route is toward Hamilton.

Dolphin Quest Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!

Oleander Cycles Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!