16 Best Sights in Bermuda

When locals say they're going to "the beach," they usually mean Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda's most popular stretch of sand. With clear waters, a 0.3-mile (0.5-km) crescent of pink sand, a lively social scene, and the natural beauty of South Shore Park as a backdrop, Horseshoe Bay delivers everything you'd want from a Bermudian beach. It's also the site of the annual Bermuda Sandcastle Competition.

Be mindful—the undertow can be strong, especially on the main beach. For families with young children, Horseshoe Bay's western end, known as Horseshoe Baby Beach, is a safer option. Sheltered by a ring of rocks, this shallow cove stays calm, and in summer, little ones will find plenty of playmates. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

Past Clearwater Beach on St. David's Island and inaccessible to vehicles, Cooper's Island Nature Reserve is a blissfully secluded spot. While it is about a quarter-mile walk to get to the beach from the nearest parking area and there are no amenities, it’s worth the effort for the unspoiled views and virtually empty beaches. Walking trails around the nature reserve make this a good option for the adventurous beachgoer. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

On weekends, this small but popular beach attracts families with children. The shaded and grassy Astwood Park area offers great ocean views, making it a popular spot for picnics, birthday parties, and weddings. Though easily accessible via a main road, it feels secluded, and the benches scattered around provide a perfect spot for a romantic evening. If you’re bringing kids, be mindful of the steep climb down to the beach. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude, swimming.

Nestled east of Horseshoe Bay, these tiny beaches nearly disappear at high tide. Both Chaplin and Stonehole bays are located along South Shore Park, an area that often experiences strong winds and surf, making the waters too cloudy for snorkeling. If you wander further along the dunes, you'll discover several more peaceful beaches, eventually leading to Warwick Long Bay. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

On the eastern tip of the island in St. David's, Clearwater is a long sandy strip of beach that's popular with serious swimmers and triathletes, who use it as a training ground. But don't be intimidated: the young and old also flock here to wade in the shallow water, and there are buoy markers that identify where the water becomes deeper.

Head a little further along the beach to find serene Turtle Bay, and keep your eyes peeled for turtles! There's also a beach bar, Sunjammers, open during the summer months and selling a variety of sandwiches and tropical drinks, just off the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; swimming; walking.

This public beach is perfect for swimming and bodysurfing, and it's a lovely spot for a late-evening stroll, with hotel lights reflecting on the water. Arrive early in the summer to secure a spot, as it's a popular location. In addition to sunbathers and joggers, locals often gather for pickup football and volleyball. The coral reefs provide some of the safest waters on the island, making it ideal for families. A lunch wagon offers fast food and drinks during the day, but note that there are no public changing rooms and only limited restroom access. Amenities: parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Named after its neighboring military fort, Gates has a very small beach that is popular with local families. The park is off Barry Road, not far from Alexandra Battery, a favorite diving spot of St. George's children. It's also near Building Bay Beach, a good spot for snorkeling. From the Gates Fort, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of cruise ships as they navigate the reefs through the Town Cut. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunrise.

Just past Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, this beach consists of a pretty strand of long, flat, open sand. The presence of a lifeguard in summer makes it an ideal place to bring children. The only public beach in Smith's Parish, John Smith's Bay is also popular with locals. Groups like to gather in the park area surrounding the beach for parties, especially on weekends and holidays. If you're not in the mood for a festive bunch with music and plenty of beer, this may not be the place for you. Lots of scooter parking is available, and, during the summer months, the BQ Beach Grill offers beach favorites including hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as healthier selections such as hearty salads (note: it's cash only). There are a few brightly colored tables and chairs with a view of the ocean, so you don't have to worry about getting sand in your lunch. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

Known for its sandy bottom and shallow water, Shelly Bay is a good place to take small children. It also has shade trees, a rarity at Bermudian beaches. A large playground behind the beach attracts plenty of youngsters on weekends and during school holidays. There's also a nearby soccer and cricket practice field and a public basketball court. There are no public changing rooms, but there is a bathroom facility by the upper parking lot. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.

This is a popular spot for tourists as well as local families who like to treat their children to a sheltered white sand beach and pristine views of the water. Enjoy local and American cuisine while sipping a frozen cocktail at the beach's Hammerheads Bar and Grill; on-site water-sports and beach equipment rentals are available for kids and parents. A playground outside the park features a 70-foot, wooden green moray eel and a replica of St. David's Lighthouse. Snorkel Park Beach is just a short walk from the Dockyard cruise terminal, so it attracts many cruise passengers. Before you leave, stop in the Clocktower Mall and the Bermuda Craft Market to pick up a souvenir or two. Also nearby are restaurants, the Dockyard Ferry Terminal, and an ATM.

At night, Snorkel transforms into a lively nightclub area, especially on Monday and Thursday when live DJs spin top 40, soca, reggae, and dancehall hits. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

At this sheltered inlet near the National Museum of Bermuda, you’ll find both vibrant marine life and traces of the Dockyard’s seafaring past. Accessed through a stone tunnel, the bay hides cast-iron cannons from the 1500s to 1800s, plus an old anchor and gun-carriage wheel beneath its calm waters. But the real stars are the colorful fish—more than 50 species—as well as anemones, sea cucumbers, and coral. Floating rest stations make snorkeling and diving easy, and you can rent everything from kayaks and pedal boats to Jet Skis, underwater scooters, and beach gear. By day, it’s a family-friendly spot popular with cruise visitors; by night, it transforms into a lively beach club with parties and barbecues. Amenities: food and drink, water sports. Best for: snorkeling, swimming.  

Popular with Somerset locals, this peaceful beach sits on Bermuda’s quiet northwestern tip, far from the bustle of Hamilton and the bigger tourist spots. True to the area’s laid-back rural vibe, it’s a low-key place that’s great for bird-watching and gentle walks. Undeveloped parkland buffers the beach from the light traffic along Cambridge Road, adding to the sense of seclusion. The main stretch of sand is long by Bermuda standards—nearly a quarter mile end to end. While the bay is exposed to the occasional north wind, the water is usually calm and shallow, making it a good pick for families with young swimmers. Just note that the bottom can be rocky in places, so water shoes are a smart idea. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

One of the larger north-shore beaches has water deep enough for a serious swim, although part of the beach has been taken over by the guest-only chaise lounges and umbrellas of the newly built St. Regis Bermuda Resort, which overlooks the beach. If and when you get beach-bummed out, head over to the military fort next door, for which this beach is named.

A quick tour of the structure will be a welcome break from the strong sun, as there is little shade along the beach. For a romantic evening, enjoy a beautiful alfresco meal at BLT Steak—the dining option at the St. Regis. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

The most popular beach near St. George's, this small north-shore strand with ample parking is huddled in a coral cove surrounded by rock formations. Its beach house serves burgers and salads as well as specialty cocktails. Equipment rentals include umbrellas, chairs, floaties, and snorkel sets. It's a 10-minute hike from the bus stop in town, or you can flag down a taxi. In high season the beach is busy, especially when the cruise ships are docked; check the website for information on nighttime events, bonfires, and live music. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Unlike the more cove-like bay beaches, Warwick Long Bay stretches for about a half-mile (1 km), making it the longest beach on the island. Its backdrop combines steep cliffs with low, grassy, brush-covered hills. Though the beach is open to strong southerly winds, waves stay moderate thanks to the inner reef close to shore. Just offshore, a 20-foot coral outcrop—less than 200 feet away—resembles a sculpted boulder balancing on the water's surface. Surrounding South Shore Park is often quiet and empty, which only adds to the beach's peaceful sense of isolation. In summer, a concession stand sells drinks and snacks and rents umbrellas and chairs. Note that there are no changing rooms. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

This beach can feel like a secluded oasis—especially if you visit at sunset. To reach the shore, you'll cross a wide grassy field and follow a natural rock path down to the sand. If you want to avoid crowds and take in a breathtaking view, this is your spot. West Whale Bay is also one of Bermuda's best places to see humpback whales as they pass by on their way to northern feeding grounds in late winter and early spring. The park includes picnic tables and public restrooms. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunset; swimming.