Originally Published in Print December 2021
Bermuda, an archipelago of seven islands located in the Sargasso Sea; in other words, a tropical heaven with lush greenery spiralling the island and crystal clear waters. Infamously known for its mysterious triangle, Bermuda has also gained a reputation for being a capital of shipwrecks, but there is way more to this island than its mysterious essence.
This destination should be on every wanderluster’s bucket list. It is not only beautiful but also easily accessible from both sides of the Atlantic. I will preface this by saying, it is definitely not a trip to take on a budget, or a gateway to a capital city in Europe for a weekend with cheap Ryanair flights. However, it is more doable than one might imagine.
Logistics
First of all there are plenty of flights to Bermuda from London. The flight is about six hours and is much shorter than going to one of the Caribbean islands. If you’re already on the east coast of the US, it’s a two hour flight. Yes, that is 600 euro, but you are flying 6 hours and when compared to return flights from Dublin to London on a busy weekend which would cost about 300 euro, this puts the price of a flight to Bermuda in perspective.
The other essential cost is the accommodation, your best bet on a budget is an AirBnB, there are a few that offer a relatively affordable price at 100-150 euro per night, and assuming that you won’t be travelling alone this price is halved.
The bus system in Bermuda is surprisingly easy to navigate and efficient. A four day pass is 48.50 dollars and a 7 day pass is 62 dollars. These passes allow you to use all 13 bus routes (Bermuda is small, so that is plenty) which will bring you to all the must-see spots on the island.
The food is by far the most expensive bit of the holiday; due to the questionable tax laws on the island and the inevitable expense of importing all goods, food becomes quite expensive. Even in supermarkets the prices are at least double of the prices in the US. I would recommend going to local places such as Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy which does a fish sandwich for 12 dollars and it is divine.
Why You Need To Visit
Now that we have all the logistics out of the way, here are some reasons why you should spend extra on this holiday because you won’t regret visiting this place. First of all, the people are wonderful! They are some of the friendliest and kindest people I have ever met. They will strike up conversations with you if you are in a taxi, shop, bar etc. and they are extremely helpful. They know all the great food spots, beaches and where to see the sea turtles if you are lucky.
Apart from the wonderful people, the whole country is so gorgeous, it will honestly bring you to tears. Yes, it is very hot and humid, which is why I would recommend going during the off season when it is just a tad cooler. Despite the humid heat, it is a paradise. Not only are there bananas, hibiscus and massive monsteras growing everywhere but the ocean is a must-see.
The crystal blue waters are postcard worthy. They are the clearest waters I have ever seen thanks to the thriving coral border that surrounds the island. Unlike the massive coral bleaching that is happening across other popular destinations like Hawaii and the Caribbean, Bermuda managed to see their coral population thrive. The corals are a must-see, they are located everywhere around the whole island which is why there are so many shipwrecks on the island and certainly the reason why Bermuda has gotten its ‘mysterious’ reputation. Snorkelling expeditions are ongoing on a daily basis so if you are going to visit Bermuda there is no excuse not to see one of the healthiest corals in the world along with 300 shipwrecks that are scattered near the coral borders.
Top Ten Must See Spots on the Island.
- Snorkelling at Cambridge Beaches (this is where you can spot sea turtles)
- Visit the Blue Hole Park (aka Tom Moore’s Jungle)
- Visit the Crystal Caves
- Swim and Sunbathe on the Pink Beach
- Visit Heritage Museum
- Walk the old Railway Tracks
- Explore the Naval Dockyards
- Visit Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo
- Explore St. George’s town and its rich history
- Have a Rum Swizzle and a Dark & Stormy
