It’s that time of year again when people begin their search for the best beaches to go to on vacation during the summer.
There are many places that have beaches, including Florida, France, California, Bali, Bermuda, and many others around the world.
Depending on what you are looking for, you can find the perfect beach just about anywhere if you do your research.
If you are looking to take a trip to Bermuda for your vacation, below are the ten best beaches to visit in Bermuda.
10 Best Beaches in Bermuda
Many beaches are available to visit in Bermuda, but here are the top ten that you can enjoy.
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay gets its name from the horseshoe shape of the beach.
It has a sandy beach, and beautiful turquoise waters, and is surrounded by limestone cliffs and reefs that tourists can explore.
Horseshoe Bay is perfect for the family, with low tides and an adjacent kiddy beach for children to play safely.
You can swim in the sea, relax on the beach, play games on the sand, and take part in snorkeling to see the variety of sea life and reefs that Horseshoe Bay has to offer.
If you go at the right time, Horseshoe Beach hosts the largest beach party in Bermuda, called Beachfest.
Jobson’s Cove
Jobson’s Cove was named after William Jobson.
He was a 17th-century settler who owned the property now known as Jobson’s Cove in the South Shore Park of Warish Parish.
This tiny beach is a well-known wedding proposal spot surrounded by limestone and volcanic rock formations.
It has turquoise blue waters and beautiful pink sand that makes it a perfect picture to see.
Jobson’s Cove does not have any shops or restaurants nearby, so it is important to bring your own beach stuff, food, and snorkeling gear.
Snorkelers can explore and enjoy the various tropical fish in the cove, and the family can enjoy swimming in the calm, shallow water.
Warwick Long Bay
Warwick Long Bay sits right between Horseshoe Bay and Jobson’s Cove.
Warwick Long Bay is filled with cedar trees, little coves, rocks, and the famous pink sand that is common among beaches in Bermuda.
There are plenty of things to do, including snorkeling, horseback riding, sunbathing, and swimming.
However, it is important to be careful when swimming because there are large drop-offs that can be dangerous, especially for children.
There is a coral reef a little way from the shore that you can explore, as well as a variety of tropical fish and parrot fish.
If you have kids, there is a playground that they can enjoy at the car park.
Although there isn’t much for shops or food at the beach, during the summer months, a food cart is set up for people to get snacks and hotdogs.
Elbow Beach
Elbow Beach gets its name from its shape.
The beach bends in a gentle curve that resembles the shape of an elbow.
There are a total of three hotels on the beach.
This makes finding accommodations close to the beach easy.
However, Elbow Beach can get crowded at times, so it is best to visit during the less crowded times.
Elbow Beach is considered one of the more popular beaches in Bermuda for both tourists and locals.
The Elbow Beach Resort, which owns part of the beach, offers full bathrooms, changing facilities, and shuttles between the private beach and the lobby for its guests.
The public beach offers basic bathroom facilities.
Church Bay
Church Bay has gained popularity for snorkeling in the past several years.
There are plenty of boiler reefs and cup reefs for snorkellers to explore the various tropical fish including butterfly fish, angel fish, and parrot fish.
Although this is a great beach for snorkeling, there is not much else to do.
It is not advised to let children swim in the water because the water can get deep very quickly and there are lots of rocks that they could slip on and get hurt.
Unfortunately, because of the smallness of the beach, it is not a good place for sunbathers either.
On top of the hill, at the park, there is a selection of picnic tables to sit at and there is a fort ruin on top of a cliff that you can explore.
Tobacco Bay
Tobacco Bay was named after survivors of the Sea Venture who saw tobacco growing there and gave the bay this name.
The water is calm and clear, making it a great place for people to snorkel and swim.
Unlike some of the other beaches in Bermuda, there are facilities at Tobacco Bay Beach.
You will find a concession stand that rents out a variety of things, including snorkeling gear, umbrellas, chairs, floaties, and pool noodles.
Other facilities on Tobacco Bay include bathrooms, changing facilities, and a cafe and bar.
West Whale Beach
At West Whale Beach tourists can watch the migration of humpback whales during the months of March and April.
If you go to West Whale Beach to watch the whales, there is a good spot at the West Whale Bay Park that sits on an open area on a cliff that makes a perfect spot for whale watching.
During the low tides, the water is shallow and calm, making it a good place for swimming and snorkeling.
The beach is open to the public with no admission fees between sunrise and sunset.
Shelly Bay
Shelly Bay is perfect for families.
It has calm water, pink sand, and trees that provide the perfect amount of shade.
The water is calm, clear, and shallow, which means that it is perfect for swimming around and snorkeling.
While Shelly Bay doesn’t have much for facilities on the beach, there are bathrooms, picnic tables, and a playground at Shelly Bay Park nearby.
On the western side of the beach, you will find a boardwalk that will take you to a nature reserve, and further down to the Railway Trail and the Railway Museum.
St. Catherine’s Beach
St. Catherine’s Beach used to be a private beach, owned by the Club Med/Holiday Inn.
The beach has been a public beach since the hotel closed several years ago.
St. Catherine’s Beach is not on any bus routes, and there are no major hotels on the beach, so it is less crowded due to the lack of public transportation to the beach.
Because of this, you can enjoy some peace and quiet without a large amount of crowding.
Although there are not many facilities offered at the beach, there is a bar and restaurant that is a short walking distance to nearby Achilles Bay.
Somerset Long Bay Beach
Although there aren’t many tourists at Somerset Long Bay Beach, it is a popular secluded beach among the locals.
It is a great place for swimming, but it is not advised to go out too far, because the bottom of the bay has a lot of sharp rocks scattered around.
Next to the beach is the Somerset Long Bay Nature Reserve Park.
Here, you can see a variety of things, including:
- Herons
- Kingfishers
- Warblers
- Egrets
- American Coots
- Grosbeaks
- Flycatchers
- Buntings
Bermuda Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
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- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How warm is the water in Bermuda?
The water averages approximately 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lowest falls around 68 degrees Fahrenheit during January and February with a high of 82 degrees in the month of August.
Are pets allowed on the beaches in Bermuda?
According to the Bermuda government website, dogs are not allowed on public beaches that are listed under the Bermuda National Parks Act.
However, dogs are allowed in the parks and on dunes as long as they are leashed and their waste is disposed of properly.
What time of the year should you visit the beach in Bermuda?
The best time of the year to visit Bermuda beaches is from May through October.
This is considered the high season for Bermuda.
How long does it take to travel from the United States to Bermuda?
It takes approximately a little over two hours to travel from Boston and New York to Bermuda and a little over four and a half hours from Washington D.C to Bermuda.
There are many beautiful beaches in Bermuda, each offering its own unique features and experiences, making it a perfect destination for a summer vacation.
Horseshoe Bay’s turquoise waters and limestone cliffs make it a must-visit, while the secluded Somerset Long Bay Beach is perfect for those seeking tranquility.