Seaside Travel Guide: Bermuda Hot Beaches to Have Fun in the Sun

Bermuda boasts a beach to please every sort of shore lover. Family-friendly hideaways snuggle against gentle, shallow bays. Out-of-the-way coves seem to have been made for hand-in-hand strolls, and myriad other beaches serve up a range of activities for kids and grownups alike. You can paddle a kayak, snorkel to your heart’s delight, mount a horse and canter through the gentle surf, or simply let your worries go under the sun’s warming rays.

Shallow waters and pristine ecosystems characterise many beaches along the north shore. Beaches on the south shore are amongst the most photographed in the world, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and surfing.

Ready for a dip? Grab a towel and a tube of sunscreen and make a day of it. Here are just some of the Bermuda beaches waiting to welcome you.

Achilles Bay Beach. Near Fort St. Catherine in St. George’s, this secluded spot is shaped like a heel, thus its name, which evokes the myths of ancient Greece.

Astwood Cove. Snorkellers favour this rocky shoreline in Warwick Parish. So do couples in search of a scenic wedding backdrop. Nearby is a park for nature walks and picnic lunches.

Bay Island. Visit this cluster of tiny beaches off Bailey’s Bay when the tide is low. Otherwise, they are all but submerged.

Black Bay. Off Ireland Island’s Malabar Road are three tiny beaches, unprotected but pleasantly private.

Chaplin Bay. Divided by a coral wall and surrounded by cliffs, this small shore between Stonehole Bay and Horseshoe Bay makes for a great place to read a good book or just work on your tan.

Church Bay. Colourful fish and reefs lure snorkellers and other lovers of water sports to this scenic beach in Southampton Parish.

Clarence Cove. Two small beaches ring an exquisite lagoon on the north shore in Pembroke Parish. A trail to the beach winds down from the hillside. The beach is at Admiralty House Park along Spanish Point Road.

Clearwater Beach. With a playground for kids and other recreational activities, this is a popular spot off St. David’s Island. The nearby airport does not seem to disturb beachgoers. Families appreciate the lifeguard in summer as well as amenities such as Gombey’s restaurant and bar, serving local treats. Off shore, stretches of turtle grass create a haven for turtles and fish.

Elbow Beach. Despite its name, this beach is not shaped like an elbow. It sits between Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort and Coral Beach Club, and attracts swimmers, windsurfers, snorkellers and kite enthusiasts. Only a portion of the beach is public. You can reach it from Tribe Road #4.

Grape Bay Beach. This beach is near Hamilton, but you must venture a way to reach it. Greeted by soft sands, blue water, and blessed peace and quiet, you will not regret having made the effort.

Horseshoe Bay Beach and Park. Bring your camera! The horseshoe-shaped shoreline is surrounded on either side by limestone cliffs and has been rated by USA Today as a favourite beach for lovers. Waters can be rough at times, but there is a lifeguard on duty during the summer. You can play volleyball, go for a beach run or catch some rays on the soft sand. You will find a restaurant, showers and other beach amenities.

Jobson’s Cove. Another great photo opportunity: Next to Warwick Long Bay, the sheltered beach is good for snorkelling. You can spot fish even without gear.

John Smith’s Bay. This beach is pretty in pink. The bay was named for Capt. John Smith, who never visited Bermuda but nonetheless drew a map of the place in 1631. There are periodic riptides, but a lifeguard is on duty during the summer, when locals tend to come. The waters are fairly shallow, and it is very easy to see fish along the reef.

Mangrove Bay. This tranquil bay rests near Somerset Village and has both public and private beaches. The public beach, popular with families, is lined with mangroves along the curving shore.

Peel Bay. Get in touch with your inner self at this small, tranquil South Shore spot near Horseshoe Bay.

Shelly Bay Beach. Don’t worry about the kids as they splash in the shallow water along this seemingly endless stretch of shore. Children also enjoy a fairly large playground, and you will find a snack stand and equipment-rental station. A tidal cove enclosed by mangroves draws a variety of nesting birds. Nearby is the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, in Flatts Village.

Snorkel Park. Hailed as one of Bermuda’s most exciting venues, it is in the northeast corner of Royal Naval Dockyard. Visitors pass through a limestone tunnel to get to the tropical beachlike setting. It features palm trees, an array of beach equipment and an unbeatable view of the ocean. A large gazebo houses Hammerheads Bar and Grill, which serves cocktails and snacks. At night the beach comes alive with music and other entertainment.

Somerset Long Bay. Off Long Bay Road, this beach features tranquil, shallow waters perfect for frolicking kids. A nearby park offers opportunities for picnics and family fun.

Stonehole Bay. A sandy shoreline scattered with large rocks disappears at high tide, but shallow waters beckon just off the beach.

Tobacco Bay. Turtles and colourful fish are among the inhabitants of the coral and rock formations just off the shore of the east-side beach near St. George’s. Onsite facilities enable you to rent sporting equipment, pick up sundries and enjoy a bite to eat.

Turtle Bay. You can get away from it all at this beach that sits just outside the now-closed NASA station.

Warwick Long Bay. There is much to do on this scenic stretch, popular with swimmers, joggers and horseback riders. Steep cliffs and shrub-covered hills give privacy to sunbathers. Bird watchers like to scour the flock-filled bay-grape and cedar trees. From May to October, rent snorkels, masks and fins.

West Whale Bay. In March and April, beachgoers are treated to a parade of migrating humpback whales. Picnickers feast on the sand or at tables in a nearby grassy field. Public facilities are available, and when the tide is low, you can wade out to the coral reefs.