What You Need to Know About
Bermuda Beaches

Named after the Spanish explorer, Juan de Bermudez, Bermuda is one of the overseas territories of United Kingdom situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, with around 640 miles off the coast of the United States.  This place is actually one of the oldest remaining territories of the UK and for long years it is highly noted for its wonderful beaches and turquoise waters.

Bermuda is composed of about 138 islands that are connected by bridges.  These islands boast long bays and beaches with pink sand and clear waters.  In these beaches, a number of pleasures are waiting for you to partake, whether sunbathing, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, or simply swimming.  You can even stroll through the scenic pink beaches of the public and enjoy everything that it has to offer to your heart’s content.  Well, with this, it’s no wonder that today Bermuda holds one of the largest financial sectors and tourism industries.

Bermuda’s Pink Beaches

Did you ever wonder what makes the Bermuda beaches rosy or pink?  Have you asked yourself about what makes the Bermuda beaches distinct?  Hmm…that’s a good observation and the reason behind it is truly worth discovering.

So what makes the sand that lovely color?

Contrary to what many people will tell you, there is only one main factor that makes the Bermuda beach sand pinkish or rosy – the forams.  But what are forams?  Basically, the forams or foraminifera are skeletal animals that thrive and grow profusely on the underside of the coral reefs in Bermuda.  These animals boast dark and bright red skeletons that are eroded by waves when the forams die.  The skeletons, when eroded, then blend with the other matter on the sand and that is what gives the Bermuda sand a pinkish hue.

So that’s said.  Now, it is nice to know that there is more to Bermuda beaches than its rosy sand.   Aside from the color, the beaches in Bermuda are well-acclaimed for their being exceptionally fine, smooth and silky in texture.   You might feel like walking in sugar once you’re there.  The beaches of Bermuda also boast gentle waves that slip past the barrier reefs offshore.  The water does get a bit rougher when the wind blows from the south and the southwest, but it continuously rolls in and breaks on the sandy shoreline even with gentle breezes.   This is basically what makes the beaches in Bermuda perfect for surfing and other water sports.

Public and Private Beaches

The beaches in Bermuda are divided into two large groups: public and private.  As the name implies, these beaches are divided according to ownership.  Well, the public beaches in Bermuda are all owned by the taxpayers – the people.  They are operated, cleaned and maintained by the Bermuda government itself from where all of the particulars should be obtained.  On the other hand, the private beaches are owned by private individuals and even by the individual hotels operating in the island.

Being divided based on the degree of ownership, there is a big difference as to who are allowed and not allowed to use these beaches.  In particular, the public beaches in Bermuda are all open for the general public and there is no limit to the use of these places.  You, your friends and your family can in fact enjoy all that the public beaches have to offer from dawn to sunset.  It is, however, important to note that most of these beaches are designed for families, so don’t be surprised when you see children and adults enjoying the water, the rosy sand, and everything that the place has to offer.

In the private beaches, on the other hand, the only people who are allowed to utilize and enjoy the beach are the registered guests, not the general public.  There are also some instances when these spots are open by special arrangement solely between the private owner and the operators of the cruise ship.  Aside from that, all of the hotel-owned beaches in Bermuda have licensed bars that typically offer a full service tourist restaurant.  The restaurants are either located on the beach, just within the bars, or nearby.  There are also some changing and shower rooms, as well as toilet for their staying guests only.

Well, what sets the public and private beaches in Bermuda different from each other is not only the degree of ownership but also the facilities involved.  In the public beaches, for instance, you can find no bars, but there are small restaurants.  Aside from this, the public beaches offer toilets and bathroom, but they do not have shower and changing rooms which are available at the privately-owned Bermuda beaches.

Note that these beaches tend to close from sunset to sunrise for several reasons.  So don’t be surprised when someone will tell you not to go on the beach, especially on the public ones, during the evenings.  Sleeping on these beaches is not even allowed.

The Best Beaches

There are a number of beaches available in Bermuda.  However, with its massive number, finding and determining the best one could then be puzzling.  But as the aphorism goes, “there is a solution for everything”, and if you are wondering where on Bermuda you can enjoy your whole day in the finest beach, then you’ve got the right solution – this page.

I have actually mentioned below some of the well-visited and well-acclaimed beaches in Bermuda.  Note and understand that these are just a few of the many and I have grouped them according to their location.  To know more about this, please read on.

Bermuda Beaches on the North Shore

• Shelly Bay Beach – Nestled in Hamilton Parish, this beach is actually open for the general public.  It is one of best public beaches in Bermuda that is designed specifically for families.  What makes this beach unique is that it is shaped like a half moon with long and endless stretches of shallow water, making it perfect for kids.   Aside from that, Shelly Bay offers a small take-out restaurant and some public facilities for public use.   If you want to try certain water sports, Shelly Bay also offer a wide selection of equipment rentals.  Your kids can even enjoy on their extensive playground where different kinds of kids’ equipment are available for children of all ages.  And, to complete your day on this beautiful beach, you can stroll through the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo or just enjoy watching birds of different species just within the area.

• Tobacco Bay – Located outside of St. George’s, this beach is one of the popular snorkeling destinations in Bermuda.  The beach is surrounded by the Achilles Bay and boulders where a variety of fish dwell.  It has shallow waters, allowing the beachgoers to explore and enjoy the coral formations and the life underwater.  What further makes this beach worth-visiting is that Tobacco Bay offers food avenues and equipment rentals for the people to use.   It is even a walk-away to Fort St. Catherine, one of the magnificent attractions in the island of Bermuda.

• Somerset Long Bay – Known mostly by the Somerset locals, the Somerset Long Bay beach is situated on the northwestern end of Bermuda, a bit far from Hamilton and the other major tourist hubs in the area.  This beach is noted for being low-keyed, but its main beach is long, allowing the people to enjoy the bay to their heart’s content.  Just like Shelly Bay, this too is ideal for families and kids.

Bermuda Beaches on the South Shore

• Horseshoe Bay Beach – If you will ask someone from Bermuda which of the Bermuda beaches is the most popular and most photographed, they may tell you about Horseshoe Bay.  Well, this beach is actually popular with locals and tourists alike.  It has everything you want – clear beach, pink sand, a vibrant social atmosphere, and the scenic backdrop of the South Shore Park.  However, there is one main thing to take note about this beach, that is, the waters can be rough and the undercurrent is stronger than what you may expect.  So, if you love to swim, then beware.   Perhaps this is also the reason that lifeguards are available at this beach throughout the summer where hundreds of people packed the beach.  It is further worth noting that a variety of rental facilities, as well as a snack bar and toilets are available for the visitors to use, then adding to the well-established appeal of Horseshoe Bay. 

• Warwick Long Bay – Located in the Warwick Parish, this is but another magnificent beach in the island of Bermuda.  It boasts a half mile of pink sand and dunes and it is one of the favorite locations for those who love swimming, jogging, and horseback riding early in the morning.   It is also an ideal place to bird watch as its Bay Grape and Cedar trees provide the perfect habitat for bird life.

• John Smith’s Bay – If you want to see seniors floating in the water at sunrise, then John Smith’s Bay is the perfect place to go in Bermuda.  This place is actually the perfect hub for the seniors, but its natural beauty also appeals much to the youngsters.  Just like the other beaches in Bermuda, the sand at John Smith’s Bay is rosy.  It has shallow waters that offer an ideal haven for swimmers, but most of the time, certain signs of dangerous rip tides occur, the reason that this Bermuda beach is often looked after by lifeguards during summertime.  However, it is important to note that John Smith’s Bay is often visited by teenagers who love to party just within its premises from sunrise to sunset.  So if you are not the type who is always in the mood to listen to a large crowd with loud radios, then this may not be the perfect place for you.

• Elbow Beach – Everything you expect from a Bermudian beach can be found at this beach which lies between the Elbow Beach Resort and Coral Beach Club.  Yes, this is the exact place where swimmers, snorkellers, wind surfers and kite surfers meet to enjoy the blue waters and the pinkish and powdery sand.  Here, runners and walkers of all ages pass all day; however, the western part of this beach is offered privately to the guests of the Coral Beach Club.

There are other well-known beaches in Bermuda.  The list may further include the Devonshire Bay in the Devonshire Parish, Astwood Cove and Parl in Warwick Parish, Clearwater Beach and Park in St. George’s Parish, Jobson’s Cove also in Warwich Parish, Snorkel Park in Dockyard, West Whale Bay and Church Bay in Southampton Parish.  All of these names are popular in Bermuda, and almost every local knows them.  Well, whatever your preference is, Bermuda has a lot more to offer.

Tips Before You Go

So you’ve decided on where to go in Bermuda to enjoy your vacation.  Well, before you schedule your trip and pack up your things, there are a number of considerations that you must note first.  Well, I’m basically trying to give you some tips before you go and enjoy one or two of the Bermuda beaches.  What these tips are?  Just read on.

Tip #1:  Watch Out for the Rip Tides on the South Shore

Rip tides are often large and strong in the South Shore beaches in Bermuda.  Because of this, people of all ages are advised to beware and watch out for the rips.  The rip tides and rip currents are generally formed by water seeking its own level.  More water is pushed up on the beach as the degree of waves breaking the beach increases.  According to some explanations, as the water accumulates, it tend to return to its own level which causes a drag outwards.  So if the surf of the water is large, the more intense the rip will be.  Take note of this.

Tip #2:  Obtain a Camping Permit in Advance

Bermudians has this tradition known as Cup Match.  Well, during these days, locals who do not go physically to witness the games tend to listen to it on the radio while camping by night and picnic by day at any of the public beaches in Bermuda.  They typically look for campgrounds and put up their tents from two days beforehand and until the evening of Cup Match.  So if you are one of those who love to stay on the beach right at the shade of your tent during the Cup Match days, then it is best to acquire camping permit well in advance to find your perfect place to camp on the beach.  Make sure, however, to have a Bermudian with you as only the locals are allowed to pitch a tent by day or by night.

Tip #3:  Do not Use the Beach Illegally At Night

There is one main fact to note when considering beaches in Bermuda – the beaches are open from sunrise to sunset, not from sunset to sunrise.  With this, visitors are highly advised not to use the beaches illegally at night for their own safety.  Crimes do thrive in Bermuda, just like in the other places in the world.  In addition to that, it is important to note that in Bermuda, sleeping on the beaches at night is not permitted.   And, with regard to what to wear on the beach, the beaches in Bermuda do not allow nudes or semi-nudes.  So beware.

Tip #4:  Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

As mentioned earlier, crimes do occur in Bermuda.  Thefts are everywhere and the beaches are one of the favorite targets of these people.  Given this fact, visitors and locals alike are greatly encouraged to be extra careful of their belongings at the beach.  The Bermuda Police Service in fact used to advise visitors not to take a lot of cash, passports, watches or other precious belongings to the beach as several cases of thefts and robbery are already reported.  But if you happen to take your precious belongings, don’t leave them unattended.

Tip #5:  Wear Sunscreen

Bring and wear sunscreen.  That’s basically one of the most important things to note while enjoying everything that the Bermuda beaches have to offer.  Well, this is important for the fact that the sun can be intense on the beach.  Also, only few of the Bermudian beaches, specially the public ones, have shade, so make sure that you have sunscreen with you to at least protect your skin from possible damage.

Bermuda remains until now as one of the favorite vacation destinations on earth.  Many are looking forward to visiting the place primarily for its pink sandy beaches and turquoise waters.  Now that you are one of them, it is best that you know exactly what to expect in the Bermudian beaches.  Also, it is important to be aware of everything that is permitted and not permitted in the beaches as any attempt to break the rules may put you to a situation you’ve never experienced before.  So if this guide does not fully satisfy your needs and you want to find out more about the beaches in Bermuda, then don’t hesitate to seek for information.  Read books that talk about the place, hear the news, and ask the locals everything you need to know about the Bermudian beaches.  If everything is settled, then schedule your visit, book your stay and look forward to spending wonderful times with your family and friend on the Bermuda beach.