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| *Travel Tips>>>Bermuda Travel Tips |
Reviews of Hamilton, Bermuda? |
Travel Info Going on a cruise and port of call is Hamilton Bermuda. Comments? Things to do, things to avoid? thanks much! Travel Tips Sightseeing ------------------------------... Landmarks and Historic Sites Crystal and Fantasea Caves Located northeast of Harrington Sound, the Crystal and Fantasea caves feature subterranean palaces of stalactites and stalagmites. The formations in Crystal Cave are said to be more than 1 million years old, and one resembles the Manhattan skyline. The Fantasea Cave looks more like an underground temple. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Admission to both caves is Bd$21 adults, Bd$10 children ages 5-11. Wilkinson Road, Hamilton Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-293-0640. http://www.caves.bm. Fort Hamilton This restored fort from the 1800s lies just east of Victoria Street and offers superb views of Hamilton Harbour. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm. Free. Hamilton, Bermuda. Gibb's Hill Lighthouse This white, cast-iron structure was built in 1846, making it the oldest such structure in the world. If you climb all 185 steps, you'll be rewarded with fabulous views of the ocean and the connected islands. Beware of the winds, though: They actually make the cast-iron lighthouse sway. Later, you can relax with an afternoon repast in the tearoom. Daily 9 am-5 pm. Bd$2.50 adults. Southampton Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-238-0524. Royal Navy Dockyard Established in the early 1800s, shortly after Britain lost many of its North American ports to the U.S. following the Revolutionary War, the Dockyard became a major British naval hub in the Atlantic and was used through World War II. Closed in 1951, the Dockyard is now the home of the excellent Bermuda Maritime Museum, the Commissioner's House and lots of shops and restaurants. The museum chronicles the islands' seafaring past and contains ship models, maps, whaling gear and boats鈥攕ome from the 1800s. Also shown are artifacts recovered from sunken Spanish galleons near Bermuda, including some retrieved by noted treasure hunter Teddy Tucker. The stone Commissioner's House houses a World War II exhibit, paintings and antique Bermudian furniture. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm. Last admission 4 pm. Maritime Museum: Bd$10 adults, Bd$5 children ages 5-15, free for children younger than 5. Phone 441-238-1418. http://www.bmm.bm. ------------------------------... Museums Bermuda Historical Society Museum This museum contains some small exhibits, including models of the Sea Venture, the ship that wrecked near Bermuda in 1609 and introduced the British to the islands. Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-3 pm. Free. 13 Queen St., Hamilton, Bermuda. Phone 441-295-2487. Bermuda National Gallery One of two separate venues inside Hamilton's City Hall, this gallery has a collection of 18th- and 19th-century Bermudian and European paintings. The Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery (on the top floor) displays temporary exhibits. Monday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm. Free. 17 Church St., Hamilton, Bermuda. Phone 441-295-9428. Bermuda National Trust Museum Exhibits focus on activities in Bermuda during the U.S. Civil War鈥攚hen the islands were a key port for boats attempting to elude the Union naval blockade and deliver goods to the Confederate states. Have the caretaker make an impression of the Confederate seal for you, using the original press of the Confederate States of America. Monday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm. Bd$5 adults. 32 York St., St. George's (the museum is inside the historic Globe Hotel), Bermuda. Phone 441-297-1423. http://www.bnt.bm. Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute Extending the islands' legacy of underwater exploration, the institute serves as a base for numerous scientific expeditions. Visitors can see exhibits on diving technology and conservation work, as well as learn about the insitute's research projects. A dive capsule simulates all the sights, sounds and temperature changes you would experience at different depths. One room has a superb shell collection, beautifully displayed and lit. Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5 pm. Bd$12.50 adults, Bd$6 children ages 6-16, Bd$10 for seniors. 40 Crow Lane, East Broadway, Hamilton, Bermuda. Phone 441-292-7219. http://www.buei.bm. Verdmont Museum This architectural oddity lies about 1 mi/2 km east of the Bermuda Botanical Gardens. The Georgian-style mansion has eight very different fireplaces, unusual inside shutters and a grand staircase leading all the way to the attic. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm. Bd$5 adults. Verdant Road at Sayle Road, Hamilton, Bermuda. Phone 441-236-7369. ------------------------------... Parks and Gardens Bermuda Botanical Gardens Popular with islanders and visitors alike, the gardens surround Camden, the official residence of Bermuda's premier, and offer an explosion of colors鈥攔eds, oranges, purples and blues. The 36-acre/15-hectare spread includes formal landscaped gardens, a butterfly garden and an impressive cactus collection. There is also a special Garden for the Blind, designed with the most fragrant flowers and spices, splashing fountains and textured plants to touch. Daily, sunrise to sunset. Free. South Road at Point Finger Road, Paget Parish (southeast of Hamilton), Bermuda. Phone 441-236-4201. ------------------------------... Zoos and Wildlife Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo This all-in-one attraction contains more than 100 indigenous species of fish, turtles and moray eels, as well as displays on Bermuda's geological history and the development of its ecosystems. Daily 9 am-5 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. Bd$10 adults, Bd$5 children ages 5-12. 40 N. Shore Road, Harrington Sound, Bermuda. Phone 411-293-2727. Recreation ------------------------------... Beaches Bermuda's beaches are world renowned: white sand with pink flecks, unspoiled and soft. The best ones are on the southern shore, from Southampton to Tucker's Town, including Warwick Long Bay and the smaller beach surrounding Jobson's Cove next door. They're less crowded and perfect for tanning or picnicking. The beaches on the north side of Bermuda, such as Tobacco Bay and Fort St. Catherine, aren't as broad as those on the south side, but it's hard to criticize soft, pink sand and azure water. Church Bay Known for its calm water, this small, beautiful beach is an excellent place to swim and snorkel. Take Bus 7. Southampton Parish (off South Road), Bermuda. Clearwater Beach This attractive recreational area is on a former U.S. military base. There are two beaches, lifeguards in season, public conveniences, a picnic area and a hiking trail into Cooper's Nature Reserve. Take Bus 6 from St. George's or the local shuttle van. St. David's, Bermuda. Elbow Beach This is one of the largest and most popular swimming beaches on the islands. There aren't any changing facilities, but there is a lunch wagon. Take Bus 2 or 7. Paget Parish (off South Road), Bermuda. Horseshoe Bay Probably the most popular, for its horseshoe shape, pink sand and coves bordering turquoise water. Changing facilities and refreshments are available on-site. There is a lifeguard on duty during summer. Take Bus 7. Southampton Parish (off South Road), Bermuda. John Smith's Bay Beach With its moderate surf, this beach is a favorite for swimming and snorkeling. There are changing facilities, a lunch wagon and a lifeguard in season. The beach can be reached on Bus 1. Smith's Parish (near Harrington Sound), Bermuda. Snorkel Beach As the name implies, you can swim and snorkel in this beach's protected waters. Snorkeling equipment may be rented on-site. Sandys Parish (near the Royal Naval Dockyard), Bermuda. ------------------------------... Bird Watching Paget Marsh Park A wooden boardwalk that crosses a pond allows easy viewing of the red mangrove jungle鈥攈ome to resident kiskadees, white-eyed vireos and visiting warblers. Yellow-crowned night herons roost in the trees, and moorhens and coots take to the water. Open daily dawn to dusk. Middle Road, Paget Parish, Bermuda. Somerset Long Bay Park Bird-watchers love this park because it not only attracts breeding moorhens and coots but also all sorts of migrants and vagrants. Warblers nest in the mangrove trees, and herons and egrets fly over the ponds. The park is ideal for children who want to swim in calm, shallow water. Daniel's Head Road, Sandys Parish, Bermuda. Spittal Pond Nature Reserve The largest wildlife sanctuary on Bermuda (60 acres/25 hectares), Spittal Pond is home to 200 species of native and migratory birds, including North American warblers, house martins and cardinals. Fall and winter are the prime seasons for bird-watching. This rare dose of wilderness鈥攃raggy cliffs, untamed grasses and vegetation鈥攐n this sedate island chain would be worth a visit even if it had no birds. Open daily dawn to dusk. On South Road, Smith's Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-236-4201. ------------------------------... Boating and Sailing Bermuda has become one of the world's great sailing centers because of its temperate weather and the challenge of unpredictable winds. Experienced sailors can rent their own boat or sign on for a skippered cruise. Sunfish and Windsurfers rent for Bd$30 a day; outboard motorboats rent for about Bd$75 for a minimum of two hours and Bd$180 for a whole day. Fuel costs an extra Bd$5 an hour. Blue Hole Water Sports Rents everything from sailboards to small sailboats. Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, Hamilton Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-293-2915. ------------------------------... Fishing Bermuda is one of the world's prime angling spots, offering the possibility of catching Bermuda chub, yellow snapper, wahoo, dolphin fish, oceanic bonito, black-fin tuna, rainbow runners, barracuda, bonefish, pompano, and blue and white marlin. Full-day deep-sea trips start at around Bd$1,100 (including bait and tackle) for up to six people. Half-day trips may also be available鈥攊nquire locally about prices. Half-day reef-fishing charters are also available and start at Bd$650 for up to six people. Bermuda Sport Fishing Association This organization can help you arrange a charter fishing excursion. Phone 441-295-2370. ------------------------------... Golf To a golfer, Bermuda is as close to paradise as you can get. There are plenty of top-quality courses. Many are private, however, so access can be difficult. Do be aware that there are dress codes at all courses. Some allow shorts, but they must be Bermuda-length. It's best to inquire ahead of time. Belmont Hills Golf Club Opened in 2003 to replace the former Belmont Country Club, this golf course has panoramic views of the Great Sound. The course includes two lakes plus a water fountain, and its signature hole is the par-3 No. 7. Open to the public. Green fees are Bd$103 and cart Bd$27. 97 Middle Road, Warwick Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-236-6400. http://www.belmonthills.com. Mid Ocean Club Considered by many to be Bermuda's best course, Mid Ocean is laid out like a British links course鈥攏ext to the water, with lush, rolling hills. Every hole is a killer, but the fifth is infamous for the 600-ft/180-m drive over a lake to the green. (Not many balls make it.) Nonmembers can play with an introduction. The only days for visitors to play are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Greens fees are Bd$210, or Bd$70 if you're playing with a member. Cart fee is Bd$22.50. Mid Ocean Drive, Tucker's Town, Bermuda. Phone 441-293-0330. http://www.themidoceanclubberm... Port Royal This public course has holes that are just as challenging as those of the private courses because of the wind sweeping across them. Its design elevates players for the tee off: The tee box for the 16th hole is set on a cliff鈥攁 challenge for those afraid of heights. Greens fees are Bd$140 per person, which includes a cart and 40-45 balls. Middle Road, Southampton Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-234-0974. Tucker's Point Golf, Tennis and Beach Club Standing on the former Castle Harbour course, the Tucker's Point Club boasts a private course with magnificent views of the islands, particularly at the 17th hole. Nonmembers can play with an introduction. Call well in advance for help getting an introduction鈥攖he course is very popular. Greens fees are Bd$218 a person, which includes a golf cart. Paynter's Drive, Tucker's Town, Bermuda. Phone 441-298-6970. http://tuckerspoint.com. ------------------------------... Horseback Riding Mike Watson Western and English Horse Riding This oufit offers a two-hour ride with a qualified instructor. Bd$90 per person. Tribe Road No. 2, Warwick Parish (take Bus 8), Bermuda. Phone 441-234-6773. ------------------------------... Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Both diving and snorkeling are popular pursuits in Bermuda. The waters are the clearest in the western Atlantic (some divers report 200-ft/60-m visibility), and the warm Gulf Stream nurtures the northernmost coral reef in the Atlantic. The reef has spelled the doom of many ships, so shallow-water wreck diving is a big draw. More than 350 wrecks are found in the waters around the islands, including the Constellation, a four-masted schooner. Snorkeling is also good, and the reef can be easily reached from many of the beaches. Tobacco Bay is a particularly scenic spot, and Church Bay is rewarding because of the variety of colorful fish. Pick up a fish-identification guide before you hit the water so you know what you're looking at. You can rent snorkeling gear for Bd$12-$24 a day. Rates for a one-tank dive start at about Bd$80; two-tank dives run about Bd$120. You must be a certified diver and present your C card to rent equipment and go diving, although some shops offer a supervised introductory course for beginners. Another great option for people who can't swim or dive is helmet diving. Operators fit you with a helmet that is hooked to an air hose, enabling you to breathe underwater. After a short briefing, experienced guides take you walking on the sea floor. Bermuda Bell Diving This company can arrange pickups from Flatts Village or the Royal Naval Dockyard. Trips offered May-October. Bd$65 per person. North Shore Road, Flatts Village, Bermuda. Phone 441-292-4434. http://www.helmetdive.bm. Blue Water Divers Offers scuba and snorkeling trips as well as scuba instruction. Somerset Bridge, Sandys Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-234-1034. Dive Bermuda Offers one- and two-tank dives to various sites around the islands. Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, 101 South Shore Road, Southampton Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-238-2332. Greg Hartley's Undersea Adventure This outfit takes you out about a mile/kilometer from shore to ensure clear water for viewing the fish during a 30-minute helmet dive. Pickup at Watford Bridge. Bd$65 per person. 1 Mangrove Bay Road, Sandys Parish, Bermuda. Phone 441-234-2861. http://www.hartleybermuda.com. ------------------------------... Tennis and Racquet Sports Bermuda takes tennis as seriously as it does golf. The game was imported there from England in 1873鈥攖he first court was laid out at Clermont in Paget Parish. Today, there are more than 100 courts on the islands鈥攁t hotels, in parks and attached to clubs. At many courts, tennis whites are required. ------------------------------... Other Options Skyrider Parasailing Operators pick up guests upon request from the Wharf in Dockyard or from the Ferry Terminal in Hamilton in their Paranautique boat and cruise around the Great Sound for two hours. The parasailing part of the trip allows guests (one or two at a time) to sit in an aerial armchair or recliner and take in wonderful views of the reef. Bd$60 per person for cruise and parasail. Bd$10 per person for cruise only. Phone 441-747-7245. Source(s): Intelliguide Other Travel Tips |
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