Kiwis and Fairy Bread

3 June 2026

Why visit Bermuda? To relax. To look at water in more shades of blue than you ever imagined. To soak up the sun. To swim in the clear seas. To wiggle your toes in pink sand. To stroll in and out of cute shops. To eat a great meal. To meet friendly, interesting people.

If you enjoy sailing, golfing, fishing or snorkeling, this is also a place for you.

However, if you are looking for energetic nightlife, gambling, shows, extreme sports, or challenging hikes, Bermuda may be a little too chill for your tastes.

How to get to Bermuda? Most people cruise. Many people fly (it’s just two hours in the air from New Jersey). And some people even sail (speaking of such, the first boats from the ARC rally arrived in The Azores this morning, 11 days after we watched them embark from St Georges)

When to go to Bermuda? April and May are ideal. Temperatures are in the 70’s F (20’s C). The water is cool but not cold. July and August are very hot and humid. And September is peak hurricane season (Bermuda was hit three times last summer). But as we heard from the locals, bad weather can hit anytime. No one was expecting torrential rain and tornados in mid-May. Just be prepared for it.

How to get around Bermuda? Cruises offer their own shuttle buses and ferries (not sure if there is an extra cost). We recommend using the public transportation system, which is great. Ferries and buses are clean and run regularly. Just be sure to know the time of the last ferry or bus, or you might get stuck. Rather than purchasing the week-long pass from the Shorelink app (as we did this trip, at $62.00 each), we suggest buying a fifteen stamp booklet from the post office or a bus depot. It is more cost effective. Use Google Maps to track the buses’ progress, which was much more accurate than the app.

Renting a GEM is a fine idea, but do not go for the less expensive and cramped EV’s called twizzies. They may be cute, but they are cramped and have much less power, especially up hills. Don’t rent an electric bike (there were 8 road fatalities in just one night while we were there, and we ourselves witnessed several close calls).

What to wear? Anything you like! We did notice that locals and tourists alike dressed smartly casual when out to dinner. For a party they went all out: colors, fringes, beads, any thing to show off their beautiful selves. Remember of course, to dress for the weather: this island country is humid, making it feel hotter than the temperature indicates. Wear your hat. Bring water shoes or a pair of “shoes you can ruin in Bermuda” (as I always do). The water and sand can hide rough rocks, barnacles and coral. Protect your feet!

What kind of cash to bring? The Bermuda dollar is tied the U.S. dollar and both are used interchangeably. Just understand that no matter if you use U.S. or Bermudian, you may get all Bermudian back. If you have some leftover at the end of your trip, it is a good excuse to return for another trip! Of course, credit and debit were taken most places, but cash is helpful at street stalls.

Is it safe? Yes. In fact, it is widely considered to be one of the safest places to travel to. That said, I regularly read The Royal Gazette, (Bermuda’s major newspaper) and know that serious crimes have happened throughout the island. So use common sense. Secure phones and wallets. Keep your wits about you. Don’t go out at night alone.

Where to stay? If you enjoy cruises, your home base will be The Royal Naval Dockyard. Just be sure to pay careful attention to those disembarking times so you don’t get left behind (but hey, there are worse places to be stranded!). And if you board at the very last second, be prepared for the “applause of shame” that will rain down on you from some of your fellow passengers on the deck.

I know people who really enjoy staying at resorts like The Reefs and Grotto Bay and we loved our 2022 one-night stay at the very classy St George’s Club.

If you prefer having an entire apartment or house to yourself, we recommend https://www.vacationhomesbermuda.com/listings.php These realtors know all the owners personally and will give you great service. Plenty of options in a variety of sizes throughout the country. If there are just two of you, we can highly recommend both Hard a Lee and Bedford Villas The Loft (the latter may not have a harbor view, but does have two private patios and is just steps from downtown).

Also, do not try to bring gathered shells, pink sand or other wildlife through Bermuda customs and security. Unless they are attached within jewelry or other souvenir, they will be confiscated.

How much does it cost?

Cruises are certainly your best bang for your buck, They start at about $700.00 per person. Not sure what all is included, but you won’t need airfare. But you also won’t spend nearly enough time in Bermuda: most just give you two days.

A quick search showed me that suites at St George’s Club start at $553 per night. The Reefs charges at minimum $900 per night for a double room with a view. Grotto Bay would only give me a quote if I emailed them, which I didn’t. However, I was able to find out that a Grotto Bay full meal plan costs $139 per person per day. (That happens to be exactly the amount we paid at Somer’s Market for our week’s worth of groceries, for the two of us)

Hard a Lee was $225 per night, The Loft $275 per night. Our airfare was $1000.00 for the two of us. Adding in our groceries, GEM rental, and Transit passes brings us to roughly $3050 for the two of us.

Do be aware that with such limited resources, Bermuda imports almost everything. That means prices are higher than you might expect. A plate of fish & chips at The Wharf was about $30.00 and at Somers Market a pound of butter set me back ten bucks.

Set your budget and travel the way you like best. It will be worth every penny.

Where should we go in Bermuda? Here is our short list.

Tobacco Bay: in the evening, for the sunset

St Catherine’s Beach: any time, but especially for the sunrise

Royal Naval Dockyard: for shopping, mini golf and to catch the ferry.

Horseshoe Bay: catch a bus there (or rent a car and park). Enjoy the beach for a bit and then walk east along the beach paths to other, equally beautiful but more secluded beaches.

Ducking Stool (if you can find it). Join David, Jeremiah and friends for a spectacular sunset.

St David’s Island, Clearwater Beach and Cooper’s Nature Preserve: a great day trip. We’ve been before and will certainly go next time.

Hamilton: take the ferry in. It’s an enchanting trip. If you are there on a summer Wednesday, enjoy Harbor Nights.

Downtown St George’s! While you are there be sure to stop into Salt Spray Soap Company, Moongate Brewery, Dragon’s Lair Gallery, and The Wharf restaurant. And if you are feeling spiritual, peak into St Peter’s, a 17th century church with which I have found (on previous trips) to be a very kind congregation.

What is the #1 thing to do in Bermuda? Relax. Converse with Bermudians. They are wonderful. You will be the best of friends for fifteen minutes or many years. (OK, that’s two things)

And with that, we close this portion of Kiwis and Fairy Bread. We thank you, Dear Readers, for joining us on our first journey of summer 2026.

But we will be in touch again very soon. Packing for our Montana vacation has already begun.

Cheers!