Bermuda attracts people from all over the world for more than just the magnetic effect of the Devil’s Triangle. The island is one of (if not the) most amazing islands in the entire Caribbean — Condé Nast readers voted Bermuda “Best Island in the Caribbean/Atlantic” sixteen times since 1994 – an astonishing feat considering both the wealth of competition and the fact that Bermuda is situated hundreds of miles north of the Caribbean Sea. Bermuda is actually located due east of North Carolina, vectored on the y-axis with Nova Scotia due north. Despite its being Atlantic bound, Bermuda is still considered part of the Caribbean – and one experience here on the pink sand beaches beneath the gently waving palm trees and the unbridled sense of passionate freedom, one Bermuda experience and you’ll get it. (As it will get inside you.) Bermuda is rather British, proudly rooted in its history and one of the last bastions of the colonial hold in North America. Officially it’s a British overseas territory with internal self government, based in the capital (and only city) Hamilton. Bermuda was discovered quite accidentally by the British in 1609 colonists headed to the new settlement in Virginia found themselves shipwrecked and washed ashore this strange new land. The settlers stayed and made a home of it, and their descendants would play strategic roles in many history shaping events from the Civil War to Prohibition. Tourism to the island has been going on since the Victorian era, attractive in part due to its relative proximity to eastern North America. And speaking about history, you’ll want to visit St. George’s – the oldest continually inhabited English settlement in the New World – a World Heritage Site that still looks very much like it did 250 years ago, with old British Colonial architecture and winding cobblestone streets past fountains and plazas to explore, with actors in period dress creating a sense of time travel.
While Bermuda actually consists of approximately 181 islands, islets and rocks within its tiny 21-square miles of mesmerizing mass (all connected by road bridges), the locals simply refer to the entire complex as ‘The Island’. The climate in Bermuda is subtropical (so far north yet in the Gulfstream) and from spring through fall you can expect hot and humid weather. In the winter, however, it can dip down to 40°F (5°C) although the humidity is much more pleasant at this time of year. Most of the year presents the perfect opportunity for indulging in some outdoor activities, which is probably one of the reasons you’re in Bermuda, after all. The beaches are spectacular and can be both the jumping off point to adventure at sea or the purpose in itself, just to relax and soak up the pink sand vibes. Horseshoe Bay Beach is probably the most popular (and photographed) although the long sweeping crescent can get quite busy with cruise ship tourists. Jobson’s Cove Beach is visually stunning, a small sheltered cove surrounded by steep jagged rocks. Tobacco Bay Beach is an historic and bustling spot, Warwick Long Bay is the longest shoreline at nearly 1km (0.5mi), and West Whale Bay Beach is the spot for sighting humpback whales in April and magnificent sunsets year-round. While those are probably the best public beaches, your resort will likely have its own private beach.
And what makes the pink sand pink, you ask? It’s due to a type of plankton called red foraminifera which lives on coral, getting crushed and ground with waves and tides alongside the white skeletons of other marine organisms and eventually washed ashore. And while we’re on the subject, what makes white sand white? Fish poop, of course. Parrot fish in particular eject the grains of chewed coral that can’t be metabolized, which then make their way to shore. One parrot fish can produce about one ton of white sand each year! These coral chewers are said to be responsible for 70% of all beaches worldwide… The more you know.
Despite the shocking truth of the beaches, the ocean is still probably the greatest part about Bermuda. The island is home to some of the world’s best diving, with vividly abundant reefs teeming with diverse life and shipwrecks. That’s right, Bermuda is actually known as the Shipwreck Capital of the world, with over 300 wrecks (some from the 1600s) just waiting at the bottom of the sea for you to explore. The reason there’s so many wrecks is in part due to the surrounding reefs which are some of the largest in the world; towering structures of fish apartments in bright colours with arches you can swim through. And the waters are oh so clear, with visibility at 150ft which is practically surface-level clarity – and also means that snorkeling is premium as well, hovering on the surface like some sort of surveillance drone.
Bermuda is also big on golfing, so don your Bermuda shorts and hit the links on one of the several championship courses. And yes, Bermuda shorts were invented and popularized in Bermuda, due to a shortage of clothing on the island during WWII. These short trousers (worn with knee-high socks and a blazer) are still considered appropriate business attire for both men and women in Bermuda. And plus they look excellent when you’re bombing around the island on a scooter with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. So come to Bermuda for the premium vibes. Come for the vibrant history. Come for the beaches and the oceans just beckoning you to adventure on. The Bermuda Triangle PROBABLY won’t get ya – and if it does, well there’s a fair chance you’ll end up in some sort other dimension or 40 years in the past or something, which would be an interesting adventure in itself. So plan to have the best trip you’ve ever had so far and experience the wonders of Bermuda for yourself. It will get inside your spirit, energize you, and maybe even make you a better person.