Bermuda is renowned for its glorious pink sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and friendly welcome, attracting thousands of visitors seeking to enjoy its pleasant year-round weather. One of the main reasons why the port of Bermuda is important is that it is where many visitors begin their stay, with more than 350,000 arriving here by cruise ship every year.
If you’ve booked a cruise that stops in Bermuda’s cruise port, our guide below shares some helpful information, including where cruise ships dock in Bermuda, how far Bermuda is from the cruise port and what are the best activities by Bermuda’s cruise port.
Where do cruise ships dock in Bermuda?
Bermuda is a self-governing British overseas territory located in the western North Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea, as many believe. It is an archipelago made up of seven main islands and around 170 other islets.
Most cruise ships dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard at the western end of Bermuda’s cruise port. Here, there are two terminals that are close to each other. King’s Wharf terminal is primarily for the larger cruise ships, where you’ll also see the old naval dockyards. Meanwhile, Heritage Wharf services the smaller vessels.
At Bermuda’s cruise terminals, you’ll find a small terminal building with a visitor centre. Sometimes, smaller ships use one of Bermuda’s other cruise terminals located centrally at Hamilton Harbour or at the island’s eastern end near the town of St. George.
How to get to Bermuda from the cruise port
As Bermuda is the whole archipelago itself, when most visitors ask how far Bermuda is from the cruise port, they typically want to know how to get to the main attractions or resorts on the islands. Of course, there are a few answers to this question, depending on what you hope to see.
One of the top places to visit in Bermuda is the historic Royal Naval Dockyard. This attraction will be right on your doorstep if your cruise ship docks at King’s Wharf, so it is very quick and easy to access when you arrive.
Other cruise guests are looking to get from Bermuda cruise port to the city centre, which is Hamilton. Hamilton is also one of the places you will find Bermuda’s infamous pink-sand beaches.
A ferry will take around 20 minutes to get to Hamilton and is one of the quickest and most affordable options. The ticket price for the ferry is approximately $5 for an adult and $2.75 for a child.
A taxi would take a similar time, but you could pay as much as $50. A bus would take much longer as the distance from Bermuda cruise port to its city centre is just under 24 kilometres. Bermuda has a great network of ferries and buses to get you to most places of interest. You’ll find the official ticket desk outside Bermuda’s cruise terminal building.
If you plan to use the ferries or buses to see several places across the archipelago, getting a day pass may be the cheapest option. These cost approximately $19 for an adult and $9.50 for children.
Is there anything near Bermuda’s cruise port?
Royal Naval Dockyard
If you enjoy discovering a destination’s history and culture, you’ll be in luck when looking for what to do in Bermuda’s cruise port. Most cruise ships dock right next to Bermuda’s historic Royal Naval Dockyard at King’s Wharf.
At the Royal Naval Dockyard, as well as the National Museum of Bermuda, which showcases its incredible maritime heritage, there are an array of shops and restaurants to wander around. So, if you’re short on time and looking for what to do in Bermuda’s cruise port, this is an excellent choice.
St. George
Bermuda’s former capital and now UNESCO world heritage site, St. George, is also a great choice when looking for what to do in Bermuda on port days. Take in the impressive British colonial architecture, stroll its cobbled streets and visit the 17th-century Fort St. Catherine, Bermuda’s largest, which also hosts a museum of its military antiquities.
St. George can be easily reached by ferry from Bermuda’s cruise terminals. Alternatively, the bus will take around one hour.
The pink sands of Horseshoe Bay Beach
Of course, one of the main attractions of Bermuda is its stunning pink-sand beaches.
These pink sands are created by minute red organisms living in the coral reefs, and wandering barefoot on them alongside the crystal-clear ocean water is undoubtedly one of the best activities by Bermuda cruise port. Head to Horseshoe Bay Beach in Hamilton to take in this remarkable sight.
Crystal and Fantasy Caves
When looking for what to do in Bermuda on port days, the Crystal and Fantasy Caves are another amazing attraction and make for one of the best activities by Bermuda cruise port. Take a guided tour amongst the limestone stalactite and stalagmite formations and the tranquil underground lake for a unique and memorable experience.
To get there by public transport, take the ferry to Hamilton. From there, you’ll find a bus that will take you to the caves. All-in-all, this journey will take around an hour. Taxis are also available and will take around 45 minutes one way.
