10 SIGNATURE SURPRISES

Blushing beaches and cerulean seas rank high on the list of reasons people travel to Bermuda, but this destination has much more to offer than its beauty.

With a settlement that started with a shipwreck by Portuguese sailors in 1543 and Bermuda’s use throughout history as a base for both privateers and the military, the island boasts a lively past. Bermuda is comprised of seven main marine limestone islands and more than 150 islets and rocks, a formation that lends itself to curious geographic features. The island’s culture is a mash-up of British class and Caribbean spice, resulting in a diversity that’s given rise to notable

BY ANDREA MILAM

creatives and alluring works of art. Bermuda is undeniably unique, and there are many ways to experience each thread that makes up the fabric of the island. Here, we share unique island attractions that offer a window into the wide, wonderful world of Bermuda. Explore, enjoy, and prepare to fall in love.

Wild Wonders

The Crystal Caves of Bermuda

The beauty of Mother Nature is on display almost everywhere you look in Bermuda, but the island’s Crystal Caves up the ante with a heavy dose of wonderment. The slow drip of erosion has carefully carved away the marine limestone that forms Bermuda, resulting in gleaming stalactites and stalagmites that inspire a sense of reverence for the natural world. The cave — at 1,640 feet long and 203 feet deep — is partially submerged, as about 66 feet of the cave’s depth is below sea level. Azure pools of water add allure to this incredible representation of natural artistry. Getting to the cave requires descending 88 steps, so be ready for a little exercise as you explore this otherworldly site.

Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ)

Come face-to-face with wildlife from around Bermuda — and from across the globe — all under one roof at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo. At the walk-through Islands of Australasia exhibit, you’ll see tree kangaroos, parma wallabies, and eclectus parrots; the tropical walkway at the Islands of the Caribbean exhibit will guide you through a flight cage that the scarlet ibis, Brazilian agouti, and golden lion tamarin monkeys call home. Don’t miss the Galapagos exhibit, where you and your little ones can take a photo with a giant Galapagos tortoise. Flamingos, whose pink plumage is evocative of Bermuda’s blushing sands, are another popular site at BAMZ.

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI)

Explore the seas that surround Bermuda at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute just outside the City of Hamilton. You and the whole family can explore the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle at the popular Unlock the Secrets exhibit. Learn how the islands that make up Bermuda were formed, and marvel at John R.H. “Jack” Lightbourn’s impressive shell collection, featuring more than 1,200 specimens. A visit to BUEI is as informative as it is engaging.

Time Travelling

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

Bermuda’s storied history offers several take-me-back-in-time experiences for modern-day visitors, and Gibbs Hill

Lighthouse is one such beacon of the past with an incredible view to boot. Constructed in 1846 and standing 117 feet tall, it’s the oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world and one of only two still in existence. Climb the lighthouse’s 185step spiral staircase and not only will you be getting your steps in, but you’ll also be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of the South Shore beaches, Little Sound, the City of Hamilton, and Royal Naval Dockyard in the west. At just $2.50 per person, the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is absolutely worth a visit.

Town of St. George

On Bermuda’s East End, the island’s one-time capital is today noted as the oldest continuously inhabited British town in the New World. The Town of

St. George, first settled in 1612, has earned the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it being “an outstanding example of a continuously occupied, fortified, colonial town dating from the early 17th century. A stroll through the well-preserved town’s quaint streets is a must-do for anyone who’s curious about the Bermuda of yesteryear. Don’t miss the Tucker House Museum, an elegant 1750s colonial Bermudian abode complete with antique furniture and an archaeological exhibit.

Fort St. Catherine

The best example of the “fortified” portion of UNESCO’s Town of St. George description can be found at Fort St. Catherine, an impressive stone fortress with a well-preserved interior. This imposing structure is nestled on the northeastern tip of St. George’s and offers pretty beach views along with comprehensive exhibits and artefacts that provide a glimpse into life in the 17th century, when the fort was first constructed, along with towers, tunnels, ramparts, huge cannons, and even a drawbridge. Visitors can easily spend an hour or more here as they explore the period weapons, crown jewel replicas, and models of the fort’s evolution throughout the centuries.

St. Peter’s Church

As you amble along through St. George’s picturesque avenues, be sure to dedicate some time to St. Peter’s church, where history and stunning architecture go hand in hand. The oldest Protestant church in continuous use in the New World, this once-wooden church was rebuilt several times since its 1612 establishment, eventually in stone, and is known for being the birthplace of Christian worship in Bermuda. St. Peter’s is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a $2-per-person donation, and visitors are also welcome to attend the church’s worship services as well.

Unfinished Church

As the name of this destination might suggest, this church was never completed; but its dramatic weathered stone remains are captivating in their own right. Construction on this Gothic-style church began in 1874 as an intended replacement for St. Peter’s church, which had been badly damaged in a hurricane. Arguing amongst the parishioners and issues with funding stalled construction, and the last known work was completed in 1897, when the church’s roof was installed. Yet another hurricane came through in 1926, damaging much of the construction that had been done, though the haunting windowless Gothic arches remain.