PRETTY IN PINK

Whether you ’re looking for family-friendly fun, thrilling watersports, peaceful tranquillity, or nature at its finest, Bermuda’s beaches have something to offer everyone.

Bermuda might not be the biggest chain of islands around, but you wouldn’t know it from the quantity and variety of its beautiful beaches. Whether you’re into watersports, snorkelling, hiking, or just kicking back and relaxing in scenic beauty, there are multiple beaches for you to spend your glorious days.

With that in mind, we chose 21 of Bermuda’s best beaches for you to discover — one for each of Bermuda’s 21 square miles. In this list, you’ll find a little bit of everything: pale pink sand, enchanting bays, dramatic cliffs and so much more. And if nature is your thing, Bermuda is the place for you. You can watch migratory birds and breaching whales or take to the water in search of sea turtles, colourful fish, and more.

We categorised the beaches based on what you or your family might be looking for, but each of these beaches is sure to have something for everyone. And the best part is that Bermuda’s compact size makes it easy to visit more than one beach each day. Time to hit the beach!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Warwick Long Bay, Warwick Parish

With a half-mile of pink sand surrounded by jagged outcroppings, Warwick Long Bay is the longest beach in Bermuda. It’s an incredibly beautiful beach admired by locals and visitors alike, so it’s no surprise that U.S. News & World Report ranked it the fourth best thing to do in Bermuda. It also has a playground and restrooms onsite for the kids.

Daniel’s Head, Sandys Parish

This beach makes our family-friendly list due to its calm, clear blue water and beach area that’s ideal for children.

 BERMUDA’S COMPACT SIZE MAKES IT EASY TO VISIT MORE THAN ONE BEACH EACH DAY.

Spanning 17 coastal acres, Daniel’s Head is a wonderful hidden gem that features shallow reefs teeming with angelfish, sergeant majors, and other marine species. Snorkellers have easy access to Daniel’s Island and the wreck of the Vixen, a former Royal Navy gunboat that sits in about 30 feet of water.

Parson’s Bay, Sandys Parish

Near Royal Naval Dockyard, this whitesand beach has calm and shallow water that is perfect for swimming and splashing.

Shelly Bay, Hamilton Parish

With shady trees and shallow, protected waters, Shelly Bay is one of best spots in Bermuda for families. Kids can learn to swim and snorkel here, or you can take the meandering boardwalk through a small nature reserve, where you’ll find a playground and picnic tables at a nearby park.

Watersports

Elbow Beach, Paget Parish

This beach is one of Bermuda’s iconic pink-sand beaches, but beyond its beauty, the favourable winds and water currents make it a destination for watersport enthusiasts. Kitesurfing, kayaking, and snorkelling are all mainstays for locals and visitors alike. The wreck of the Pollockshields is only about 100 feet offshore, so it’s also popular with beginner divers. This beach is accessible from Tribe Road No. 4.

Horseshoe Bay, Southampton Parish

This horseshoe-shaped shoreline is one of Bermuda’s most iconic beaches, and it has previously been named one of the “25 Best Island Beaches in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler. This beach has a little bit of everything, including rentals for watersport enthusiasts, changing rooms, and toilets. All of this is found amongst pink sand, a sheltered tidal pool, and interesting rock formations, creating a shallow swimming area for children.

Snorkel Park Beach, Sandys Parish

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Royal Naval Dockyard, Snorkel Park Beach Club offers a ton of options. Rent some snorkel gear and go snorkelling amid majestic coral reefs, sunken cannons, and shipwrecks. Once you’re done splashing around, you can rent beach chairs or visit the Snorkel Park Restaurant & Beach Bar. Here, you’ll find everything you need for the day, and the warm, welcoming vibe will make you feel like you’re truly in paradise.

Safety First

Along calm, clear, and protected waters, most of Bermuda’s beaches are suitable for kids and novice swimmers of all ages. But if you’re looking for additional safety, lifeguards are on duty at Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay in July and August and Horseshoe Bay from May 1 to November 30. Lifeguard hours each day are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ROMANCE & RELAXATION

Astwood Cove, Warwick Parish

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a beach almost entirely to yourself, then it’s worth the hike to Astwood Cove, a hidden beach at the end of a cliff trail. Atop the rocks, Astwood Park offers postcard-picture views, picnic tables, and bathrooms. You can make a day out of a trip here, surrounded by bluffs, beautiful views, and little else.

Black Bay, Sandys Parish

Black Bay features three tiny coves with beaches that come and go with the tide. If you enjoy spectacular sunsets or foraging for beach glass, then this is the place for you. It’s located across from Royal Naval Cemetery and a short walk from Royal Naval Dockyard.

Stonehole Bay, Warwick Parish

Though it’s close to crowded Horseshoe Bay and Jobson’s Cove, this little slice of paradise still manages to remain secluded. It features dramatic cliffs as a backdrop for an unbelievable photo op.

Chaplin Bay, Southampton Parish

This is another beautiful, scenic spot that’s secluded and relaxing between rocky sea cliffs. And if you want the convenience of concessions or facilities, they’re just a short hike up a trail at Horseshoe Bay.

Achilles Bay, St. George’s Parish

This secluded and peaceful beach is adjacent to Fort St. Catherine and is best visited during low tide. The heel-shaped beach is named for the mythological warrior Achilles’ only weakness.

St. Catherine’s Beach, St. George’s Parish

If you enjoy a little history with your stunning ocean views, then this beach near Fort St. Catherine is for you. This popular local hangout is where Sir George Somers and his crew came ashore after their ship, Sea Venture, was wrecked in 1609. St. Catherine’s is also known as Gates Bay after Sir Thomas Gates, a commander who was also travelling on the Sea Venture. Though half of this beach has been taken up by The St. Regis Bermuda Resort, the small but perfect stretch is popular with locals.

Clearwater Beach, St. George’s Parish

Offering seclusion and calm, shallow waters, this uncrowded beach is located on the southeastern coast of Bermuda. Created by the U.S. Navy when Cooper’s Island was used as a naval station, this manmade beach now offers a playground and views of the outer islands. Nearby, discover a nature preserve with walking trails and scenic views of the rocky shoreline.

Nature Lovers

Church Bay, Southampton Parish

With a network of reefs close to shore teeming with angelfish and parrotfish, this small beach is a snorkeller’s paradise. Church Bay Park overlooks the beach and offers convenient picnic areas and restrooms.

West Whale Bay, Southampton Parish

This small beach is a popular local spot for shore fishing, and picnic tables and bath- rooms are in a large grassy area behind the beach. But the real highlight is from March to April each year, when humpback whales pass just offshore as they migrate north to summer feeding grounds. Spot a breaching behemoth or take in a stunning sunset.

 YOU’LL FIND A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING: PALE PINK SAND, ENCHANTING BAYS, DRAMATIC CLIFFS, AND SO MUCH MORE.

Tobacco Bay, St. George’s Parish

Tobacco Bay has a little bit of everything, from history to gear rentals to food, drinks, and live music at the Tobacco Bay Beach Club & Bar. TripExpert previously awarded the beach its Experts’ Choice Award. For nature lovers, it’s also one of the best snorkelling spots around, with easy access to coral reefs and underwater life.

John

Smith’s Bay, Smith’s Parish

This long expanse of pink sand is known for its protected shallow water and coral reefs teeming with marine life. Captain John Smith may be most famous for his ties to Pocahontas and Jamestown, but he also created the first map of the archipelago. This beach is named in his honour.

Somerset Long Bay, Sandys Parish

There are many great places to snorkel off the coast of Bermuda, but this one features reefs that are part of a nature reserve co-owned by the Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Audubon Society. The waters are teeming with colourful fish as well as sea turtles, and the freshwater pond in the reserve attracts many migratory bird species, making it an ideal spot for bird-watching as well.

Mangrove Bay, Sandys Parish

This stretch of shore surrounded by mangroves is an idea place to swim, sail, snorkel, or even go fishing. And if you need a bit of civilization after a day in nature, many shops and cafés are close by at Somerset Village or a short drive up to Royal Naval Dockyard, where you’ll find plentiful restaurants and stores awaiting you.

Clarence Cove, Pembroke Parish

This cove is well known for its dramatic cliffs that are popular with rock climbers, but it also features sea caves that snorkellers can explore in search of sea turtles or lobsters. The beach is part of Admiralty House Park, near Hamilton.