Please help me on my 3 day Bermuda itinerary

I am having trouble finalizing my Bermuda itinerary. We are sailing on the Breakaway and will be there Wednesday, Thursday and until 5:00 on Friday.

This is a list of the things we don't want to miss:

Horseshoe Bay

Caves

Perfumery

Glass Beach

Things that we would also like to do:

Glassworks

Harbor Nights

I had planned to go to Horseshoe Bay on day 1, but if I am reading reviews correctly that could be a crazy idea because of everyone else on the ship having the same idea. Does anyone have any thoughts to share on what order to do the things we want to do? (We plan on getting the 3 day bus/ferry pass.)

Also are we totally missing out on a great experience if we decide to not take a blue flag taxi tour?

I am having trouble finalizing my Bermuda itinerary. We are sailing on the Breakaway and will be there Wednesday, Thursday and until 5:00 on Friday.

 

This is a list of the things we don't want to miss:

Horseshoe Bay How long to you want to stay there ?

Caves 1 or 2 caves ?

Perfumery

Glass Beach Which one ?, near St-George or Dockyard ?

 

Things that we would also like to do:

Glassworks

Harbor Nights

 

I had planned to go to Horseshoe Bay on day 1, but if I am reading reviews correctly that could be a crazy idea because of everyone else on the ship having the same idea. Does anyone have any thoughts to share on what order to do the things we want to do? (We plan on getting the 3 day bus/ferry pass.)

 

Also are we totally missing out on a great experience if we decide to not take a blue flag taxi tour? I guess it is your first visit to Bermuda ?

Hi,

give me a little more specifics and I will be glad to help you :D

.

About the private taxi tour...

For a first visit I would highly recommend it...it is not a MUST...but I did it twice and it was exactly what we had hoped for.

We booked a 4 hour tour ENDING at the Crystal caves and NOT going to St-George because we planned to take the ferry to explore St-George on the next day.

We saw so many things on the Island, we went up Gibb's Hill Lighthouse, went to the world's smallest drawbridge ( feed some fish :) ), the world's oldest...or smallest :o still active church, some beautiful private gardens, the Aquarium ( only from the outside with the big turtles ), just in front of the Aquarium there is a bridge you can go on and if you are lucky you can see stingrays coming and going with the tide, etc...

Ending at the caves we saved on bus fare and time to get there...

Not all of those ( most, but not all ) landmarks are accessible by bus...and to save precious time we opted for the private taxi.

You could share a tour with someone else on your roll call and you would all save money.

.

I am having trouble finalizing my Bermuda itinerary. We are sailing on the Breakaway and will be there Wednesday, Thursday and until 5:00 on Friday.

 

This is a list of the things we don't want to miss:

Horseshoe Bay- too busy for me

Caves

Perfumery

Glass Beach

 

Things that we would also like to do:

Glassworks- the one at the dockyard is very close to the ship, and if you want something specially made, go on Wednesday or Thursday.

Harbor Nights- What else do you have planned for Wednesday Night?

 

I had planned to go to Horseshoe Bay on day 1, but if I am reading reviews correctly that could be a crazy idea because of everyone else on the ship having the same idea. (YES, EVERYONE GOES ON FIRST DAY.)Does anyone have any thoughts to share on what order to do the things we want to do? (We plan on getting the 3 day bus/ferry pass.)

 

Also are we totally missing out on a great experience if we decide to not take a blue flag taxi tour?

We just came back on the Breakaway. I wrote up my little 3 day review if you scroll down. I'm happy with what we did. I would skip Horseshoe next time, and go to the beach behind the commissioners house instead. After going through our pictures, our favorite day was at Achilles Bay in St George, next to Fort St Catherine's.

So much to do....so little time!

Thanks sebas030 - we were going to do both caves, and we wanted to spend at least 5-6 hours at the Beach. We would like to do the nicer seaglass beach, but the one at the Dockyard could work.

Flopthis25 - I did read your review it was great, in fact it was your review that made me ask my question since I couldn't decide what I should do. :)

I am leaning towards the taxi tour, it wasn't so much the cost as the investment of time that I was concerned about. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Do these really need to be booked in advance?

...

 

I am leaning towards the taxi tour, it wasn't so much the cost as the investment of time that I was concerned about. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Do these really need to be booked in advance?

It's the best investment of time you can do...honestly you see so much in just 4 hours :)

Taxi tour :if you want to ensure you get a top of the line service, yes booking in advance is recommended. But NO you do not have to book in advance. There is a taxi line a the Dockyard, just look for a Blue flag on the car.

So my suggestions are :

Day 1: Taxi tour from Dockyard at 9am ending at 1pm at the Swizzle Inn ( mention to the driver/tour guide you do not want to go to St-George )

Have a quick bite at the Swizzle Inn and maybe a quick drink ;) . Walk 5 minutes to the Caves entry. If there is no waiting line, both caves will take 75 minutes to complete.

Walk back to the street corner of the Swizzle Inn and either grab a taxi back to Hamilton (about 30$) or a bus ( 30 minutes ).

Now it should be around 4pm or 4:30. You could use the ferry to go back to the ship and freshen up a little and grab a quick bite before the 6:30 ferry back to Hamilton ... OR ... you could walk in Hamilton a little, grab a bite somewhere and participate in the Harbor Nights festival starting at 7pm.

Harbor nights is a street fare. Food kiosk, souvenir, handmade crafts, etc... it is not huge but it's fun to do it 1 time.

Day 2 :

Early ferry to St-George (9:30) have a quick look around , LiLi PERFUMERY is right there, walk 10 or 15 minutes ( or grab a taxi )to Tobacco Bay Beach. The beach is now ( since only a couple of weeks ) more oriented towards beach fun and beach toys and less towards calm and relaxation...so spending time at the beach there is your call... beach or no beach, there is a sea glass beach there with a cave you can go in to collect glass.

Get back to St-George and take ferry to Dockyard. I would suggest the 1pm ferry IF you do not spend time at Tobacco Bay Beach. Once at the Dockyard get on the ship, eat a bite and change and head to Horseshoe bay Beach for the remainder of the day if you feel you have enough time left.

If you feel you will not get enough time at Horseshoe, then after your quick bite on the ship you can go to the glasswork factory, rum cake factory ( same building ), the clocktower shopping mall, maritime museum ( the Fort ) visit, etc....

If you spend your beach time at Tobacco Bay, then the latest ferry back to Dockyard is 5:30....DO NOT miss it ...

Day 3 :

If you didn't go to Horseshoe Bay on day 2, get to the beach early like 8am or 8:30 Enjoy the beach and head back around 1pm. Do a little last minute shopping at the Dockyard and DO NOT miss the ship... :D

I may change my mind later and suggest an other route for the 3 days...So many possibilities !

Talk to you later !

Thanks seabas030, this plan is definitely taking shape! I think we will definitely take a taxi tour. I can search the board, but do you know who to call to arrange a taxi?

Thanks seabas030, this plan is definitely taking shape! I think we will definitely take a taxi tour. I can search the board, but do you know who to call to arrange a taxi?

Here is a list of highly recommended taxi:

Dennis Hollis : dwhollis@ibl.bm

Colin Jennings : colinjenningstaxi@yahoo.com

David Fox : thefox@logic.bm

Calvin Place : cplaceja@hotmail.com

Also very appreciated drivers :

Robert Minors : vlminors@onelove.bm

Neli Lima-Outerbridge : info@bermudaislandtaxi.com

Kimmie Mello : soniamello@logic.bm

Sekaj Waldron : sekaiwaldron@hotmail.com

...I am still thinking about a better scenario for your interests....

Talk to you soon!

sebas030 you are the best!

sebas030 you are the best!

Thank you,

You are very welcome :o

Here is a link of a great map of the Dockyard:

http://www.thewestend.bm/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Brochure-Map-and-Info-20142.pdf

Normally the first stop with the taxi's ( if not returning at the Dockyard with them at the end of the trip...if you are returning with them at the end they might save it for the return trip ) is Gibb's Hill Lighthouse : http://bermudalighthouse.com/

The taxi will use the South road to get to Gibb's Hill Lighthouse ( just renovated, you CAN go up the 135 steps and have a GREAT view of the Island and the Ships at the Dockyard ) the driver will wait for you since you are paying him by the hour...expect 20 to 30 minutes to get up/picture/get down depending on your legs ;)

Then he will take the South road again and you will be able to see a few of the best beaches of Bermuda...this way you can make your choice for the "beach day" you are planning.

Most popular beach because of it's size, proximity and services is Horseshoe, then Elbow Beach is a little further but has great reviews also.

Sebas.. could you help me a tad?!

Will be in Bermuda during Cup Match. Very concerned about transportation (or lack thereof).

Any recommendations on navigating the island with two days of a public holiday?

Must do is a beach. Need to see the pink sand. Was planning on Horseshoe Bay (I know I know) but willing to take suggestions. Traveling with Mom w/ some mobility issues, so any beach more accessible than other would be great.

Can one take sea glass collected 'in the wild' back on board? I know shells are prohibited.

TIA!

Sebas.. could you help me a tad?!

 

Will be in Bermuda during Cup Match. Very concerned about transportation (or lack thereof).

 

Any recommendations on navigating the island with two days of a public holiday?

 

Must do is a beach. Need to see the pink sand. Was planning on Horseshoe Bay (I know I know) but willing to take suggestions. Traveling with Mom w/ some mobility issues, so any beach more accessible than other would be great.

 

Can one take sea glass collected 'in the wild' back on board? I know shells are prohibited.

 

TIA!

Of course :D but this is a tough one :eek:

As per Bermuda online :

2014, July 31 and August 1, Emancipation Day & Somers Day (both Cup Match), 2-day holiday

Cup MatchThis first day of the two-day Cup Match holiday is named to commemorate the most important modern events in Bermuda's 400+ year-old history.

...

It is a very busy time for camping and picnicking at public (Government) parks or beaches or both. The designated campgrounds are Ferry Point, Coney Island and Chaplin Bay but all public parks and beaches are liable to be invaded by persons pitching tents from two days beforehand and until the Sunday evening after Cup Match. It can be very disconcerting for tourists who hope in vain for deserted public beaches and who are not used to seeing campers pitching tents so close to public beaches. They simply would not be allowed in their own countries. Nor would the trash so many locals leave near their tents.

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So....

On Wednesday when you arrive you COULD do Horseshoe via a shuttle at 7$ per person per way. With the shuttle you will be driven down the hill right at the entry of the beach and easy access for your mother.

There is a rush to hit Horseshoe on the first day every week...using a shuttle early could save you from the rush.

Horseshoe COULD get crazy during the 2 holidays....so I think your best bet is to go Wednesday anyways...

So during the 2 days of holiday there is limited bus services...

Going to Hamilton by bus is about 1 hour and from Hamilton to St-George is an other hour....

The Clocktower mall in the Dockyard is listed as "open 7 days a week"...no mention of public holidays.... Same for the Crystal cave...

The Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo IS open every day except on XMas...so you could go there via bus ( about 20 minutes after Hamilton ).

If the Dockyard is open, you could go to Snorkel Park and enjoy the beach there also.

And you are now prohibited to pick up sea glass from the beach near the Dockyard ( now under the WEDCO authority ). But it is really glass, so do not worry about having it on the ship...not illegal.

The other "famous" sea glass beach is all the way in St-George ( 45 minutes ride on the ferry on a normal day..no service on holidays )

I will look into more specifics for what is open on holidays :confused:

Talk to you soon !

I just remember you could take a taxi or a "limited service" bus to Coco Reef ( Elbow Beach ) but the private part of the beach.

They have day pass for 60$ per person including chairs, umbrella, towels, private beach, access to pool, 2 course meal and a drink, showers and changing rooms.

I believe they would NOT allow campers and tents on the private part of the beach during the 2 holiday days...

This could be a great way to escape the crowd...You could reserve this pass before the trip :D

Talk to you later !

Thanks for your help!!!

I found the bus schedule and was disheartened by the times too. Was hoping with two large ships in port, might have something I missed.

What is the shuttle for $7pp you mentioned? I did not see any information during my research for that!

Thanks for your help!!!

 

 

 

I found the bus schedule and was disheartened by the times too. Was hoping with two large ships in port, might have something I missed.

 

 

 

What is the shuttle for $7pp you mentioned? I did not see any information during my research for that!

It's from the Dockyard and it fits up to 7 person. It's 7$ per person per way and, like I said, it brings you at the entry of the beach.

No reservation required...just show up near the line of taxi on the Wharf !

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It's from the Dockyard and it fits up to 7 person. It's 7$ per person per way and, like I said, it brings you at the entry of the beach.

 

No reservation required...just show up near the line of taxi on the Wharf !

 

 

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Sounds perfect. Thanks! Do you wait for it where it drops you off for a return trip!?

And Blue flag private taxi tour are not "suppose" to charge more on Sundays and holidays.

You could do a tour at 50$ per hour and maybe someone on your roll call would like to share with you and split the bill in half !

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Thank you sebas030!!! Such great information. I'm on the same cruise as Laney219. Was wondering what you think of my plan (2 of us mid-40's, no mobility issues):

Wednesday - have a Blue Flag Taxi booked, pick up at 9:30 - plan to hit the major stops, all the way to St Georges, then drop off in Hamilton (thinking 4:30/5 pm). Back to the ship to clean up and back to Hamilton for Harbor Nights

Thursday - have day pass at Coco Reef reserved. Thank you for pointing out the busses are on a holiday schedule. As much as I am aware of Cup Match, I still wasn't thinking of it as a holiday. And I failed to realize the up charge for a standard taxi. I'm guessing we will just work with the holiday bus schedule and go with the flow. Maybe catch a cricket game in the evening (not sure what time they play). Is it worth it? I would feel a bit like a fish out of water, but it certainly would be a once in a lifetime experience, which I do like.

Friday - plan to stay near the Dockyard. Not much sense in going anywhere if everything is closed. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Thank you sebas030!!! Such great information. I'm on the same cruise as Laney219. Was wondering what you think of my plan (2 of us mid-40's, no mobility issues):

 

 

 

Wednesday - have a Blue Flag Taxi booked, pick up at 9:30 - plan to hit the major stops, all the way to St Georges, then drop off in Hamilton (thinking 4:30/5 pm). Back to the ship to clean up and back to Hamilton for Harbor Nights

 

 

 

Thursday - have day pass at Coco Reef reserved. Thank you for pointing out the busses are on a holiday schedule. As much as I am aware of Cup Match, I still wasn't thinking of it as a holiday. And I failed to realize the up charge for a standard taxi. I'm guessing we will just work with the holiday bus schedule and go with the flow. Maybe catch a cricket game in the evening (not sure what time they play). Is it worth it? I would feel a bit like a fish out of water, but it certainly would be a once in a lifetime experience, which I do like.

 

 

 

Friday - plan to stay near the Dockyard. Not much sense in going anywhere if everything is closed. Thoughts?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance!

Your welcome :)

Wednesday and Thursday sounds great !

If I had the chance I would definitively try to catch a game...me too not an expert....but once in a lifetime :)

Friday you could hit Black Bay Beach, it is very close to the Dockyard ( like 10 minute taxi or 15 min bus ride ) and Black Bay now has chair and umbrella rental, a little food stand and a "porta potty" available.

I am out of town right now and can't post pictures of it but have a look on their facebook page for pictures and info.

Talk to you later !

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Getting to Coco Reef on Cup Day, check the ferry schedule too, as it is a quick cab ride from Hamilton. If you can catch the ferry into town, and then grab a cab, that will be an easy and not too expensive way to get there. Elbow Beach is a really lovely spot, and I think the east end, where Coco Reef is, might be the prettiest part.

No ferries on holidays from the Dockyard. Either bus or expensive taxi.

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No ferries on holidays from the Dockyard. Either bus or expensive taxi.

 

 

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There are ferries 365 days a year from Dockyard to Hamilton (weather and the labor unions permitting). That is the ferry route the poster would be using if they are going to Coco Reef...followed by a short taxi or bus ride. The most difficult type of transportation to find on a major holiday is likely to be a taxi. Buses from Hamilton that stop near Coco Reef also run 365 days a year.

On the ferry schedule, only the route from Hamilton to nearby stops have a "holiday schedule" all other routes do not show a schedule from seaexpress.bm

If there is service during holidays, then it is confusing....why show holiday schedule on only one route ??

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Getting to Coco Reef on Cup Day, check the ferry schedule too, as it is a quick cab ride from Hamilton. If you can catch the ferry into town, and then grab a cab, that will be an easy and not too expensive way to get there. Elbow Beach is a really lovely spot, and I think the east end, where Coco Reef is, might be the prettiest part.

 

 

 

Thanks! Great idea!!

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