Why Bermuda Is a Bucket-list Darling

Bermuda’s pink sand beaches, shipwrecks and cerulean waters have long captivated travelers. Now, thanks to new nonstop flights from legacy airlines, plus the launch of BermudAir in August 2023, reaching this small island in the North Atlantic 650 miles east of North Carolina is easier than ever. Direct flights from more than a dozen US cities, including Baltimore and Hartford, mean you could be poolside by lunchtime.

Best enjoyed from May to September, Bermuda offers cultural heritage sites, fresh seafood, dramatic caves and iconic cocktails like the Dark ‘n Stormy. New and renovated hotels, including the AAA Four Diamond St. Regis Bermuda Resort, the island’s first Marriott property, and the perfectly pink Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, which recently unveiled a $15 million renovation of its 113-room Bermudiana Wing, add to the island’s allure.

Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda — Horseshoe Bay; photo courtesy of Bermuda Tourism Authority

Relax on pink sand

Bermuda’s South Shore wows with its powdery pink beaches and turquoise waters. Horseshoe Bay Beach, the island’s most famous stretch, offers sweeping views and rocky coves. For quiet relaxation, Southlands Beach is a more secluded escape.

Sample the local catch

Wahoo’s Bistro & Patio, named after the flaky white fish, is a top spot for fresh seafood. Its award-winning fish chowder is a favorite. Feeling adventurous? Try lionfish ceviche at Lost in the Triangle, a popular seafood restaurant helping to control this invasive species by turning it into a flavorful and sustainable dish.

Crystal Cave, Bermuda — Crystal Cave; photo courtesy of Bermuda Tourism Authority

Explore hidden caves

Bermuda’s caves, like Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave, feature stunning stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear saltwater pools, which you can explore by way of guided tours. Guests of Grotto Bay Beach Resort enjoy exclusive access to Cathedral Cave for swimming and Prospero’s Cave for spa treatments.

Front Street, Bermuda — Front Street; photo by Erin Gifford

Discover the Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle has long sparked intrigue, with some 50 ships and 20 planes estimated to have disappeared. It’s all laid out at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Albuoy’s Point, steps off pastel-colored Front Street, marks the northern point of this legendary enigma, which extends to Miami, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Dive into shipwrecks

Bermuda’s treacherous reefs have claimed more than 300 ships, earning it the title of “Shipwreck Capital of the Atlantic.” The semi-submerged HMS Vixen is easily reachable by snorkelers. For deeper dives, book an excursion with Dive Bermuda to explore shipwrecks, coral reefs and colorful marine life like parrotfish and angelfish.

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Bermuda’s pink sand might get top billing, but it’s just the beginning of the unique attractions of the sun-drenched summertime escape.