Things to see and do in Bermuda

Attractions in Bermuda

Cruise round the island by ferry

Enjoy a ferry trip round Hamilton Harbour for the best views of the pretty pastel-painted capital. For a longer cruise, take the passenger ferry – it passes through the Great Sound stopping at Somerset Bridge, the rural village of Somerset, and the Royal Naval Dockyard, some of the finest sights on the island.

Enjoy a picnic and picturesque panoramas at Fort Scaur

Visit Fort Scaur, a good place to picnic, swim and enjoy the panoramic view of the picturesque Great Sound. Designed so it couldn't be sighted from the sea, the 19th-century fort was built by the British in case of an American attack on the dockyard. Find the weather stone – its forecasts are never wrong.

Explore Fort St Catherine

Explore Fort St Catherine (built in 1614), the largest and most fascinating of the island's fortifications. Perched above the beach in the north west of the island, the stone ramparts and interior are both well preserved. Inside there is a museum dedicated to Bermuda's military history.

Gaze out from Gibbs' Hill Lighthouse

Marvel at the best view of the island from Gibbs' Hill Lighthouse, in Southampton parish, one of the only lighthouses in the world to be made completely from cast iron. With 185 steps to the top, the cafe at the foot of the lighthouse offers the chance to recharge your batteries afterwards.

Go fishing for some wahoo

With grey snapper, barracuda, marlin and wahoo, Bermuda is one of the world's finest fishing centres, especially for light-tackle fishing. Equipment may be rented for shore fishing and there are charter boats for reef and deep-sea expeditions. The best fishing is from May to November.

Guard from invasion at Gates Fort

Walk to Gates Fort, which dates back to 1620 and is built on a promontory overlooking Town Cut and the sea. Offering a spectacular view of the ocean and harbour, visitors can still see two mounted George III cannons, preparing to defend the channel to the harbour as they were in the 1700s.

Make a wish at the Moongates

According to oriental legend, honeymooners should make a wish while walking through Moongates. The circles of stone were brought to Bermuda in the 19th century by a sea captain who had seen them on a voyage to China. Unlike those in Chinese gardens, the Moongates at Bermuda are uniquely freestanding.

Open the world's smallest drawbridge, Somerset

In Somerset, on the western end of the island, find the smallest drawbridge in the world, Somerset Bridge. Designed so the yachts with unstayed masts can pass through, the gap is a mere 81cm (32 inches). Captains wishing to sail under must wait for a passer-by to open the timber bridge.

See the best of Bermudan nature at Hamilton Parish

Head to Hamilton Parish and investigate the Bermuda Aquarium for its exotic aqua life and try to spot the foureye butterflyfish. There is a Museum and Zoo onsite too. Nearby, the Crystal Caves of Bermuda, made up of sprawling underground systems and crystalline tidal pools, offer the most dramatic views on the island.

Smell the beautiful blooms at the Botanical Gardens

Sniff the heavenly scent of Bermuda and see the Double Fantasy flower that inspired John Lennon at the Botanical Gardens in Paget Parish. Walk among the magnolia trees at this impressive 14.5-hectare (36-acre) paradise, the best place to enjoy and identify the island's delightful flora.

Visit the historic Town of St George

Wander the narrow winding lanes of the town of St George, which has UNESCO World Heritage status. Founded in 1612, the garrison town is the earliest English settlement in the New World, its fortifications and landmarks appear much as they did over three centuries ago.

Wander Bermuda's charming capital, Hamilton

Explore the old charm of Bermuda's capital, Hamilton, taking in The Cabinet Building and the Sessions House. Front Street is Hamilton's main road, which runs along the water's edge, whilst the City Hall and Arts Centre is an architectural gem designed by the delightfully-named Wilfred Onions. For spectacular city views visit the restored 19th-century Fort Hamilton.

Witness the past at the World Heritage Centre

See the history of Bermuda's people come to life at the World Heritage Centre, St George. Both light-hearted and enlightening, catch a historical re-enactment while you're there, which includes the dunking of a nagging wench. The centre also runs guided walking tours of the old town.

Tourist offices

Bermuda Department of Tourism in the USA

Caribbean Tourism Organisation in the UK