Just a hop, skip and jump from the East Coast, Bermuda is under two-and-a-half hours by plane from New York or Miami, and easily accessible through multiple cruise lines, which offer overnight stays. With its sophisticated European influences, beautiful pink-sand beaches, crystal-clear azure waters and pastel-toned panorama, this small, mid-Atlantic island makes for the perfect long weekend getaway.
At just 22 square miles, “Bermy,” as it’s known to the locals, is packed full of natural beauty, rich maritime heritage, upscale island experiences and charming colonial influences. Consistently voted best island in the Caribbean/Atlantic by Conde Nast Traveler readers, Bermuda attracts all types – from adventurers seeking the perfect shipwreck dive playground to those looking for serenity.
Temperatures range in the high 60s/low 70s in winter to 80s in summer, so it’s never a bad time to visit. Enjoy golf, tennis, hiking, cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, flyboarding, sailing, reef and shore fishing, horseback riding, shopping and visiting the spa year-round. Kite surfing is a fun winter and spring pursuit, while cricket season is from April to September. Deep sea fishing enthusiasts will want to visit April through November, when wahoo, yellowfin tuna and marlin are prevalent. And for a truly special treat, rarely seen elsewhere on the globe, time your visit May through November a couple of nights after a full moon, and you may be able witness the island’s bioluminescent glow worms.
No matter when you visit this colorful paradise, be sure to take in its fascinating history by exploring Instagram-worthy towns, plus make plans to hike or bike the scenic Bermuda Railway Trail. The trail, which runs 18 miles in the country’s national park, has gorgeous views of the land and ocean. The former railway spans the whole island and winds its way from eye-catching coastlines to awe-inspiring vistas and quiet inlets. As you twist and turn through the landscape and seascape, you’ll encounter an old drawbridge, trees that have formed walking tunnels and various hidden gems.
Founded in 1612, the colorful and historic town of St. George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the oldest continually inhabited English settlement in the New World. Here you’ll experience everything from colonial landmarks like Fort St. Catherine and charming museums to narrow, cobblestone pathways leading to interesting shopping boutiques filled with fragrances, gifts, décor and more. Get your photo taken in the stockades of King’s Square, visit a full-size replica of the Deliverance (one of the ships that set sail for Jamestown from Bermuda in 1610), or take a horse-drawn carriage to appreciate the scenery in one of the most picturesque parts of the island. And, to truly experience Bermuda’s British heritage, hit pause and take a break with afternoon tea.