When I was in the process of planning a trip for my 25th birthday/graduation, I was looking for the biggest and best adventure. In the process of booking a cruise, we came upon one that fit the timing and pricing we were looking for…a 7 day to Bermuda. Bermuda? Sounds boring, I thought. Just another beach town to be parked in for 3 days? What am I actually going to do there? We booked it anyway, and in my research, I started to see a whole new side of what there actually was to do there. Pink sand, cave jumping, snorkeling, rum galore…It sounded like a blast. But the planning and anticipation was NOTHING compared to actually getting there and seeing it for myself. It quickly made it spot as one of my favorite vacations I’ve ever been on and one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited. Whether you’ve booked your trip to Bermuda and are trying to find the best things to do or if you’re like me and are skeptical about whether it would make a worthwhile vacation, check out these top 6 things that you HAVE to do when you visit.
1. See a Pink Sand Beach
I had read some things about pink sands in the Bahamas and have always kind of had it on the list, so when I saw that Bermuda also had some of that precious pink sand, my original doubts lessened. The best place to marvel at the pink wonder is at Horseshoe Bay. Beautiful views (and an overall great beach day if you’re into that), not to mention you can try a Bermuda signature, the Rum Swizzle, right on the beach.
2. Try a Rum Swizzle
You can’t go to Bermuda without trying their “national beverage”. A Rum Swizzle: normally a blend containing pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine and Bermuda black seal rum, the swizzle is a Bermuda staple. At Horseshoe Bay, you can even drop by the Rum Bum Beach Bar and take your swizzle to enjoy on the pink sand. Every person and restaurant has their own slight variation so be sure to sample a few different ones!
3. Explore the crystal caves
Believed to be millions of years old, Bermuda’s crystal caves are one of the most spectacular natural sights and a must see on the island. Discovered in the early 1900’s by 2 teenagers, the caves have inspired many creative minds like Mark Twain and Jim Henson (who used it to inspire Fraggle Rock). Interesting and beautiful the caves can’t be missed.
4. Do some shopping in Hamilton
Of course, you can’t travel without taking at least one souvenir back home with you. Hamilton has shops and markets where you can find all kinds of fun things to bring home. Gosling’s Rum is made in Bermuda and they even have a RUM STORE. Yes, you read right, a rum store. I definitely took home a bottle or three…You’ll also find stores dedicated to my next favorite thing, rum cake! All the cakes are made with Bermuda rum and some even have flavors like rum swizzle! Moving away from the food/alcohol…one thing you’ll definitely want to snag is a piece of pink sand jewelry. Made from that beautiful pink sand straight from the beaches, you’ll have a gorgeous little piece of Bermuda to keep with you and wear wherever you go.
5. Snack on some Bermuda Rum Cake
What’s better than Bermuda rum? Bermuda rum in cake. All made with Bermuda rum and with tons of different flavors (even in the signature Rum Swizzle) you have to try at least one – and maybe take 3 with you for later.
6. See Bermuda’s hidden gems
My absolute favorite thing I did in Bermuda was the Hidden Gems tour. This tour is the best way to get the most out of Bermuda and to see the hidden aspects of its natural beauty. The tour takes you all around the island and allows you to tap into your inner adventurer with cave swimming/hiking, cliff jumping, and snorkeling through a nature preserve. It is beautiful and so much fun, you do not want to miss these hidden gems!
Anytime someone asks me for recommendations I’ll mention Bermuda and get the same iffy reaction that I had when I first booked the trip. All I have to do is show a few pictures and they’re usually sold. I would’ve never imagined Bermuda would be at the top of my list of favorite trips. It’s unique and interesting and somewhere that you should add to your bucket list immediately. Check out these 6 things and you’ll be a Bermuda advocate just like me.
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