Horseshoe Bay Beach. © 2022 Scott S. Bateman

Several good beaches are near the Bermuda cruise ports. One is walkable, the others are not.

Tourists, travel guide writers and charismatic islanders have good reason to extol the virtues of beaches in Bermuda.

It’s because this small island in the eastern Caribbean is home to miles of pristine sand-saddled beaches laden with palm trees and lapped by the warm blue waters.

Cruise ships usually dock at King’s Wharf on the northwest tips of the island or Hamilton in the middle of the island.

3 Beaches Nearest the Cruise Ports

Snorkel Park Beach is a recreational development by King’s Wharf. It is less than a half mile or a 10-minute walk northwest of the cruise docks.

Admission is $5 Monday through Saturday and $10 on Sunday when the park has live music. Snorkeling equipment costs $10 for a half day and $20 for a full day.

Two beaches are close to the Hamilton cruise port, but they require transportation. They are Deep Bay Beach and Elbow Beach.

Deep Bay Beach is two miles northwest of the Hamilton docks. It is right by Admiralty House Park.

Three miles south of Hamilton is Elbow Beach, an expanse of pale white sand, stretching for half a kilometer around a gently elbow curved inlet. 

Elbow Beach is family-oriented where visitors can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving.

Beaches along the West End

Horseshoe Bay Beach                             
Located just off South Road, Horseshoe is often known as the best beach on the island. It’s also a popular one for cruise visitors to the port Royal Navy Dockyard. Unlike Snorkel Park Beach, it doesn’t require an entrance fee.

Apart from natural beauty, Horseshoe also has amenities such restaurants, rentals, rest rooms and changing facilities. Other amenities include umbrellas and beach chairs for rent. Umbrellas cost $15 for the day.

The beach is six miles southwest of the Hamilton cruise port and 10 miles from King’s Wharf. The drive from King’s Wharf at Royal Navy Dockyard takes about 25 minutes.

Getting there is easy via taxi, public bus or excursion bus. By public bus from the Royal Navy Dockyard, take the Horseshoe Bay Beach Transfer. The Transfer is a round-trip beach bus.

Location: Off South Road, Southampton Parish.

Jobson’s Cove
Jobson’s Cove may be a small sheltered cove, but this small inlet offers some of the most visually appealing landmarks in the form of large, towering rocks that line the shore.

The best part is, the beach is quiet and secluded, perfect for couples on honeymoon or anyone wanting a quite getaway.

Location: Warwick Parish

Warwick Long Bay
Warwick Long Bay boasts its name for good reason; the beach stretches for a massive 0.8 kilometres along the shoreline.

Here, visitors can take long walks along the shore where the water gradually interchanges between light blue, turquoise and aquamarine. Still, at other areas, the water is stunningly clear and inviting.

Location: Warwick Parish

Beaches in Central Bermuda

Clarence Cove
Clarence Cove features two beaches in one. In fact, the structure is such that a lagoon-inlet of sorts is formed along the shoreline. The beaches are also fairly secluded and welcome travellers who want to go snorkelling, surfing and other fun activities away from the crowds.

For anyone wanting the seclusion, the area is quiet in the morning, but once it gets to midday the waves begin to build and tourists begin to pour in.

Location: Pembroke Parish

Beaches along the East End

Tobacco Bay Beach                              
Found in the renowned St Georges Parish, Tobacco Bay Beach is aptly named as it holds the distinction as the place where tobacco was first discovered in Bermuda.

However, it doesn’t end there; the beach also features amazing limestone formations straddling the shoreline teeming with marine life.

Location: St George’s Parish

Clearwater Beach
The water at Clearwater Beach is possibly the closest to aquamarine that visitors will ever see. The waters here glisten under the sun in pristine beauty while washing the spacious, sandy beach.

Clearwater is also family centred, facilitating kids and young adults alike with a playground and nature trails.

Location: St George’s Parish

John Smith’s Bay
Located along Bermuda’s south coast, John Smith’s Bay offers an extensive expanse of pale-pink beach. Attracting tourists from all over the world, John Smith is abuzz in the summer months and feature makeshift restaurants as well as changing facilities and rest rooms

Location: Smith’s Parish

Beach Shore Excursions

Shore excursions that include transportation and amenities are available, although somewhat expensive.

One tour operator was promoting a six-hour excursion to Horseshoe Bay Beach for about $100. Amenities included chair, umbrella, water and “alcoholic beverages”. Our excursion cost $40 round trip but did not include any amenities. One local operator at the Royal Navy Dockyard was asking for as little as $7 one way, but there was no guarantees about how to get back.

Another operator offered a 7.5-hour excursion to an Elbow Bay beach resort for prices starting at $113. It included a chair and umbrella, which usually go for about $30 to $45.

Budget travelers should consider a taxi, private minibus or public bus (least expensive).

It doesn’t matter if visitors are looking for a secluded spot that offers a touch of romance or a family-friendly, amusement-like beach, Bermuda is simply terrific.