Why Bermuda for a Honeymoon
The short flight is a huge plus. From the Northeast, you can leave in the morning and be on a pink sand beach by lunch, with no connections and minimal jet lag. That leaves more of your honeymoon for each other.
The beaches are the other big draw. The South Shore is a string of coves separated by rocky headlands, from the famous curve of Horseshoe Bay to tiny, sheltered spots like Jobson's Cove. The color of the sand, softly pink, comes from tiny red marine organisms mixed with white coral sand.
Bermuda also offers more than beaches. St. George's is one of the oldest English towns in the Americas. The Royal Naval Dockyard has museums and forts. There are wrecks to dive, caves to explore and a long rail trail for walking or cycling. It is an island where you can actually do things together, then return to a quiet hotel by the sea.
Best Time to Visit
May through October is beach season. Expect warm, humid days in the 80s Fahrenheit by midsummer and sea temperatures that climb into the low 80s by August. June and early July are a sweet spot, with warm water, long days and less heat than late summer.
Hurricane season runs June through November, with peak risk from August into early October. Storms often weaken before reaching Bermuda. The island is well prepared, but direct hits do happen, as with Hurricane Ernesto in August 2024.
November through April is cooler, with daytime highs often in the high 60s and low 70s and chilly evenings. Many couples find this a lovely time for golf, walking and exploring, though the water is too cool for most swimmers. Hotel rates drop significantly.
April and May are shoulder months with spring blooms, pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Cup Match, Bermuda's two-day cricket holiday in late July or early August, is busy and fun.
Where to Go
The South Shore is the place for beach-focused honeymoons, with Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Elbow Beach and a chain of coves linked by coastal trails. Our South Shore guide covers it in detail.
Hamilton, the capital, is a small, walkable city with harbor views, shops on Front Street and a lively restaurant scene. The Hamilton Princess, a historic pink hotel on the harbor, is a well-known option here.
St. George's, at the island's east end, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow lanes, old churches and forts. Tobacco Bay nearby has calm water for snorkeling.
The Royal Naval Dockyard, at the west end, has the National Museum of Bermuda and a busy cruise port. Sandys Parish nearby is quieter, with coves and Somerset Bridge, the tiny drawbridge.
In the east, Hamilton Parish has the Crystal Caves and the Swizzle Inn, while Tucker's Town holds Rosewood Bermuda, a luxury resort with a private beach.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1 to 5: South Shore. Settle into a beach hotel and spend your first days in the water. Walk the coastal trails from Horseshoe Bay to Warwick Long Bay, snorkel at Church Bay and climb Gibbs Hill Lighthouse for views over the island. Take a sunset cruise or book a couples massage at your hotel.
Day 6: Hamilton. Take the ferry or bus into the capital for shopping, harbor views and dinner. In summer, look for the weekly street festival on Front Street.
Day 7: St. George's. Explore the old town, visit the forts and swim at Tobacco Bay.
Day 8: Hamilton Parish. Visit the Crystal Caves, then have a rum swizzle at the Swizzle Inn.
Day 9: Royal Naval Dockyard. Take the ferry west, visit the National Museum and walk part of the Railway Trail.
Day 10: A final morning on the beach before an easy flight home.
Budget and Costs
Bermuda is one of the most expensive destinations in the Atlantic and Caribbean region. These figures are approximate.
Guesthouses and smaller hotels often start around $250 to $400 a night in high season. Upscale beach hotels and resorts commonly cost $600 to $1,200 or more. Rates drop noticeably from November through March.
Dinner for two at a good restaurant typically runs $150 to $300 with drinks. Even casual meals cost more than in most US cities, since nearly everything is imported. Groceries are pricey too.
Transport costs add up. Minicars and scooters often cost around $75 to $150 a day, while multi-day bus and ferry passes are much cheaper. Taxis are convenient but expensive.
Hotels add a government accommodation tax and often a resort or service charge, which can raise the room bill considerably. Check the total before you book.
Getting There and Around
L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) has nonstop flights from many East Coast cities, including New York, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami, with seasonal service from Orlando and White Plains. Airlines include American, Delta, JetBlue, United and BermudAir. Flights take about two hours from New York.
The airport is on the east end of the island. Most South Shore hotels are 30 to 45 minutes away by taxi.
Visitors are not allowed to rent regular cars. Instead, you can rent small electric two-seater minicars or scooters. Driving is on the left, roads are narrow and winding and speed limits are low. Scooter accidents are the most common way visitors get hurt here, so if neither of you rides at home, Bermuda's busy, walled lanes are not the place to learn. A minicar, the bus or a taxi is the calmer choice.
Public buses, painted pink and blue, cover the main roads. Ferries link Hamilton with Dockyard, St. George's and other stops. A multi-day pass covers both and is good value. Taxis are easy to find but costly. Many hotels have shuttles.
Culture and Etiquette
Greetings matter a great deal in Bermuda. Always say good morning, good afternoon or good evening before asking a question, whether to a bus driver, a shop clerk or a stranger on the street. Skipping it is considered rude.
Bermuda is conservative about dress. Swimwear is for the beach and the pool, not for walking through town. Some restaurants expect smart casual clothing in the evening. A few still ask men to wear collared shirts.
The island has a strong identity of its own. Bermuda shorts are formal wear when paired with a blazer and knee socks. Gombey dancers, in colorful masks and costumes, perform at festivals and holidays, blending African, Caribbean and British traditions.
Cup Match, in late July or early August, is the biggest holiday of the year, with cricket, picnics and boat parties. Tipping is often built in as a service charge, so check the bill.
Quick tips
- Visitors cannot rent regular cars; book a minicar
- Buy a multi-day bus and ferry pass
- Pack a light sweater for winter evenings
