Why Honeymoon on the South Shore
This is Bermuda at its most photogenic. The South Shore holds the island's best known beaches. Many of them are linked by trails, so a beach day can easily become a walk to three or four coves. The water is usually clear and inviting, protected by reefs offshore.
The beaches here range from busy to secluded. Horseshoe Bay is lively in summer, with lifeguards and a café. Warwick Long Bay, next door, is quieter and longer. Between them sit small coves like Jobson's Cove, Stonehole Bay and Chaplin Bay, where rocks create calm, sheltered pools.
The area also has some of the island's best hotels, many perched on the cliffs above the sea with private beaches. Waking up to the sound of the Atlantic, walking down to an empty cove for a swim and returning for breakfast on a terrace is about as good as a Bermuda honeymoon gets.
When to Go
May through October is the time to come for beach days. By June the sea is comfortably warm. July and August bring the hottest weather, with water in the low 80s Fahrenheit. June and September offer a good balance of warm water and fewer families.
Hurricane season runs June through November, with the highest risk in late August, September and early October. Bermuda is well prepared. Storms often weaken before reaching it, but buy travel insurance for these months.
From November through April, the South Shore is cooler and quieter. Daytime temperatures often sit in the high 60s and low 70s. The water is too cold for most swimmers in midwinter. It is still a lovely time for walking the coastal trails and enjoying lower hotel rates.
April brings spring flowers and the start of the season, a nice choice for couples who prefer walking to swimming.
Where to Stay
Most South Shore hotels sit on the cliffs above the sea, often with steps down to a private or semi-private beach.
Southampton Parish has The Reefs Resort and Club, a long-established cliffside hotel with its own beach and a strong following among couples. Southampton is also close to Horseshoe Bay, Church Bay and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.
Warwick and Paget parishes have a mix of beach hotels, cottage colonies and guesthouses. These areas are close to Elbow Beach and Warwick Long Bay while staying handy for Hamilton.
Farther east, in Smith's Parish, The Loren at Pink Beach is a contemporary boutique hotel above two small beaches, popular with honeymooners looking for design and quiet.
Cottages and apartments are also common, especially for longer stays. When booking, check for steep stairs to the beach, whether beach chairs are included and how far you are from a bus stop, since you will not have a rental car.
Romantic Things to Do
Start with a beach walk. The trails of South Shore Park link Horseshoe Bay with Warwick Long Bay through dunes, cedar groves and rocky headlands. Along the way, you can stop at small coves for a swim.
Snorkel at Church Bay, where reefs close to shore attract colorful fish. Bring your own gear or rent it nearby. Stay inside the reef on rough days.
Climb Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in Southampton, one of the oldest cast iron lighthouses in the world, for views across the whole island. Go late in the day for golden light.
Book a horseback ride along the beach or a sunset sail along the coast. Many companies also offer private charters for two.
End the day with dinner on a terrace overlooking the sea. Several South Shore hotels have restaurants with ocean views. A candlelit table there is easy to arrange.
Getting There and Around
L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) is on the east end of the island. Taxis to the South Shore take about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on where you are staying. Many hotels arrange transfers.
Visitors cannot rent regular cars. The main options are small electric minicars and scooters, both driven on the left. Roads are narrow and winding, so take it slow, especially after dark.
Public buses run along South Road between Hamilton and Dockyard, stopping near most beaches and hotels. They are reliable and inexpensive, especially with a multi-day transport pass. Some beaches, including Horseshoe Bay, have a short walk or shuttle from the nearest bus stop.
Ferries from Hamilton to Dockyard and other stops make pleasant day trips. Taxis are easy to call but add up quickly. Most couples use a combination of buses, ferries and the occasional taxi for dinners.
Food and Drink
Bermudian food is comfort food with a seafood twist. The fish sandwich is the island's signature: fried fish, often wahoo or snapper, stacked on raisin bread with tartar sauce, coleslaw and hot sauce. Try one at a beach café or local takeout.
Fish chowder is another classic, a dark, rich soup traditionally seasoned with sherry pepper sauce and a splash of black rum at the table.
On Sunday mornings, many Bermudians eat codfish and potatoes with banana, avocado and egg.
For drinks, the rum swizzle and the Dark 'n Stormy are national favorites. The Dark 'n Stormy combines Gosling's Black Seal rum with ginger beer, while the swizzle is a fruit punch with a strong rum kick.
Hotel restaurants on the South Shore often serve upscale menus with local fish and ocean views. Prices are high, so mix special dinners with casual beach lunches.
Honeymoon Tips
Go early to Horseshoe Bay in summer. It gets crowded by midday, especially on cruise ship days. Walk east along the trail to find quieter coves.
Pack water shoes. Rocks and reefs make some entries tricky. They also help when exploring caves and pools.
Use sunscreen that is kind to reefs and reapply often. The sun is strong. Shade can be limited on some beaches.
Buy a transport pass on arrival. It saves money and makes it easy to hop on buses and ferries without worrying about fares.
Book a sunset dinner early in your trip, when you still have flexibility to move it if the weather turns. On calm evenings, ask for an outdoor table facing the sea.
If you visit in the cooler months, bring layers. Evenings can be windy and chilly, even when afternoons feel warm in the sun.