Far from the Caribbean and miles away from average, Bermuda is a true paradise for travelers. You’ll feel Bermuda’s magic as soon as you step foot on the island as it blends British culture and history with warm weather, accessible watersports, and postcard-worthy vistas.
One of the best parts of this beautiful destination is its incredible and unique beaches. Whether you prefer easy access to reefs, beaches with bars and amenities, or you want to lounge on the island’s famous pink sand, these are some of the best beaches in Bermuda.
1: Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach
If you could only choose one beach to visit in Bermuda, Clearwater Beach would be a winning choice. The manmade beach was once used by the U.S. Navy, but now, it’s open to travelers.
You can relax on the soft sand and dive into your favorite beach read as you hang out on a lounger in the shade. You can also snorkel right off the beach. There isn’t a reef here, but seagrass covers much of the ocean floor, which attracts crustaceans, sea snails, sponges, and other interesting sea life. If you’re lucky, you may even see a sea turtle.
Clearwater Beach is right next to Turtle Bay, known for the sea turtles that feed on the beach’s underwater plants.
2: Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay
One of the best beaches in Bermuda is Horseshoe Bay, the most famous pink-sand beach on the island. This popular stretch of sand is only 25 minutes from the Royal Naval Dockyard. Fortunately, it’s also extremely large, so you can always find space for yourself, even on busy days.
At Horseshoe Bay, beach chair and umbrella rentals are available. Treat yourself to an ice-cream-and-rum smoothie at the laid-back beach bar nearby. Of course, you should take at least one dip in the warm water while you’re here. You can rent boogie boards, snorkel gear, and floaties at the beach bar, so whether you want to swim or just gently float in the surf, you’ll be able to do it here.
Nearby, you can walk through ocean caves, explore Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, or stroll along one of Horseshoe Bay’s many beach trails.
3: Warwick Long Bay Beach
Warwick Long Bay Beach
It’s no secret that one of the most unique things to do in Bermuda is visit its pink sand beaches, and Warwick Long Bay Beach offers over half a mile of sandy beach and water so perfectly turquoise that you won’t believe it’s real. The pink sand extends under the water, so it’s a great spot to walk in the surf barefoot or play beach frisbee. After a few minutes here, you’ll see why it ranks so highly on lists of the world’s best beaches.
Warwick Long Bay Beach has a public restroom, a nearby playground, and usually a few vendors selling snacks and drinks. On either side of Warwick Long Bay are other popular beaches and coves, so feel free to do a little exploration while you’re in the area.
To explore in the water, bring some snorkel gear and swim out to small reef formations. On all but the windiest of days, you should be able to see the top of the reef from the shore.
4: Jobson’s Cove Beach
Jobson’s Cove Beach
Bermuda is a downright stunning island, but it’s hard to find one single place more beautiful than Jobson’s Cove Beach. Huge, wall-like rocks circle most of the beach here, which results in a cove filled with crystal clear water and a sandy bottom. The swimming area feels more like a pool than a beach and is especially nice for anyone traveling with children or grandchildren.
Jobson’s Cove is an excellent place for snorkeling in Bermuda since there’s a small opening to the sea. Fish, crabs, and small underwater wildlife can come into the cove, but the large rocks block nearly all the waves.
It’s no secret that Jobson’s Cove is one of the best beaches in Bermuda. It can get busy, so try to go first thing in the morning. If it’s too crowded for your comfort, walk further down through South Shore Park and visit one of the other beaches and coves on either side of Jobson’s Cove.
Read: Why Visit Bermuda for Your Honeymoon
5: Elbow Beach
Elbow Beach
If you’re looking for pink sand, privacy, and a little bit of luxury, then Elbow Beach is one of the best beaches in Bermuda for you. With a day pass, you have access to a private beach, which includes the use of a sun lounger and umbrella.
The beach is shallow and gorgeous, and with usually just two rows of chairs on the sand, everyone gets an amazing view.
6: John Smith’s Bay Beach
John Smith’s Bay Beach
You might wonder why one of the top beaches in Bermuda is named after John Smith, most famously known for his exploration in Virginia. What you may not know is that John Smith was also quite the cartographer and drew Bermuda’s first map. While this beach wasn’t specifically marked on it, it’s easy to imagine that it must have appealed to an explorer coming from a chilly European climate.
John Smith’s Bay is especially popular with snorkelers since the reef is an easy swim from the shore. While this is certainly one of the best beaches in Bermuda, you may not find it on many lists of what to see on the island. That’s because the beach is a bit off the usual tourist path—you’re more likely to see locals here than fellow travelers.
Sometimes a snack cart is available, but bring your own food and water just in case. If you do get hungry, walk north along the beach for about 10 minutes to reach an open-air restaurant with great views and even better food.
Read: The Ultimate Bermuda Food Guide
7: Butts Beach
Butts Beach
A truly stunning horseshoe-shaped beach, it’s a wonder Butts Beach doesn’t appear more frequently on lists of the top beaches in Bermuda. The beach has a few large rock formations just off the shore and rock formations on either side, so it’s well protected from wind and waves.
Butts Beach is very close to Horseshoe Bay, so if you wander along that beach, you may end up finding little Butts Beach on your own. If you’re here during low tide, walk out into the surf a bit to get closer to the rocks—the cast of crabs that crawl on the rocks can be a delight to see, especially if you have a close-up camera lens.
8: Shelly Bay Beach
Shelly Bay Beach
Crowds usually flock to Bermuda’s best beaches on the south shore of the island, so to get some space to yourself, head north instead. Shelly Bay Beach is an excellent choice if you’re the kind of beachgoer who likes shady trees and a laid-back pace.
The beach generally attracts more locals than visitors, and while it’s popular with families picnicking on the weekends, it rarely attracts the crowds you’ll find at the more well-known south shore beaches.
Shelly Bay Beach is a fantastic beach for people who aren’t strong swimmers or who don’t love deep water. The water here is extremely shallow, so you can walk hundreds of feet out and still not be in water deeper than your waist.
This is one of the closest beaches to The Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo, so it makes a good afternoon stop after a morning spent learning about the island’s animal and marine protection efforts. There’s also a short nature trail at the beach worth a quick stroll.
9: Church Bay Beach
Church Bay Beach
Church Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in Bermuda, especially if you love snorkeling—there’s a large reef very close to the shore and on-site snorkel gear rentals. If you get in the water and swim just to the left or right of the beach, you’ll find dozens of tiny coves full of small fish and marine life living in the rocks. You’re likely to see several kinds of angelfish as well as wrasse, which are much brighter in Bermuda than in the Caribbean.
The beach isn’t large, but it’s lovely and does have light pink sand. If you want to combine incredible snorkeling with an afternoon at the beach, consider visiting Church Bay Beach in the morning when the water is lower and calmer, then taking a three-minute taxi ride down the road to Horseshoe Bay.
10: Tobacco Bay Beach
Tobacco Bay Beach
Tobacco Bay Beach is a national park, and it’s simply gorgeous, with rocky outcroppings and fantastic ocean views if you climb on the surrounding rocks. The rocks form a cove with very shallow water, so you can walk hundreds of feet out and still touch the sandy bottom.
Since Tobacco Bay Beach is a park, there are plenty of amenities. You’ll find a bar and restaurant with free wifi, plus rentals for umbrellas, loungers, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, water toys, and more. There are even a floating volleyball net, beachside pool table, and beach bonfires in the summer.
You’ll have a good chance of finding most of the creatures that live in Bermuda’s reefs in the water here, since the surrounding rocky coves that open to the ocean are an ideal marine habitat. You can usually see fish while kayaking or paddleboarding, too.
Tobacco Bay Beach played a key role in the American Revolution, serving as a storehouse for gunpowder for the British. Be sure to visit nearby Fort St. Catherine if you’re a history buff.
Read: Best Time to Visit Bermuda
11: Snorkel Park Beach
Snorkel Park Beach
Located on the northern part of the island near the Bermuda Craft Market, this one is a stunner: it’s soft and sandy, with a huge historical fort jutting out on one side, which now serves as the National Museum of Bermuda.
Snorkel Park Beach has nearly every amenity you’d want in a beach, including kayak and waterski rentals, a beach bar, and fantastic snorkeling on the beach’s house reef. While this is one of the best beaches in Bermuda for lazily floating around (float rentals are available), it’s also a great spot to try a new watersport. You can take a jet ski safari and tour the western side of the island from on the water, or take a slightly slower paddle boat out and see the reef at your own pace.
If you want to try something new, consider renting an underwater snorkel scooter to propel you through the water, or sign up for a SNUBA experience. The latter allows you to swim underwater like a scuba diver, but your air comes from a hose at the surface. It’s an easy way to experience a similar sensation as diving, but without needing a certification.
Now that you have enough beach inspiration, it’s time to book your vacation. Explore our cruises to Bermuda, many of which visit some of the East Coast’s best seaside destinations, too.
