With so much happening all at once, summer in Bermuda can be a crazy, fun, yet often overwhelming time. For this reason, Bermuda Yellow Pages has crafted a guide to help you navigate your Bermudian summer, so get ready to soak up some knowledge! 

Swimming

Swimming is an integral part of the Bermudian summer experience.  Each year on May 24^th (earlier for those not afraid of the cooler water), islanders celebrate Bermuda Day by plunging into the ocean.  While most Bermudians consider it unheard of to go in any earlier than this, the climate is such that you can swim pretty much all year around (though be prepared for an initial chill if you choose to do so in the winter months).

Water temperature usually peaks in August, when ocean temps can reach 85º Fahrenheit, and feel like a warm bath.  During the winter months of January, February and March, temperatures frequently hover in the 60’s.

If you’re interested in pool and/or competitive swimming, contact the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (BASA).  BASA offers pool training for children and adults and hosts competitive events all year round. 

The Beach

Bermuda boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, due chiefly to our striking pink sand and turquoise water.  Whether you want to swim, soak up the sun, play sports or simply explore, Bermuda beaches are safe and abundant. 

The majority of beaches in Bermuda are on the south shore.  Horseshoe Bay, Elbow Beach, Warwick Long Bay, John Smith’s Bay and Jobson’s Cove are amongst the most popular. The North Shore has fewer beaches, but they are equally fun to explore.  Shelley Bay, Tobacco Bay and Stovel Bay are perhaps the most well-known, with Tobacco being one of the most popular places on the island to snorkel.  Horseshoe Bay, Tobacco Bay and Clearwater Beach are equipped with public restrooms and food/beverage stations.  When swimming, try not to leave valuables unattended on the beach, and be wary of rip currents.

Only certain beaches in Bermuda are equipped with lifeguards, and their presence is seasonal.  Their schedule is as follows:

One thing you must be cautious of when enjoying Bermuda’s beaches is the Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis).  This jellyfish-like creature has venomous tentacles that can be up to 165 feet in length, and are extremely dangerous to come in contact with.  Public beaches will typically display warning signs when they are out in large numbers, as they can wash onto the sand and cause danger to those walking.  Keep an eye out for posted signage to alert you if they are present on a given day.

Boating

Boating is a staple of the Bermudian summer experience.  There are multiple lagoons, coves, beaches and harbours to explore with freedom in your watercraft.

Whale-watching off of Bermuda’s South Shore is popular in the Spring, for Bermuda falls on the humpback migration route as they travel from the Caribbean to north Atlantic feeding grounds. Pods of them can be spotted between March and April, even from the shoreline.

Party boats (otherwise known as “booze cruises”) are a popular Bermuda summer activity, and provide gorgeous views coupled with a relaxing social atmosphere.  The majority of these cruises take off from Hamilton Harbour, circling the great sound for a few hours before dropping you back in town.

The Great Sound (the large body of water that separates Pembroke from the west end of the island) is one of the most beautiful locations in Bermuda, and is ONLY accessible by boat.  Peaceful and breathtaking in their beauty, the many islands and inlets within the Sound offer you countless places to anchor off and relax.  Other popular spots include Castle Harbour (great for waterskiing/wakeboarding!), St. Georges Harbour, Spanish Point & Admiralty House cove.

Bermuda is home to the odontosyllis enopla, otherwise known as the “glow worm”.   Viewable either by boat or from land, these aquatic creatures produce a stunning light display in shallow waters as they engage in their mating ritual.  From June to September, for the three nights following the full moon, you can view their luminescence 50 to 63 minutes after sunset. 

As a boat owner, it is important to observe proper safety protocols.  ALWAYS bring enough life jackets for the amount of people on board.  Ensure that your boat is equipped with a sound-producing device (such as an airhorn), a fire extinguisher and a flashlight.  If you are travelling outside the reef line, it is required that your boat be equipped with a VHF radio so that the coast guard can locate you in the event of an emergency.

Don’t know anyone with a boat?  Arrange a charter!  Here are a few places that will be happy to serve you:

• Jessie James Cruises – (glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling tours, private charters)
• Fantasea – (diving, snorkelling, sightseeing cruises)
• Lady Boats – (dinner cruises, private charters)
• Overproof Fishing – (deep sea fishing)
• Sea Venture Water Sports – (jet-ski tours)

Cup Match Weekend

Cup Match in Bermuda is a celebration of local sport and culture, spread out over a four-day weekend at the end of July.

The holiday revolves around a two-day cricket match between Somerset and St. Georges, opposing teams representing the West and East ends of the island, respectively.  Though a typical test cricket match is played over a five-day period, Cup Match is condensed to two days to compliment the national holiday associated with it (everyone gets Thursday and Friday off!).  Due to this compact form of the game, the action which takes place is faster and more exciting than your standard match.

As any Bermudian will tell you, however, Cup Match is about MUCH more than just the cricket.  Steeped in Bermudian history and tradition, there is an explosion of local culture throughout the long weekend, providing something for everyone in terms of entertainment.

Below we will explore some of the cultural activities available over the Cup Match weekend:

Beachfest

In recent years on the Thursday of Cup Match weekend, Horseshoe Bay hosts “Beachfest”, the biggest beach party of the year!

Sponsored by the Chewstick Foundation, this event is described as a Bermudian emancipation celebration, and features lots of activities and entertainment.  In addition to an official emancipation ceremony, there are local DJs, international performers, and even a tug-o-war event!

The festivities start at 9pm on Wednesday, July 27^th, and finish at midnight on July 28th.  Visit the beachfest website for more information!

Camping

Camping is one of the most time-honoured traditions of the Cup Match weekend and is enjoyed by Bermudians of all ages.  Many Bermudians will pitch their tents on the Wednesday night and not take them down until late in the day on Sunday, bringing everything but the kitchen sink in terms of amenities!

To camp in Bermuda you must either be a resident of the island or a registered visitor staying in a hotel/guest house, on a cruise ship or in a private residence. All campers must apply for a seasonal permit from the Department of Parks which requires a deposit of $100 which is refundable at the end of the season. Camp sites are charged at $12 per night per site. There are numerous rules and regulations that must be adhered to when camping in Bermuda and it’s wise to check out the Department of Parks section of the government website (www.gov.bm) before heading out.  The Parks Department has been more stringent in enforcing their regulations in recent years, so be sure to follow the proper procedures to have a safe and relaxing camping experience!

Crown & Anchor

During the actual cricket match, hundreds of Bermudians can be found under a  massive tent playing Crown & Anchor – a simple dice game which has come to partially define the Cup Match experience over the years.

Using three special dice, the game is played between several players (as many as can fit around the table!) and a “banker”.  A wooden table marked with six symbols (hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs, crown and anchor) is used for play, with Cup Match bankers typically building their tables themselves.  The players place bets on one or more symbols (minimum $2 at Cup Match), then the banker throws the three dice. If there is a bet on any symbol which comes up on one or more of the dice, the banker pays the player the amount of his stake for each die showing that symbol: even money if one, 2:1 if two, and 3:1 if three. If the symbol doesn't come up, the player loses his bet.

Non-Mariners Race

On the Sunday of Cup Match weekend, the biggest raft-up of the year takes place in Mangrove Bay, Somerset, in the form of the Non-Mariner’s race.  It’s kind of a difficult concept to explain, so pay close attention…

Essentially a fun and politically incorrect parody of a boat race, the Non-Mariners is a raft race where contestants design and build a themed vessel, race it around a buoy, and pray that it is still in one piece by the time they get to the finish line! Bermudians traditionally use this event to make humorous social/political statements.  For this reason, the Non-Mariners race is more about revelry than racing, uniting all Bermudians in the spirit of summer!

For those who don’t watch the race, there is still plenty to do.  Non-Mariners encourages boaters to raft up with whoever happens to be close by, consequently causing Mangrove Bay to slowly morph into one gigantic floating party!  Everyone is cheerful on this day, and it acts as the perfect end to the Cup Match weekend!