Bermuda is the oldest remaining territory of the British empire, originally settled by the English in 1612. Both beautiful and mysterious, the tiny island of Bermuda is known both as a charming tropical holiday destination as well as an island with an interesting history that’s given birth to colourful legends.

A Caribbean Holiday in the Atlantic

Although it’s located in the Atlantic Ocean, on the western edge of the Sargasso Sea and far north of the Caribbean, Bermuda is similar to the Caribbean islands in its culture and history. However, unlike the Caribbean islands, Bermuda was never inhabited by Amerindians before the arrival of Europeans. When the English settled the island in the seventeenth century, they brought with them African slaves, giving Bermuda a similar Afro-European cultural blend as many Caribbean islands.

Just like Caribbean holiday destinations, in Bermuda the air is often rich with calypso and reggae music. But what you won’t find in the Caribbean are the Gombeys. Gombeys are drumming and dancing troupes who fill the streets with music and dance, particularly on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Dancers wear bright capes and peacock headdresses, while percussionists mark hypnotic beats on snare drums and kettledrums.

The Gombeys aren’t the only way in which Bermuda’s culture is unique. For holidaymakers keen on culture and history, Bermuda is an island dream. Consider a few of these facts:

• There are more churches per capita in Bermuda than anywhere else.
• The Bermuda National Trust Museum in the Globe Hotel was built in 1700 and remains one of the oldest buildings in Bermuda. Exhibits range from Bermuda’s participation in the American Civil War to the history of Bermuda.
• Historic St George – the capital city of Bermuda – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Royal Naval Dockyard includes a Bermuda Maritime Museum.

The Waters and Beaches of Bermuda

Because of its small size, you’ll never be further than half a mile from the ocean while in Bermuda – and the turquoise waters won’t disappoint. Bermuda has some of the clearest waters of all island holiday destinations because of the Sargasso Sea. Named for the seaweed that floats on its surface en masse, the Sargasso Sea is a particularly calm spot in the Atlantic Ocean known for its high water visibility. In fact, in some spots you can see 200 feet down.

These calm, clear waters lap against Bermuda’s famous pink sand beaches – one of the only places in the world where you can find pink sand. Depending upon the hotel or resort you choose, you might even have access to a private, pink sand beach reserved only for hotel guests. These hotel-owned private beaches also come with their own lifeguards, cafe, changing rooms, and umbrellas.

The sights under Bermuda’s water are at least as remarkable as the sights above it. During the colonial period, the currents of the Sargasso Sea lured many a ship to a watery grave by running it against Bermuda’s many coral reefs. Although the reefs were bad for the ships, the shipwrecks were great for marine life. Today, the many shipwrecks around Bermuda provide homes for diverse species of exotic fish and allow for some great scuba diving.

Activities + Watersports

If you’d rather catch a fish than look at one, go deep sea fishing off Bermuda’s coasts. In the spring, look to catch yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, and wahoo. During the summer, blue and white marlin, more tuna, barracuda, and sharks roam the waters. In the fall, the wahoo and billfish will be biting. The winter months are not the best for fishing, but even during the winter, you still might catch a tuna.

Parasailing, waterskiing, kayaking, and yachting are also popular with holidaymakers in Bermuda – all of these recreations are available the year round.

Bermuda has had a reputation for luring ships and planes onto its shores for more than three centuries. Today, it’s still luring ships and planes, but for much different reasons. Allow yourself to be lured to Bermuda, where pink sand, affable natives, Gombeys, and underwater palaces will delight everyone in the family.