Bermuda Beaches Southampton Parish


Church Bay Beach (Church Bay Park, South Road) Here is one for the snorkelers. The reef and the potboilers (isolated rocks sticking up out of the surf) are close to shore – an easy swim and you’re in the middle of more marine life than you ever imagined. Easy to recognize is the rock protruding from the ocean known to the locals as Poodle Rock. From a certain angle it does look exactly like a poodle. The sandy beach is a nice place to hang out, but is only incidental to the underwater delights just offshore. Where the sand meets the sea it quickly gives way to a rocky bottom.

The water gets deep very quickly at Church BayBeach and is often quite rough, so it’s not the place tolet the kids loose without close supervision.

Don the flippers and mask and head out to the rocks. You can expect to see all sorts of finny inhabitants of the reef, along with some hard-shell ones as well. Look for butterfly fish, angels and parrotfish, to name but a few. Done swimming? Take a few moments to enjoy the park. There’s a ruined fort on the cliff near the parking lot, somepicnic
tables where you can enjoy a quiet lunch, and public restrooms.

Horseshoe Bay (South Shore Park, South Road) This is perhaps the most popular beach/park on the islands (see photo above). It’s certainly the most famous. Don’t expect a quiet afternoon in the sun here. Even on weekdays you’ll find it crowded; on weekends it can be verwhelming. But there’s good reason: it’s one of the most picturesque spots on the islands and the most photographed. I myself have snapped it from all angles and at all times of day, from early morning to early evening, and something new always seems to show up in the pictures. Horseshoe Bay is the first of a long line of beaches that stretches eastward for more than four miles.

Yes, you can make the walk if you’re the energetic type. Horseshoe Bay is a must-see for anyone visiting Bermuda for the first time. It’s on the bus route (they run every 20 minutes or so). Ask the driver to stop at Horseshoe Bay. Leave the bus stop and make your way down the driveway into the park. Once there, you’ll see the beach stretching away for about a quarter-mile. The ends are enclosed by high limestone cliffs, the sand is a pale pink, and the water is clear and blue.

Early morning is the best time to visit: it’s less crowded then, and you can walk the sandy stretches uninterrupted by crowds of sunbathers. Snorkelers will find the waters just offshore among the rocks wonderful, but you’ll need to be a strong swimmer; the swells are quite strong. Under the waves expect to see all sorts of colorful life, such as parrotfish, wrasse, angels, sergeant majors, snapper and many others. While at the beach, take time out for a light refreshment at the HorseshoeBay Beach House, 441-238-2651. They serve great sandwiches and long, cool, drinks. Restrooms are available and the park is wheelchair-accessible.

Port Royal Cove (South Shore Park off South Road) This is one of the smaller beaches along the South Shore, hence its nickname of Baby Beach. It’s extremely popular with locals and visitors alike. There’s a nice, but limited, expanse of sand (that gets quite crowded at times) and a deepwater pool where you can leap from the rocks. The surrounding waters and rocky outcrops are ideal for snorkeling although the waters can get quite choppy at times. The sand is fine and pink, as is most of the sand along the South Shore; the waters are crystal clear, and the scenery surrounding the little beach is a photographer’s dream. If you have small children with you, this is the ideal spot to bring them.

Know Before You Go!