Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard

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The Bermuda Train Company: A brand new attraction, this train service takes you on a 20-minute ride from the Clock Tower at the Royal Naval Dockyard to the cruise terminal and back again, making several stops along the way. The 60-foot scaled-down train seats more than 40 passengers. For cruise ship passengers, it’s a great way to come ashore; for visitors to the Dockyard, it’s a fun ride. The fare is $1 per person, and the train operates daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm.  441-236-5972.

The Dockyard Snorkel Park: The Snorkel Park is fun for the whole family. You snorkel over marked underwater trails to view the underwater life that inhabits the Dockyard area. Floating stations along the way allow time out for a rest. Take your own equipment and the experience will cost you only $5 per person for as long as you like on any given day. Rent their equipment, however, and the cost is $17 for the day. I don’t think that’s too steep, considering the experience. Lifeguards are on duty and the park, located next to the Maritime Museum, is open from 10:30 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 11 am to 5 pm over the weekend. The park is closed
November through March. 441-234-1006.

Gumba Trail & Outdoor Museum: This is yet another neat attraction at the Royal Naval Dockyard, especially where kids are concerned. But take note that it can be enjoyed only on Wednesdays during the summer months, April through July. Special tours led by a knowledgeable guide – the Gumba – explore the story behind the Caribbean Junkanoo dancers, as well as the various plants along the trail and their medicinal uses The hour-long tours are most interesting for the stories (many true), told by the Gumba. The cost is $5 per person. It’s best to call ahead, too, especially if it looks like rain. 441-293-7330.

Jet Skiing: The Royal Naval Dockyard is also the place to enjoy jet skiing. Contact Wet and Wild for rates. 441-234-2426.

Dolphin Quest Bermuda (see photo above): The newest attraction in The Royal Naval Dockyard area is Dolphin Quest Bermuda. Once at what is now the Fairmont Southampton Princess Resort, Dolphin Quest has relocated to Sandy’s Parish. All of the original interactive programs are still available, but there are now more members of the resident dolphin family and visitors are offered more time to get to know them. The mammals seem to be extremely happy and comfortable, and they are certainly well-treated and looked after. They perform all the usual leaps and tricks. I’ve done the dolphin experience many times in many different locations; the tricks and the interactive programs are much the same wherever you might be, but it’s worth doing again. The animals have unique personalities and there’s
always something new to learn. Also, I never tire of watching the kids get down and personal with these finny creatures. The animals seem to know that kids are special and they treat them as such. The last time we did it I bought the video tape. My daughter was 16 at the time and she had a whale of a time (no pun intended). We run that video now and again: great memories.

Dolphin Quest Bermuda is at the Maritime Museum at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Hours of operation are from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm daily, year-round. Wetsuits are available during the winter months. You’ll need to pay the museum entrance fee of $7.50 for adults and $3 for children under 16. There’s no charge for children under four. Dolphin Quest programs themselves start at around $25 per person. Give it a try; you won’t be disappointed. 441-234-4464 or 800-248-3316. You can make reservations online at www.dolphinquest.org or email  dqbermuda@dolphinquest.org. (It is recommended you make reservations before arriving in Bermuda, especially during peak season.)

When you’ve finished at the Royal Naval Dockyard, you’ll face a decision: how to get back to Hamilton. If you arrived by moped and opt for the 45-minute ferry ride home, you’ll be charged $3.50 extra to take the moped on board. But the ride across Great Sound is pleasant and worth the extra money. And you’ll be tired after your visit so the rest, the salt spray, and a snack from the on-board concession bar will make for a very agreeable interlude.

Know Before You Go!