Expert: Nan - 7/3/2008

Question
Our family of 11, 4 children ages 3-11, is cruising to Bermuda in August.  We dock at King's Wharf.  We would like to go to beaches without spending a fortune on cabs.  One 70 year old has much difficulty walking- especially hills.  We will be at the Dockyards 3 full days.  Can we carry chairs and/or umbrellas to the beaches?  Do you have any other suggestions for our family?  Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
Hello Beth!  You can certainly carry chairs and umbrellas to the beaches of Bermuda and you can get to/from beaches using public transportation as well as cabs.  Bermuda buses are a comfortable way to see the sights.  My first suggestion is to take the bus from Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay, which might be a good destination for your family.  Once there, from the bustop at South Road, simply take the mini-van to the entrance of the beach at the bottom of the hill so your 70-year-old won't have to walk. (Don't worry, you'll see the signs for the van.) Here you can rent chairs and umbrellas so you won't have to carry them around all day.  There are other beaches where you can rent equipment such as Warwick Long Bay and Church Bay on the South Road and Tobacco Bay in St George, but you'll need to take a taxi to these.  At the Visitor Information Center in Dockyard, price the transportation passes for you and your family (good for buses and ferries for one or several days) and see if these might be a good alternative to taking taxis every day.  For a family of 11, you'll need two taxis per trip - not unusual. I find taxi travel in Bermuda to be an investment in a good sightseeing trip in addition to getting from point A to point B as most taxi drivers give tours as well. The buses, too, are a good way to see life through the eyes of the locals.  Very friendly people and very helpful.  I hope this gives you some ideas.  Please write again if I can help further.   Have a great trip!