Expert: Michael - 1/12/2009

Question
Michael,
We are going on a cruise and will be in Kings Wharf, Bermuda on May 30, 2009 from 8.00am to 5.00pm. I have heard about a beach called Sea Glass Beach, can you tell me what you know about it and how to get to it. I really am interested in going. Although we have cruised a lot, we have never been to Bermuda, do you know what kind of weather we can expect that time of the year? Is there any does or don't that we should know about. My hubby and I are both in our mid 50's and are both in good health and plan on snorkeling at several stops. But I am very interested in this sea glass people seem to talk about and the beautiful beach sand. If you find sea glass are you able to take it with you? Thanks for your reply and I love this site, it is so good to have someone to ask questions to before you go instead of returning and thinking well heck I did not know about that.

Answer
Hi Barb,

Beach Glass is a marvelous thing to pursue at your leisure.  We love it and have over the years collected some some bottle tops, perhaps from apothecary jars etc.

The last week of May, Barbara, will bring you approximately 74.5F surface water temperature.  Not bad even for a New Englander.

I recall King's Wharf to be on the West End at Her Majesty's Dockyard.  This I understand is where you are to make port.  If on the other hand you make way to St. George and port at either Peno's Wharf or Ordinance Island do take note of the second glass beach I will mention.

As a bus or your modep leaves the Dockyard you will past through two stone columns and enter (watching a Handy Reference Map) Ireland Island South. At this juncture watch for the Royal Navy Cemetery on your left, or ask the driver to let you off at the Royal Navy Cemetery.  Across the street will be an extremely picturesque beach each/view.  If you were to stand across from the Royal Navy Cemetery facing the ocean, to your right there will be a narrow street with a small incline.  You might even feel it is private property.  Trek up here 300 yards or so.  As you approach the only house on the street (right side) you may observe he has on his stone wall perimeter fence and stairs beach glass in the concrete.  The owner is is nice Bermudian.  If he were out I'd ask him if it was ok to go down to the beach.  Otherwise, the stairway to glass beach is immediately  across from his gate and much beach glass is mixed in to the stonework leading down to the shoreline.  At the bottom there is tons of glass.  The colors are limited but you may find it interesting anyway.  We visited once, grabbed a few green and white pieces before and upon leaving gave the guy a fin as a gesture.

Should you go to St. George or rent a moped for a day or two look at the map and follow your way up Cut Road along the harbor and when you get to Gates Fort the road turns left. Continuing on around the tip of this point you will come to Alexander Battery. Again, it is on the Handy Reference Map (for the Handy Reference Map and Transportation Schedule call 1.800.BURMUDA and request one).

The beach we have most fun is small and offers up more colors but less glass is available. Still this is where we get most glass and artifacts from.  Her you can listen to the tinkle of water lapping the shoreline washing the glass in and out.  Pleasant.  Colors are varied.  Mostly green, then white, brown, if you are patience you will find dark blue and aqua.  Pieces of pottery are also a favorite of ours.  Good stuff cheep.  Hehe.

I would recommend bringing a freezer bag or something to carry your treasures in.  And yes you may bring it home.

Further down this road as you head towards Fort Catherine you would pass a farm.  To the right of the farm, across from an intersection and cemetery, is a small bay.  Twenty-five feet wide and forty feet of beach to the sea.  You would carefully climb down to this beach.  We call it Farm Beach as it has no name.  It is good to find glass and booty here snorkeling.  Another favorite of ours.  You need not go far out, but here the glass is submerged from waist depth to a foot.

In St. George heading toward Peno Wharf there is a lady who makes things with beach glass. She has a place at the Dockyard too.  It will give you some ideas what to do with it.  She made a necklace for $10.00 from a lovely piece that we found.  Today it's a real memory piece.

Linda and I have only a few short year on you, are completely in love with the island.  It truly has something special.  I like to say it is enchanted.  What we see, the people, exploring the tiny island ...  It is really most beautiful in all aspects.

I think I would recommend getting off bus No. 7 at Warwick Long Beach and walking down the hillside to the beach.  From there walk west all the way to Horseshoe Bay.  The walk may be a half to three quarter mile but beautiful.  You will walk buy many pink beaches including Jobsons Cove. Each beach you pass will have a wonderful backdrop of volcanic outcroppings.  From Horseshoe walk up the hill to pick up your bus unless of course you are mopeding.  Linda and I always rent a double.  You save 10 or 15% booking online with Oleander.

A treat was going to Spicelands Riding Academy (Bus No. 8)and going on a trail ride. We are not Gene Rogers and Dale Evens but the horses are gentle.  The trailride takes you along the beach and it is unforgettable.

The walk up to the top of Gibs Hill lighthouse will give you a fabulous view of the island chain.  Do stop in to the many pubs along your way for a Dark & Stormy, Rum Swizzle or just a coke.  Very British influence.

Many people are limited in time on the island.  For them I would recommend a four hour Blue Flag tour.  A taxi tour, but the drivers with blue flags are trained to show tourists the finer points of Bermuda.  If you get chummy with someone on the ship you could suggest it and split the cost.

Barbara, you are going to fall in love with Bermuda, and without doubt will want to oneday return.

Happy planning!
Michael