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About Nan
Expertise
Nan fields questions about Bermuda from a tourist's point of view. Expertise includes Bermuda on a budget, places to snorkel and why, staying safe, planning a trip, where to stay to maximize the experience, the Civil War connection, and much more. Additional resource referrals are often provided.

Experience
After a rain-soaked week back in the late '80s, Nan declared that Bermuda would become her destination of choice - rain or no rain. Since then, she has visited this Atlantic Ocean beauty nearly every year. She gladly shares her experiences with others. Ask a question today!

Publications
Nan is a freelance commercial writer whose work has appeared in daily, weekly and monthly print and electronic publications. She frequently authors web content and writes original features for a variety of clients.

Education/Credentials
Nan is a communications veteran with more than 25 years of experience in public relations, advertising and marketing.

You are here: Experts > Cultures > Caribbean for Visitors > Bermuda > snorkling

Bermuda - snorkling

Expert: Nan - 10/25/2009

Question
Where are a few good places to snorkel in Bermuda. We are coming on a cruse ship and bring our own gear and are renting scooter so can go about any where to snorkel

Answer
Hi Heather,

Bermuda is a great place to snorkel. I don't know when you're planning your cruise, but I assume it's when water temps are suitable for fun water sports. To learn about Bermuda's water and air temps at any time of year, visit www.bermudaweather.bm (the Bermuda Shorts weather page). Here you can enter the dates of your trip and see what the weather's been like for almost a decade on those dates.

Back to your question: I love to snorkel at a number of places. In no particular order, they are Church Bay (on the South Shore), Tobacco Bay (on the "back" side of St. George, East End), Turtle Bay (next to Clearwater Bay in the Cooper's Island Nature Reserve, East End) and Snorkel Park (Royal Naval Dockyard, West End). You can also snorkel at Shelly Bay (calm waters, North Shore Road) and lots of other places, but I would have to say that these are the best for "seeing" things.

My first choice is always Church Bay. A rather difficult entry into the water because of the slippery rocks, but a fabulous place to see great fish. It's on the South Shore where the water tends to be a bit rough, but well worth the choppy seas and slippery rock. Tobacco Bay on the more protected North Shore is a sheltered bay with amenities and great fish viewing. I found Turtle Bay only this past summer (it used to be a U.S. military and NASA facility, I believe, and now it's a nature reserve). It's a little hike from the parking area, but it's a wonderfully beautiful place. Park at the end of Clearwater Beach and walk through the gate. Just keep walking -- you'll see a lifeguard station on your left. Lovely. Very few tourists if any.

These recommendations will take you all over Bermuda, but since you'll have you own scooter, you'll be fine. I don't know your port of call, but you'll enjoy the trip from one end of Bermuda to the other! Just be sure to pick up one of the little pocket maps when you rent your scooter. Be aware that waters on the South Shore are rougher than North Shore waters. So, for example, if it's a choppy day at Church Bay, chances are Tobacco Bay will be calm.

One more recommendation. At low tide you can walk along Horseshoe Bay all the way to the end of Warwick Long Bay. And snorkel at the little coves along the way, like Jobson's and Stonehole. If the tide's high, start the walk at Horseshoe Bay and take the trail to Warwick Long Bay. The only difference is climbing over rocks that aren't accessible at high tide. Either way, this little excursion is nice.

Enjoy!

Nan

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