Expert: Michael - 5/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I'm planning a cruise for my husband and my 10yr anniversary, Oct.16th. With and 8yr old and a 19mth old, this will be the only vaca my husband and I have had since our honeymoon!  We've never left our kids and this 5 day cruise from Boston sounds like it would be perfect.  However, I have some questions and concerns...Oct.22 is the ONLY date for this cruise from Boston and I worry about weather.  We want warm sun and water! Lol.  The cruise would leave 5pm the 22nd(Thur) at sea the next day, then 9am Sat dropped off at King's Wharf-departing 3:30pm Sun. Some things we are hoping to get from this trip would be...Snorkeling, maybe some kind of Dolphin encounter, Beach time and some shopping.  From my research so far, Shops are closed Sun, travel by moped, Horseshoe bay for the beach and glass bottom boat tours are a must.  Do you agree?  Any other advice for only 2 short days and do you happen to know pricing for any of these?  Thanks in advance!!

ANSWER: Happy anniversary Sarah.  You will love Bermuda in October. The weather will be warm enough for shorts and snorkeling.  The Dolphin encounter is at the Dockyard too!  That's where King's Wharf is ... the West end.

Bus number 7 will take you to Horseshoe Bay.  I'd recommend going a little further and get off the bus at Warwick Long Beach, walk down to the seashore and back to Horseshoe Bay.  Spectacular.  While on your way sit on the right side of the bus and you will get a peek of the beaches you will be walking along.  It's really not far, or a long way.  Maybe a half mile of tiny beaches.  Just ask the bus driver to let you off at Airsick Long Bay.
Talking the bus back you could stop off at King Henry's and walk up to the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse for a great view of the island chain.

Of course exploring the island on a moped, even a double, is fantastic fun.  I've done the glass bottom boat but wouldn't recommend it to exploring the island on the moped(s).  You can travel along the railway trail alongside the Great Sound beginning not far form the West end.  Do call 1.800.BERMUDA and ask for their Handy Reference Map and Transportation Schedule.  Indispensable.

The moped may be 40ish dollars for the day, but I'm not certain as we rent it for the week.  Explore, explore, explore.  Bermuda is wonderful to the senses. It is enchanted.  You will find yourself wanting to come back ... maybe someday.

Happy planning!
Michael

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the info. If I may ask, why don't you recommend the glass bottom boat?  Jesse James cruises offers the boat ride with three snorkeling stops.  If not, then where would you recommend snorkeling? Thanks again!!

Answer
Hi Sarah,

Just a clarification in the event you'd like to walk those southshore beaches ... on the beach to be dropped off at my spell check changed Warwick Long to Airsick Long.  Bahahaha

Well, about the glass bottom.  You will only be on Bermuda a short while.  You certainly would get you monies worth with three snorkeling stops, but it would take a large bite out of your day. If you are OK with that I wouldn't discourage you.  

On the other hand, right at the Dockyard is Snorkel Park.  Snorkel Park will have the equipment.  If you bring your own flippers and mask easily accessible places are Church Bay on the southshore which has real nice reefs and fish close to the seashore, and over in St. George you could enjoy the area from Tobacco Bay to Achilles bay.

You are going to love Bermuda Sarah.  Nice choice!

Happy planning!
Michael