Expert: Michael - 8/9/2006

Question
I am traveling to Bermuda with my husband and my 3 year old daughter, my parents, and another couple.  We will be in St. George, Hamilton and Kings Wharf.  We would like to include waverunning, the crystal caves, swimming with the dolphins, and two beaches.  If possible we would like to do the waverunning on one of the beaches.  Can you let me know what itinerary and places you suggest we can do these things at?  

Answer
Hi Nicole,

It sounds like a cruise!  Great.

You can swim, among other things, with the dolphins at H.M. Dockyard.  That's King's Wharf.  I say "among other things" because Dolphin Quest offers several plans depending on ages, numbers in your group etc.  The dolphins are at the Maritime Museum.  You can take a peek at what is available to find what meets your needs, and the cost, at www.dolphinquest.com and click on Bermuda.

Either the Dockyard or Hamilton will be an advantageous departure to the southshore beaches by bus #7.  It runs often in both directions.  I will recommend to you Horseshoe Bay.  It is spectacular.  You can walk to several beaches from here if you care to explore.  There are facilities here also.  The bus stops at the entrance way.  I feel it would be a comfortable beach for the entire group.  Some can explore, others perhaps just rent a lounge chair, buy a coke, ice cream or sandwich and just relax.  Horsehoe Bay is open to the sea and you will have waves to enjoy.  Horseshoe's beach has pink sand hue and a backdrop of volcanic outcrops.  Pick up some sand in your hand and as the particles sift through your fingers look for pieces of pink coral!

Elbow Beach is private to Elbow Beach Club, but open to the public for a fee.  Last time I was there it was ten dollars.  Wyndham Resort is also private. Both are way beautiful.  There is no fee at the Wyndham where you can go down to Blue Hole Water Sports and rent your waverunners.

When you are in St. George there is a lovely pub called the White Horse Tavern.  It sits immediately on the harbour and a waverunner dock is right there.  Some of your party could relax with a drink or lunch on the outdoor patio while the waverunner enthusiasts walk over to the dock to ride, or parasail over St. George Harbour.

Crystal Caves may best be visited from St. George via bus #1.  It travels over the Causeway and past Blue Hole Divers at Grotto Bay and turns left after the Swizzle Inn and Baily's Ice Cream Parlor (wink, wink).  Shortly after this turn are the Crystal Caves.

While in St. George, Nicole, you could take a short taxi ride to either Tobacco Bay or Archillies Bay.  99% of the boat people will go to Tobacco Bay.  No waverunners or jet skies here, just sheer beauty.

Happy plannning!
Michael