Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda

Horseshoe Bay Beach
Our no.1 favorite beach in Bermuda

We have traveled extensively and been to many beaches all over the world, but Horseshoe Bay Beach in Southampton Bermuda is special.

With a curved stretch of sand against the backdrop of blue waters of the Atlantic, this beautiful pink sandy beach forms shape of a horseshoe.

Horseshoe bay beach was rated as a favorite Valentine's day getaway for couples by the American daily USA Today. In our books, this beach is in the list of top ten of the world's best beaches.

Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda

I took the above photo during our first visit to Bermuda. You can see the beach quite empty. It was a morning time in early March. The cruise ships hadn't still started coming in and the beach was just a piece of paradise. But during the summer season when the cruise ships start offloading thousands of visitors, this beach can get very crowded, as almost everyone has this in the list of 'must go' places.

See below what happens to the beach during the high season.

Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda in high season

My family and I usually spend long hours of our vacation in this beautiful beach. During the summer time, early morning is the best time if you want to avoid swimmers and sunbathers.

The main beach is about quarter of a mile but stretches to the east for about four miles. The sand here is pale pink in color and water clear blue. There are limestone rocks that surround the beach along its boundary line.

Horseshoe Bay can also provide great snorkeling experience if you are willing to go a little offshore towards the rocks.

You will see variety of colorful fish like parrot fish, angel fish, wrasse, sergeant majors, snappers and more.

However the ocean can swell quite high at times. So try snorkeling here only if you are a good swimmer.

Sometimes we would rent beach chairs and spend long hours relaxing on the Horseshoe bay beach.

Even during peak summer we found that the pink sand, which is quite soft in the Horseshoe bay beach, does not become too hot. A local told us that the sand here has tiny bits of corals and shell dusts in it that keep the heat away. By the way, it's the same corals and shell dust that create a pink hue and makes the sand look pink in color.

Horseshoe Bay beach also offers lovely walking trails. Whenever the beach got crowded, we would take one of the winding trails though the park that leads to beautiful secluded coves. Some of my favorite coves that I walk up to include Port Royal Cove to the west, Peel Rock cove and Wafer Rocks beach to the east.

Port Royal Cove is also locally known as the Baby Beach. This is ideal for children to swim.

My son loves snorkeling in the shallow water here. There are reefs around this. One of his main attractions is to hand feed the parrot and angelfish.

The place is really picturesque and a photographer's dream.

We also found a large wading pool close by surrounded by cliffs that provide lots of shades. Kids can walk along the shallow waters and have great fun here.

There is a beach café at Horseshoe Bay called the Horseshoe bay beach café. The burgers are quite nice. It also sells hotdogs, chicken, fish, soda, water and juices.

Right opposite to the entrance of the beach on South Road, there is a nice Italian restaurant Tio Pepe. You can plan to take your lunch there. They also offer take away lunch packs.

There are changing facilities and showers available at the beach. You will also get different types of beach gears and snorkeling equipment here. There is a small shop selling T-shirts, towels etc.

UPDATE: Facilities here are being upgraded. Read: Horseshoe Facility Upgrades

Horseshoe Bay Beach Cafe (being re-developed)

Every year in August, there is a Sand Sculpture Competition held in the Horseshoe Bay beach. This is organized by the Architects Association. We were once lucky to see it in September.

On Good Friday, an annual Bermuda Kite Festival is held at the Horseshoe Bay Beach where thousands with families and children gather and participate in kite competition. Locals and visitors come with lots of colorful kites of all shapes and sizes, and there are prizes given out for various categories.

How to reach

The Horseshoe bay beach is located in Bermuda's Southampton Parish. It is on the Horseshoe Road, off South Road and on Bus route #7. From the bus stop, you will need to walk a little downhill to get to the beach. See Bermuda Beach Map to view the location.

Check out Best Bermuda Beaches to know about all our favorite beaches in Bermuda.

Visitors' Reviews/Comments

Louisa

My husband & I just returned from a cruise on the Norwegian Dawn. We are both very much Beach People. We visited Horseshoe Bay Beach & I have to say it's the closest thing to HEAVEN! We can't wait to go back again!

Harold Davis

I have a pre cancerous condition of the skin and cannot be in the sun period, however, I still want to visit Horseshoe Beach while I am there in Sept of this year. My question is, can I rent umbrellas or are there cabanas to rent? Thank you so much for your help!!!!

Reply: There is a concession that rents beach chairs and umbrellas at the Horseshoe Bay Beach. It closes in the late afternoon. There is also a beach cafe.

Peggy Slaughter

My husband and I are coming to Bermuda by cruise in about two weeks. we have been to Horseshoe bay many times and love the beauty of the beach and water. Is the beach open all hours of the day, I would love to see the beach at sunset. can't wait to be back on Horseshoe bay. Reply: All public beaches in Bermuda are open from Dawn till sunset, and so is Horseshoe Bay beach. Public beaches are closed after sunset. Have a great vacation.

Anita Menegay

It's a beautiful beach, but I want to mention that during the few hours we were there (April 26, 2011), we saw numerous dead Portuguese Man of War washed up on the beach. I understand their sting is bad even after they are dead. There were lots of people on the beach who easily could have stepped on them with their bare feet, yet no warnings were posted. So my advice is, watch your step on that beach.

Zig

A family experience in Horseshoe Bay Beach: Horseshoe Bay Experience

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Horseshoe Bay Beach Our no.1 favorite beach in Bermuda

Horseshoe Bay Beach
Our no.1 favorite beach in Bermuda