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Kings Wharf Bermuda
Royal Naval Dockyard
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Kings Wharf Bermuda, also known as the Royal Naval Dockyard, is located at the western end of Bermuda in Sandys Parish.
If you are coming to Bermuda by a large cruise ship, this is the port where you are likely to dock. It has two large ship berths.
Kings Wharf has many tourist attractions in the same complex.
The Dockyard once served as an outpost for the British Royal Navy and has come a long way since.
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Kings Wharf Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard)
Brief History of Kings Wharf Dockyard
After the British lost the American War of Independence, they also lost all their ports on America’s Atlantic Coast. So the British started constructing this Royal Naval Dockyard (Kings Wharf Bermuda) in 1809. To build this Dockyard, the British engaged hundreds of convicts from the UK and many slave laborers.
Thousands of workers died while building the Kings Wharf Bermuda dockyard base. You can imagine how difficult and risky the work often was. Since construction, the Royal Naval Dockyard operated for over 100 years serving the English forces in such affairs like the American War of 1812.
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Kings Wharf (dockyard) Bermuda
The naval base remained in operation through the World War-II.
However by this time the British began to understand that the Kings Wharf Bermuda was no longer as necessary as it used to be before.
After all, the Americans had been allies of the British in both the World Wars.
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So gradually the need to maintain the Dockyard became less important. Most of the facilities at the Kings Wharf Bermuda were closed by 1951. Ever since then, Kings Wharf dockyard has been on the road to becoming the top rated Bermuda tourist attraction.
Kings Wharf Bermuda Attractions
Today, the largest fort at the Kings Wharf Bermuda, ‘The Keep’, has become the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Here you can learn and visualize the fascinating story of Bermuda's maritime heritage. Find out all our experience in Bermuda Maritime Museum.
While you’re at the Kings Wharf Bermuda, you can also enjoy interactions with dolphins at Dolphin Quest. This is a fantastic Dolphin display and training center. If you have a dream to swim with dolphins, touch or feed them, there is no better place than the Dolphin Quest in Bermuda. We experienced it … it’s amazing. Check Dolphin Quest and find out all about our experience here.
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You can also stop by the King's Wharf Dockyard Glassworks to see craftsmen display their skills and making lovely glassware items.
Then head over to Bermuda Clay-works pottery to see artists crafting pottery items.
You can also buy items of your interest at both these shops.
We have collected several souvenirs while walking around the dockyard and have them on display back at home.
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Another nice place to visit within the dockyard is the Bermuda Art Center. Although it doesn't have big galleries, there are resident artists and you can have chat with them to understand their artwork.
You will find many vendors offering different kinds of snack. There are also some casual restaurants in the Dockyard. But if you are planning to take lunch or dinner with some drinks, try Frog & Onion Pub which is inside the dockyard complex itself.
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Clocktower Mall - Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda
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After enjoying all the attractions at the dockyard, you can also see a movie at the Kings Wharf Bermuda.
Neptune Theatre, a 118-seat cinema shows a night movie twice over. On Fridays through Sundays, you can catch an afternoon show too.
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There is also a water-sports concession Windjammer Watersports operating from the Kings Wharf premises offering snorkeling safaris and other aquatic adventures.
While you’re at the Kings Wharf Bermuda, you can also stop by Snorkel Park to plan a snorkeling experience on this great family beach.
Oleander Cycles has a branch here and rents scooters. So if you can ride a scooter, you can go about Sandys parish and enjoy yourself.
The King's Wharf Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard) is free to all. However there are admission fees for Maritime Museum and The Dolphin Quest.
On every Monday, the Dockyard in Bermuda offers nightly festival celebrations (8pm-10:30pm) with fun filled activities known as Destination Dockyard.
How to see Kings Wharf Dockyard Area Attractions
The best way is to walk the entire area and visit all the attractions - it's easy. But if you are no so fond of walking, there are other options as well.
Dockyard Train: This is not really a train. Although it has passenger coaches and an engine that look like a mini train, it moves on the road of the dockyard area and not on track. Its more like a car that looks like a train. It has a capacity of 40 passengers and takes you around the main attractions.
Segway Tours: There are some fun machines operated by Segways. You just need to stand on this yellow an black machine which has two wheels and a scooter like steering. It can move forward or backward at a maximum speed of 15 miles an hour.
Buses and Ferries to Kings Wharf Bermuda
Bus #7 and #8 ply between Hamilton City and the Dockyard. Bus #8 is more frequent than the other and takes the Middle Road in Sandys, while bus#7 takes mainly the South Road. There are some buses that terminate at Barnes Corner in Southampton and do not go all the way up to the Kings Wharf Dockyard. Check Bermuda Bus Services for bus routes, schedules and stoppages.
There are regular ferries between Hamilton City and the dockyard.
Check Bermuda Ferry Services for ferry routes, schedules and stoppages.
Kings Wharf Video
Kings Wharf Bermuda Map
Check Kings Wharf Bermuda map to know how the Dockyard is laid out and where the different attractions of the dockyard are located.
Kings Wharf Location and Contacts
The dockyard is located in Ireland Island, Sandys Parish at the western end of Bermuda. This is where the Cruise ships dock. Call the Visitors Service Bureau at 441/234-3824 for more information.
Been to Kings Wharf Bermuda?
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