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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 in Ireland Island, at the western tip of Bermuda in Sandys Parish.
It's a port where the large ships dock these days. The dockyard has two berths or piers. One named the Kings Wharf, the other Heritage Wharf, which has been added in May 2009. So two large cruise ships can dock at the same time.
The Dockyard once served as an outpost for the British Royal Navy and has come a long way since.
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Today, Kings Wharf is not just a dockyard, but a complex having many tourist attractions.
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
The largest fort at the Kings Wharf Bermuda, The Keep has been converted into the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Here you can learn and visualize the fascinating stories of Bermuda's maritime heritage. Find out all our experience in Bermuda Maritime Museum.
You must not miss the Dolphin Quest within the dockyard complex. 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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Also stop by the King's Wharf Dockyard Glassworks to see craftsmen showing their skills and making lovely glassware items from hot molten glasses.
Then head over to Bermuda Clay-works pottery to see artists crafting pottery items.
Another nice place to visit within the dockyard complex is the Bermuda Art Center. Although it doesn't have big galleries, there are resident artists and you can have a chat with them to understand their artwork.
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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 Friday through Sunday, you can catch an afternoon show too.
If you have come to Kings Wharf by a cruise ship and want to experience the best of Bermuda beyond the Kings Wharf attractions, I would recommend that you check the links on the left side of this web page. Particularly the following links can help you make best use of your time in Bermuda:
Bermuda Tours: Know about the best guided or self guided tours that can help you plan your days and visit all the places of interest.
Kings Wharf Bermuda - Restaurants and Pubs
You will find many vendors offering different kinds of snack at the dockyard complex. There are also some casual restaurants.
If you are planning to take lunch or dinner and some drinks, try Frog & Onion Pub which is inside the dockyard complex itself.
Now there is an Italian restaurant Cafe Amici that has come up at the corner of the Clock Tower Mall in Dockyard. It has a nice relaxing and friendly atmosphere, and serves authentic traditional Italian food all seven days a week, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Shopping at Kings Wharf Bermuda
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Clocktower Mall - Kings Wharf Bermuda
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Clocktower Shopping Mall, a charming covered shopping area is located within the dockyard complex.
It's a 5 minute walk from the cruise berth. There are several boutiques and branch stores here.
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At the Clocktower Mall, you will find attractive items like porcelain, fine china and crystal, silverware and fine tableware, Harris Tweed jackets, Scottish woolen goods etc.
You can buy local hand crafts from the Craft Market located in the Old Cooperage, between Dockyard Terrace and Maritime Lane. You will find Bermuda cedar-work, candles, jewelry, pottery items, straw bags, banana dolls and many other crafts.
There are many types of artistic goods and artwork on sale at the Bermuda Arts Center.
Activities at Kings Wharf Bermuda
There is a water-sports concession Windjammer Watersports operating from the Kings Wharf premises offering snorkeling safaris and other aquatic adventures.
There is a nice family beach Snorkel Park in the dockyard area. Water here is shallow and calm. Its a great place for snorkeling and other water activities.
Beach Parties: Island Beach Parties have started taking place at Bermuda's Snorkel Park Beach between 7pm-10pm. It gives a great option for a high-energy nighttime entertainment in Bermuda for all including families. Along with beachside dinner, you can enjoy dancing and singing contests, congo lines, limbo dancing, DJs, bands like steel pans and lot more.
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 go around Kings Wharf Dockyard Area
The best way is to walk 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.
Currency and Weather at Kings Wharf Bermuda
One Bermuda dollar is treated same as one US$. If you are carrying US dollars, you won't need to change to Bermuda currency. US dollar is accepted everywhere.
Weather is same all across the island and is sub-tropical in nature. From April till November (summer to fall) the temperatures vary between 75ºF (22ºC) to about 85ºF (29ºC). Humidity during May to October can go well over 80 percent.
Temperature during the winter (December through March) varies between 62ºF (17ºC) to about 70ºF (21ºC). You will need to wear a light jacket during early mornings and evenings. Otherwise the day time is quite pleasantly cool during winter.
For detailed information on Bermuda weather and climate, check Bermuda Weather
Buses and Ferries to/from Kings Wharf Bermuda
While there are Taxis in Bermuda, they can be quite expensive. A taxi ride from dockyard to Hamilton City, the port capital of Bermuda can cost around $35.
Buses and ferries are much cheaper, and are very popular public transports in the island. Bus #7 and #8 ply between Hamilton City and the Dockyard.
Bus #8 is more frequent and takes the Middle Road in Sandys, while bus#7 takes mainly the South Road. Check Bermuda Bus Services for bus routes, schedules and stoppages.
There are regular Ferry services. They run between Dockyard, Paget, Warwick, Somerset, Hamilton (all year) and to St. George (April to October). Check Bermuda Ferry Services for ferry routes, schedules and stoppages.
Best is to by a day transportation pass with unlimited rides in both buses and ferries. You can also get 2-day, 3-day, 7-day passes. Check Bermuda Transport Passes for details on fares and where you can get them.
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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