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Kings Wharf Bermuda
Royal Naval Dockyard
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Kings Wharf, also known as the Royal Naval Dockyard, is located in Ireland Island, at the western tip of Bermuda's Sandys Parish.
It's a port where the large ships dock these days. The dockyard has two berths or piers. Original one is the Kings Wharf. A second berth Heritage Wharf was 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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Brief History of the Dockyard
After the British lost the American War of Independence, they also lost all their ports along America’s Atlantic Coastline. So as an alternative, they started the construction of this Royal Naval Dockyard (or Kings Wharf) in 1809. To build this Dockyard, the British later engaged thousands of convicts they brought in from England and also slave laborers from the island.
Kings Wharf Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard)
Many workers died out of yellow fever epidemic that once ravaged the island and also due to the nature of risk involved in the work. Since its construction, the Kings Wharf Dockyard operated for over 100 years serving the British forces in such affairs like the American War of 1812. The naval base remained in operation through the World War-II as well. However by that time the British began to realize that the Kings Wharf was no longer a real necessity as a navy port for defense. After all, the Americans became allies to the British in both the World Wars.
So gradually the importance of the dockyard as a naval base started to reduce. Most of the navy facilities at the dockyard were closed down by 1951. Limited facilities were kept open to support British & NATO ships. Finally all navy operations came to a complete closure in 1995. Over time, Kings Wharf instead became a major passenger cruise dockyard in Bermuda and a complex with many tourist attractions.
Dockyard Attractions
Spread across some 24-acres, the dockyard complex today offers many attractions other than being home to a marina, a working boatyard, many restaurants and shops. Some of the islands best preserved fortifications are located here that reflect the 200 years old maritime history of Bermuda and its connections with the British Royal Navy.
The main fort house at the dockyard, 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.
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Stop by the Dockyard Glassworks to see craftsmen showing their skills and making lovely glassware items from hot molten glasses.
Head over to Bermuda Clayworks to see artists crafting beautiful pottery and ceramic items.
Visit the Bermuda Art Center. This is a creative workshop of talented artists. It exhibits wide range of artwork including paintings, sculpture, pottery etc. You can chat with the resident artists to know about their creations and styles.
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As you walk around the dockyard complex, you will pass by the Victualling Yard. This is where food and other supplies used to be prepared for the naval officers, and also packed with salt for taking to the sea. It is surrounded by high walls and has now become a park. Close to it is the old Cooperage building. This is where once barrels were made to store perishable goods (like pork, biscuits etc.) and were loaded into the ships.
Kings Wharf Dockyard - ClockTower
Towards the southern side of the dockyard near the gate, the Casemates is one of the oldest buildings that was once the barrack for the men of Marine Infantry who guarded the dockyard against enemy invasions. Later it became the main prison for convicts in Bermuda.
After enjoying all the attractions at the dockyard, you can also see a movie here. Neptune Theatre, a 118-seat cinema shows a night movie twice over. On Friday through Sunday, you can catch an afternoon show too. It's located at the Cooperage Building in Victualling Yard.
If you are coming to Kings Wharf by a cruise ship and want to explore Bermuda beyond the dockyard attractions, check out the following links:
Bermuda Tours: Know about the best guided & self guided tours that can be far better than the cruise line excursions and also save you a lot of money.
Activities at the Dockyard
There is a nice family beach Snorkel Park in the dockyard area. Water here is shallow and calm. It's a great place for snorkeling and many other water sports activities.
Island Beach Parties take place at Bermuda's Snorkel Park Beach on some days of the week in the evenings. It gives a great option for a high-energy nighttime entertainment in Bermuda for everyone 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.
Gumba trail and Outdoor Museum is another nice tour in Kings Wharf particularly for the kids. Gumba, a knowledgeable guide takes you through the trail, and tells many true stories about the Caribbean Junkanoo dancers. You will also see many plantation along the route. The tour is for one hour and takes place on Wednesdays during the summer months. There is a tour fee of $5.
On every Monday, the Dockyard in Bermuda offers nightly festival celebrations (8pm-10:30pm) with fun filled activities known as Destination Dockyard. UPDATE: This event has been replaced and re-branded by a similar weekly summer series called the Royal Naval Nights. In 2011, the new event starts on June 27 and would run for 18 weeks.
Heritage Nights: From May-end, Heritage Night is celebrated at the dockyard on every Thursday for 18 consecutive weeks. This event that showcases the traditions and heritage of the island, is held at the Victualling Yard. There are demonstrations of kite making, Bermuda's traditional game of Cricket and more. You can also try out Crown & Anchor which is a popular local gambling game, and lot more. There are performances from local dancers and musicians. Vendors set up stalls for food & beverages.
There are plenty of watersports and other activities that take place in and around the dockyard complex. So check out Activities in Dockyard & Sandys to know about all the recreational activities hat operate out of the dockyard and the surrounding area.
The King's Wharf Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard) is free to all. However there are admission fees for Maritime Museum and The Dolphin Quest.
Restaurants and Pubs at the Dockyard
You will find many vendors offering different kinds of snacks at the dockyard complex. There are also some proper restaurants and pubs.
Frog & Onion Pub, located inside the Old Cooperage building is an old British style pub and a restaurant serving British cuisine. We would often take our lunch or dinner here.
An Italian restaurant Cafe Amici has come up recently 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.
Freeport Seafood: The restaurant offers seafood & steaks in a casual and friendly atmosphere. There is both inside and outside seating.
Shopping at the Dockyard
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It's a charming covered shopping area located within the dockyard complex. It has 100 ft. high twin clock towers.
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. Shops at the Clocktower Mall are open daily, from 10am to 5pm.
You can buy local handcrafts from the Bermuda 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.
How to go around Kings Wharf Dockyard Area
The best way is to walk and visit the attractions within the dockyard. But if you are not too keen walking, there are other options as well.
Dockyard Train: This is not really a train. Although it has small passenger coaches and an engine that makes it look like a mini train, it has wheels and moves on the road, and not on track. It's more like a car that looks like a train. It has a capacity of 40 passengers and takes you around the main attractions of the dockyard.
Segway Tours: There are some fun machines operated by Segways. You just need to stand on a machine with yellow and black colors having two wheels and a scooter like steering. It can move forward or backward at a maximum speed of 15 miles an hour and is self balancing. Since you ride it yourself, you have a lot more flexibility.
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 out Bermuda Weather
Buses and Ferries at Kings Wharf
Buses and ferries are very popular public transports in the island.
Bus #7 and #8 operate between Hamilton City and the Dockyard. The bus stop is at the end of the cruise berths. Bus #8 is more frequent and takes the Middle Road in Sandys, while bus#7 takes the more picturesque South Road that offers great views of the south shore beaches. Check out Bermuda Bus Services for bus routes, schedules and lot more information.
There is a ferry terminal at the dockyard. There are regular ferry services between Dockyard, Paget, Warwick, Somerset, Hamilton city (all year) and to St. George (April to October only). Check out Bermuda Ferry for routes and schedules.
There is no Car Rental in Bermuda. There are taxi stands in the dockyard and taxis are readily available. Check out Taxis in Bermuda for details.
Kings Wharf Bermuda Map
Check out Kings Wharf Bermuda map to know how the Dockyard is laid out and where the different attractions of the dockyard are located.
Kings Wharf Video
Kings Wharf Location and Contacts
The dockyard is located at Ireland Island (North) in Sandys Parish at the western end of Bermuda. If you are entering the dockyard by road, the entrance is at Pender Road with two large stone pillars at the gate. There are ATMs and Public washrooms in the complex including in the Clocktower Building.
There is a Visitors Information Center located in the dockyard (at the Gazebo Gift Shop across the land-ward end of Kings/Heritage Wharf) where you can get free pocket maps, brochures, tour guides, transport passes etc. The center is open on all seven days. It usually has shorter working hours on Saturdays and Sundays unless there is a cruise ship on port.
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Visitors' Reviews & Comments
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