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Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute
BUEI is a top Attraction in the Island
Opened in 1997, purpose of this Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute or the BUEI is to enhance understanding of the mysteries of the ocean. This is done through a series of eye-popping artifacts and exhibits, many of them interactive.
A life-size replica of a 500-pound, 27-foot long squid hangs in the entrance hall of BUEI.
There is a Shipwreck Gallery that showcases many of the items collected by Teddy Tucker, a legend in Bermuda underwater treasure collection. Teddy Tucker is the honorary chairman of Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.
We had the rare opportunity to meet with Teddy and his wife and listened to them about their fascinating scuba diving experience. I have captured some of the stories that we heard from Teddy and his wife in my sections on Bermuda Maritime Museum and Bermuda Shipwrecks.
Among the many exhibits at BUEI are the replica of Pectoral Cross - a rare collection from Teddy Tucker and ampoules of opium from the shipwreck Constellation that sank in 1943. The author of the movie "Jaws", Peter Benchley based his follow-up novel The Deep around the Constellation wreck. Much of Benchley’s knowledge about shipwrecks came from Teddy.
Left: BUEI Entrance / Right: Pectoral Cross
Other displays at BUEI include glassware from the wrecks of Lord Amberst (1778) and L'Herminie (1838). By the way, there are more than 300 shipwreck sites in the waters surrounding Bermuda. Therefore there are many other notable displays in BUEI.
Some rare collection of early diving gears at BUEI includes a diving bell.
Also on display is an Exo-suit, similar to an astronaut’s suit, but made of titanium.
It allows divers wearing it to reach depths of 600 feet. It can be used for rescuing the crew of sunken submarines.
At BUEI, there is a replica of a bathysphere, the famous metal ball less than 5 feet in diameter in which William Beebe and Otis Barton descended to a depth of half a mile off the coast of Bermuda in the 1934. The dive broke the previous record depth for a human dive of 525 feet and stood for 15 years.
If you like, you can take a simulated seven-minute trip to the ocean floor by a modern Nautilus-X2 submarine. Special events, like lectures and whale-watching trips, are available too for an added fee here at the BUEI.
Nautilus Submarine - BUEI
Other attractions at the BUEI include thousands of shells collected by a local named Jack Lightbourne.
If you need to eat around BUEI, there’s a nice restaurant, La Coquille on-site with a wonderful view of the harbor. It’s one of our favorite choices for having lunch. Since May 2005, La Coquille is taken over by the group that also owns the Harbourfront Restaurant Bermuda.
The BUEI also has a gift shop.
Admission Fee is $12.5 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children between 6-17 years. Children under five are free.
Open Hours
Open on weekdays between 9am - 5pm;
On weekends (Saturday & Sunday) between 10am - 5pm.
Last admission is at 4pm.
Location and Contacts
Address: 40 Crow Lane, off Eastern Broadway, Hamilton city, Pembroke.
It's located on East Broadway (the eastern continuation of Front Street) and is a 5 -10 minute walk from the center of Hamilton city. Take the sidewalk along the waterside of Front Street.
Related Articles
1) Check out Bermuda Museums for great museums & historical buildings in Bermuda.
3) Check out Hamilton City for many other great attractions in Hamilton.
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