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Bermuda Tours and Shore Excursions: A Specialist's Guide
Updated: August 2026
Once you have had your fill of the beaches, you will want real time to explore Bermuda. Over the years I have helped thousands of readers plan their days here, and one question keeps coming back. What is actually the best way to see the island?
It depends on your group size, your budget, how much time you have, and how much planning you enjoy. Below I have laid out every practical option, with current prices and the trade-offs, so you can pick what fits your trip.
View from the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
How to Pick the Right Tour for You
If you are a couple or a small group with 3 to 5 hours to spare, a Blue Flag taxi is usually the smartest pick. If you have a full day and want company, a group minibus tour costs less per head.
If you like maps and walking, the public buses and ferries can take you almost anywhere on the island for very little money. If you want to be on the water, you have a wide range of boat options out of the Royal Naval Dockyard.
For cruise passengers with just one day, the most common mistake I see is booking shore excursions through the cruise line at a steep markup. Local operators almost always cost less for a similar route. You can read more in my
Cruise Guide.
➤ Explore This Guide
1. Guided Minibus and Van Tours
Minibus and van tours are great when you want someone else to handle the planning. You join a small group, and the driver, who usually doubles as a guide, takes you through the main attractions over half a day or a full day. Larger groups can charter a private minibus or coach, and then you can customize the route.
A minibus carries up to 15 passengers and a van takes fewer. Larger buses go up to 30. Most departures are from the Royal Naval Dockyard near the cruise piers, and a few operate from Hamilton or pick you up at your hotel for an extra fee.
A typical full island minibus run lasts 5 to 7 hours and covers Somerset Bridge (the smallest drawbridge in the world), Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the south shore pink sand beaches, Hamilton City, and the historic town of St. George. Some tours include a lunch stop at a Bermudian restaurant.
Operators worth looking at first are Bermudaful Island Tours, Ricky's Minibus Tours run by Kevin, and Byways. Each has its own approach and route. For the full list of operators, current contact details, and tour formats, go to
Minibus and Bus Tours in Bermuda.
2. Boating and Sailing Tours
Bermuda's waters are the best reason many of you come here, and the boat tour scene is wide. Most departures are from the Royal Naval Dockyard, with some from Hamilton and St. George. You will find sailing yachts, catamarans, motorboats, and glass bottom vessels.
Photo: Restless Native
The main types of water tours are:
Glass bottom tours that take you over coral reefs and a partially submerged 19th century shipwreck HMS Vixen in the western waters, with running commentary and a fish feeding stop. See Glass Bottom boat tour.
Snorkel cruises that anchor over reefs or wrecks, usually for about 2 hours of in water time. See Bermuda Snorkel Tours.
Guided kayak tours along the coast or in calm harbors. Some operators offer clear bottom kayaks with LED lights for evening paddles. See Bermuda Kayak Tours.
Jet ski tours that glide under Somerset Bridge into Ely's Harbor, with a chance of spotting turtles. See Bermuda Jet Ski Tours.
Helmet diving with Hartley's, where you walk on the seabed in a helmet that lets you breathe normally. No swimming experience is needed. Current rates are $150 per adult and $130 per child for a 3.5 hour outing, and it runs from April through October. See Bermuda Helmet Diving.
3. Bermuda Excursions On Your Own (Self-Guided)
If you have done a cruise before or you are comfortable with a small amount of planning, doing a DIY tour saves real money and gives you complete flexibility. Navigating Bermuda excursions on your own comes down to understanding the public transit system and picking the right routes.
Getting Around: The Logistics
Public Transit (Best Value): The most cost-effective way to explore is by buying a 1-Day Adult Transportation Pass for $19. This gives you unlimited rides on the Sea Express ferries and the pink public buses.
Electric Minicars: You cannot rent a standard car on the island. If you want to set your own route without waiting for a bus, rent an electric two-seater. They are a much safer alternative to the traditional rental scooters.
Photo: Charles Lewis
Top Self-Guided Routes
Here are the self-guided routes I recommend most for travelers who want to explore on foot:
1. The St. George Heritage Walk (Half Day)
Take the Orange Route ferry directly from Dockyard to the Town of St. George. A self guided walking tour of St. George is perfect for history buffs. This UNESCO World Heritage site is highly walkable. Route your walk to include St. Peter's Church, the Gothic ruins of the Unfinished Church, and end with a swim at Tobacco Bay Beach. See
Exploring Heritage Town of St. George for details.
2. The Bermuda Railway Trail Hike (Flexible)
If you are looking for the premier Bermuda walking tour in nature, this is it. The trail spans 18 miles across the island along a former train route, meaning it is completely traffic-free. I recommend picking up the trail near Somerset Bridge in Sandys Parish for incredible elevated ocean views. See the full breakdown in our
Bermuda Railway Trail Guide.
3. South Shore Trail Walk (Half Day)
This is the most popular DIY excursion for cruise passengers wanting beach time. Catch the Route 7 bus from the Dockyard and get off at Warwick Long Bay. From there, you can walk west along the
scenic coastal trail, stopping at secluded spots like Jobson's Cove, until you reach Horseshoe Bay Beach. From Horseshoe Bay, you can easily catch the Route 7 bus back to your ship.
4. Beaches, Historic Forts and Caves (Half or Full Day)
The half-day tour starts at St. George's. You can walk or take the minibus and hop on and off at various landmarks along a round trip covering lovely beaches and several historic forts.
You can then extend the tour to a full-day trip with a visit to the famous Crystal and Fantasy caves and John Smith's Bay beach. Finally end your tour either at Hamilton City or by taking a scenic bus ride along south shore road. See
Self-Guided tour of Beaches, Historic Forts and Caves for details.
Essential DIY Tips
Watch the clock: The Sea Express ferry schedule changes depending on the season and the day of the week. Do not get stranded in Hamilton because you missed the last ferry back to the Dockyard.
Mind the terrain: Even easy walking paths can have steep inclines and uneven limestone steps. Wear proper grip shoes.
More Self-Guided Itineraries by Parish
If you are staying in a specific area or want a granular, step-by-step route for a certain parish, check out these dedicated guides:
Western Bermuda (Dockyard and Surroundings)
Central Bermuda (South Shore and Hamilton)
Eastern Bermuda (St. George's)
4. Taxi Tours with Local Drivers
If you are with 2 to 7 people, a Bermuda taxi tour is often the best balance of price, comfort, and flexibility. You pick the route, the driver waits while you visit each site, and you go at your own pace. This is also the best option if you want a Bermuda tour led by a local.
Look for a Blue Flag taxi. These taxis carry a small blue flag or a blue insignia on the bonnet, and the drivers are government certified tour guides. Many of them are walking encyclopedias of the island's history, architecture, and plant life.
The Government of Bermuda sets the taxi tour rates. After the April 2024 revision, the current sightseeing rates are:
4 seater taxi (1 to 4 passengers): $60 per hour.
7 seater taxi (1 to 4 passengers): $60 per hour.
7 seater taxi (5 to 7 passengers): $85 per hour.
You need to book the taxi for a minimum of 3 hours, and these rates do not change on Sundays, holidays, or at night. A 15 percent gratuity is the usual practice. Some Blue Flag certified drivers charge slightly above the government rate because they are also qualified guides, which is permitted.
A full island taxi tour typically runs 4 to 5 hours. If you can pair up with another couple, you split a 4 seater and the per person cost drops sharply. For a family of 5 to 7, a 7 seater is the most economical way to see the entire island in a day.
Taxi in Bermuda
I have profiled some of the drivers our readers have used over the years on my
Bermuda Taxi Tours page, including Mills Taxi Service and Reliable Taxi Services. Wheelchair accessible taxis are also available, including Access Bermuda, which is set up for travelers with mobility needs.
5. Rent a Boat and Explore on Your Own
If you have boating experience, you can rent a small boat like a Boston Whaler for half a day or a full day and explore Bermuda's protected sounds and small islands on your own. You can anchor at one of the tiny uninhabited cays for a private swim, picnic, or snorkel session. See
Explore the coastline and islets on a rental boat for operators and pricing.
6. Other Ways to Tour Bermuda
Train Trolley Tours. These are road going mini trains with audio commentary that loop around the Dockyard, Hamilton, and St. George. They run for about an hour and are an easy option if you do not want to walk much. See
Train Trolley Tours.
Eco and Adventure Tours. Hiking, kayaking, and cycling tours that get you off the regular tourist track. The best known is the Hidden Gems day tour, which covers Tom Moore's Jungle (also called Walsingham Nature Reserve), a swimming cave, a blue hole for cliff jumping, Cooper's Island Nature Reserve, and a snorkel stop. The full day runs about 7 hours including lunch. See
Eco and Adventure Tours.
Horse Carriage Tours. A relaxed and old fashioned way to see parts of the Dockyard, Hamilton, or St. George. Tours run from 30 minutes to an hour. See
Horse Carriage Tours.
Segway Tours. A novel and easy way to get around the Dockyard or St. George without much physical effort. See the relevant section of
Minibus Tours.
Flying Tours - Aerial Views. You can now hover over Bermuda and enjoy the lovely aerial views of coastlines, beaches, shipwreck sites, historic forts, important cities and towns of the island, golf courses and spectacular landscapes from the sky in a small plane. The small aircraft is smooth and can fly low at reduced speed for great views. See
Fly to see Bermuda from the sky for the tour information.
Cruise Shore Excursions: What You Need to Know
Bermuda's cruise season runs from April through October, with the heaviest traffic from May to September. Outside that window most ships are not calling and many shore excursion operators are off season, so this section is for visitors arriving by ship in those months.
Where your ship docks matters more than you think. Most ships, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival, dock at Kings Wharf or Heritage Wharf inside the Royal Naval Dockyard at the west end of the island. A few smaller cruise ships dock at the piers in Hamilton, and some Norwegian sailings dock at Pennos Wharf in St. George at the east end.
The pier you arrive at changes which tours are practical. From Dockyard you have the widest range of options sitting right at the cruise piers. From St. George you are closer to the historic town and east end beaches but further from Hamilton and the south shore.
Plan around the all aboard time. Ships typically require you back on board 30 minutes before sailing. If your all aboard is 5 pm and you want a 5 hour island tour, you cannot leave the pier later than about 11 am, and you should aim earlier to have a buffer. Always cross check the time the operator confirms against your ship's sail away time, not against the time you think you are leaving.
Your four real options for a shore excursion are:
Booking through the cruise line. The most convenient choice and the ship will not sail without you, but you pay a premium of roughly 30 to 50 percent over the same tour booked direct.
Booking a local operator before you sail. The best balance of price and reliability. Reserve 1 to 2 weeks ahead in peak season and ask for written confirmation. Minibus and boat operators I have covered on this site fall into this group.
Walking up to the Island Tour Centre kiosk at the Dockyard cruise piers. This is the easy fallback if you did not pre-book. They sell same day tours including minibus island tours, snorkel cruises, helmet diving with Hartley's, and the Hidden Gems day tour. Availability is tight on busy ship days, so head there as soon as you clear the gangway.
Doing it yourself by bus and ferry. By far the cheapest option. A 1 day adult transportation pass at $19 buys you unlimited rides on both buses and ferries, so a couple can cover the island for $38 versus a cruise excursion that often runs $90 to $150 per person. The trade off is planning time and a slower pace.
Rough cost comparison for two adults on a half day outing:
Cruise line excursion: $180 to $300 for the pair.
Local minibus group tour booked direct: $120 to $200.
Blue Flag taxi for 3 hours: $180 plus tip (you set the route).
DIY ferry and bus with a 1 day pass: $38.
The right answer depends on how much you value time, flexibility, and avoiding planning. If this is your only day in Bermuda and you want the simplest path, the ship excursion or the kiosk are both fine. If you have done a cruise before and you are comfortable with a small amount of planning, going direct or DIY saves real money.
Best Time to Tour
High season runs from May through September. The good minibus and taxi operators get booked solid 1 to 4 weeks in advance during this window, so reserve early. Boat tours run from about April to late October, with peak schedules from June to August. Some water activities, including Hartley's Helmet Diving, are closed from November through March.
October and early November are excellent for sightseeing on land, with mild temperatures, lower crowds, and full availability on taxis and minibuses.
About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya
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