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Guide to Bermuda Fish Species (Reefs, Deep Sea and Endemic)
So, what is actually in the water surrounding Bermuda's 21 square miles of limestone. The short answer is a lot.
Whether you are floating over the shallow reefs at Church Bay or strapping into a fighting chair 20 miles offshore, the marine life here is highly active.
This guide is for snorkelers, divers, and curious visitors who want to identify the fish they see. If you are just trying to book a boat right now, skip this page and head straight to our
Bermuda Deep Sea Fishing or
Bermuda Reef Fishing guides.
For everyone else, let us look at the species you will actually encounter on your visit.
Are Bermuda Fish Big?
This is the most common question I get from first-time visitors. The answer depends entirely on how far from the beach you are. Bermuda fish can be absolutely massive, but you will not see the giants while snorkeling near the shore.
The fish in the shallow coastal reefs are generally small to medium-sized. You will see brightly colored tropical species ranging from a few inches to about three feet long. These are the fish that dart through the coral heads and hide in the limestone crevices.
Offshore, the story changes completely. Just a few miles out, the ocean floor drops drastically into the deep Atlantic. This is where the true monsters live. Pelagic game fish like Blue Marlin can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. So yes, Bermuda fish are big, you just have to take a boat ride to find them.
At a Glance
| Data Point |
Details |
| Best Time for Snorkeling |
May to October (Warmest water, best visibility) |
| Best Time for Deep Sea |
June to September (Marlin and Tuna season) |
| Cost to See Fish |
Free (Snorkeling) to $1,500+ (Offshore Charters) |
| Primary Transport |
Electric micro-car rental or public bus to beaches |
| Top Viewing Spot (No Swim) |
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) |
Types of Fish in Bermuda: The Snorkeler's Guide
When you rent a mask and fins, you will be exploring the northernmost coral reef system in the world. The water clarity is excellent, often exceeding 80 feet of visibility. Here are the most common reef fish you will spot.
Blue Parrotfish
Parrotfish: These are the most important fish in Bermuda. They eat algae off the coral using heavy, beak-like teeth. They excrete the crushed coral as fine white sand, which mixes with red foraminifera shells to create Bermuda's famous pink sand beaches.
Blue Angelfish: You will often see these disc-shaped, blue and yellow beauties gliding slowly near the bottom. They are curious and usually travel in pairs.
Sergeant Major: These small fish have vertical black and yellow stripes. They are bold, fast, and will often swarm around you if you stir up the sand.
Sergeant Major
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, cc-by-2.0
Groupers and Snappers: These are bottom dwellers. The Black Grouper is highly prized and locally referred to as "Rockfish". You will often find Rockfish on local menus, served pan-fried with a side of peas and rice.
Pufferfish: Bermuda has a few varieties, including the Porcupinefish. They are slow swimmers and rely on their ability to inflate into a spiky ball to deter predators.
Moray Eels: Spotted morays like to hide in dark holes within the reef. You will usually only see their heads poking out as they open and close their mouths to breathe.
Green Moray Eel at Bermuda Aquarium
For a deeper dive into the habitats these fish rely on, check out our guide to
Bermuda Coral Reefs.
For a complete understanding of what it means to snorkel in Bermuda including the best beach, reef and wreck sites, see our guide to
Snorkeling in Bermuda.
Big Game and Offshore Fish: The Angler's Guide
If you charter a sportfishing boat out of Royal Naval Dockyard or St. George's, you are targeting pelagic species. These fish constantly migrate through the deep Atlantic waters surrounding the island.
Wahoo
Photo: Henry aw, cc-by-sa 3.0
Wahoo: Wahoo is a fast, torpedo-shaped predator with incredibly flaky, white meat. This is the undisputed king of local menus for making the local fish chowder laced with black rum and sherry peppers.
Yellowfin Tuna: Another local favorite, often caught during the summer months. You will frequently see this served as sashimi or heavily seared in Hamilton restaurants.
Blue and White Marlin: These are the giants of the deep. Bermuda hosts major international billfish tournaments every July. These are strictly catch-and-release species.
Bonefish: If you prefer keeping your feet on the sand, Bonefish are the ultimate prize for shore anglers. They are incredibly fast and easily spooked.
Bonefish
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, cc-by-2.0
Endemic and Unique Species
Because Bermuda is so isolated in the Atlantic, it has a few fish species found nowhere else on earth. Modern marine taxonomy has identified several unique local variations.
The Bermuda Killifish is a tiny species that survives in the brackish inland ponds. You will not see these in the ocean. They are heavily protected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Other endemic species include the Bermuda Bream and the Bermuda Anchovy. You might also spot the Yellowfin Chromis hovering over the deeper reefs. While they look similar to Caribbean species, thousands of years of isolation have made them genetically distinct.
The Invasive Threat: The Lionfish
You cannot talk about Bermuda's marine life today without mentioning the Lionfish. These striking, red-and-white striped fish with venomous spines are native to the Indo-Pacific.
Lionfish at Bermuda Aquarium
They have no natural predators here and eat incredible amounts of juvenile reef fish. Local divers actively hunt them using specialized spears to protect the reef ecosystem. As a bonus, Lionfish meat is delicious. If you see it on a restaurant menu, order it, you are helping the environment.
What Surprised Visitors the Most
Most first-time snorkelers are shocked by the noise underwater. When a large Parrotfish bites a chunk of coral, it sounds like loud underwater crunching. It can be startling until you realize what is happening.
Another common surprise is the
Great Barracuda. You will often see a solitary, three-foot Barracuda hovering near the surface at places like
Tobacco Bay. They look terrifying with their underbite and sharp teeth, but they are just inquisitive. Ignore them, and they will ignore you.
Great Barracuda
Common Mistakes When Interacting with Marine Life
The biggest mistake visitors make is standing on the coral. Bermuda's reefs are fragile, living animals. Touching them or standing on them kills the polyps and destroys the habitat the fish rely on.
Another major friction point is
spearfishing and fishing in protected zones. You cannot just bring a speargun to Bermuda. Spearfishing is strictly regulated, requires a specific license, and is completely banned within one mile of the shore.
Additionally, under the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Program (BOPP), 20% of Bermuda's waters are designated as fully protected marine areas where no fishing or extraction is allowed. Stick to a waterproof camera instead.
Practical Details for Fish Spotting
If you want the best visibility, visit between June and September. The water is warm enough to snorkel for hours without a wetsuit.
Be aware that getting to the best reef beaches, like
Church Bay in Southampton Parish, often involves navigating steep, sometimes slippery limestone steps. Bring water shoes.
Also, note that while you can rent snorkel gear at major beaches, many local vendors are cash-only. Bring small US or Bermudian bills.
Alternatives: Don't Want to Get Wet?
Their massive North Rock Exhibit is a 140,000-gallon tank that perfectly replicates a local coral reef. You can stand inches away from huge Groupers, sharks, and Barracudas.
Alternatively, book a
glass-bottom boat tour departing from
Hamilton. You can sit back, enjoy a rum swizzle, and let the captain point out the fish below.
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
Related Articles
Check out Bermuda Coral Reefs to know all about the coral reefs of Bermuda and what kind of fish that you can expect to see there. The best reefs for fishing are on the south-western and north-western waters of Bermuda.
