Spend your fall, winter, or spring in Bermuda: Is Bermuda a good snowbird location?

Bermuda (in full, the Islands of Bermuda) is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 956 Miles (1538 km) due north of the British Virgin Islands. The capital city of Bermuda is Hamilton and its largest economic sectors are offshore insurance, reinsurance, and tourism. Bermuda has 9 parishes. They are like districts or counties.

Other than the parishes, there are three important places in the island – Royal Naval Dockyard at the west end is the major cruise port of Bermuda where the large cruise ships dock, St. George in the east is a historical town and the former capital of Bermuda (there is a port in St. George as well for smaller ships to dock), and

Hamilton City at the center is the capital of the island (Hamilton too has a port where smaller ships dock). Hamilton City, the capital of Bermuda is NOT in Hamilton Parish. It is in Pembroke Parish instead. Bermuda's 9 parishes include:

• Sandys
• Southampton
• Warwick
• Paget
• Pembroke
• Devonshire
• Smith's
• Hamilton Parish
• St. George

Why should people visit during the fall, winter, or spring?

Bermuda is known for its rugged beauty, island landscape, and legendary hospitality. Few places in the world boast the charm of Bermuda. With its curvaceous shoreline, azure lagoons, and inland sanctuaries, it's a colorful and alluring place to. One of the things that set this island country apart is the warmth, pride, and diversity of Bermudians.

Climate

It is subtropical, thanks to two natural allies: the Gulf Stream and the Bermuda-Azores High. The Gulf Stream pushes warm, equatorial water to the west and north of the island, up from the Gulf of Mexico. This ensures comfortable temperatures year-round.

The Bermuda-Azores High is a high-pressure zone that lies east of the island in the summer, shielding Bermuda from storm systems to the north and wafting light, southerly winds its way. In winter, from November to March, temperatures are very mild, with average temperature ranging from 15°C - 22°C (59°F - 72°F). The winter period normally does not see hurricanes (the hurricane season is from June to November).

For more climate information visit Meteoblue

Safety

Bermuda has always been considered a safe destination, especially when compared to countries of the Caribbean such as Jamaica. Criminal activity continues to take place at St. George, a popular cruise-ship destination. Snowbirds should be aware, petty theft does still exist here, as it does nearly everywhere. Personal possessions should not be left unattended.

Communication, Internet, and cellphone in Bermuda

The predominant language in Bermuda is Bermudian English.

Though Bermuda may be small in size, its international telecommunication system ranks among the best in the world for reliability, quality, and sophistication. The island provides telephone, fax, Internet, wireless, and wireless roaming services. Direct dialing is possible to and from the island and the country code is 441.

Worldwide and international prepaid calling cards can be purchased locally. Many shops and hotels sell prepaid phone cards usable at public phones. Snowbirds who want to use their phones in Bermuda should remember to contact their phone provider before flying to Bermuda and ask them if their service works on the island. If so, ask for an international plan.

Using one's sim card while in Bermuda can cost snowbirds hundreds of dollars. However, buying a new sim card (local phone number) will save money. The main post office is located in the City of Hamilton and it's operating hours are Mon. through Fri. 8 am to 5 pm, Sat. 8 am to 12 pm.

Things to see in Bermuda

Bermuda has notable places that are worthwhile visiting:

• The Beaches: Horseshoe Bay Beach, Jobson's Cove Beach, Warwick Long Bay Beach, Elbow Beach, Church Bay Beach, Tobacco Bay Beach, St. Shelly Bay.
• History & Museum: Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, Gibb's Hill Lighthouse.
• Gardening/Nature & Parks: Fort Hamilton, Crystal and Fantasy caves, Botanical Gardens, and The Bermuda Railway Trail National Park.

Activities in Bermuda during winter

• Have fun at Horseshoe Bay- the beaches where the sand is coloured pink
• Set sail on the Atlantic Ocean
• Paddle around coastal cliffs
• Take a sunset cruise in the Great Sound
• Go scuba diving to explore colourful coral reefs and ghostly shipwrecks.
• Take a whale watching tour
• Fish for wahoo, tuna, rockfish and spiny lobster
• Experience the rich arts scene at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.
• Explore the 35-acre Botanical Gardens.
• Tour the Camden House, the official residence of the Premier of Bermuda.
• Enjoy an exclusive voyage aboard the Spirit of Bermuda while learning about Bermuda's rich maritime history. This 112-foot, the 3-mast vessel was built in 2006 to serve as an educational tool to provide character and educational development through sail training.
• Unwind at Rock Island Coffee in the City of Hamilton.
• Opt for a spa experience in one of Bermuda's beautiful underground caves
• Spend the day at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo which showcases more than 200 species of fish and delicate marine invertebrates as well as over 300 birds, reptiles and mammals from oceanic islands.
• Experience an underground world of splendour at the Crystal Caves, a natural underground wonder of the island.
• Treat yourself to delicious local cuisine and favourite cocktail, the Rum Swizzle.
• Enjoy an evening on one of Bermuda's smaller islands located in the Great Sound
• Hike through The Bermuda Railway Trail National Park
• Tour the modern art collection of the Hamilton Princess, a historic hotel featuring works by Ai Weiwei, Jeff Koons and Banksy.
• Explore mystery at the new exhibit "Bermuda Triangle: Unlock the Secrets" at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

Shopping + Restaurants. Are they open in the fall, winter, or spring?

Snowbirds will find retail bliss in Bermuda. Going on a shopping spree that takes them to the boutiques and studios of the island's artful innovators – they will come across treasures like rare vintage pieces, perfumes crafted using island essences, or jewelry made with Bermuda's legendary pink sand. The shops on Hamilton's Front Street offer stylish fashions, while the Royal Naval Dockyard and the Town of St. George offer everything from locally made arts and crafts to colorful island accessories.

Snowbirds should check out Atelerie, a well-edited women's boutique that mixes island theme accessories like jewelry, bags, water bottles, and candles with brands like Diane Von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, Joie, and Vince, plus extensive resort collections from Calypso St. Barths, Roberta Freymann, Mara Hoffman and more. Men can find stylish fashions at Coral Coast.

Bermudian food is inspired by a unique combination of global influences and an incredible natural bounty of fresh produce and seafood. Bermudian cuisine was born from a mix of British, Caribbean, African, Native American, and Portuguese influences and ingredients. Snowbirds can sample a classic Bermudian specialty like fish chowder or taste the modern spins that innovative chefs around the island are bringing to the table. They can enjoy good steak, curry, pasta, or ribs, but it's the seafood that wows. Nothing tastes better than local fish caught daily. A-must-try is the cocktails too – the rum-based varieties are island favorites.

Whether snowbirds are looking to enjoy a delicious fish sandwich on the water or sit down for a formal gourmet meal from the island's most buzzed-about chef, Bermuda offers a dining experience to fill their craving. The nightlife scene is equally satisfying. In the City of Hamilton, snowbirds will find upscale bars, sports bars, and chilled out pubs as well as clubs and lounges. Many have live cover bands or DJs in the summer, and snowbirds can catch live jazz, reggae and calypso year-round

Transport

The taxis pretty much have a monopoly on getting snowbirds from L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) to the hotel. Many snowbirds arrive at Bermuda on a cruise ship. Most docks in Hamilton, though there are a few that anchor around Historic St. George or the Royal Navy Dockyard. Taxi drivers are always waiting at all the docks to show snowbirds around.

The best way to get around Bermuda is on a bus. Snowbirds will find the island-wide bus an excellent, hassle-free way to see Bermuda. Routes travel from the outer parishes to Hamilton and back, with stops at several tourist sites along the way. And they're color-coded; to go to Hamilton, look out for the pink pole. If one wants to leave Hamilton, stand by the blue one. Fare is determined by zone; the main island has 14 zones and it costs $3.50 (approx. €3, £2, $4 CAD, $5 AUD) to travel up to three zones or $5 (approx. €4, £3, $7 CAD, $7 AUD) for more than three. Snowbirds need to carry exact change or use tokens, which are sold at bus terminals and hotels. They can get a bus schedule in the visitor centers.

Taxis are available; although the downside to taking a taxi is the cost. Cab fares are either per hour starting around $50 (approx. €44, £37, $70 CAD, $71 AUD) for one to four passengers or per distance traveled for one to four passengers, the meter starts around $8 (approx. €7, £5, $11 CAD, $11 AUD) and each additional mile costs about $3.50 (approx. €3, £2, $4 CAD, $5 AUD). Be aware that fares go up at least 25 percent between midnight and 6 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays. Cabs are abundant since visitors aren't allowed to have cars. The taxis displaying a blue flag are specifically for tours.

To sit back and enjoy the Bermudian sights, snowbirds can take a ferry. The government-operated boats cross the Great Sound between Hamilton and Sandys parish and from Hamilton to the parishes of Paget and Warwick (where a lot of the hotels are located). There are four color-coded routes to choose from, all of which depart from the ferry terminal on Front Street in Hamilton. A one-way fare varies from $2.75 (approx. €2.44, £2.06, $3.89 CAD, $3.95 AUD), depending on age and route. And just like the bus, snowbirds need to pay with exact change. SeaExpress operates Bermuda's ferries.

Health

The Bermuda Hospitals Board operates the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, located in Paget Parish, and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, located in Devonshire Parish. Boston's Lahey Medical Center has an established visiting specialists program on the island which provides Bermudians and expats with access to specialists regularly on the island.

There are no paramedics on the island. The Bermuda Hospitals Board says that they were not vital in Bermuda because of its small size. Nurse practitioners on the island, of which there are not many, can be granted authority to write prescriptions "under the authority of a medical practitioner". Snowbirds can find doctors and dentists that speak English as well as other languages.

Accommodation

If snowbirds want cheap accommodation, they will need to book rooms for at least a month in advance. Avoid hotels and resorts and instead, stay at a bed and breakfast or home rental property. If snowbirds are staying with a group, definitely rent a large apartment, as it's far less per person than a hotel room.

The best places to stay in Bermuda are St. George's, Warwick, Southampton, Pembroke while hotels by the beach in Bermuda include Pompano Beach Club, The Loren at Pink Beach, and The Reefs. Accommodation prices range from $56 (approx. €49, £41, $79 CAD, $80 AUD) per night.