The Perfect Bermuda Escape: What to Do in 2 Days
If your cruise itinerary includes Bermuda, consider yourself lucky. Unlike many Caribbean cruises that stop at a different island each day, Bermuda cruises often dock for multiple days, giving travelers enough time to experience the island beyond the cruise port.
I recently spent two days exploring this stunning island and quickly remembered why I fell in love with Bermuda over ten years ago when I first visited. With pink sand beaches, colorful towns, rich British history, and crystal-clear turquoise water, Bermuda packs a lot of beauty into a surprisingly small package.
If you’re visiting on a cruise and wondering how to make the most of your limited time, this 2-day Bermuda itinerary covers the highlights while leaving room to slow down and enjoy island life.
About Bermuda: A Little Island with a Big Personality
Many travelers assume Bermuda is part of the Caribbean, but it’s actually located in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina.
Because of its location, Bermuda experiences a different climate than much of the Caribbean. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are noticeably cooler. The island’s waters are often a deeper shade of blue, and its unique coral reefs help create the famous pink sand beaches visitors come to see.
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and has remained connected to the United Kingdom since the early 1600s. You’ll notice British influences everywhere. From driving on the left side of the road (this was a fun challenge), to their famous “Bermuda shorts”, and their obsession with Cricket.
The island itself is surprisingly small. Bermuda is only about 21 square miles and roughly 22 miles long, making it easy to explore during a short visit.
For East Coast travelers, Bermuda is incredibly accessible:
- Philadelphia to Bermuda: approximately 2 hours
- New York City to Bermuda: approximately 2 hours
It’s one of the closest tropical style destinations for travelers living in the northeastern United States.
Day 1: Explore Bermuda Like a Local with an Electric Mini Car
One of the biggest mistakes cruise passengers make in Bermuda is staying near the cruise port. Bermuda is small enough to explore independently, and getting away from the crowds was one of the best decisions we made.
Take the Free NCL Ferry to St. George
If you’re sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line, take advantage of one of my favorite perks: the free ferry from the Royal Naval Dockyard to St. George.
The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes and saves a significant amount in taxi fares. It’s one of the reasons I love cruising to Bermuda with NCL. Not only do you get multiple days on the island, but you also have an easy and affordable way to reach the eastern end of Bermuda.
Once we arrived in St. George, we picked up an electric mini car from Rugged Rentals.
I cannot recommend Rugged Rentals enough. The rental process was incredibly easy, their customer service was fantastic, and having our own vehicle gave us the freedom to explore Bermuda on our own schedule. They are transparent about their pricing and list their prices directly on their website so there’s no guessing.
I’ll admit, driving on the left side of the road was nerve-racking for the first few minutes. But after a short adjustment period, it became surprisingly easy.
One concern I had before renting was whether an electric vehicle would have enough range for a full day of exploring. Thankfully, that was never an issue. Bermuda is only about 22 miles long, and the mini car had more than enough battery power for everything we wanted to do.
Stop #1: Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve
Our first stop was Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, located at the far eastern tip of Bermuda.
This protected reserve was once used by the U.S. military as part of a NASA tracking station during the space race. After the land was returned to Bermuda, it was transformed into a nature reserve dedicated to protecting native wildlife and coastal habitats.
Today, Cooper’s Island is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on the island.
The beaches here feel untouched. We explored several coves and at times had entire stretches of sand completely to ourselves.
Most cruise passengers never make it this far because of the distance from the Dockyard, but that’s exactly what makes it special.
If you’re looking for:
- No crowds
- Crystal-clear water
- Scenic walking trails
- Incredible photography opportunities
Cooper’s Island is absolutely worth the drive.
Stop #2: Tom Moore’s Jungle & Blue Hole Park
Next, we headed to Tom Moore’s Jungle, also known as Blue Hole Park.
Named after Irish poet Thomas Moore, who spent time on the island in the early 1800s, this lush area is one of Bermuda’s most unique natural attractions.
The park is filled with winding trails, mangroves, caves, limestone formations, and hidden swimming holes.
Our adventure quickly turned into a scavenger hunt as we searched for the famous Blue Hole. At one point we got completely turned around and somehow managed to pass the same guided tour group three separate times. The looks on their faces made it clear they knew we were lost.
Thankfully, we eventually found our way.
And it was worth every wrong turn.
The Blue Hole is easily one of the most beautiful swimming spots in Bermuda.
A small dock provides a place to leave your shoes and belongings before jumping into the crystal-clear water.
My partner even took advantage of the cliff-jumping opportunities while I admired the view.
There were only two other families there during our visit, making it feel like a hidden paradise tucked away in the jungle.
After hiking in the Bermuda heat, the cool water was exactly what we needed.
Crystal Caves and Lunch Nearby
Just minutes from Blue Hole Park are Bermuda’s famous Crystal Caves.
Even if you don’t have time for a full cave tour, it’s worth stopping in the area. You’ve probably worked up an appetite by now which is the perfect time to stop at the Swizzle Inn. It’s located just a 3-minute walk up the road from the Crystal Caves. The Swizzle Inn is Bermuda’s oldest pub and known as the origin of the island’s famous drink, the Rum Swizzle.
📍 Swizzle Inn
3 Blue Hole Hill, Hamilton, Bermuda
Explore Historic St. George
After a full day of exploring, we returned our mini car and spent some time wandering the colorful streets of St. George.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, St. George is packed with colonial architecture, charming alleyways, and centuries of history.
It was the perfect way to slow down before catching the ferry back to the Dockyard.
Evening: Bermuda Triangle Glass Bottom Boat Tour
After a lovely dinner on the Norwegian Aqua, we headed back off the ship for a Bermuda Triangle glass-bottom boat tour, which we booked directly through the cruise line.
As the sun began to set, we cruised across Bermuda’s famously clear waters while learning about the legends and mysteries surrounding the Bermuda Triangle.
The glass-bottom viewing areas gave us a fascinating look at the reefs and marine life below the surface, making it a fun and relaxing way to end our first day on the island.
Day 2: Jet Skis, Pink Sand Beaches, and One Last Bermuda Adventure
Sunrise Jet Ski Tour
Our second day started early.
Very early.
We were up at 6:00 a.m. for what ended up being the highlight of our entire Bermuda trip: a jet ski tour with BDA Watersports.
If you’re only going to splurge on one excursion in Bermuda, make it this one.
The guided tour took us around parts of the island that would be impossible to experience otherwise. Along the way, we saw celebrity homes, private islands, hidden coves, historic landmarks, and even stopped to feed fish in the middle of the ocean near the wreck of the HMS Vixen.
Seeing Bermuda from the water gave us a completely different perspective of the island. We even got stuck in a quick rain shower on our way back which ended up being our favorite part.
It was exhilarating, scenic, and unforgettable.
Horseshoe Bay Beach
After our jet ski adventure, we took the public bus to Horseshoe Bay.
The fare was only about $7 and cost significantly less than booking transportation through the cruise line. It also gave us more flexibility to stay as long as we wanted.
There’s a reason Horseshoe Bay is Bermuda’s most famous beach.
Its signature pink sand comes from crushed coral and tiny red-shelled marine organisms that mix with the white sand, creating Bermuda’s iconic blush-colored shoreline.
The curved bay, dramatic rock formations, and turquoise water make it one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
While most visitors stay near the main entrance, we walked farther along the coastline and discovered smaller coves that were more private.
Those hidden stretches ended up being our favorite part of the beach.
Amenities at Horseshoe Bay
If you’re planning a visit, Horseshoe Bay is one of the easiest beaches for cruise passengers because it offers:
- Restrooms
- Outdoor showers
- Food and drink concessions
- Beach chair rentals
- Umbrella rentals
- Lifeguards during peak season
It combines natural beauty with the convenience many travelers appreciate during a short visit.
Final Hours at the Royal Naval Dockyard
Before returning to the ship, I spent our final few hours exploring the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Originally built by the British Royal Navy in the early 1800s, the Dockyard served as a major naval base for decades and remains one of Bermuda’s most historic areas.
Today, it’s home to shops, restaurants, museums, and waterfront walking paths.
I did a little souvenir shopping, grabbed a final drink, and soaked in our last views of Bermuda before heading back onboard.
Final Thoughts
Yes, the pink sand beaches are beautiful. But what I loved most was how easy it was to get off the beaten path. From having entire beaches to ourselves at Cooper’s Island to swimming in the Blue Hole and racing across the water on jet skis, Bermuda offered the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
If you’re cruising to Bermuda and only have two days, this itinerary will help you experience far more than just the cruise port. It gave us some of our favorite travel memories, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.