dossier

Islands of Bermuda Walk

ISLANDS OF BERUMDA - DAY BY DAY

Coco Reef Hotel AAAA

Coco Reef enjoys one of the best locations in Bermuda, right on the edge of one of the most stunning beaches of the South Shore with pink sands, several reefs and quintessentially Bermudian azure waters! The hotel has 64 rooms divided between four pastel coloured buildings set over two floors. The rooms have a ‘tropical’ feel utilising traditional Bermudian colours and are decorated with wicker furniture and floral furnishings. All have private facilities with bathtub and shower as well as direct dial telephone, fridge, satellite television, safe, coffee making machine, iron and hairdryer. All have a balcony too equipped with furniture, mostly with good ocean views. All the rooms are identical the only difference is location. The Ocean View rooms are located at the top of the hill on the same level as the Lobby building and the beach front rooms are located at the bottom of the hill overlooking the main lawn with a staircase down onto the beaches. They offer panoramic views of the ocean and beach. Every room in both categories has a view of the ocean from the bed itself!

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 1   Arrive in Bermuda

We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel (25 minutes) in time for dinner overlooking the ocean.

Day 2   Botanical Gardens and Hungry Bay   4km/2mi/2hr

Alive with the noisy chatter of yellow kiskadee, a gentle allspice scented trail brings you to Paget Marsh, a wetland oasis home to heron and warblers, and then to the Botanical Gardens – John Lennon’s “Double Fantasy” album is named after the purple flower he spotted here!  – before descending to aptly named Hungry Bay for a picnic by the lazily ebbing water . Maybe visit vibrant Hamilton before meeting Tim Rogers at the hotel who will talk you through the week’s program over a “dark’n’stormy” cocktail.

Day 3   Coast and Caves   13km/8mi/4hr

Tiny blue Bermudiana dot the sparkling coastal route towards Flatts Village, where friendly locals cast their nets into the azure expanse of Harrington Sound, an inland lake littered with sea grottoes. Onwards with views over the northern shore to reach Blue Hole Park, a tiny treasure trove of caves filled with aquamarine waters. Maybe savour a “rum swizzle” in the sun after visiting the fascinating Crystal Caves, then take the bus back to the hotel.  

Day 4   Somerset to the Dockyard   8km/5mi/3hr

Today’s route begins at Somerset Bridge, the world’s smallest drawbridge, to follow the Railway Trail lined with unusual screw palm and cedar , reaching 19C Fort Scaur , with stunning views to Hamilton. Onwards to sleepy Somerset Village for lunch by pretty Mangrove Bay, you then follow a coastal track to the Royal Naval Dockyard at Bermuda’s most westerly end – plenty to explore here before taking the ferry home.

Day 5   Exploring the East End   14km/8mi/4hr

A dazzling path lined with prickly pear and casuarina leads to Gates Bay where Sir George Somers first came ashore in 1609. It’s then on to charming St George, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the tangle of colorful streets - there’s a lovely spot for lunch overlooking the harbour - before following the coastal track perfumed by wild freesia to Ferry Reach, with its 17C forts and Corsican tower .

Day 6   Sights of the South Shore   11km/6.5mi/3.5hr or 14km/9mi/4.5hr

From Gibbs Hill Lighthouse balcony views span the entire west end across the azure waters of Great Sound, dotted with white sailboats. From here you descend to the sugary pink sands of the South Shore Trail, a string of nine gorgeous bays linked by a scented path of flowering morning glory and oleander; time for a dip at Chaplin Bay (once owned by Charlie’s family!) before a shaded path leads past cassava fields to the hotel.    

Day 7   St David’s and Spittal Pond   8km/4.5mi/3hr

At tranquil St David’s, fragrant garrigue and hibiscus scent the salty ocean air as you visit Red Hole Bay and then St David’s Battery, with cliff views stretching infinitely across the ocean. Then to Spittal Pond, maybe spot heron, egret and flamingo before following the coastal path, vibrant with sea lavender , looking out for humpback whales basking in the warm Atlantic waters. 

Day 8   Leave Bermuda

Make the most of the sunshine by the pool before a later afternoon transfer to the hotel for flights back to home. Or how about spending a few extra nights at our beachside hotel?

WALKING DETAILS

The walking is predominantly flat with no real ascents or descents. Terrain varies between asphalt, gravel and earthen surfaces as well as some sandy trails. Walking boots are recommended.