Bermuda Cruise Port Guide: Where Ships Dock and How to Get Around

We’ve sailed from New York City to Bermuda multiple times, with about two and a half days in port each time. These Bermuda itineraries usually run spring through fall, and the overnight stay is one of the biggest perks. You get more time than a typical port day, which helps when you’re trying to fit in beaches, caves, historic towns, snorkeling, and a few good meals.

Bermuda won us over almost instantly. The water is beautiful everywhere (the photos don’t lie!), the locals we met were friendly, and the island felt clean and safe. One thing that surprises many cruise visitors is that tourists can’t rent regular cars in Bermuda. Most visitors get around by taxi, shuttle, ferry, or bus, while others rent scooters or small electric vehicles.

In this Bermuda cruise port guide, I’ll cover what to expect at Royal Naval Dockyard, how to get around without a regular rental car, cruise tips, and a few highlights to consider while you’re in port.

What You Need to Know About Bermuda Cruise Port

Before you start planning your time in port, here are a few things that make Bermuda different from many other cruise stops:

• Most cruise ships dock at Royal Naval Dockyard on the west end of Bermuda.
• King’s Wharf and Heritage Wharf are the two cruise berths at Royal Naval Dockyard.
• The Dockyard area is walkable, with shops, restaurants, ferry access, taxis, tour meeting points, and the National Museum of Bermuda nearby.
• Most major sights are not within walking distance of the ship. You’ll need transportation for places like Horseshoe Bay, Hamilton, St. George, Crystal Caves, Tobacco Bay, and most beaches.
• Tourists can’t rent regular cars in Bermuda. Most cruise visitors use taxis, ferries, buses, beach shuttles, private drivers, scooters, or small electric vehicles.
• Many Bermuda cruises include an overnight stay, which gives you more time to explore than a typical one-day port stop.
• The final day is usually better for staying close to the ship or choosing something simple, especially if your cruise leaves in the afternoon.

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in Bermuda?

Most cruise ships visiting Bermuda dock at Royal Naval Dockyard on the west end of the island. The two cruise berths are King’s Wharf and Heritage Wharf, and both are part of the same Dockyard area.

Royal Naval Dockyard Cruise Port

Royal Naval Dockyard is Bermuda’s main cruise port area and where most passengers start their time ashore.

If your itinerary lists King’s Wharf or Heritage Wharf, don’t stress over the difference. Your planning will be the same either way because both are in the Royal Naval Dockyard area.

The Dockyard is easy to walk around and works well if you only have a few hours in port, or if it’s the final day in port after a stretch of a couple of overnights. But if this is your first Bermuda cruise, I urge you to plan to go beyond the Dockyard and experience what this beautiful island has to offer.

How to Get Around Bermuda from the Cruise Port

Getting around Bermuda is one of the main logistical things you need to plan. Tourists can’t rent regular cars, but you still have several ways to explore from Royal Naval Dockyard.

Royal Naval Dockyard itself is walkable. You can easily walk to shops, restaurants, Clocktower Mall, the ferry terminal, tour meeting points, and the National Museum of Bermuda. For places like Horseshoe Bay, Hamilton, St. George, Crystal Caves, Tobacco Bay, Warwick Long Bay, and most beaches, you’ll need transportation.

Here are the main ways to get around Bermuda from the cruise port:

• Ferries: A convenient option for getting from Royal Naval Dockyard to Hamilton or St. George when the schedule works. Check the current ferry schedule before planning your day, especially on your final day in port. If you’re sailing with NCL, ask for the passenger ferry to St. George offered during your cruise.
• Buses: A budget-friendly way to get around Bermuda, but not always the fastest option. Buses work better for simple plans when you’re not trying to squeeze in too many stops.
• Taxis: Easy to find at the cruise port and popular areas, but they can get expensive. Confirm the fare or make sure the meter is being used before you head out.
• Beach shuttles: A simple option for getting to Horseshoe Bay from Royal Naval Dockyard. Before leaving the port, confirm where the shuttle drops off, where it picks up for the return, and how often it runs.
• Private drivers and island tours: A good choice for first-time visitors, families, or groups who want to see several areas without piecing together ferries, buses, and taxis.
• Small electric vehicles: Tourists can’t rent regular cars in Bermuda, but small electric vehicles are available. We rented a Tazzari during one visit, and while it gave us flexibility, it was expensive and required planning around charging.
• Scooters: Available, but I don’t recommend them for most cruise visitors. Bermuda’s roads are narrow, traffic moves on the left, and there are easier ways to get around without turning your port day into a stress test.

Which Transportation Option Should You Choose?

The easiest way to choose transportation in Bermuda is to start with what you want to do that day. Some destinations can be straightforward to reach from Royal Naval Dockyard, while others require a bit more coordination and advance planning.

• For Horseshoe Bay: Take a beach shuttle or taxi from Royal Naval Dockyard. This is one of the easier beach days to plan from the cruise port.
• For Hamilton: The ferry is usually the easiest option when the schedule works. It connects Dockyard with Hamilton without dealing with island traffic.
• For St. George: Take the ferry if it’s running on a schedule that works for your port day. The public St. George ferry is seasonal, so check before planning around it. If you’re sailing with NCL, check onboard because Norwegian offers a complimentary ferry between Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George for passengers while docked in Bermuda. We saw it offered on our recent NCL Bermuda cruise, and it can be a helpful way to get across the island without paying for a taxi.
• For Crystal Caves: A taxi, a private driver, a small electric vehicle, or a Crystal Caves tour makes the most sense. I wouldn’t build a tight cave day around buses unless you’re comfortable with the schedule.
• For a group or family: A private driver can make the day much easier, especially if you want to visit more than one area.
• For a short final day: Stay close to Royal Naval Dockyard and explore what the area has to offer, or book a short cruise line excursion if there’s something you really want to do farther out. It’s a good time to browse the shops, visit the National Museum of Bermuda inside The Keep, grab a meal, or simply enjoy the waterfront without worrying about getting back to the ship.

Bermuda Cruise Port Tips

A Bermuda cruise can give you more time ashore than many Caribbean itineraries, and itineraries with an overnight stay offer even more time to explore, so it’s worth knowing a few Bermuda cruise tips before you arrive.

• Check ferry schedules before you commit
  Ferries are useful for Hamilton and St. George, but schedules can vary by season, day, and route. Always check return times before building your day around one.
• Don’t overplan your final day
  If your ship leaves in the afternoon, stay close to Royal Naval Dockyard or book a short cruise line excursion where transportation is handled for you.
• Group your plans by area
  Bermuda is small, but it still takes time to get around. Pair Crystal Caves with St. George, Tobacco Bay, or Horseshoe Bay with other South Shore stops.
• Bring water shoes
  Many Bermuda beaches and coves have rocky areas if you plan to snorkel or explore beyond the main stretch of sand.
• Pack sun protection
  Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are worth bringing for beach days, boat tours, and walking around town.
• Bring snorkel gear if you have it
  We recently learned that snorkel rentals can be limited depending on where you go. Tobacco Bay was the main beach recommended to us for rentals, so bring your own gear if snorkeling from the beach is high on your list. If you book a snorkel tour, gear is usually provided, but we still like having our own when we can.
• Bring a beach blanket or portable chairs if you don’t want to rent one
  Many Bermuda beaches are public, and rentals can get pricey. You’re not required to rent a chair to enjoy the beach.
• Expect Bermuda to be a pricier cruise port
  Taxis, food, drinks, rentals, and tours do add up, so plan your budget before assuming this will be a cheap port day.
• Make time for local food
  If your schedule allows, plan at least one meal off the ship. A Bermuda fish sandwich on raisin bread is the one I’d look for, but locally caught fish of the day is always a good choice too.

Things to Do Near Royal Naval Dockyard

Royal Naval Dockyard is more than just the place where cruise ships dock. It’s a cruise port where you can combine history, museums, waterfront views, shopping, and a few hours of relaxed exploring in the same area. I wouldn’t spend my entire time here if it’s my first trip to Bermuda, but it’s useful for a short final day, a rainy stretch, or those awkward few hours when you don’t want to risk getting too far from the ship.

Visit the National Museum of Bermuda

The National Museum of Bermuda is the Dockyard stop I’d put highest on the list if you want something more interesting than just walking through shops. It’s set inside The Keep, the historic fort at Royal Naval Dockyard, so you get the museum plus the old fortress setting without needing transportation.

Don’t miss: Commissioner’s House. The views across the Dockyard are excellent, and some of the best vantage points for seeing the cruise ships in port are from the grounds and terraces around the house.

Family tip: There’s a small playground near the entrance to the National Museum of Bermuda, which can be a nice stop if you’re visiting with kids or need a quick break while walking around the Dockyard.

Spend Time at Snorkel Park Beach

Snorkel Park Beach Club is the beach you choose when convenience matters more than finding Bermuda’s prettier stretches of sand. It’s within walking distance of the cruise ships, which makes it useful on a short port day or if you don’t want to deal with transportation.

Snorkel Park Beach charges an admission fee, and the current beach pass starts at around $25 per adult; chairs, loungers, and cabanas cost extra.

The setting is more of a developed beach club than a natural Bermuda beach, with restrooms, food and drink, rentals, and water activities nearby. If you have enough time to explore farther, I’d still put Horseshoe Bay or one of the island’s other natural beaches ahead of it.

Book a Boat Tour or Water Activity from the Dockyard

If you want to get out on the water without crossing the island first, check what tours and watersports are offered in or near Royal Naval Dockyard. You’ll usually find operators, kiosks, and shops in the Dockyard area offering things like snorkel trips, glass-bottom boats, catamarans, jet skis, kayak rentals, or other water activities.

You may also see Calico Jack’s and Longtail Floating Fun Park near the cruise piers, where the floating bar and inflatable water park area sit close to the ship. It’s an extra-cost option, and pricing can vary, so check current rates before making plans.

This can work well on a shorter port day when you want a Bermuda water activity without spending extra time getting across the island and back.

Tour Ideas:
Shipwreck Snorkel in Bermuda [book here]
Rising Son Catamaran Adventure in Bermuda [book tour]
Glass Bottom Boat and Snorkeling Combo in Bermuda [book tour]

Shop for Souvenirs at Clocktower Mall and the Bermuda Craft Market

If you’re looking for souvenirs before heading back to the ship, Clocktower Mall and the Bermuda Craft Market are easy Dockyard stops. Clocktower Mall isn’t worth going out of your way for, but it’s worth a quick browse if you’re already nearby. The historic building is one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks and a convenient place to duck into while waiting for a ferry or avoiding a rain shower.

One of our favorite finds was Studio 8 Glass inside Clocktower Mall. We picked up customized keychains for our nieces that included Bermuda pink sand and personalized charms, and they ended up being some of our most meaningful souvenirs. If you’re looking for something more personal than a typical cruise port gift shop item, it’s worth a stop.

Just next door, the Bermuda Craft Market offers handmade items and island-inspired gifts from local artisans. Between the Craft Market and Clocktower Mall, you’ll have plenty of souvenir options before heading back to the ship. I wouldn’t make a special trip for either one, but together they’re an easy way to spend a little time in the Dockyard.

Grab a Meal or Drink at The Frog & Onion Pub

The Frog & Onion Pub is one of the better-known spots in Royal Naval Dockyard and an easy place to stop for a meal or drink while you’re exploring the area. It’s housed inside the historic Cooperage building, which gives it more character than you might expect from a restaurant this close to the cruise port.

It’s also home to Dockyard Brewing Company, Bermuda’s only brewpub, so it’s a convenient place to try a locally brewed beer. Beyond the beer, you’ll find a casual pub atmosphere, outdoor seating, and a menu that works for lunch, dinner, or just taking a break from walking around the Dockyard.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, it’s only a short walk from the pier, making it one of the easiest places to grab food or a drink without going far. I wouldn’t call it a destination restaurant, but it’s a solid and convenient option when you’re already spending time in this part of Bermuda.

Plan Your Time in Bermuda

Royal Naval Dockyard is easy and convenient, but if you have a full day or overnight stay, I’d plan to go beyond the cruise port at least once.

Now that you know where ships dock and how to get around, start narrowing down how you want to spend your Bermuda port days.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Why a Bermuda Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Island
• Don’t Miss These Bermuda Cruise Tips Before Your Trip