5 Budget Activities in Bermuda
Bermuda is notoriously expensive, but if you've blown most of your vacation budget getting here, you can stretch the rest while still having a good time.
Walking Along the South Shore Beaches. There's a 2-mile stretch from Horseshoe Bay in Southampton right down to Warwick Long Bay, which, with a bit of clambering and the odd paddle in the ocean, you can comfortably negotiate. The quiet secluded spots along the rocks are great for bird-watching, and there are a number of tiny coves where you can stop for a picnic.
Cup Match. If you want a real Bermuda experience, come to the island during the annual Cup Match holiday—either the last weekend in July or the first weekend in August. It's essentially the all-star cricket game between the best of the west and the best of the east, but you don't have to like cricket to enjoy the atmosphere. Half the island trots through the ground at some stage during the two-day holiday to listen to the sound of the drums, sample the fried chicken, and wave a flag for Somerset or St. George's. It's also the one time of year when gambling is legal and thousands pack the Crown & Anchor tents to roll the dice for Bermuda's own unique version of the casino favorite—craps. Entry is $20 for adults, $5 for children.
Rent a Bike. On an island where the speed limit is 35 kph (roughly 20 mph), there's no need to worry about renting a car. Bermuda's strict traffic-control rules mean you're not allowed to anyway. A bike is the best way to discover for yourself the hidden nooks and crannies and secret beaches that the bus routes and the tourist cabs just won't take you to. It costs about $55 a day.
Snorkeling at Tobacco Bay. You don't have to rent a boat or even swim very far offshore to get a close-up look at some of Bermuda's wonderful marine life. Tobacco Bay in St. George's is a favorite spot, where colorful sergeant majors, parrot fish, and clown fish can be seen in the crystal clear water close to the rocks. John Smith's Bay in Smith's Parish, where shoals of tiny fish cast large, dark shadows across the bay, is another great snorkeling destination.
Wildlife Photography. From a patient day's vigil with an ultralong lens, waiting for a shot of a humpback whale, to a frantic pursuit of a pair of longtails dancing in the summer sky, Bermuda is an amateur photographer's dream.
