Safety concerns in Bermuda.
 

Hi all,
Heading to Bermuda for the first time next week for 10 nights. Have a concern over safety after looking at the Royal Gazette website's crime section. There's seems to be armed robberies happening all over the island including a window in Hamilton being shot out. We can't afford to eat at our hotel every night but we are now wondering if it will be safe to go into Hamilton in the evenings. Also, are the beaches safe or are there some that you would suggest we stay away from due to area. We haven't been away for 3 years and were so looking forward to it but now it's shadowed by what we've been reading.

Absolutely you can go into Hamilton at night. Confine your walking and dining to the areas around Front St. Do not walk back to Court St.

There is an increase of crime in Bermuda, but it is still very safe for tourists as a general rule. I have never experienced nor do I know of anyone who has experienced a problem on the beaches during the day. I tend not to go to Shelly Bay only because I have a sense that I am not as welcome there as I am on the South Shore Beaches.

Go, have a wonderful time and enjoy the lilies, which must be starting to bloom!!!!

I agree with cmcfong. My sister lives in Bermuda and I have been going to the beautiful island for many years now and have never experienced anything like you have mentioned. Be careful, be aware of your surroundings and don't drink too many rum swizzles and you'll do fine.
Where are you staying? 10 days is a perfect amount of time, we have found a week to be a bit short.
Have a great time and let us know how your trip was!

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated. We're at the Newstead Belmont. Coming from the UK, a week would have translated to 5 days there with the travel times taken into consideration plus we got a really good price for taking the 10 nights.

cmcfong, why did you feel unwelcome at Shelly Bay... maybe I am naive but I always thought the best thing about Bermuda is that you could wander around...except for some sketchy areas of Hamilton.

No one was hostile or aggressive towards me, Ian, but I had a sense that I wasn't as welcome as I usually feel in Bermuda. There were a lot of families there and it wasn't like there was a violent mood. It was more a chill in the air than a reason to be afraid.

Flotty, I don't know if you plan to try the spa at Newstead, but I highly recommend the Thai massage and the energizing foot treatment. both were excellent and the food was fantastic! Have a terrific visit.

bhonoreh,

I read in previous posts you had a b-i-L that had a taxi in Bermuda...we will be there in 2wks and wd love to hire someone to drive 2 of us around - my cousin has a few knee issues so public transport and too much walking is out. I thought we'd ferry to St. George (off a cruise ship) then hire a taxi to take us round the area - Hamilton, beaches etc. on the way back to Kings Wharf.

Sorry for the hijack, but I was interested in the OP's worry about crime also..

Thanks so much
MB

moneyburns.....would you like his phone# - he is great!

Hi Bhonoreh - Would LOVE his phone no. Thanks

Do you think the idea of ferry to St. George, look around, etc...have b-i-l pick us up (PRE arranged of course) and show us the island, dropping us off at the beach, and we find our way back to ship in Kings Wharf is doable????
Would appreciate your thoughts AND the phone no..

tx again!

Usually the large cruise ships reserve / hire a group of public buses (the pink buses) to run cruisers back to the ship at the Dockyard. I often see them at Horseshoe Beach for this very purpose. Of course, you would want to verify this information on the ship before you set out for the day!
Or if you are using a driver for the day I would just have him came back to the beach at a pre-arranged time.....no wet bathing suits allowed in taxis or buses!

I am thinking Mid-April there will be no wet suit on me....I have been to Bermuda and spent a week on the beach; this trip is being spent with a cousin who has never been - and with only 24 hrs...try to see a few areas of the island - hopefully with Bhonreh's b-i-l and then find a cafe on the beach and watch the ocean waves rolling in with our feet in the sand, cold dink in hand!

THAT will be my fav. part; I am not a good sightseeer but I know Cuz will want to explore the island. I'd like a taxi as knee issues etc. would be hard to deal with on and off buses.

tx for the info!
MB

my advice - call him and ask him what is doable. He does this type of thing all the time. You can tell him I gave you his # 441 -599 7158. Have a great time!

oh....his name is Jack

Thanks, I will be using him on my next trip, too! Your endorsement is good enough for me.

bookmarking for our next visit!

Thanks Bhonoreh! Will contact Jack!