10 Best Beaches in Bermuda

Horseshoe Bay Beach is a regular star of Bermuda postcards and travel brochures. It arcs as a small crescent around the bottom of Southampton Parish and offers an idyllic subtropical Sargasso seascape.

The strand is known for its unusual pink-tinged sands. They're a rarity, made from broken-down coral that washes up on the shoreline. The sea, meanwhile, shimmers a distinct dark turquoise blue, creating a wonderful contrast with the coast and the lush green hills just behind. Adventurers should also check out the caves of Horseshoe Bay Cove, to the west end of the beach, along with the fantastic sunset-watching points on the headland.

Jobson's Cove Beach is little more than a crevice on the southern shoreline of Bermuda featuring jagged rocks and little caves. It sits just northeast from the famous Horseshoe Bay Beach, a quick stroll through the sandy palmetto groves of South Shore Park from South Road.

Sugary-white sand fills the whole inlet while a shallow run of seawater drifts in to offer a fantastic paddling spot. The protection from the ocean swells makes this one a great option for families going to the beach with little ones in tow. It's also joined up to other smaller beaches in the region by a particularly stunning coastal path – just in case you wanted to make an adventure of it.

Elbow Beach is a stretch of sand that sort of arcs a little along the southern coast of Bermuda, taking the shape of an elbow bone, as its name implies. There's a low-rise run of coral cliffs behind it, but a series of steps in the middle of the beach can help you get down from South Road.

The sand is a classic quartz white while the sea is that trademark Bermuda blue. What sets this one apart is how wide and long it is. There's enough space for sunbathing families, volleyball players, sandcastle builders, and beach joggers.

Warwick Long Bay Beach is top-of-the-list on the lovely montage of stunning bays that mark the South Shore of Bermuda. It's also the longest of the bunch, beginning at the rocks of Jobson's Cove and ending nearly half a mile down the line at Mermaid's Cove.

There's no lack of space at Warwick Long Bay. It’s so big that it's rarely crowded and you can really channel those Robinson Crusoe vibes. A dash of coral gardens also spread across the underwater shelf about 50 metres from the shore, making Warwick Long Bay a haven for snorkelers. Just watch out for the strong rips if you are diving in.

Church Bay Beach is a more secluded and rugged option at the terminus of Bermuda’s South Shore. The last in a long line of very famous Bermudian beaches, it marks the point where the South Road bends north to meet Middle Road.

At Church Bay Beach, the seagrapes creep over the salt-stained rocks to offer a burst of greenery, framing the cliffs in hues of emerald and olive. The beach itself isn't huge – about 50 metres from end to end – but it is a bit more secret than its next-door neighbours and offers protected sunbathing spots behind dagger-shaped boulders.

Tobacco Bay Beach was named for the wild clusters of tobacco plants that grew on its dunes when some of the first explorers set foot here in the 1600s. It's located close to the northernmost tip of Bermuda, on the edge of historic St George's town.

The beach opens into a rock-stacked bay with a halo of reefs on its oceanside edge. They help to form a sort of protected lagoon, which makes Tobacco Bay Beach unquestionably one of the top snorkelling spots in the archipelago. Bring your snorkel and fins and get ready to see angelfish and parrotfish just a short swim out.

Mangrove Bay is a standout beach and a national park in Bermuda that offers various coastal enjoyments. The protected area occupies an entire lagoon on the northern side of Somerset Village, where it spills into the ocean in a patchwork of coral islets and mangroves.

There are some little stretches of sand for those looking to laze away the day, but it's really all about the water sports in these parts. Fishing expeditions launch from the boat clubs along Somerset Road and you can snorkel on the reefs by Sugar Cane Point. There's also endless sailing from mangrove-covered island to mangrove-covered island to be done.

Clearwater Beach is one of the lesser-known beaches in Bermuda at the far end of St David's Island and the eastern shores of Bermuda. It's one of the beaches to go if you’re hoping to dodge the big holiday crowds and sample something a little more local.

Running for 400 metres from end to end, the bay is entirely manmade. It was constructed with the US airbase, now the main airport and gateway to the islands. Still, there are turtles in the waters just off the shore, along with tropical birds flitting through the sea grapes and cypresses behind.

Long Bay Beach is backed by the Long Bay East Nature Reserve, a lush park of winding paths and playgrounds that offers something for the entire family. It sits on the north-western side of Somerset Village, offering a full-fledged beach session with the whole crew.

The location means you get good protection from the westerly winds that can whip up swells elsewhere, so Long Bay is often good for swimmers. On top of that, there's lots of beach space for sandcastle building. And you can go birding and picnicking in the parklands behind to break up the day.

Dockyard Beach strings up the western side of Ireland Island right before the northern tip ends at the Royal Naval Dockyards. It's an interesting little bay with a pebble-and-sand shoreline, glistening thanks to a symphony of natural sea glass that washes up in colours of dark green, brown, and orange.

The south side of the beach is more protected and has a few rock clusters to snorkel around. The middle of the beach is punctuated by an old, disused jetty that's great for strolling by the water. There are also walking trails weaving up the cliffs behind, through pockets of cacti and palmettos.