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Snorkeling in Bermuda
Best Beach & Offshore Locations

 
 
 
 
 
Topics
  • What to expect 
  • Best time to snorkel 
  • Snorkeling for beginners 
  • Best beaches for snorkeling 
  • Great reefs and wreck locations 
  • Top snorkel boat tours 
  • Snorkel gear rentals 
  • Best hotels for snorkeling 
  • Snorkeling safety tips
    •  

    What to expect

     
    Bermuda provides one of the best opportunities for snorkeling. With its crystal clear ocean water in abundance, a thriving and breathtakingly beautiful marine life, stunningly beautiful coral reefs, numerous shipwrecks in shallow waters and submerged caves... you can't ask for more. It makes snorkeling in Bermuda uniquely perfect. 
     
     
     
    Bermuda has to its credit numerous bays and beaches, and provides ample opportunities to both the novice and experienced snorkelers. There is also the choice of offshore snorkeling tours by boat. If you snorkel from a beach, you will mostly see smaller fish like the parrot fish, butterfly fish etc. Several beaches have nearby offshore rocks and reefs where you can see lovely corals as well. 
     
    But if you take a snorkel cruise and go offshore to a proper reef location, you can find far wider and larger varieties of fish and marine life, like the wrasse, sergeant majors, groupers, snappers and others amongst beautiful corals and sea fans. If you are lucky, you can also spot moray eels, octopus, sea puddings, urchins and more. There are also many shipwreck sites in Bermuda where you can snorkel and get excellent views of the wrecks that are submerged in shallow waters. 
     
     
     
    Note that reef corals get badly damaged (bleached) as they come in contact with UV sunscreen lotions. This has been observed through a study by European Commission. Snorkelers in Bermuda are therefore discouraged from using sunscreen lotions. 
     

    Best time to snorkel

     
    Water temperatures vary largely between the summer and winter months in Bermuda. The underwater visibility also varies greatly between summer and winter. Warmer the weather gets, lower is the visibility. The main reason for this is large algae formation as the water gets warmer and calmer and the winds are low. So, snorkeling conditions in Bermuda are very different from other locations. 
     
    Summer is the best time for snorkeling in Bermuda. The temperature of the water is most comfortable from May through October. During summer, the water temperature remains between an average of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. So you can swim and snorkel to your heart's content during this time. In summer, the underwater visibility is usually between 80 to 100ft (i.e. 25 - 30 meters). 
     
    Snorkeling on reefs: Bermuda Chubs 
     
    Photo: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, flickr, cc by 2.0 
     
    Winter months in Bermuda comprises of the time from November through March when the water temperature can dip close to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. So you will need a wet suit if you plan to snorkel in winter. You won't usually get wet suits on rent, so carry your own. 
     
    February and March especially are considered the worst time for snorkeling. This is mostly because the water is very cold and winds quite high making the waters of the Atlantic pretty turbulent. Also during this time many boat tour operators are closed, so accessibility to the offshore reefs would be difficult. 
     
    However the underwater visibility is very high during winter ranging between 150 - 200 ft (50 to 70 meters). So not only can you see the fish and corals in their full colors like in pictures, if you carry an underwater camera with you, you can also click stunning photos. So wear a wet suit to keep warm in the water if you are planning to snorkel during the winters in Bermuda. 
     
    April is considered spring time in Bermuda and the temperature just about begins to rise around this time of the year. For snorkeling though, the water still is pretty cold in April, with the temperatures of the sea hovering around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     

    Snorkeling for beginners

     
    If you are not much of a swimmer but don't want to forgo the snorkeling experience when on the island tour, there are a few things you can try. You can first take a tour of the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo before venturing into snorkeling. This trip will give you a broad spectrum of the underwater life around the island (40 North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish). 
     
    The Ocean Discovery Center at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute also gives an experience of underwater adventure to visitors. A simulated tour under the Atlantic  complete with the different varieties of fish, corals and even a shipwreck, is the distinctive feature of this visit. It tells you about unique and newly discovered sea creatures that you can look out for. This would be a great acquaintance with and an enhancement of what you will see underwater and enrich your experience many folds (40 Crow Lane, Pembroke Parish).  
     
    Having done this, there are several avenues where beginners can try out their rendezvous with snorkeling. There is the Shelly Bay Beach... this is a very beautiful beach with calm and long shallow stretch of water, and is great for beginners. There is not much coral here but if you swim close to the rocks by the left of the beach, you will get to see some beautiful fish. 
     
    There is also the Snorkel Park Beach where the water is pretty shallow and there are many underwater features created for snorkeling, so it is a good place if you have little or no snorkeling experience, as well as for children. There is also a coral reef near the shore from where a lot of beautiful fish can be seen. However, note that the underwater beach is a bit rocky and it is advisable to wear water shoes especially if you have children. There is an entry fee of $5 on weekdays 
     
    Read: Snorkeling beaches in Bermuda for beginners for more information. 
     

    Best beaches for snorkeling

     
    Here are the beaches in Bermuda that are great for snorkeling: 
     
    Tobacco Bay Beach 
    This is a great snorkeling beach and located near the historic St. Catherine's fort in St George. The water here offers wonderful view of corals, fish and marine life. There are good public facilities, snorkel equipment rentals, and a beach bar with cafe. 
     
    Church Bay 
    Church Bay has always been a locals' favorite for snorkeling. It’s a small little cove in Southampton surrounded by coral cliffs and located at the western end of the south-shore beaches. The shallow reef areas are excellent for spotting many different fish and marine life. There are no facilities here, so get your own snorkel equipment. 
     
    Daniel's Head Beaches 
    There are several tiny beaches hidden at the western tip of the island which are probably the best kept secrets when it comes to beachside snorkeling in Bermuda. There is a public beach here which has reefs and shallow waters where you can see many different colorful fish. Daniel's Head is not known to the general tourists. It offers a quiet but stunningly beautiful water area for swimming and snorkeling when tourists are swamping the popular Horseshoe Bay Beach. Couple of operators rent snorkel gears (masks, fins etc) and also lounge chairs, umbrellas etc. 
     
    Warwick Long Bay 
    This half a mile long stretch of pink sandy beach in Warwick parish is usually secluded and quiet, and marked by two huge boulders offshore at the western tip of the beach. You can rent snorkel gears from a concession stand on the beach which remain open during the tourist season (May to October). 
     
    Jobson's Cove 
    A lovely scenic cove located at Warwick and part of South Shore Park (easily accessible from Warwick Long Bay along the beach trail). You can see lots of fish along the reef line. 
     
    Elbow Beach 
    It's a wonderful beach in Paget. The reefs close to the shore keep the water calm and make it great for snorkeling. A part of the beach is private that belongs to hotels like Elbow Beach Hotel. You can rent snorkel gears, chairs, umbrellas etc from the facilities operated by Elbow Beach Hotel. There is also a shipwreck nearby making the beach great for both reef and wreck snorkeling. Mickey's Beach Bar & Bistro operated by Elbow Beach Hotel is located right on the beach and is open to public as well. 
     
    Snorkel Park Beach 
    It's located at the Royal Naval Dockyard in the western end of Bermuda. This is a great snorkeling beach for kids and families. It has all beach facilities and rents snorkel gears, lounge chairs, umbrellas etc. 
     
    John Smith's Bay Beach 
    This is a wide stretch of pale pink sand with crystal clear water just off South road in Smith’s parish. Snorkel near the rocks at the west end and you will spot many different colorful fish including parrot fish. Although there is toilet facility and vendor selling snacks, you won't get snorkels on rent. So get your own gears. 
     
    West Whale Bay Beach 
    This beach in Southampton is a very small and reclusive beach which is never crowded. Located little off the beaten path, you will need to rent a scooter to reach here. The water is crystal clear and the beautiful fishes can be seen through it even without snorkeling. You have to However, check on the tide timings before venturing here as the beach gets swallowed in high tide. 
     

    Great reef and wreck locations

     
    The island of Bermuda is in a way fortified from weather hazards like storms by the coral reefs. And this helps the water to stay calm at the coves and beaches. However, the coral reefs is also one of the reasons why so many ships have got wrecked around this area. 
     
    Some of the best coral reefs and shallow water shipwrecks are located offshore at the western water areas of Bermuda. If you get a chance to snorkel in a place like Western Blue Cut, it will take your breath away. There are three shipwrecks within swimming distances of each other. The water visibility is almost like air so you feel like you are flying! 
     
    Another excellent site for snorkeling is the Sea Garden which is also located at the western water area. You get stunning views of fish and marine life among barrier reefs.  
     
    Read: Reef and Wreck Snorkeling to know about all the great reef and wreck locations for snorkeling and what you can experience there. 
     

    Top Snorkeling Boat Tours

     
    While beachside snorkeling in Bermuda can be great, offshore snorkeling will simply blow your mind off. You can reach those offshore locations only by a boat. 2-3 hour snorkeling on a group snorkeling cruise usually costs $65 to $75 per person, including snorkeling equipment and instruction. Guides on such tours often narrate interesting historical and ecological information about the island. 
     
    While there are large boats that can take some 150 snorkelers, there are also smaller boats taking only about 10 to 16 passengers for a more intimate experience on the water. An advantage with the small boats is they are faster and can reach the snorkel sites quickly, thus giving you more time for the snorkeling experience. 
     
    A Snorkel Cruise in Bermuda 
     
    Photo: Restless Native, Bermuda 
     
    On the way the captain usually shares a lot of knowledge and stories. Here are some of such stories that I have heard ... "Angel fish apparently behave like angels as they sometimes mate for life"; "The 4-eyed butterfly fishes actually have two eyes", and some "Jelly fishes can sting..." and lot more. 
     
    Some of the popular snorkel operators in the island includes Snorkel Bermuda (operating a small motorized boat from Royal Naval Dockyard), Captain Kirk's Coral Reef Adventure (small boat operating from Hamilton and Dockyard), Hat Trick operating a nice catamaran from western part of Bermuda, etc. 
     
    Check Snorkel Tours & Book 
    Rates by Viator 
     
    Check out Snorkel Boat Tours for all the well known snorkel cruises in Bermuda along with their offerings. 
     
    If you are looking for privacy and flexibility while exploring various offshore snorkeling areas, you can also take a Charter Boat or Yacht with crew and experienced captain. In fact some operators only offer chartered sailing combined with snorkeling and. But the cost can be considerable. It works out well if you are in a private group. 
     

    Snorkeling Gear Rentals

     
    There are a number of places in Bermuda where you can get gears and equipment for snorkeling. If you are availing a snorkeling boat tour, the operator usually provides the snorkeling equipment for use including underwater camera as part of the package. Some beaches like Horseshoe Bay, Tobacco Bay, Daniel's Head etc also have snorkel and other rental facilities. 
     
    Renting or buying snorkeling equipment in the island is by no means cheap. Rental rate for snorkel gears (mask, fin and snorkel) start from $10 per hour and can easily reach $20 or more per day. So if you plan for a lot of snorkeling in Bermuda, it'll be wise to bring your own gears instead of buying or renting in Bermuda. 
     
    Read: How to rent or buy snorkel gears to know about all operators/places where you can rent or purchase snorkel gears. 
     

    Best hotels for snorkeling

     
    Whether you are looking at a long stay in the island and plan to explore all it’s snorkeling opportunities or are there for a short weekend with not much time to explore and need something close at hand, there are a lot of accommodations on offer. If you are on the island for a very short visit with mainly snorkeling on your agenda, you might want to look at an accommodation close to a snorkeling spot and not have to rent a scooter or take a bus too far to snorkel. 
     
    If you want to do snorkeling from a beach, there is the luxury accommodation The Reefs Resort and Club. Just half a mile west from here is Church Bay, where you can avail some interesting snorkeling and see its wonderful marine life (56 South Shore Road, Southampton, Bermuda, Phone: 441-238-0222) 
     
    The Pompano Beach Club is a nice alternative to The Reefs which gives you an opportunity to explore the offshore snorkeling experiences. For this however, you need to use one of the several boat tour operators here (36 Pompano Beach Road, Southampton, Phone: 441-234-0222) 
     
    Both these accommodations are located in the Southampton parish which gives great accessibility to the south shore snorkeling venues. The Warwick parish is another place that gives good access to the south shore snorkeling sites. Some of the guest houses and bed-and-breakfast located here are as below. 
     
    Granaway Guest House and Cottages is a historic property with a waterfront patio which is excellent for swimming and snorkeling in the summer (1 Longford Road, Warwick, (441) 236-3747). 
     
    Sunscape Bermuda Rentals is also a great place to stay with a majestic view of the entire south shore. It is in close proximity to Chaplin Bay and the Warwick Long Bay beaches and a short walk of about 10 minutes to the beautiful shorelines and coves that comprises of the south shore of the island (15, Lusher Hill E, Bermuda, 441-705-2428). 
     
    Visit Top Luxury Hotels and Resorts for more details on the best accommodations on the island. 
     

    Snorkeling Safety Tips

     
    The high salt density in the waters here gives that extra buoyancy, which makes it easier to snorkel. However if you are a novice, you can take the lessons given by several dive and snorkel operators (particularly ones that are located in hotels) on the beach or the pool to acclimatize yourself with it. As mentioned earlier, a trip to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, especially for beginners is a good idea before taking the plunge. This again gives you a hang of the creatures or weeds you might confront or encounter while you are snorkeling. 
     
    Owing to its northern setting, Bermuda is susceptible to a lot of tidal fluctuations which in turn contribute to currents in the water. If you are venturing into the offshore sites which require long swims, you may encounter currents. So knowing where to limit your snorkeling is imperative. A good guide is always very helpful in giving such tips that you need to keep in mind. 
     
    Read: Bermuda Health and Safety Tips for more information. 
     
    If you are worried about encountering sharks in the Bermudian waters, good news is that most of them stay beyond the normal swimming area. Very rarely is a shark spotted and that too is the friendly Galapagos species. Check out Can sharks in Bermuda be harmful for more. 
     
     
    Raj BhattacharyaBy Raj Bhattacharya 
    Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures. 
     
    Know more about Raj Bhattacharya 
     
     
     

    Related Articles

     
     
    1) Snorkeling beaches in Bermuda for beginners 
     
    2) Bermuda Water Sports: Various water sport activities in Bermuda. 
     
    3) Bermuda Activities: All other activities in the island. 
     

    Visitors' Reviews and Comments

     
     
    Jane Cunnington (July 2022) 
    HI, I have been reading your information regarding snorkelling/beach day.  My family of 4 are on a cruise in Aug 2022, and have 2 days docked in Bermuda.  We are doing a private island tour on the first docked day, but then on the 2nd day we want to go to a Beach (docked in Kings Wharf/Dockyards) and some of us want to go snorkelling as well.  I see Snorkel Park is the closest , but not really wanting a manmade beach. I am just wondering due to the amount of time, and we want some good snorkeling where we will see fish, where would you recommend (Horseshoe Bay seems like it will be busy).  We will need to rent snorkeling equipment and beach equipment - chair and umbrella.. what beach would you recommend?  Daniel Head Beach? 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2022 
    Hi, presently there is no facility at Daniel's Head Beach... although the beach is open, the facilities (X20 Adventures that offered rentals, etc) are closed since the pandemic struck. The only other beach where you can get facilities (including snorkel and beach rentals) is Tobacco Bay Beach in St. George. You can check out if the Orange ferry would operate on the days you are docked at Kings Wharf, and accordingly take the ferry to St. George (35 minutes) and then take a short minibus ride (5-6 minutes) or walk down (20-25 minutes) to the beach. Otherwise, you need to choose between Snorkel Park and Horseshoe bay beach. 
     
    Laura M (September 2018) 
    Raj - we are coming to Bermuda in a couple weeks on a cruise ship.  We would like to go snorkeling after one of our excursions. Would like to not bring our snorkeling stuff with us.  Do the beaches have rental abilities or near by?  Thanks 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) September 2018 
    Few beaches have snorkel rentals... like Snorkel Park (at Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port), Horseshoe Bay Beach (at Southampton), Tobacco Bay Beach (at St. George) etc. However the rental rates might just shock you and make you wonder if you should have brought your own stuff. 
     
    Elizabeth Mohanny (June 2018) 
    Are there any snorkeling trips for people who need a walker to walk?   I  am 82 and need a walker to get around.  I love to swim and to snorkel. My family and I plan to take the Grandeur of the Seas ship to Bermuda sometime in July of this year. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2018 
    Hi, unfortunately there are no snorkeling trips in Bermuda specifically for people with limited mobility. A better option would be to snorkel from one of the easier accessible beaches such as Snorkel Park in dockyard, Tobacco Bay Beach at St. George, John Smiths beach at Hamilton Parish, or even Horseshoe bay beach in Southampton. 
     
    Marta (March 2016) 
    We will be in Bermuda last week of March. Will we be able to rent wetsuits? Thanks 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2016 
    Hi, there aren't many places to rent wet suits. One place that rents wet suits is Blue Water Divers and Watersports located at Robinson Marina near Somerset Bridge at Sandys (short bus ride from the cruise port at dockyard). They rent both short wet suits ($8 an hour, $10 2 hours etc) and full wet suits (extra $5). 
     
    Pam Hoehler (July 2015) 
    Hi! We're preparing to go to Bermuda via Royal Carribean next week, docking in Kings' Wharf. Traveling with 2 kids, age 10 and 7. Would like a beach that is close and safe, ability to snorkel. Recommendations? I see that some of the comments for some of the beaches on your page are a few years old, so I wanted to hear of your current recommendations. Love your site...my dad turned us on to it...he's a big fan. Thanks! 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2015 
    Hi, if you are looking for proximity, safety and snorkeling, then Snorkel Park Beach at dockyard is the one you can consider. There is an admission fee though. Our favorite is however Port Royal Cove (also known as Baby Beach because it's small). Take a beach shuttle from dockyard and reach Horseshoe Bay Beach. Port Royal Cove is located at the western end  of Horseshoe (i.e. to the right as you face the water). It's a small cove and a beach surrounded by rocks, very picturesque and great for snorkeling... lots of fish along the rocky outcrops. Kids will enjoy a lot. 
     
    Pam Hoehler (July 2015) 
    Hi Raj, Thanks so much for this info! I know that Snorkel Park had some issues with glass on the beach, as mentioned in the comments on your site. Do you know if this has been resolved? Also, can you rent snorkel equipment on either of these beaches? Thanks again! 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2015 
    Hi, Snorkel Park had this huge problem of broken glasses when they ran the beach parties. They have stopped it since couple of years. You will often find mixed reviews because once in a while the old problem may surface, but in general I understand that it has improved. The staffs do keep cleaning the beach but the night club which runs here sometimes becomes the source of trash. Being nearest to the cruise berths and relatively small, it can get very crowded and service on the beach may degrade significantly. It's after all a commercial place and the only beach with entry charge. You can rent snorkel equipment at both Snorkel park and Horseshoe Beach (Port Royal is adjacent to it). 
     
    Karen Alexander (March 2014) 
    Hi Raj, My husband and I along with two friends will be in Bermuda via Norwegian Breakaway arriving on Wed. 5/28 in Kings Wharf. I've been researching beaches and we've decided to go to Horseshoe Bay on our own and walk the paths to Chaplin Bay, Stonehole Bay, Jobson's Cove. 
     
    We are looking for a little isolation from the crowds but are also interested in doing some snorkeling. Are these locations good for snorkeling? Also can we rent snorkeling gear, beach chairs, umbrellas for these locations? Or would we need to rent them first at Horseshoe Bay Beach before we start walking? 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2014 
    Hi, Jobson's cove and Warwick Long Bay Beaches are quite good for snorkeling. Between May to October, usually a concession stand rents snorkel gears at Warwick Long Bay. You won't get snorkel gears at the other beaches except in Horseshoe (but at Horseshoe they sell the snorkel gears, you won't get them on rent). It's best to get your own snorkel gears. 
     
    Carol Robbins (October 2013) 
    Looks we'll arrive too late to snorkel without wetsuits: November 14-18. Can these be rented at the beaches you recommend? (Not interested in doing a boat trip.) FYI, we're well into our senior years! Your website is absolutely terrific. Thank you for all the facts and info. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, October 2013) 
    Hi, water temperature comes down to low 70s in November. Wetsuits are usually not available on rent at the beaches. If you plan to be in the water for long, try to get your own wetsuit and also snorkel gears. In November, most concession stalls at the beaches that rent snorkel gears remain closed. Only place where you may get snorkel gears is Horseshoe Bay Beach. 
     
    David Wheatley (September 2013) 
    A quick question: looking for a snorkelling tour that is heavy on snorkelling time and light on crowds. It seems most tours are about two hours, with about one hour for snorkelling. I would prefer much more time in the water, but they all seemed to be about the same duration. The faster boats look to have shorter tours, so you don't gain more snorkelling time with a fast boat. I also noticed the rental options for small motor-boats. That would seem to be a good option. Can you generally access good snorkelling spots from a self-guided tour, and if so, is it best to go from the Somerset area? Thanks again. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, September 2013) 
    Yes, you can access some great snorkel areas with a rented motor boat. Somerset is a good place to start. About a mile offshore and near Daniels Head, you will find the Sea Garden, an underwater wonder garden full of colorful corals, marine flora and fauna, a great snorkel location. There are plenty of other areas. You may get some more ideas from Reef and Wreck Snorkeling in Bermuda 
     
    David Wheatley (August 2013) 
    Hi, really liked the detail and review comments in your web-site. Where would you suggest for a hotel/guesthouse that has good snorkeling right on the beach? I would prefer somewhere generally quiet and not too crowded. Time-wise, perhaps September. Perhaps in the $250/night range, which I realize makes it harder to locate this kind of place. Or maybe somewhere that is a quick walk from a good snorkeling spot. Thanks for your help. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, August 2013) 
    Hi, you can consider one of the following options for a budget accommodation near snorkeling beaches: 
     
    1) Clairfont Apartments located in Warwick Parish. It has self catering units and studios (with fully equipped kitchen). Located within 5 minutes walk from the Warwick Long Bay Beach. This beach has several coves, rocky outcrops along the beach and rocks on the water that are excellent for swimming. In fact you can walk down the sandy trail from Warwick Long Bay Beach to easily reach several other coves and beaches some of which like the Jobson's Cove are great for snorkeling too. So this accommodation gives you a choice of several snorkeling areas along the south shore and all within easy walking distance. 
     
    2) Outback located in Southampton: This is a two bedroom budget apartment with modern amenities and fully equipped kitchen. Church Bay which is arguably the best snorkeling beach in Bermuda is located within 2-3 minutes walking distance. The bus stop and couple of restaurants are also within few minutes walk. You can book this accommodation through bermudagetaway.com where you will find more information. 
     
    Hope this helps! 
     
    Tom Wade (July 2013) 
    Hello, I am making my third trip and looking to go snorkeling in a good spot. I am paralyzed from the shoulders down so going offshore is much easier than a boat trip. I snorkeled at nine beaches, but I hear that is closed again. Also, I snorkeled at "snorkel Park" near the cruise ship stop, but it was crowded and there weren't many fish. Looking for suggestions, please help. I haven't had much help looking online. Thanks, 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, July 2013) 
    Hi, Snorkel Park is getting terrible reviews these days. Our personal favorites are Church Bay and Tobacco Bay beaches. Regards. 
     
    Tom Wade (July 2013) 
    Hello Raj, Thank you for getting back, I heard the beach area and snorkel rental are open at nine beaches. Do you know if it is true? Also, do church Bay and tobacco Bay get many waves, or are they relatively flat water? I know I've been to both, but I can't picture them. Any information is appreciated. Thank you for your time, 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, July 2013) 
    Hi Tom, In the 9-beaches area, there is only one public beach which is the Daniel's Head Beach. It's still open. But the person at the concession stand offering snorkel rentals etc does not come everyday and therefore you can't plan on that. If you go to Daniel's Head Beach, you should bring your own snorkel gears. You will find more information about Daniel's Head beach here: Daniel' Head Beach 
     
    Water at the Tobacco Bay is usually quite calm because of the limestone rocks fringing it. In Church Bay, although the water is usually calm, it can get a bit rough at times. Visit the following links for more info: Tobacco Bay Beach, Church Bay 
     
    Andrew Dienes (July 2013) 
    Hi Raj, You are a treasure. Thank you for the warning. There are plenty of other good places we know now, so we will avoid Snorkel Park. If you have a few seconds you could tell me where on the beach does your son access his favorite snorkeling reef. Thanks again. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, July 2013) 
    Hi Andrew, He talks about couple of beaches most times. The first is Tobacco Bay Beach in St George. During the low tide you can really find some great shallows around the reefs and see many colorful fish. Another one is Jobson's cove. Although this may not be a top snorkeling beach, it's the shallow water, picturesque setting and less tourists that make up for it. It feels as if the beach is to your own. You can of course see parrotfish between the rocks. The water is so shallow and calm that you can actually walk for a long way into the cove water. Regards, 
     
    Andrew Dienes (July 2013) 
    Hello again Raj, Thank you for all your help.  I will give you detailed feedback when we return home (That will be on the 14th of July). But now I have another question before we leave for Bermuda. Since we will be staying in the somewhat remote St George I have to do some careful planning with our program. Your site has been very useful so far. My question is this: We were in Bermuda some 8 years ago and we snorkeled at the Snorkel Park. It was quite nice, especially for my wife who was then a beginner snorkeler. Now she wants to go there again. But I read several recent terrible reviews on Trip Advisor about dangerous broken glass (I guess left over from the beer bottles of the beach parties) all over the sand. On the other hand, there were a few good reviews too, one dating from July 1. Please, do you know some recent objective facts about this. I would appreciate your input very much. Thank you 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, July 2013) 
    Hi Andrew, I haven't been to Snorkel Park in recent time. But what I understand is they do the clean up work regularly but the beach gets littered with glasses almost daily at night. It's not just the beach party. it's mainly the night club (SPB Club) which runs until wee hours on the beach every night. You won't see much broken glasses on the exposed beach. The dangerous part is the sandy bottom under the water which is not easy to clean. You will find horrifying reviews of Snorkel Park even in my website and that too in recent time. So, I would rather avoid a snorkel venture there for now. Being in St. George, Tobacco Bay would be a much better and more convenient choice for snorkeling. For shallow easy snorkeling, you can also consider Shelly Bay Beach. It's easy to reach from St George. 
     
    Andrew Dienes (June 2013) 
    Hello Raj, First I want to thank you for your website. It is excellent and will be very useful for our July 5 trip. I have some questions: 1.) I looked at Google map and found a Daniel's Head Beach Park and also a Daniel's Head Park. Although close, they are not adjacent. So where is the good snorkeling area? 2.) You mention the wreck Vixen and say that you need boat snorkeling for that. But I checked out the websites of your recommended tours and none of them seem to go there. 3.) Although I am an experienced snorkeler. I like to get close to the corals and fish and because of an injury to my shoulder I can no longer free dive. So the Western Blue Cut wreck dives do not have strong appeal to me because they are more than 15 ft deep. I would much prefer a shallow lush coral garden to a wreck. What is your recommendation? Thank you ever so much in advance. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, June 2013) 
    Hi Andrew, It's the Daniel's Head Beach Park where you should go. It once used to be the base for Canadian Army (CFS) during the world war II. You can still see the abandoned barracks and structures. It is hard to find a quieter and unspoiled place as this one which is so close to the dockyard. 
     
    Now about the snorkel cruise. Jessie James until recently offered snorkel around the partially submerged wreck of HMS Vixen. But they cut short the number of snorkel sites (from three to two) and the hours. This is due to the cost pressures and they had to keep the rates same as before to stay in competition. 
     
    You can take the Sightseeing and Snorkel Tour of Fantasea or Reef Explorer. While they will take you to the Vixen area, the snorkeling is done in a separate shallow bay (3-ft water). But if you want to snorkel at the Vixen site itself, you can take a boat rental (small motor boat) and easily go down to that place. An additional advantage is, you can go around and explore several other small islands and secluded beaches. But note that you will be on your own and should therefore take all necessary safety measures. The boat rental company will of course give you all the gears including snorkel gears. If this is of any interest to you, then check out Bermuda Boat Rentals for details. 
     
    Here are couple of other nice offshore snorkeling options in shallow waters: 
     
    1) Sea Garden: This is a shallow reef area in the western waters. The average water depth is about 8-ft. You can see beautiful corals and lots of marine life. It feels like you are in a garden under the water and therefore such name. Jessie James covers this place as one of their snorkel sites. 
     
    2) A secluded cove: Restless Native in their pink catamaran takes you to a secluded cove area with shallow water. You can either swim and snorkel there or follow the guide to a deeper reef area for snorkeling. 
     
    Fergus Naugler (September 2012) 
    The beaches and snorkeling in Bermuda far exceed my expectations. The number and colors of fish for the amateur will make your vacation. Sadly the amount of glass and trash on the island is overwhelming. Even the most famous beaches such as tobacco bay and elbow beach have glass hiding in every nook and cranny. It is disappointing and dangerous. Keep your water shoes or fins on! As a side note even the formal Botanicals Gardens has so much glass and trash you grow weary picking it up and start to ignore life it like the others. Bermudans have a glorious spot but they had best start doing some strong conservation/ecological teaching in their schools or they will have nothing more than a floating garbage dump. That goes for some tourists also.  
     
    Doreen Isaac (February 2012) 
    I am visiting Mar 13-20th and love to snorkel. I fear the water may be too cold but would it be ok with a wetsuit on? Also, are there any boat snorkeling tours available in this time period. I am also looking forward to going whale watching. 
     
    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, February 2012) 
    Hi, Water will be cold during March. The average sea temperature during March is 66 degrees. But the water visibility is very high (150 - 200 ft). So if you can manage to snorkel, the rewards will be awesome. It should be okay with wetsuits on. Snorkel boat tours usually do not operate during the low season like in March. One of the operators you can try is Snorkel Bermuda. Captain Sonny of Snorkel Bermuda also offers Whale Watching tours. You can also go over to the Ferry Terminal at Hamilton city. Many boat operators start their tours from there during the high season. If you are lucky, you may still be able to find one, but chances are low. 
     
     
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