Bermuda is a sub tropical archipelago located in the Atlantic, not in the Caribbean, about 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina. It is a self-governing colony of Great Britain and its British flavour is very strong - some say it is more British than Britain! Very popular with visitors from the U.S.A. and Canada, it offers peace and quiet, secluded beaches and a timeless ambience that makes it universally appealing.

The weather is remarkably mild and seldom sees extremes of either hot or cold. During the winter months (December through March), temperatures average 70°F. The hottest part of the year is between May and mid-October, when temperatures range from 75°F to 85°F. The summer months are somewhat drier, although rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Bermuda is a destination that offers a lot for all the family. The island is a golfer's paradise with various beautiful courses bathing in that perfect weather. You shouldn't miss a trip to the historic Maritime Museum or the Bermudan Aquarium and the Underwater Exploration Institute. Of course waterports are very popular - kayaking, snorkelling, yachting, waterskiing. Keen tennis players can enjoy their sport at many locations throughout the island. And of course you can just enjoy yourself lazing on those pink coral sand beaches!

Bermuda attracts a lot of honeymooners and there are a good selection of upmarket hotels - often cottage communities. There are also opportunities for serious pampering at spas and luxury shopping centres. Don't worry - you won't go hungry - there are over 150 restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the conch fritters.

The waters surrounding the island are very clear, warmed by the Gulf Stream and make for excellent diving on the extensive reefs. Bermuda is a wreck divers paradise. There are an enormous number of shipwrecks (350, 48 often dived) in superb condition. British divers will be amazed at the intact nature of the wrecks, which often have all portholes intact. Most diving takes place from boats, but shore diving is possible from some locations.

You can even chart your own wreck diving tour!!! Dive shops display a map of the outlaying reef system and 38 wrecks. But depending on your skill level, you can dive over 350 wrecks dating back to the 15th century. A popular site is the 200-foot schooner the Constellation, Peter Benchley’s inspiration for The Deep. At some sites, shipwrecks are so close to one another, you can explore multiple ships in the same dive.

Dive sites:

The Apollo
This 36-foot, two-masted American schooner lies scattered along the South Shore breakers in 20 feet of water.

Blanche King
A classic American schooner built in 1887, sunk in 1920. Today, she lies in 35 feet of water near the North Carolina.

Caraquet

A combination mail packet and passenger steamer of 350 feet, launched in 1894. Her wreckage lies in 30 feet of water.

Darlington

A sturdy iron hull steamer built in 1881. The wreckage lies in 20 feet of water, with her steamer boilers, propeller shaft, and deck winches still visible.

Grotto Bay Barges

Within easy swimming distance from shore rest the remains of three intact barges sitting upright in 15 feet of water. These wrecks are ideal for snorkeling.

Hermes

A 165-foot steel buoy tender, she sunk as an artificial reef. Fully intact, she sits upright on the sand at 80 feet with mast, wheelhouse, and winch.

Iristo (Aristo)

A 250-foot Norwegian freighter that sank in 1937. She lies in 50' of water with her engine, boilers, propeller, and a fire engine still visible.

Kate

A 200-foot English steamer that sits in 45 feet of water, with her boilers, engine, propeller shaft and deck winches still visible. Snorkelers can also find her propeller sitting alone on top of the reef in 20 feet of water.

Lartington

A 245-foot early vintage steel freighter with a cargo of cotton, sunk in 1879, She lies in 15–35 feet of water with boilers, stern section, and propeller still visible.

L’ Herminie

A French, 60 gun Man-of-War that sank in 1838. Resting in 25–30 feet of water, this warship’s 9-foot long cannons are still onboard.

Madiana

Built in 1877, the Madiana was a new breeed of iron hulled transatlantic passenger/light cargo ship. She struck a reef northeast of North Rock in 1903.

Mary Celestia

A 225-foot paddlewheel, she served as a Conferederate blockade runner. In 55 feet of water, her remains include paddlewheels and an anchor.

Minnie Breslauer

A 300-foot steel hull freighter, sunk on her maiden voyage in 1873. Still visible are the ship’s propeller, steam boilers, and wheelhouse.

Montana (Nola) A 236-foot side paddlewheel steamer, sunk in 1863 while running the Civil War blockade. She lies in 30 feet of with boilers and paddlewheels intact. Often visited with the Mary Celestia as they are close by.

North Carolina

A classic sunken sailing ship, her 205 foot English iron hull bark sank in 1880 and still has her bow sprit, sail rigging, and deadeyes in place.

Pelinaion

A 385-foot Greek cargo steamer, sunk in 1940 after breaking her back on a reef. Lying at 55 feet, her giant boiler and engine are an awesome sight.

Pollockshields

A cargo steamer built in 1890, it ran into a “white squall” in 1915. Two substantial boilers, a propeller, and her triple expansion engine are visible.

Taunton

A 228-foot Norwegian steamer that stranded on North East Breakers in 1920. Sitting at 10 to 40 feet, she is a great shallow dive and a beautiful wreck.

Xing Da

A target of a US Immigration sting operation to capture those trying to smuggle illegal immigrants, the Xing Da was captured and towed to Bermuda in 1997.

Cristobal Colon

This 500-foot Spanish luxury liner is the largest known shipwreck in Bermuda's waters. Launched in 1923, this transatlantic luxury liner was the most advanced design of her time. She was wrecked on October 25, 1936, when she crashed into a coral reef at a speed of 15 knots. Today, she lies in 30 to 55 feet of water with her wreckage scattered across 100,000 square feet of sea floor. Gigantic in size, she offers endless hours of fascinating exploration examining boilers, steam turbines, propellers, drive shafts, and hundreds of ship parts.

Constellation

This 200-foot, four-masted, wooden-hulled American schooner was built in 1918. During World War II, she was pressed into service and used as a cargo vessel. In July 1943, she was bound for Venezuela, carrying a general cargo of building materials, medicinal drugs, and 700 cases of scotch whiskey. Today, her hull lies broken on a coral and sand bottom in 30 feet of water, exposing petrified sacks of cement, building supplies, glassware, and a vast assortment of small items. The Constellation was the inspiration for Peter Benchley's book, The Deep.

Getting There:

You’re under seven hours away on British Airways from London’s Gatwick Airport or why not try a two centre holiday travelling via the United States or Canada? You can access Bermuda from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte NC, New York (JFK, La Guardia or Newark), Philadelphia and Washington DC (Reagan) whilst Toronto is also served by direct flights. Upon your arrival you can get around by motor scooter, ferry, taxi, bus, horse and carriage, bicycle, or on foot.

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Like many destinations in this part of the world, it pays to research the arrival times of the cruise boats and avoid Hamilton at those times. Bermuda is not a cheap destination but the restaurants and hotels are of very high quality. It is not possible for visitors to hire cars on Bermuda, and will need to rent scooters, mopeds or bikes. Be cautious of U.S. visitors who are both unused to the winding left hand drive lanes and the bikes themselves!! Remember that whilst it is sub tropical, it isn't the Caribbean. Bermuda is a popular place for British couples to get married.

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