King's Wharf cruise port guide

The Royal Naval Dockyard was Britain’s main naval base in the western Atlantic for over a century, and its massive limestone walls, clock towers and warehouses now house museums, craft markets, restaurants and shops. Bermuda itself is a compact, hilly chain of islands with pastel cottages, white stepped roofs, manicured gardens and pink-tinged beaches, more like a polished British seaside town than a Caribbean island.

Bermuda cruises from the U.S. Northeast typically spend two or three days here, so you have time to see the whole island. It suits beach lovers, history buffs and families who like a safe, orderly destination. The season runs mainly from spring through fall, and the water is cooler than in the Caribbean, especially early and late in the season. There are no rental cars for visitors, so you’ll rely on ferries, buses, taxis or small electric cars and scooters.

Ships dock at King’s Wharf or the adjacent Heritage Wharf within the Royal Naval Dockyard, at the western tip of the island. The dockyard’s museum, shops, restaurants and Snorkel Park Beach are a short walk away. Ferries run from the dockyard to Hamilton in about 20 minutes and, on many days, to St. George’s; public buses also go to Hamilton and the South Shore beaches. Multi-day transportation passes are sold at the dockyard. Horseshoe Bay is about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or bus. Taxis are metered and fairly expensive.

Try Bermuda fish chowder, a rich, dark soup traditionally laced with black rum and sherry pepper sauce. The Bermuda fish sandwich, fried fish on raisin bread with coleslaw and tartar sauce, is a local classic. Sunday codfish breakfast is a tradition. The Dark ’n Stormy, made with Gosling’s Black Seal rum and ginger beer, and the Rum Swizzle are Bermuda’s signature cocktails. Bermuda rum cake makes a good souvenir.