Cruise port · Bermuda · Bermuda
St. George's cruise port guide
St. George’s, founded in 1612, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited English towns in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage site at Bermuda’s eastern end. Only small ships can dock here; most cruisers arrive by ferry or bus from the Dockyard to wander its narrow lanes, historic churches and forts, and to swim at nearby Tobacco Bay.
- Colonial history
- UNESCO heritage
- Strolling
- Snorkeling at Tobacco Bay
Photo: Aodhdubh at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Bermuda
- Region
- Bermuda
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- English.
- Currency
- Bermudian dollar (BMD), equal to the U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere.
- Best time to visit
- May–July
- Average highs
- 67–83°F through the year
About St. George's
St. George’s grew from the shipwreck of the Sea Venture in 1609, whose survivors built two new ships and sailed on to Jamestown, an episode that may have inspired Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Today the town is a maze of narrow lanes with names like Featherbed Alley and Shinbone Alley, pastel cottages with white stepped roofs, and squares where history is reenacted for visitors.
This is a port for history lovers and anyone who enjoys a quiet, atmospheric stroll. It’s smaller and calmer than Hamilton, with fewer shops but more character. Beach lovers can walk to Tobacco Bay for snorkeling. If you want a lively scene or lots of shopping, Hamilton or the Dockyard offer more.
Where cruise ships dock in St. George's
Only small ships can enter St. George’s Harbour through the narrow Town Cut, docking at small piers right in town. Passengers on larger ships, which dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard, reach St. George’s by ferry on many days or by bus, which takes about an hour. The town is compact and best explored on foot. Tobacco Bay is a 15-minute walk north, Fort St. Catherine about 25 minutes. Crystal and Fantasy Caves are about 10 minutes by taxi. Allow half a day for the town and a beach.
Best things to do in St. George's on a cruise
- 1
King’s Square
history
The heart of St. George’s, with replica stocks, a pillory and a ducking stool used in colonial punishments. A town crier sometimes leads reenactments for visitors. Ordnance Island, across a short bridge, has a replica of the Deliverance, one of the ships built by the Sea Venture survivors.
- 2
St. Peter’s Church
history
Considered the oldest Anglican church in continuous use outside the British Isles, St. Peter’s has cedar beams, a historic altar and a churchyard with graves of enslaved and free Bermudians. It’s a short walk from King’s Square.
- 3
Unfinished Church
history
The roofless Gothic ruins of a church begun in the 1870s but never completed due to disputes and storm damage. Its stone arches are hauntingly photogenic. It’s a few minutes’ walk uphill from the center.
- 4
Tobacco Bay
beach
A small, sheltered beach surrounded by limestone rock formations, with calm water and good snorkeling among fish. There’s a beach bar and rentals in season. It’s about 15 minutes’ walk from town and busy on cruise days.
- 5
Fort St. Catherine
history
A 17th-century fort, rebuilt over centuries, on Bermuda’s northeastern tip near where the Sea Venture survivors came ashore. Tunnels, cannons and exhibits tell the story of Bermuda’s defense. The views over the beach and reefs are superb.
- 6
Bermuda National Trust Museum
history
Housed in the old Globe Hotel, this museum covers St. George’s history, including the town’s role as a hub for Confederate blockade runners during the American Civil War. It’s small and takes under an hour.
- 7
Historic lanes
culture
Wander the narrow alleys and lanes, such as Featherbed Alley, Shinbone Alley and Old Maid’s Lane, admiring cottages with white stepped roofs designed to collect rainwater. It’s the best way to soak up the town’s character.
St. George's weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6921 | 6820 | 6720 | 6920 | 7222 | 7725 | 8127 | 8328 | 8228 | 7826 | 7423 | 7122 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6519 | 6518 | 6418 | 6619 | 7121 | 7524 | 8027 | 8228 | 8027 | 7625 | 7122 | 6820 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.5115 | 4.1103 | 3.590 | 2.974 | 3.794 | 4.4111 | 2.870 | 3.590 | 4.1105 | 5.2133 | 3.999 | 4.6117 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
What to eat and drink in St. George's
Bermuda fish chowder and the fish sandwich on raisin bread are local staples, served in pubs and cafés around King’s Square. In season, Bermuda spiny lobster appears on menus. Try a Dark ’n Stormy or a Rum Swizzle; the Swizzle Inn, which claims to have created the Rum Swizzle, is in nearby Bailey’s Bay. Bermuda rum cake and local honey make good souvenirs.
Tips for your port day
- If your ship docks at the Dockyard, check ferry schedules to St. George’s; the bus takes longer but is an option.
- Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones and hilly lanes.
- Combine St. George’s with Crystal and Fantasy Caves or Tobacco Bay for a full day.
- Respect the town’s quiet residential character, and dress modestly away from the beach.
- Buy a transportation pass for unlimited ferries and buses.
Often on the same itinerary
St. George's cruise FAQs
Can cruise ships dock in St. George’s, Bermuda?
Only small ships, which pass through the narrow Town Cut into the harbor. Most passengers arrive by ferry or bus from the Royal Naval Dockyard.
How do you get to St. George’s from the Dockyard?
By ferry on many days, or by bus, which takes about an hour. Both are included in Bermuda’s multi-day transportation passes, sold at the Dockyard.
Is St. George’s, Bermuda, worth visiting?
Yes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest English towns in the Americas, with historic churches, forts and charming lanes.
What is the closest beach to St. George’s?
Tobacco Bay, about 15 minutes’ walk north of town, with calm water and good snorkeling.
What is St. George’s known for?
Its colonial history, dating to 1612, its connection to the Sea Venture shipwreck and Jamestown, St. Peter’s Church and its narrow lanes and stepped-roof cottages.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.