Surrounded by reefs, wrecks and marine life, Bermuda’s stunning coastline provides the ultimate ocean playground.
With deep reefs encircling this petite Atlantic land mass, Bermuda picked up the unfortunate name “Isle of the Devils” by superstitious seafarers. They were clearly right to fear the island’s waters as they boast more wrecks per square kilometre than anywhere else on the planet. Fortunately for 21st-century visitors, though, this means there are now more than 300 wrecks to be explored.
Opportunities range from just grabbing a snorkel and swimming over wrecks directly from the shore, to scuba diving among reefs that are brimming with aquatic life – including grouper, barracuda, spiny lobster, parrotfish and blue angelfish. Either way, you are guaranteed a colourful show of sea life in great visibility, thanks to the clarity of Bermuda’s waters.
The wrecks date from between the 17th century and 1997, with most of the older wrecks found off the island’s western coast while the more modern ships are found on the eastern side. The largest wreck is the 152-metre Cristóbal Colón, which collided with coral reef in 1936. Today her wreckage is scattered across 9,300 square metres of seabed and the area has become a hub for marine life. Other local favourites include the ghostly North Carolina, which sank on New Year’s Day in 1880, and the fully intact King George, which was scuttled in 1930.
Diving might be what Bermuda is most famous for but that is by no means the extent of the island’s water-based activities. For those looking for a further adrenaline kick, Bermuda’s jagged cliffs have spawned one of the locals’ favourite activities – cliff jumping. Admiralty House Park and Clarence Cove on North Shore outside Hamilton are popular locations for this and also provide the opportunity to explore the surrounding underground caves carved out by the British in the 1800s.
With its consistent winds, the island is also a Mecca for sailing. The natural amphitheatre of the Great Sound was one of the reasons it was chosen to host the America’s Cup in 2017, and the island is also now a regular on the Sail GP circuit, with Season Three kicking off here in May. The conditions that lend these waters so well to sailing also make the island an unsung paradise for kiteboarders. Some of the most popular spots for kiteboarding include Long Bay Beach in Somerset Village and the sandy-bottomed Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
Bermuda is shaped like a fish hook, which is fitting for a destination that is renowned worldwide for its big-game fishing. In fact, the island is the gateway to some of the best deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic, with marlin, tuna and wahoo all found just offshore. If you are visiting in July, you can also witness the excitement build around the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. During this major fishing tournament, teams of anglers set out on Bermuda’s turquoise waters to catch and weigh as many fish as they can over several action-packed weekends.
Bermuda’s coral reefs, craggy coastline and windy conditions may have been the downfall of hundreds of vessels over the years, but it is these natural credentials (somewhat ironically) that now make Bermuda such an incredible superyacht stop-off, with a range of activities to keep everyone on board entertained.
To find out more abiout what Bermuda can offer superyacht visitors click here.
Sponsored content created for Go To Bermuda.