A cruise to the beautiful and historic island of Bermuda is a vacation like no other … and most cruises will port at Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda! With crystal clear blue waters, nearby sunny beaches, and rich history, you will want to plan ahead so you can take advantage of everything this port has to offer. This list of 12 unforgettable activities to do near Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda will give you plenty of exciting options for how to fill up your day!
Located right in the center of the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is an island destination like no other – teeming with history and culture.
Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda was the principle base for the Royal Navy from the time of the American Independence through the Cold War. The island was a geographically advantageous spot for many European vessels. Today, the warehouses and fort (known as The Keep) are home to shops, restaurants, and attractions that cruise-goers tour every season!
When I worked on a cruise ship, I probably took over 50 cruises to this beautiful island and we ported at Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda every time. Needless to say, you are in good hands with these recommendations!
It’s one of my favorite cruise ports for many reasons – it’s small (so it’s not overly crowded when you get off the ship), there are so many quality restaurants and shops within walking distance (that don’t feel “touristy”), and there are excursions that are super close by (making for ultimately stress-free days).
This list will mostly give you ideas on activities you can do within a 5 minute walk from the port as well as some excursions that take you just a short taxi, shuttle, or ferry away.
This post is all about things to do near Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda cruise port!
Things To Near Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda
1. Visit a Pirate Ship Bar
This is number one on my list because it is quite literally the first thing you see upon disembarking your cruise ship – you really can’t miss it!
If you like pirates and rum punch, stopping at Calico Jack’s Pirate Ship Bar for a quick drink and photo op is great way to kick off the day. After just a 2 minute walk, you will already feel like you are on island time. You can even (for a small fee) walk the plank and take a dip into the crystal blue waters to beat the heat!
My friends and I would always stop by Calico Jack’s for a cheap drink to start off the day and my top choice is always Carib Beer. Brewed in Trinidad and Tobago, this lager can be found on many a tropical cruise port!
Anyone who is down for a little day drinking should definitely stop here to start off the day strong!
2. Visit the National Museum of Bermuda
The best way to take in all the history Royal Naval Dockyard has to offer is to check out the National Museum of Bermuda. Walk through the massive fort (known as the Keep), explore the Commissioner’s house AKA the world’s first cast iron building, check out the Queen’s Exhibition, and finish off the tour with drinks and a view at the Keep Pond Terrace. It’s only a few minutes walk from the pier and a great way to spend the morning.
They are open from 9am – 5pm, with tickets $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and FREE for kids under 16! Check out their website here for more info!
3. Dolphin Quest
If you’re looking for an experience like no other (and you’re willing to splurge a little), look no further than an encounter with Dolphins! Located right inside the walls of the Keep, you can have your own dolphin encounter just a short walk from your cruise ship at Dolphin Quest.
Dolphin Quest supports conservation advocacy and provides experiences in a sheltered lagoon, ideal for the bottle-nosed dolphins that dwell there. There are educational programs, ongoing scientific studies, and lots of different ways to interact with the animals in a safe and comfortable manner.
Check out their website here for all the information you need to plan your dolphin encounter on Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda!
4. Go to The Beach
A beach day is a must-do in Bermuda. The crystal clear waters and soft white sand make it clear why it’s the most popular excursion by cruise goers docked at Royal Naval Dockyard.
Snorkel Park Beach is the closest beach from the cruise port – just a short walk from the pier! It is just north of the Keep and offers a great beach day for those that don’t want to venture too far from the Dockyard.
Horseshoe Bay is a bit farther away but is a beautiful spot. It is the most popular beach in Bermuda AND is ranked as the number 8 beach in the world by Trip Advisor! The sprawling horseshoe shoreline and surrounding limestone cliffs provide lots of opportunity for swimming and snorkeling.
I highly recommend taking the short drive to visit this beach. Most cruise lines will have an excursion you can book, but you can also take your own taxi from the pier. There are always plenty of taxis at the Dockyard and they are always hanging around Horseshoe Bay around the time you need to be back onboard 🙂
Pro Tip – While at Horseshoe Bay, walk up the sand dunes, to the left of the shoreline and you will find a part of the beach that most people do not know about. There are some limestone rocks to walk over, but once you make it there you will get a close to private beach experience and snag some pretty awesome pictures! Check out mine below!
5. Rum Cake Factory
When in Bermuda, right? Just a short walk from the pier is the Rum Cake Factory, where you can purchase Bermuda’s own rum cake, baked with the world famous Goslings rum. With over 30 different flavors of Rum Cake, you will be sure to find one that everyone in your squad loves. Stop here on your way back to the boat to indulge in a midnight Rum Cake snack!
*Unfortunately Bermuda Glassworks (right next door) is no longer in business. It used to be on my list of things to do in the Dockyard*
6. Grab a Bite to Eat
After taking some time to explore the history and culture of Bermuda at Royal Naval Dockyard, you’ll want to scope out a place to relax and get some good food to refuel for more fun. There are a variety of restaurants within walking distance from the pier. Here are my favorites:
The Frog & Onion Pub
Opened in 1992 by a Bermudian (the onion) and a Frenchman (the frog), this is my absolute favorite pick for lunch at Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda. Located in an original 18th century Cooperage, this restaurant offers classic English pub dishes alongside fresh seafood. Frog & Onion is also home to Royal Dockyard Brewing Company, Bermuda’s only brewery! They offer 8 varieties of brews and ales that you will not find anywhere else!
I am passionate about their pretzel-bun burgers and their beer flights.
Dockyard Pastry Shop
This is another one of my favorite spots on the Dockyard. It’s a small cafe, with a small menu that is the perfect spot for a light lunch or just a coffee and pastry to start off the day! There is a quaint outdoor seating area with views of the Dockyard and Keep. Stop here for a sandwich and a coffee!
Cafe Amici Ristorante
If you’re feeling Italian food on your day in Royal Naval Dockyard, Cafe Amici is the spot for you. Located in the Clocktower Shopping Mall, this spot has a large menu with choices including pasta, pizza, sandwiches and local-inspired specials. Dine in or al fresco!
Bone Fish Bar & Grill
This is the closest restaurant to the pier, offering casual “land & sea” inspired dining. Sit outside and enjoy the views while you dine on fried fish, tacos, sandwiches, and more. In the evenings, they have live music! This a great spot to land at the end of the day.
7. Go Shopping
You always need to find a great souvenir to take home after a cruise to a tropical island! Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda has plenty of shopping options within walking distance that will satisfy your duty-free retail therapy.
Head over to The Clocktower Mall where you will find a collection of unique shops including Bermuda Clayworks, Handmade Bermuda, Crisson Jewelers and more! This is definitely the top destination for all shoppers – just look up and spot the 100 foot tall clock towers and you will know where to find the deals!
Another great place to shop is Island Outfitters. There you can find unique beachwear and accessories to add to your vacation wardrobe!
Other shops within walking distance include:
8. Bermuda Fun Golf
Check out Bermuda Fun Golf on Royal Naval Dockyard for an activity everyone in the family will enjoy! Enjoy panoramic views, water falls, and the ocean life while you tee-off under the sunshine. It is located right next to Snorkel Park Beach, making it a great way to start off the day before jumping in the ocean.
With a full service bar and restaurant inside, Bermuda Fun Golf is another fun activity just a few minute’s walk from your cruise ship. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for kids under 11 years old. They are only open Friday through Sunday, so make sure you plan accordingly!
9. Crystal and Fantasy Caves Tour
One of the most magical excursions I ever went on in Bermuda was visiting the Crystal and Fantasy Caves. After a taxi drive from the pier, you will make your way to a humble building… but do not be fooled by what is underneath!
Take a journey 150 feet below the ground to reveal enchanting caves teeming with jewel-like stalactites that reflect on a crystal clear, 55 foot deep underground lake. Discovered in 1906 by a couple of small boys playing cricket (you’ll learn more about this when you visit!), this attraction is one of Bermuda’s claims to fame with thousands of visitors descending to the caverns every year.
Your cruise ship will most likely offer this tour as an excursion, or you can hail a taxi and make your way there on your own time. The drive is about 45 minutes away, offering a great scenic drive. Tickets are $24 for one cave tour or $35 for both cave tours. Children tickets are $10/each.
Be sure to also check out the gift shop when you’ve concluded the tour!
10. Segway Tour
Another unique activity on Royal Naval Dockyard is exploring by way of one of the most fun modes of transportation – Segway! This is a super fun way to learn about the history of Bermuda and the Dockyard, especially if your feet are tired 🙂 Bermuda Segway tours will take you to the historic Casemates Prison, Victualing Yard, the Rum Cake Factory, Historic Sail Loft, some hidden beaches, and more!
Check out their website to book your excursion!
11. Catamaran Tour
Take to the sea and book a Catamaran Tour for your day in Bermuda! Most cruise lines will offer this excursion to be booked onboard and I highly recommend that you do. Royal Naval Dockyard offers a number of different catamaran tour options, but my favorite by far is the Sail & Snorkel Excursion.
Board a large 50 person catamaran for over 3 hours and enjoy the amazing clear waters with *unlimited* rum swizzles in hand! You will stop by a snorkeling area where they provide pool noodles to float on and snorkel gear so you can see the amazing ocean life.
When my family came and cruised with me we went on this excursion and it was one of the highlights of our trip 🙂If booked separately from the cruise ship, this excursion starts at $85/per person via Restless Native Catamarans. Check out their website here! Excursions at Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda booked via cruise line will vary in price.
12. Take a Ferry to Hamilton
Last, but never least, my suggestion if you are interested in venturing a bit further from Royal Naval Dockyard is to take the Blue Route ferry to the city of Hamilton. Standing as the capital of Bermuda, this unique city is filled with shops, restaurants, and tons of Bermudian culture!
Pastel colored buildings line the streets and the ocean views go on for days. Front Street is the main downtown area where you can find many restaurants, shops, and activities. There are also opportunities to explore historic churches, art galleries, gardens, and museums. You will also find plenty of nooks and crannies for great photo ops 🙂
Check out the ferry schedule here – this was a super important website when I was cruising to Bermuda every week as to make it back to the ship on time haha. Fare is only $5 and the trip is a quick 20 minutes!
(You’ll also spot some pretty incredible waterfront mansions while you take the short trip!)
And that’s all I have to say on that! Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda is not your average cruise port. If you take my advice, you will need a few cruises to experience all the Dockyard has to offer.Â
As always, stay FANCY! 🙂