I am often asked what is there to do in Bermuda during the winter months – to which I always answer, lots!
Bermuda’s tourism trade started with supplying affluent North Americans with a nice place to escape the ravages of an east coast winter – and Bermuda did very well by being in such delicious geographical proximity. Little guest houses, and later, grander hotels popped up to answer the clarion call of folks in need of a solid respite in a moderate climate.
Today the holiday quest has shifted to the height of summer when children are out of school and when most folks choose to travel. Although many families are locked into a few specific timeslots for travelling (Christmas holidays, spring break and the summer months), we encourage our clients to travel in the shoulder or “off” season.
This is especially true if you want a quiet vacation and relief from high airfares (as well as humidity and heat). October through to the beginning of April is an absolute delight. Room rates tend to go down and all the main attractions continue with smaller crowds and less traffic.
The beaches are quiet; generally the only folks swimming in the ocean in January/February/March are Canadians, but that doesn’t stop both visitors and locals from enjoying beach walks and lunch picnics.
Most folks misread the average temperatures for the off season months – keep in mind that it means half the days are warmer and half are cooler. There is no rainy season in Bermuda either. Any rainstorms we get don’t last long and a raincoat or an umbrella is all you will need to weather the weather!
Despite climate change, hurricanes are still a rarity and a direct hit even more so. Since records began in 1851, there have only been 7 hurricanes that have passed close to Bermuda. We are a tiny dot in an exceedingly vast ocean, so the odds are slim of one coming close. Hurricanes tend to flounder around deep to the south of us and then blunder up the Atlantic coastline, before being pushed out to the mid-Atlantic. Bermuda is more than well prepared to handle these storms. Unlike most parts of the USA and the Caribbean, Bermudian homes are built of stone and concrete with heavy shutters, and are orientated to withstand intense wind so if you are caught there the experience is more likely to be an adventure than a disaster.
What Bermuda really offers in the shoulder seasons is unparalleled geography with very few other tourists to get in your photos: a hilly undulating series of linked islands, carpeted in lush greenery and precise traditional pastel coloured houses nestled in a vale of trees. There are historical buildings (the Bermuda National Trust has a great listing) and homes dotting the island, museums and art galleries (we particularly like Masterworks located in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens as well as the Bermuda National Gallery‘s curated shows at City Hall) throughout, and many fantastic restaurants to try!
Come for the winter vacation and bring your unread books, your binoculars, camera and picnic gear, hiking and water shoes. There are beach trails, miles of sand, old forts and lovely museums to peruse, as well as pretty shops and cafes. Boats will take you adventuring, mopeds and mini electric cars will permit you to explore every last laneway. There is nice entertainment in the evening too, and dining to fit every budget. For the cost of a summer vacation you can double your time away in the winter.
October, November, December, January, February and March are ideal months to visit us in Bermuda.
Ready to go to Bermuda? Head over to our main website or give us a call at 416-232-2243. We can’t wait to see you!