Bermuda (British Overseas Territory), North America
The best time to visit Bermuda
Pink sand two hours from New York, but not the Caribbean: Bermuda has a real winter and a real hurricane season.
- Best months
- May and Jun
- Think twice
- No month is a write-off
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Bermuda is May and June, when the ocean is warm enough to swim, the beach season is under way, and hurricane risk is still low; the beach season runs roughly May to October, while November through March is cool, quiet, and cheaper but not beach weather.
Go in May or June. Bermuda's beach season is starting, the air is in the mid 70s to low 80sF (about 24 to 27C), the ocean warms into the mid 70sF (about 24C) and higher, and the peak summer crowds and prices of July and August have not yet arrived. It is the best balance of swimmable water, long days, and low storm risk.
The key thing to know is that Bermuda is not tropical. It sits in the Atlantic about 650 miles east of North Carolina, far north of the Caribbean, and its weather is subtropical. Winter highs sit in the upper 60sF (about 20C), the water drops into the mid 60sF (about 18C), and winds can be strong and damp. It is pleasant for golf, walking, and sightseeing, and it is the cheapest time to visit, but most people will not want to swim, and some hotels and restaurants cut hours or close for refurbishment.
Bermuda also sits in the hurricane zone. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and the island is often in the path of storms curving north out of the tropics, with the highest risk from mid August to mid October. Fabian in 2003, Gonzalo and Fay in 2014, Nicole in 2016, Paulette in 2020, and Ernesto in 2024 all hit Bermuda. The island is famously well built for storms and recovers fast, but late summer and early fall trips should be refundable and insured. July and August are the hottest, most crowded, and most expensive months, with Cup Match, Bermuda's biggest holiday, falling at the start of August.
Bermuda, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCool and breezy, highs near 68F (20C), water near 66F (19C)The quietest, cheapest month. Good for golf, walking, and museums; not beach weather. Some hotels close for refurbishment.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryQuiet valueCool and windy, highs near 67F (19C), water near 65F (18C)Usually the coolest month. Good-value hotel deals, but many beach businesses are closed.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchQuiet valueMild, highs near 68F (20C), still windyHumpback whales pass Bermuda on their northward migration, roughly March and April. Spring break brings some visitors.CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodWarming, highs near 71F (22C), water near 68F (20C)Good for sightseeing and whale watching. On Good Friday, Bermudians fly homemade kites and eat codfish cakes.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayBestPleasant, highs near 76F (24C), water warming into the 70sFBeach season begins. Bermuda Day, a public holiday in late May, brings a parade and the unofficial start of summer.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneBestWarm, highs near 81F (27C), water near 77F (25C)The best balance of warm water and low storm risk. National Heroes Day weekend in June brings parties; the Newport Bermuda Race finishes here in even-numbered years.Hotels for June →CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyGoodHot and humid, highs near 85F (29C), water near 82F (28C)Peak summer: warm water, busy beaches, top prices. Hurricane risk is still relatively low.Hotels for July →CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsHottest month, highs near 86F (30C), humidCup Match, the two-day cricket holiday, falls on the Thursday and Friday before the first Monday of August. Storm risk rises through the month.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberTradeoffsHot, highs near 84F (29C), water near 82F (28C)The warmest water of the year, but the heart of hurricane season for Bermuda. Book refundable and watch the forecasts.CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberTradeoffsWarm, highs near 79F (26C), water near 78F (26C)Beaches still swimmable and crowds thinner, but several of Bermuda's recent hurricanes hit in October. Good value if you are flexible.CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberQuiet valueMild, highs near 74F (23C), breezyBeach season is over for most visitors. Pleasant for walking and golf, with falling prices.CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberQuiet valueCool, highs near 70F (21C), water near 70F (21C)Quiet and festive, with Christmas decorations in Hamilton and St. George's. Not a beach month.CrowdsPrice
Book Bermuda for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in BermudaOpens a hotel search for Bermuda in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in BermudaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in BermudaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bermuda for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Bermuda
Pink sand, close to home
Bermuda's south shore beaches, such as Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay, have pink-tinged sand from crushed shells and red foraminifera. It is about a two-hour flight from New York.
A 400-year-old town
St. George's, founded in 1612, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited English towns in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Easy, polished, and safe
Bermuda is clean, orderly, English-speaking, and uses a currency pegged one to one with the US dollar, which is also widely accepted.
Reefs and wrecks
The island is ringed by coral reefs, and centuries of shipwrecks make it one of the Atlantic's best wreck-diving destinations.
Things to do, and when to do them
Horseshoe Bay Beach
The classic pink-sand beach, with coves to explore on foot. It gets crowded on cruise and summer weekend days; go early or walk to quieter coves nearby.
St. George's
The historic town and UNESCO site, with Fort St. Catherine and St. Peter's Church. Quieter outside summer cruise days.
Crystal Caves
Underground lakes and formations reached by floating walkways. A good option in any season.
Royal Naval Dockyard and the National Museum of Bermuda
The former British naval base at the West End, now home to the national museum, shops, and the main cruise pier.
Bermuda Railway Trail
A walking and cycling path along the old railway line across the island. Pleasant in the cooler months.
Snorkeling and wreck diving
Church Bay for easy reef snorkeling, and boat dives to wrecks off the island. Best from May to October.
Warwick Long Bay and the south shore
A long stretch of pink sand that is usually less crowded than Horseshoe Bay.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Cup Match
Thursday and Friday before the first Monday of August
A two-day cricket match between St. George's and Somerset and a national holiday marking Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day. The whole island joins in; book early.
Bermuda Day
Late May
A public holiday with a parade in Hamilton and a half-marathon, and the unofficial first day of beach season.
Good Friday kite flying
Good Friday, March or April
Families fly handmade, colorful kites and eat codfish cakes on hot cross buns. A lovely local tradition.
Newport Bermuda Race
June, in even-numbered years
A long-standing ocean yacht race from Rhode Island to Bermuda. Hamilton's harbor fills with boats at the finish.
Humpback whale migration
Roughly March and April
Humpbacks pass Bermuda on their way north. They can sometimes be seen from shore on the south coast.
Beat the crowds
- Check the cruise schedule: Dockyard, Horseshoe Bay, and Hamilton are much busier on days when big ships are in port.
- Go to Horseshoe Bay before 10am or late in the afternoon, or walk along the south shore to quieter coves.
- Choose May or June over July and August for warm water with fewer crowds and slightly lower prices.
- Consider October for warm water and thin crowds if you can accept hurricane risk and book flexibly.
Open or closed
- From about November to March, some hotels close for refurbishment, many beach services shut, and some restaurants and ferries operate on reduced schedules.
- Visitors cannot rent regular cars in Bermuda. Use buses, ferries, taxis, or rent small electric vehicles or scooters.
- Public holidays, including Bermuda Day, National Heroes Day, and the two days of Cup Match, close many shops and offices.
- Hurricanes can close the airport and ferries for a day or two. Bermuda usually recovers quickly, but plan flexible dates from August to October.
With kids in tow
- Bermuda's calm, shallow beaches, such as Shelly Bay and parts of Horseshoe Bay, are good for kids from May to October.
- The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Crystal Caves, and the forts at St. George's and Dockyard are easy family outings.
- Getting around by bus and ferry is simple and safe, and many kids enjoy the ferry rides across the harbor.
- For homeschool families: Bermuda's shipwreck history, its early English settlement, and its unique geography make good study topics.
Getting there
- L.F. Wade International (BDA) has nonstops from New York, Newark, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, and other East Coast cities, many about two hours or less.
- Bermuda has US Customs preclearance for flights back to the United States.
- US citizens need a passport. There are no rental cars for visitors, so most people use taxis, buses, ferries, or small rental electric vehicles.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Bermuda timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Bermuda?
June. The water is warm, the beaches are open, and hurricane risk is still low. May is also excellent, with slightly cooler water and fewer people.
What is the cheapest time to visit Bermuda?
January and February are cheapest. Prices drop sharply, but it is cool, often windy, and not beach weather. November and early December are also good values.
Can you swim in Bermuda in winter?
Most people find it too cold. From December to March, water temperatures are in the mid 60sF (about 18C) and air temperatures in the upper 60sF. Swimming is comfortable from about May to October.
Does Bermuda get hurricanes?
Yes. Bermuda lies in the path of many storms that curve north out of the tropics. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and the highest risk is from mid August to mid October. Fabian, Gonzalo, Nicole, Paulette, and Ernesto (2024) all hit in recent decades.
Is Bermuda in the Caribbean?
No. Bermuda is in the North Atlantic, about 650 miles east of North Carolina and around 1,000 miles north of the Caribbean. It has a subtropical climate with a cool winter.
When is Bermuda most crowded?
July and August, especially around Cup Match and on days when several cruise ships are in port.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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