Tobacco Bay Beach: A Slice of Paradise in St. George’s
Discover where fascinating history and modern-day beach amenities meet on the island’s East End at Tobacco Bay Beach. Located in the UNESCO Heritage Site of St. George’s, the scenic bay is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience a quintessential Bermuda beach day with its blush-sand beaches, unique rock formations, fun-in-the-sun activities, and full-service bar and restaurant. Discover beachside bliss at Tobacco Bay.
- Natural Wonders,
- On the Beach
Snorkelling & Water Adventures
The bay's unusual limestone rock formations make it a great haven for marine life. Rent your snorkel gear from the kiosk on the beach and go snorkelling in the calm, clear waters to see blue parrotfish, grouper, blue angelfish, sergeant majors, and other colourful species. If snorkelling isn’t your thing, ask about renting stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or kiddie floats to spend the day on the water.
Beach Bar & The Best Vibes
Tobacco Bay Beach is home to a family-friendly restaurant and bar, serving up sandwiches, wahoo nuggets (a local favourite), wings, and much more. Pair your lunch with a locally inspired handcrafted cocktail or sip on your refreshing drink as you soak your toes in the crystal clear water.
When the sun starts to go down, cosy up to a crackling bonfire on Tobacco Bay Beach with live music and happy hour specials during the summer months.
Getting to Tobacco Bay
Located in St. George’s Parish, Tobacco Bay Beach is a short walk (around 15 minutes) from the town centre, or can be accessed by private transport. Rent an auxiliary scooter or electric microcar to travel around or pre-arrange a taxi service with your hotel front desk. You can also download the Hitch app, Bermuda’s ride-sharing service, to explore Bermuda’s beaches at your own speed.
Although no public buses go directly to the beach, you can take buses 1, 3, 10, and 11 from Hamilton to get you to King's Square in the Town of St George’s. Be sure to purchase a bus ticket or transportation pass from a Visitor Centre in advance for the easiest way to travel by public transport.
The History Behind the Bermudaful Beach
After the Sea Venture wrecked on the reefs back in 1609, a group of castaways started to explore the area. On one of the many beaches they came across something unusual — tobacco growing wild. In honour of this discovery, they named the spot Tobacco Bay Beach. Four hundred years later, you won’t find any wild tobacco at Tobacco Bay, just a fun day out at one of Bermuda’s National Parks.
The beach later became the backdrop to the 1775 Gunpowder Plot, where locals helped American revolutionaries steal a supply of British gunpowder from the Town of St. George.
America's Revolutionary War might have turned out very differently if it hadn’t been for a group of Bermudians sympathetic to the cause of the American Continental Congress. On the night of August 14, 1775, they stole more than 100 barrels of gunpowder from the Royal Arsenal in the Town of St. George, rolled them across the island to Tobacco Bay, and shipped each and every one to Philadelphia.
