Explore Bermuda National Parks
Lush landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and incredible wildlife await at Bermuda’s national parks all year long. Here’s a guide to the spectacular island parks you won’t want to miss.
- Beyond the Beach,
- Natural Wonders
Whether you prefer a leisurely scenic stroll or active experiences like hiking, biking, or snorkelling, each Bermuda national park offers a unique way to connect with nature. Discover these pristine parks sprinkled throughout the island.
As part of its mission, the Bermuda National Trust works to preserve the island’s natural heritage. It manages a variety of protected open spaces including woodlands and wetlands, some of which are featured on this list. You can do your part by staying on trails, respecting wildlife, and leaving no trace as you explore these precious natural treasures.
The Bermuda Railway Trail
Spanning the island from end to end, the 18-mile Bermuda Railway Trail offers an easy way to explore a full spectrum of stunning landscapes. Cycle, jog, or walk along this mostly flat historic railbed, passing through serene forests and rocky coastlines. Or, take a guided bike tour through the rural West End, stopping at historic sites like Heydon Trust Park and Fort Scaur, with breathtaking ocean views.
• Location: Spans the island from end to end, with various access points
• Top activities: Hiking/walking, biking, photography, birdwatching, and bike tours
• Best photo op: The scenic bridges of the East End
• What to bring: Comfortable footwear, water, sun protection, camera, and binoculars
• Best time to visit: Year-round
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
EAST END
Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve
Tucked away on Bermuda’s southeastern tip, Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve is filled with pristine beaches, shaded woodlands, and diverse wildlife. This peaceful sanctuary offers scenic walking trails, secluded beaches like Turtle Bay, and panoramic views from the Wildlife Observation Tower. Spot seabirds, giant land crabs, and ancient Bermuda cedars as you explore. In the warmer months, go snorkelling or swimming in the calm, shallow waters. With its blend of beach and forest, it’s one of Bermuda’s most beautiful and untouched natural gems.
• Location: St. George’s, southeastern tip of Bermuda
• Top activities: Swimming, snorkelling, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and photography
• Best photo op: Island panoramas from the observation tower
• What to bring: Snorkelling gear, swimsuit, sun protection, and camera
• Best time to visit: Spring and fall for mild temperatures
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Spittal Pond Nature Reserve
Bermuda’s largest nature reserve, Spittal Pond spans 64 acres of wetlands, forests, and coastal trails, making it a haven for birdwatchers, hikers, and nature lovers. Home to Bermuda cedar trees, olivewoods, and spice trees, it also serves as the island’s largest bird sanctuary, with up to 500 species migrating through in January. Walk the loop trail to discover Portuguese Rock, the island’s earliest known human inscription. Signage throughout gives insights into the reserve’s rich history and diverse habitats.
• Location: In Smith’s Parish north of the South Shore
• Top activities: Walking/hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, ocean panoramas, and photography
• Best photo op: Historic Portuguese Rock with the vast ocean behind
• What to bring: Camera, binoculars, sun protection, and comfortable shoes
• Best time to visit: Mornings for birdwatching; visit during January to spot up to 500 bird species, March and April to spot humpback whales
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Tom Moore’s Jungle (Walsingham Nature Reserve)
Filled with cedar trees, mangrove forests, crystal-clear grottoes, and a beautiful beach, Tom Moore’s Jungle is a magical escape. Officially known as Walsingham Nature Reserve, the park is home to winding trails, rare bird species, and limestone caves. See the famous Blue Hole, where the water shimmers beneath rugged cliffs. Though swimming in the caves is not allowed, the grottoes offer a refreshing dip. Named after the Irish poet who found inspiration here, the reserve is best visited when Tom Moore’s Tavern, Bermuda’s oldest restaurant, is open for a post-hike meal, though visitors should be mindful to dress appropriately as it is a fine dining establishment.
• Location: On Castle Harbour, near Blue Hole Hill
• Top activities: Hiking/walking, swimming (note that swimming in the caves is not allowed), and birdwatching
• Best photo op: The striking blue grotto
• What to bring: Hiking shoes, water, swimsuit, and camera
• Best time to visit: Visit in summer to swim in the blue grotto
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Access to Walsingham Nature Reserve may also be gained through Blue Hole Park.
CENTRAL BERMUDA
Admiralty House Park
Known for caves and cliff jumping, the kid-friendly Admiralty House Park is a popular spot for local families and visitors seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures. The best cliff jumping spot is called Canon, an arch-like formation on the cliff face. The drop here is about 20 feet. For maximum safety, make sure you’re jumping during high tide only and never jump head first! A rocky pathway leads you back to the top of the cliff. Leave time to discover the secluded beach, which is great for families due to its enclosed nature, shallow waters, walking trails, and the park’s hidden history, including ruins and underground passageways.
• Location: The North Shore, a few minutes north of the City of Hamilton
• Top activities: Cliff jumping, swimming, picnicking, and hiking
• Best photo op: A mid-air cliff jumping capture
• What to bring: Picnic lunch, water, sun protection, camera, swimsuit, and water shoes
• Best time to visit: Visit in summer to experience the warmest waters for cliff jumping
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Paget Marsh Nature Reserve
One of Bermuda’s most untouched pockets of open space, Paget Marsh Nature Reserve gives you a glimpse into the island before settlers arrived. See one of the best-preserved freshwater marshes on the island along with a mangrove forest and cedar-palmetto forest. These thriving ecosystems host an array of flora and fauna, from giant ferns to turtles and birds.
• Location: South of the City of Hamilton in Paget Parish
• Top activities: Wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and hiking/walking
• Best photo op: On the boardwalk, framed by a forest of green
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, sun protection, and camera
• Best time to visit: Mornings and late afternoons are often ideal for wildlife viewing
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Butterfield Nature Reserve
An urban retreat only minutes from the City of Hamilton, Butterfield Nature Reserve is a haven for native plant life and nature lovers. A walking trail wraps around a thick forest of palmetto trees, and you can spot rare endemic plants like the grassy Bermuda Sedge. Around the island, conservation efforts are underway to replant Bermuda Sedge in parks and nature reserves.
• Location: West of the City of Hamilton off Point Shares Road
• Top activities: Walking/hiking
• Best photo op: Selfie with a backdrop of palmetto groves
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and camera
• Best time to visit: Year-round
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
WEST END
Southlands National Park
Get immersed in Bermuda’s subtropical beauty at Southlands National Park, a 37-acre sanctuary off South Shore Road. Stroll scenic woodland trails, marvel at towering banyan groves, and explore historic ruins. Once a private estate with limestone quarry gardens, the park is now open for hiking, biking, photography, and wildlife watching. Across South Shore Road, Southlands also boasts a secluded beach, perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
• Location: On the South Shore in Warwick Parish
• Top activities: Hiking/walking, biking, photography, swimming, and snorkelling
• Best photo op: Sunlight filtering through the lush banyan groves
• What to bring: Hiking shoes, water, sun protection, and camera
• Best time to visit: Spring and fall for mild temperatures
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Hog Bay Park
On Bermuda’s westernmost shoreline, Hog Bay Park attracts hikers, birdwatchers, and snorkellers with its rugged coastal beauty, shaded woodland trails, secluded swimming spots, and abundant Parrotfish. Walk past ancient lime kilns, abandoned cottages, and fertile farmland before descending to the shoreline at Brown’s Bay. At low tide, the water remains shallow for 300 meters offshore, making it perfect for snorkelling. Keep an eye out for herons, warblers, and yellow-billed cuckoos – with 120 bird species spotted here, binoculars are a must!
• Location: Located in Sandys Parish, the westernmost shoreline of Bermuda
• Top activities: Hiking/walking, swimming, snorkelling, and birdwatching
• Best photo op: Rock pools and ocean views from the shoreline
• What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, camera, binoculars, and snorkel gear
• Best time to visit: Low tide, when the water is shallow for 300 meters offshore
• Opening times: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
