Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise

The glass-bottom boat is the easiest way to see Bermuda's reefs without getting wet. The cruise leaves from the Island Tour Centre at the Dockyard Watersports Centre, 4 North Arm Drive, in the Royal Naval Dockyard, and takes about an hour and a half before returning to the same point. The boat has viewing panels in the hull, so as the crew steers over reef, sandy channels and wreck sites you watch parrotfish, angelfish, sea fans and coral heads drift beneath your feet, while a knowledgeable crew explain what you are seeing and a bit of Bermuda history on the way. It suits families with small children, older travellers, and anyone who is nervous about open water, because there is no swimming or snorkelling required. The listing on Viator has a rating of 4.6 from more than two hundred travellers. A cash bar is available on board, so drinks are not included, and gratuities are included in the price. Tours are subject to weather and a minimum number of passengers, so booking early matters, and conditions on the day decide how clear the water looks. Confirmation comes within about two days of booking, and cancellation is free up to twenty-four hours beforehand.

What you will actually see: Bermuda sits at the northern limit of coral reef growth, so its reefs are a mix of brain coral, sea fans and soft corals, with fish that visitors recognise from the tropics. Visibility is usually excellent, often better than in the Caribbean, because the island has no rivers to cloud the water. The boat passes over shallow reef and, on some routes, wreck sites, and the crew will point out the highlights. Expect to see schools of fish more than large predators, and treat the cruise as a calm, gentle experience.

Shoulder season notes: this product does not publish an operating season, and sailings depend on weather and a minimum number of passengers. In November the choice of departures usually thins as the cruise-ship season ends, and wind and swell are more common than in summer, so be flexible with dates, book an early slot in your trip, and check the weather the day before. Bring a light jacket, a hat and sunglasses, because it can be breezy on deck, and motion-sickness tablets if you are prone.

Making it a day: the Dockyard is a destination in itself, so pair the cruise with the National Museum of Bermuda and lunch on the waterfront, then take the ferry back to Hamilton. If you want to get in the water, step up to the snorkel or catamaran trips from the same departure point, which have the same cancellation policy. The glass-bottom cruise is the best choice for mixed-age groups, for rainy-day flexibility and for anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the island's marine life.