Bermuda has a mild subtropical climate, with warm summers, gentle winters and weather that is shaped by the Atlantic. There is no bad time to visit, but the season changes what you can do, so the best time depends on whether you want beach and water, walking and sightseeing, or lower prices and quiet. This guide explains what to expect through the year.
Summer, May to September
This is peak beach season. The air is warm and humid, the sea is at its warmest, and everything is open, including the beach concessions, the boat trips and the full programme of tours. Lifeguards at the south shore beaches normally run from May to October, so these are the safest months for swimming at Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay. Cruise ships fill the Dockyard, Hamilton and St. George's on many days, which means the busiest sights, the caves and the food tour, benefit from advance reservations. Prices for hotels are at their highest. The trade-off is heat in the middle of the day, so start early and use the afternoons for the water or shade.
The shoulder months, April and October to November
These are the sweet spot for many visitors. The weather is warm enough for the beach on calm days, the crowds thin, and hotel rates ease. The sea is cooler than in summer but still swimmable for many, and boat trips and tours generally run, though with fewer departures. Lifeguard cover may be reduced from November, and some seasonal restaurants and beach concessions keep shorter hours, so check before you rely on them. Hurricane season runs from June to the end of November, with the greatest risk in late summer and early autumn, so book flexible fares and rooms and watch the forecast.
Winter, December to March
Winter is quiet and mild, with daytime temperatures that are pleasant for walking, golf and sightseeing rather than swimming. The sea is cool, and the cruise ships are gone, so the Dockyard, St. George's and the caves are calm. Some boat trips and beach services run less often or not at all, so confirm what is operating for your dates. This is a good time to enjoy the National Museum, Spittal Pond, the Botanical Gardens and Scaur Hill Fort, and for birdwatching, since migrating shorebirds and waterfowl are present. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse closes every February for maintenance, and the Crystal Caves close on 1 January, Good Friday and 24 to 26 December. Hotel rates are at their lowest, though holidays carry a premium.
Choosing by priority
If your priority is warm water and boat trips, aim for June to September. If you want a balance of weather, prices and space, choose April, May, early June or October. If you want low prices and quiet, choose winter and plan indoor and outdoor sightseeing rather than swimming. Honeymooners and golfers may favour spring and autumn, and families with school holidays usually travel in summer.
Planning around weather
Wind and swell decide boat trips, so book on-the-water activities early in your stay and leave a spare day. Pack layers in every season, because evenings can be cool and boats are breezy, and bring a rain jacket, since showers pass quickly. Sun protection matters in all seasons. On windy days the south shore can have strong surf and rip currents, so swim only where it is safe and heed the flags. Rain days are for the caves, the aquarium, the museum and the greenhouses of the Botanical Gardens.
Events and holidays
Public holidays and local events can change the feel of a trip. Good Friday is a traditional day for flying kites, and some attractions close on it. The late May holiday and the summer cricket festival bring crowds and busy ferries, and some businesses close or run reduced hours, so check dates and book transport early if your trip overlaps. Christmas and New Year add a premium to hotel rates and close a few sights for a day or two. If you want the island at its quietest, choose a midweek stay in winter, and if you want energy and company, choose summer.
A simple rule
Go in summer for the beaches, in the shoulder months for balance and in winter for value and quiet. Book hotels early for summer and holidays, check what is open for your dates, and leave some flexibility for the sea. Whenever you come, the pink sand, the clear water and the pastel houses will be there.
