Bermuda's water sports

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Bermuda's water sports

Available to every resident, professional newcomer and visitor

To refer to this webfile, please use "bermuda-online.org/watersports" as your Subject.

Please note that Land-based sports are dealt with separately. Bermuda's water sports and facilities are wonderful for able residents and visitors, but not for the disabled. There is not yet any equivalent in Bermuda of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those who are handicapped in a wheelchair, or otherwise disabled with balance or other mobility problems, should contact the service directly by telephone or e-mail. Ask if vessels can be boarded from berths where safe access is possible.

Organizations wishing to be shown here by name, website, physical address and email address will be shown and linked to (a free courtesy active hyperlink) gladly, once they have reciprocated with a similar free courtesy web link to Bermuda Online.

Beaches

By sea from a boat, you can access private beaches legally, up to the high water mark. Inshore waters like the Great Sound, Castle Harbor and Hamilton Harbor have many little beaches, coves, grottos and islets.

Boats generally

Sailboats or yachts are shown separately. All types of small boats are available for rent at various sites all over Bermuda, from Boston Whalers to jet ski craft. They are fun to rent but expensive, partly because boats - and the fuel they use - attract a very high rate of import duty imposed by the Bermuda Government.

A boat that costs US$10,000 in the USA - for example, a 19 ft sailboat from a boatyard in Florida (such as Noble's Marine in Leesburgh) - will cost as much as $34,000 in Bermuda if bought locally. If bought yourself from Florida, the additional cost to get it to Bermuda for a boat of this size will be about $5,000 for shrink-wrapping, hauling to the docks and ocean freight; duty will be 55% and there will be other costs. Buying directly from the USA offers a much bigger choice but buying locally may have fewer headaches over servicing and warranties. There are no restrictions on size or type. All motor boats must be registered and licensed by March 31 by the Bermuda Government's Department of Marine and Ports. Transfers of ownership must be documented. All must show decals. Regulations apply for classification and safety equipment. Supply a boat photograph when registering. Some require a mooring, handled privately. Note Bermuda Government Licensing fees for boat trailers.

Water Safety Council. Bermuda Government appointed under the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968, Section 61. For members, under Bermuda Government Boards.

Deep sea sport fishing

The Fisheries Amendment Act 2006 that updated the Fisheries Act 1972 makes it illegal for people, locals or tourists, to fish for pleasure from motor boats without a licence. But it is a “nonsense” that the penalty under the Act for catching fish or lobsters without a licence was $25,000 when the same offence attracted a fine of just $100 under another new law, the Maritime Offences Procedure Act 2006. Commercial fishermen in Bermuda can apply for exemption from the very high Bermuda Government import duty on their fishing boats that other boat owners have to pay, but not from the very high Bermuda Government import duty on the fuel. This and the much higher cost of living in Bermuda than in most other countries make a full day or half day fishing trips expensive. But in compensation, many of the International Game Fishing Association's World Record catches were made in Bermuda waters.

No charter boat captain will guarantee your catch. Fishing is a gamble. Experienced charter boat captains know where the fish are, but can't tell you whether they are hungry enough to take the bait. You could be very lucky and have an early strike, or you could wait for hours, or not make any at all. If on a charter vessel, you get space on a boat equipped for fishing, plus services of the Captain and his First Mate, lines and bait. Many captains take their vessels to where cruise ships berth. But they know where fish are most likely to be caught. If you're on a cruise ship, ask in advance for a boxed lunch and beverage. Dress lightly and casually, with a hat. Wear comfortable, rubber soled footwear for safety when moving about on the deck or bridge. Bring good sun block lotion, a camera and bottled water or your favorite other light beverage and food. An experienced charter boat captain may take you 10 miles or so offshore, for strikes.

On the ocean, captains or first mates bait and cast lines on the port and starboard sides. Clients are assigned to a particular rod, or the fighting chair, in rotating order. If a strike is made when a client has the fighting chair, he or she is given the rod and instructed on how to use it to fight the fish, wear it out, and bring it alongside. Move quickly from any danger area when a struggling fish is caught, gaffed and manhandled aboard by the vessel's crew. It will go into one of the deck's large freezer chests.

Over 650 species of fish inhabit Bermuda waters. Around and beyond the reefs, amber jack, barracuda, bonefish, chub, dorado or mahi mahi, hogfish, (most are 4-8 lbs but some are up to 30), mackerel, marlin (blue and white), shark, snapper (mostly grey), pompano, rainbow runner, tuna, wahoo, yellowtail are plentiful. There is legislation limiting the catches of blue and white marlin.

Skippers and clients are not allowed by local law to take protected species which include conchs, corals, dolphin, marine turtles, porpoises, sea fans and whales. Nor can they catch local lobsters, which necessitates a special permit, is seasonal and has a limit on the catch. Always check ahead to see if there are any restrictions like a tag and release policy or program. Some encourage it. But visitors get the thrill in catching a huge bill fish and wants to take it home for stuffing and mounting. Ask in advance the catch policy of the charter boat captain. He may let you take your fish home, in which case he can advise you on who to consult for stuffing and mounting. Other captains may feel the catch belongs to them and this should be well understood and accepted in advance of any charter.

Angling tournaments occur throughout the year, on charter and private fishing and sports boats. Most welcome visitors. Big Game Fishing involves fishing for the fierce fish like barracuda, blue marlin, dorado or mahi mahi, marlin, shark or wahoo. Light Tackle Fishing is for amber jack, bonefish, chub, hogfish, snapper, mackerel, pompano, rainbow runner, tuna or yellowtail. Local fishermen have made catches of groupers weighing 90 pounds or more. No license is required. Bring your own gear, or rent or buy locally.

Fishing from shore

You can fish from any beach on the South Shore or North Shore that takes your fancy and has public access, but don't expect edible catches from shallow waters.

Helmet diving

For those not used to the ocean such as non-swimmers, this is an adventurous and far less strenuous than snorkeling way to enjoy the wonders of the deep.

Even those physically handicapped but ambulatory or not fit or not good swimmers or who don't swim, can really enjoy this marine aspect of Bermuda if they are capable of getting on and off the vessel concerned. Shallow-water helmet diving will amaze and delight you. The diving helmet protects you yet lets you see everything. Fresh air is pumped into the helmet via a hose. See underwater and colorful fish in the reefs. Return home with memories and photographs of an unexpected but fantastic highlight of your visit that you never thought you would experience.

Kayaking

There is a Bermuda Canoe Association, referred to as The Kayak Club, believed to be membership-based. Further details of the club will be gladly included here if the club will give its contact details to this author. It is possible some of its members, if they carry appropriate insurance to cover rentals of their equipment, might be willing to rent them periodically to tourists or newcomers. A kayak or canoe offers the opportunity to explore places even many Bermudians don't know exist, such as in Hungry Bay, Paget, or Paradise Lake - some of the islands of the Great Sound. Plus, for those in search of marine life, mangroves and quiet coves are easily accessible by kayak. Check to see which watersports outlets rent or sell canoes or kayaks.

Parasailing

Protected inshore areas and harbors offer opportunities for visitors to soar 300 feet or so. Parasailing for everyone at this fine location! Sit back and enjoy the view.

A very nice selection of watercraft is available, from a number of resources. A series of races are produced each year by the Bermuda Powerboat Association, the most prominent of which is the Around the Island Race in August.

Powerboat Racing

Rowing

Bermuda Rowing Association, since 2003, has grown substantially in popularity. Races include boys and men's singles and doubles; girls and women's singles and doubles; mixed doubles and cox fours in competition. Club president is Michael Swain, phone 732-4230, e-mail bermudarowing@gmail.com or visit their web-site at bermudarowing.com.

Sightseeing and sailing boats

Sightseeing boats, sometimes sailing boats as well, are licensed by the Bermuda Government and are numerous. Unlike Bermuda Government-owned ferry boats which are not sightseeing but commuting, these offer you much greater freedom of choice in where you want to go and when. Some are licensed to serve liquor aboard. There are two types of liquor licenses. One is for beer and wine only, the other more comprehensive. Types of vessels are many, from small to large. One service has a custom-built amphibious vehicle, a combined bus and boat, offering educational tours from Dockyard in Somerset. It was made for Bermuda's roads. Its engine can power the vehicle at about ten knots in the water and 19 mph on land. Once it leaves the water, the bus will take passengers on a three-hour tour of the Island.

Scuba Diving

Several dive centers with certified dive masters take visitors down to Bermuda's depths, give lessons and test for certification. They also offer wreck and reef dives, and night dives for the certified experienced. Certain times of the year, weather or sea conditions are not conducive. Many scuba divers take the Shipwreck Certificate program, with a parchment certificate upon completion of a dive on any of six most popular wrecks. Each certificate bears the name of the diver, dive operator and signature of dive master, with a history of the wreck. In 1997, the one-time Chinese illegal immigrant smuggling ship Xing Da was sunk in local waters. She made quite a splash in October 1996 when she was arrested near Bermuda by the US Coast guard, boarded by US Marines, and brought into Bermuda under escort. She was then was loaded with Chinese nationals who had spent their entire fortunes to get to the USA. They were flown from Bermuda via the USA's military aircraft to an internment camp at the USA's Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, complex.

Overseas visitors should know that local waters are less than 64 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature from November through March. Bermuda has exceptionally salty water. So wear an appropriate wet suit and additional weights. Bermuda has 230 square miles of offshore reefs, 10 times the physical land area. There are wrecks from five centuries. They are are ideal from May through September. But what most websites won't tell you is the damage to the reef environment caused by wrecks. Of the 13 official major shipwrecks since 1940 alone, at least 73 hectares or 182 acres of reefs have been destroyed and will take hundreds of years to recover. These wrecks do not include the numerous yacht wrecks, or between 4-6 big ship groundings that are believed to have occured during World War 2.

Before scuba diving, visitors should take care not to use sun screen lotions, commonly used by beach-going and reef-roaming tourists worldwide. It has been determined they are a major cause of reef coral bleaching, according to a 2008 study commissioned by the European Commission. In experiments, the cream-based ultra-violet (UV) filters -- used to protect skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure -- caused bleaching of coral reefs even in small quantities, the study found. Coral reefs are among the most biologically productive and diverse of ecosystems, and directly sustain half a billion people. But some 60 percent of these reef systems are threatened by a deadly combination of climate change, industrial pollution and excess UV radiation. The new study, published in US journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has now added sun screens to the list of damaging agents, and estimates that up to 10 per cent of the world's reefs are at risk of sunscreen-induced coral bleaching. Chemical compounds in sunscreen and other personal skin care products have been detected near both sea and freshwater tourist areas. Previous research has shown that these chemicals can accumulate in aquatic animals, and biodegrade into toxic by-products. Even small doses provoked large discharges of coral mucous -- a clear sign of environmental stress -- within 18 to 48 hours. Within 96 hours complete bleaching of corals had occurred. Virus levels in seawater surrounding coral branches increased to 15 times the level found in control samples, suggesting that sunscreens might stimulate latent viral infections, the study found.

Skiing

Snorkeling

Note the salty water. Bermuda is a great snorkeling location from late May to mid September. At other times, the waters are much cooler and attract mostly Canadians or Britons or Europeans. Prime areas include Church Bay in Southampton Parish and Tobacco Bay in St. George's. Rent masks, fins and snorkels. Residents and visitors should note that under the Fisheries (Protected Species) Order 1978, the Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) and the Harbour Conch (Strombus Costatus) are illegal to import, an offence to purchase and possess and illegal to take from Bermuda waters. Similarly protected are Atlantic pearl oysters, Bermuda cone shells, bonnet shells, calico clams, corals, dolphins, porpoises, sea fans, sea rods, scallops, top shells, turtles and whales. To snorkel with non-native dolphins see under "Dolphin Quest" in Sandys Parish.

Before snorkeling, visitors should take care not to use sun screen lotions, commonly used by beach-going and reef-roaming tourists worldwide. It has been determined they are a major cause of reef coral bleaching, according to a 2008 study commissioned by the European Commission. In experiments, the cream-based ultra-violet (UV) filters -- used to protect skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure -- caused bleaching of coral reefs even in small quantities, the study found. Coral reefs are among the most biologically productive and diverse of ecosystems, and directly sustain half a billion people. But some 60 percent of these reef systems are threatened by a deadly combination of climate change, industrial pollution and excess UV radiation. The new study, published in US journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has now added sun screens to the list of damaging agents, and estimates that up to 10 per cent of the world's reefs are at risk of sunscreen-induced coral bleaching. Chemical compounds in sunscreen and other personal skin care products have been detected near both sea and freshwater tourist areas. Previous research has shown that these chemicals can accumulate in aquatic animals, and biodegrade into toxic by-products. Even small doses provoked large discharges of coral mucous -- a clear sign of environmental stress -- within 18 to 48 hours. Within 96 hours complete bleaching of corals had occurred. Virus levels in seawater surrounding coral branches increased to 15 times the level found in control samples, suggesting that sunscreens might stimulate latent viral infections, the study found. Pesticides, hydrocarbons and other contaminants have also been found to induce algae or coral to release viruses, hastening the bleaching process. According to the World Trade Organisation, around 10 per cent of tourism takes place in tropical areas, with 78 million tourists visiting coral reefs each year. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes of sunscreen are released annually in reef areas, with 25 per cent of the sunscreen ingredients on skin released into water over the course of a 20 minute submersion.

Spear fishing

Under the 1972 Fisheries Regulations, this is illegal in waters in or less than 1 mile from shore and offenders caught will be fined up to US$5,000.

Sunfish sailing

Popular in Bermuda. Bermuda has a former Sunfish World Champion, with Malcolm Smith having won the Sunfish World Championship title three years in a row.

Swimming

In competitive swimming, there are numerous local adherents and various significant competitions are held throughout the year. Visiting swimmers are always welcomed.

Windsurfing

Yachting

Also see under Employers in the heading " Yacht and Boat Clubs." Larger vessels can venture beyond Bermuda's inshore protected waters. Every spring, International Race Week in Bermuda acts as a magnet for American, British, Canadian, European and local sailors. Every day of the year, Bermudians, residents and visitors can see splendid yachts from around the world moored in the city of Hamilton, or Town of St. George. Choice sightseeing spots to view the fleets at anchor, or when parading in the harbor, include Albouy's Point in Hamilton, or nearby Barr's Park. Events which attracted a large number of vessels, include the:

Bacardi Invitational Race Week, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Hamilton Harbour. In International One Design (IOD) sloops.

Bermuda Cruising Rally. From Hampton, Virginia, to St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club

Bermuda International Etchells Class

Bermuda J-24 Class Association

Bermuda Offshore Cruising Association (BOCA).

Bermuda Ocean Race (in even years) from Annapolis, MA, to Bermuda.

Bermuda Sailing Association.

Caribe 1500 race that docks at the St George's Dinghy club between June 28 and July 3.

Charleston to Bermuda Race. Every three years. Organized by the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation in conjunction with the Charleston Ocean Racing Association and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. 18 yachts competed in the May 17, 2003 race of 777 miles, including Ted Turner.

Daytona to Bermuda Race, from Ponce de Leon, FL, to Bermuda.

East End Mini Yacht Club. Convict Bay, St. George's, GE 05. Phone 297-0558.

IOD World Championship 2005. Won by Bermudian Penny Simmons and his crew in Tonsberg, Norway. His crew included wife Sacha, son Lars, Darcey Betschart and Steven King.

ISIF. Bermuda is involved in this international organization. See ADT events, above.

King Edward VII Gold Cup. The Wimbledon of Match Racing. The oldest match race event in International One Design sloops.Annual. Inaugurated in 1937 when New Yorker Sherman Hoyt returned to its British tradition the prestigious King Edward VII Royal Trophy he won in 1911. He presented it to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. This ISIF grade 1 match racing competition is a tradition since 1948. Skippers have included Magnus Holmberg, Peter Holmberg, Jes Gram-Hansen, Dennis Conner, Peter Bromby, Andy Green (1999), Ed Baird, Gavin Brady, Ken Read, Morten Henricksen, Mark Campbell-Jones, Marcus Wieser, Andy Horton, Lars Nordjberg, James Spithill and Ian Williams (October 2006). In the 2007 event, stage 13 of the World Match Racing Tour, October 9-14 organized by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, 21 teams including the reigning event champion and runner-up, the America's Cup-winning helmsman, the world's top three and six of the top 10-ranked match-racers, two local Bermudian skippers and the No. 4-ranked women's match-racer, competed for a prize purse of $100,000 (first place, $35,000). The teams raced on 33 footer International One Design (IODs) match racing boats on Hamilton Harbour.

Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race, from Marion, MA, to Bermuda. Every other year, last in 2005.

North American Optimist Dinghy Championships. When in Bermuda, hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, International Optimist Dinghy Association and Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association. Teams come from Argentina, Bermuda. Brazil, BVI, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Uruguay and USA.

Newport to Bermuda Ocean Race, from Newport, RI, to Bermuda. This June classic is held every other year in conjunction with the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. It is one of the most famous ocean yacht races, part of the Onion Patch series. It was first raced in 1906, from Gravesend Bay and except for the war years has been a continuous biennial event. The race moved to Newport in 1936.

One Two Single Handed Race, from Newport, RI, to Bermuda.

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. In City of Hamilton.

Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. Located in Paget Parish.

St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club. 24 Cut Road, St. George's. Phone 297-1612

Sandys Boat Club. Somerset. Phone 234-2248 or 234-4137

Sir John Cox Yacht Race. Annually, usually in October.

Spanish Point Boat Club. Pembroke. Phone 295-1030. Fax 292-8024

Sunfish Sailing World Championships.

Swedish Match Grand Prix. Bermuda is one of the places for this circuit.

West End Sailboat Club. Watford Island, Somerset. Phone 234-1252

Women's Match Race Championship, October, 2005. Sailing in International One Design sloops, this second-time women's match racing competition is a unique, eight-team qualifier series to the ADT Gold Cup. Held in Bermuda periodically.