Bermuda Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Bermuda

Bermuda sits alone in the western Atlantic, 650 miles east of Cape Hatteras and roughly 770 nautical miles north-east of the Bahamas – closer to New York than to any Caribbean island, yet blessed with turquoise water, pink-sand beaches and a subtropical climate that feels a world apart from the eastern seaboard. This 53-square-kilometre archipelago of 138 islands, strung in a fishhook curve just 22.5 kilometres long, owes its remarkable beauty to the northernmost coral reef system on the planet. The reefs built the pink sand (ground from the red shells of a tiny organism called Homotrema rubrum), sheltered the harbours, and sank more than 300 ships over four centuries – giving Bermuda the richest concentration of accessible shipwrecks in the Atlantic.

For yacht charter guests, Bermuda’s appeal is the blend of British polish and subtropical ease. Hamilton’s harbour is lined with pastel-painted shops and restaurants, St George’s – a UNESCO World Heritage town founded in 1612 – preserves cobblestone lanes and cedar-beamed churches, and the Royal Naval Dockyard at the western tip has been transformed from a 19th-century fortress into a marina, museum and dining hub. Between these landmarks, a series of sheltered bays, coves and sounds offers calm anchorages within short cruising distances of one another. The south shore is a string of pink-sand crescents – Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Elbow Beach – backed by low limestone cliffs and fringed by shallow reef. The north shore is wilder, dotted with historic forts and wreck sites that lie in as little as six metres of water.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend exploring the south-shore beaches and the Cristobal Colón wreck, or a week-long voyage taking in the cultural sights of Hamilton and St George’s alongside world-class diving and humpback whale watching, Bermuda rewards the charter guest who values substance over spectacle. The island is small enough to circumnavigate in a day, yet deep enough in history, marine life and culinary personality to fill a week without repetition. Start planning your Bermuda charter with Boatcrowd and let our team match you to the right yacht and itinerary.

Why Charter a Yacht in Bermuda

Pink-Sand Beaches and the World’s Northernmost Coral Reef

Bermuda’s south shore is one of the most visually striking coastlines in the Atlantic. The sand is genuinely pink – coloured by the calcium carbonate shells of Homotrema rubrum, a microscopic organism that lives on the underside of the reef, supplemented by the fine sediment that parrotfish excrete after grazing on coral. Horseshoe Bay is the most famous crescent, but Warwick Long Bay – at roughly 800 metres, the longest unbroken beach on the island – is arguably more beautiful and far less crowded. The reef system that creates this sand extends in an ellipse around the entire archipelago, covering roughly 200 square miles and supporting a rich underwater ecosystem just minutes from the anchorage.

Over 300 Shipwrecks in Diveable Water

Bermuda’s reef has been catching ships since the Sea Venture ran aground in 1609, inspiring Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Today, more than 300 documented wrecks lie in waters ranging from six to 25 metres, making the island one of the most accessible wreck-diving destinations in the world. The Cristobal Colón, a 152-metre Spanish luxury liner that struck the reef in 1936, is the largest – her engines, propellers and turbines are spread across a vast debris field in five to 18 metres of water. The Mary Celestia, a Civil War blockade runner, sits upright in 17 metres with both paddle wheels still visible. The Hermes, fully intact with her mast pointing towards the surface, is one of the most photogenic wrecks in the Atlantic. For charter guests, your captain can have you moored above a world-class wreck site within 20 minutes of leaving the dock.

Humpback Whale Migration

Each March and April, more than 10,000 humpback whales pass through Bermuda’s waters on their annual migration from Caribbean breeding grounds to the cold, nutrient-rich waters off Canada, Greenland and Iceland. The whales travel close enough to the island’s south shore that breaches and spouts are visible from the aft deck on a calm morning. Your captain positions the yacht at a respectful distance while the crew serves breakfast – a genuinely thrilling wildlife encounter that few Caribbean charter destinations can match. The migration window is narrow, so guests with a passion for marine life should plan accordingly.

A Culinary Scene with Genuine Character

Bermuda’s dining has evolved well beyond the hotel-restaurant model. Blue by Eric Ripert at the Ritz-Carlton – the island’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant – serves a tasting-menu-only format with a 700-label wine list that rivals Le Bernardin in New York. The Waterlot Inn, operating for nearly 350 years on a harbourside site, is Bermuda’s premier steakhouse. Grand Old House occupies a restored 1908 plantation home on the south coast with an award-winning wine list and waterfront tables. Fourways Inn, the ‘grande dame’ of Bermuda’s restaurants, pairs first-class European cuisine with a candlelit colonial setting. And Wahoo’s Bistro in St George’s serves award-winning fish chowder – the island’s signature dish – alongside fresh wahoo and local catch. Your crew can provision from Hamilton’s gourmet suppliers and the harbourside markets for onboard dining that matches anything ashore.

A Living History Lesson

Bermuda was settled in 1609, making it one of the oldest British Overseas Territories. St George’s, founded in 1612, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking settlement in the Western Hemisphere. St Peter’s Church, built that same year from Bermudian cedar, is the oldest Anglican church in continuous use outside the British Isles. The Royal Naval Dockyard, constructed in the early 1800s as Britain’s western Atlantic stronghold, now houses the National Museum of Bermuda – whose collection includes gold bars and jewellery recovered from century-old shipwrecks. Hamilton’s Sessions House (1819) and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity complete a compact but impressive cultural circuit that your crew can weave into any charter itinerary.

Top Destinations Near Bermuda

• Horseshoe Bay – Bermuda’s most celebrated beach: a crescent of pink sand framed by low limestone cliffs on the south shore. The water is calm, turquoise and shallow for a good distance offshore, with excellent snorkelling over the nearshore reef. Anchor offshore in 8–12 metres over sand and tender in for a morning swim or a sunset walk.

• Warwick Long Bay – The longest continuous beach on the island – roughly 800 metres of unbroken pink sand backed by sea-grape trees and low dunes. Far quieter than Horseshoe Bay and equally beautiful. Excellent swimming and beginner snorkelling in calm conditions.

• Church Bay – A small, sheltered bay on the south shore with some of the best shallow-water snorkelling in Bermuda. Coral heads rise within metres of the beach, attracting parrotfish, blue angelfish, sergeant majors and the occasional sea turtle. Ideal for families and novice snorkellers.

• Tobacco Bay – A natural rock-pool beach near St George’s on the east end, with calm, clear water and colourful reef fish just offshore. A favourite stop after a morning exploring the UNESCO town.

• St George’s Harbour – One of Bermuda’s most atmospheric anchorages. The harbour offers 5–12 metres over mud and sand, with excellent holding in Convict Bay. Tender ashore to walk the cobblestone streets of the oldest English town in the Americas, visit St Peter’s Church (1612) and browse the Globe Museum.

• Hamilton Harbour – The commercial and cultural heart of Bermuda, roughly eight nautical miles west of St George’s. Moor at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club or Hamilton Princess Marina and walk to pastel-painted shops, the Bermuda National Gallery at City Hall, and some of the island’s finest restaurants.

• Royal Naval Dockyard – At the western tip of the archipelago, Bermuda’s former naval fortress now houses Pier 41 Marina (100+ berths, vessels up to 30 metres), the National Museum of Bermuda, the Clocktower Mall and Snorkel Park Beach. A natural base for exploring the western reefs and wrecks.

• Elbow Beach – A sheltered south-shore beach roughly three miles from Hamilton, with soft pink sand and calm swimming conditions. A pleasant stop between Hamilton and the deeper south-shore bays.

Best Time to Charter a Yacht in Bermuda

Peak Season: May to October

Bermuda’s warm season runs from May through October, with air temperatures of 24–32°C (75–90°F) and water temperatures reaching a comfortable 26–28°C (79–82°F) by midsummer. May and June are widely considered the best months – warm, low-humidity days, minimal rainfall and far fewer visitors than July and August. The Cup Match cricket festival in late July/early August is the island’s biggest cultural event – a two-day celebration of Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day with cricket, music, food and the infectious energy of the Gombey dancers. Summer charter rates are at their highest, but the long daylight hours and warm water make this the prime season for diving, snorkelling and beach days.

Whale Season: March to April

The narrow window when humpback whales migrate past Bermuda’s south shore. Air temperatures are mild (18–23°C / 64–73°F) and water is cooler (19–21°C / 66–70°F), so wetsuits are advisable for diving. Charter rates are softer and the island is pleasantly uncrowded. For guests who prioritise wildlife over warm water, this is an extraordinary time to visit.

Shoulder Season: November to February

Winter in Bermuda is mild by Atlantic standards – air temperatures of 16–22°C (61–72°F), cooler water and occasional northerly fronts that can bring chop to exposed anchorages. The island is quiet, restaurant reservations are easy to come by, and charter rates drop significantly. Not ideal for beach days, but cultural itineraries focused on Hamilton, St George’s and the Dockyard are rewarding year-round.

Signature Experiences

• Diving the Cristobal Colón at Dawn – Have your captain moor over the wreck site on the north shore before sunrise. As the first light filters into the water, descend to explore the engines, propellers and turbines of this 152-metre Spanish luxury liner in five to 18 metres of water. Coral-encrusted steel, shoals of reef fish and the sheer scale of the debris field make this one of the most impressive wreck dives in the Atlantic. Your chef has fresh pastries and coffee waiting on the aft deck when you surface.

• Pink Sand Picnic on Warwick Long Bay – Anchor off the south shore and tender in to 800 metres of unbroken pink sand. Your crew sets up shade, cold drinks and a gourmet picnic beneath the sea-grape trees while you swim and snorkel the nearshore reef. The sand’s colour intensifies in the late-afternoon light – the most photogenic moment of the day.

• Humpback Whale Watching from the Aft Deck – During March and April, your captain positions the yacht off the south shore at a respectful distance from the migrating pods. Breaches, spouts and the occasional fluke slap against a backdrop of turquoise water and pink sand – all from the comfort of the flybridge with breakfast in hand.

• Sunset at the Royal Naval Dockyard – Moor at Pier 41 Marina and walk through the 19th-century fortress as the evening light turns the limestone walls golden. Visit the National Museum of Bermuda, browse the Clocktower Mall, and settle into a waterfront table for dinner as the sun drops behind the western reef.

• St George’s Heritage Walk – Tender ashore at Bermuda’s original capital and walk the cobblestone streets of the oldest English town in the Americas. Visit St Peter’s Church (1612), explore the Globe Museum, and take in the colonial architecture before lunch at Wahoo’s Bistro for the island’s signature fish chowder.

• Snorkelling the Mary Celestia – This Civil War blockade runner sits in 17 metres on the south shore, with both paddle wheels, bow, stern and boilers clearly visible. The wreck is shallow enough for confident snorkellers to appreciate the outline from the surface, while divers explore the interior. A piece of living history beneath the waves.

Yacht Types Available

Bermuda’s position in the western Atlantic – outside the traditional Caribbean charter circuit – means the locally based fleet is smaller than in the Virgin Islands or the Bahamas. However, the island’s marinas are well equipped to host visiting yachts, and Bermuda is a regular stop for vessels transiting between the US East Coast, the Caribbean and Europe. Your Boatcrowd charter specialist can source the right vessel for your group, whether locally based or repositioned from another hub.

• Luxury Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – Ideal for exploring Bermuda’s compact coastline, with the speed to reach any anchorage on the island within 30 minutes. Accommodation for 6–8 guests in 3–4 en-suite cabins, with a crew of 3–5 and a full complement of water toys. Weekly rates typically start from around $45,000–$95,000 depending on season and yacht.

• Superyachts (100’+) – St George’s superyacht dock accommodates vessels up to 212 metres (LOA), while Pier 41 Marina at the Dockyard handles yachts up to 30 metres with full services including duty-free bunkering via RUBiS Energy’s superyacht service centre. Several superyachts transit Bermuda each season on transatlantic or Caribbean repositioning voyages. Weekly rates from roughly $120,000–$250,000+.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – A smaller selection of crewed catamarans operates in Bermuda waters, offering stability, generous deck space and a shallow draft that allows access to the south-shore reef anchorages. Ideal for families and groups who prioritise calm water and easy swim-platform access. Weekly rates from approximately $30,000–$55,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yacht charter in Bermuda cost?

Pricing depends on yacht type, size, season and inclusions. Luxury motor yachts (78’–99’) typically start from $45,000–$95,000 per week, fully crewed. Superyachts (100’+) start from roughly $120,000–$250,000+ per week. Luxury catamarans (55’+) start from around $30,000–$55,000 per week. Most charters operate on MYBA terms: the base rate plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (usually 25–35%) covering fuel, food, drinks and dockage. Summer rates are at their highest; the shoulder season (November–April) offers softer pricing. Crew gratuity is customarily 10–15%. Enquire with Boatcrowd for a personalised quote based on your dates and group size.

Are luxury catamarans available for charter in Bermuda?

Yes, though the selection is smaller than in the Caribbean. Boatcrowd can source crewed catamarans from local operators or arrange repositioning from other bases. Catamarans are an excellent choice for Bermuda’s south-shore anchorages, where their shallow draft allows closer access to the reef and the pink-sand beaches. Their stability and wide beam make them particularly popular with families and multi-generational groups.

Can I charter a yacht in Bermuda for a film or TV production?

Yes. Bermuda’s pink-sand beaches, turquoise water, dramatic limestone coastline and colonial architecture offer a visually distinctive setting for film and content production. The island has hosted productions including The Deep (1977), starring Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte, which showcased Bermuda’s wreck diving. The two-hour flight from New York and the compact size of the island make logistics straightforward. Boatcrowd can arrange production-friendly charters with yachts that accommodate camera crews, lighting rigs and talent.

Is Bermuda a good destination for a proposal, honeymoon or milestone birthday?

Bermuda is exceptional for celebrations. Your crew can arrange a sunset proposal on a deserted stretch of Warwick Long Bay, with champagne and a photographer arriving by tender. A honeymoon itinerary might include a private snorkel over the Mary Celestia wreck at dawn, a couples’ lunch at the Grand Old House with tables overlooking the south shore, and a candlelit dinner at Fourways Inn. Milestone birthdays are equally well catered for – a wreck-dive morning for a 40th, a whale-watching charter for a 50th, or a full-island circumnavigation for a group celebration. Let Boatcrowd know the occasion when you enquire and we’ll ensure every moment is tailored.

Can I bring the whole family, including grandparents and young children?

Absolutely. Bermuda’s south-shore beaches – particularly Church Bay and the shallow rock pools at Tobacco Bay – are ideal for young swimmers and novice snorkellers. The calm waters of Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound suit all ages, and the island’s compact size means no long passages between stops. Catamarans offer the widest, most stable platform for multi-generational groups. Crews are experienced with guests of all ages: children get age-appropriate snorkelling instruction and kid-friendly menus, while grandparents appreciate calm anchorages and attentive service.

Can I combine Bermuda with other destinations in one charter?

Bermuda’s position in the open Atlantic – 650 miles from the US coast and roughly 850 miles from the nearest Caribbean island – makes it best suited as a standalone destination rather than a multi-stop itinerary. The island’s compact size and the variety of its coastline, wrecks, cultural sites and dining mean that even a 3- or 4-day charter covers a remarkable range of experiences. For guests seeking a longer voyage, some yachts offer transatlantic or East Coast repositioning legs that include Bermuda as a highlight stop.

When is the best time to see humpback whales in Bermuda?

Humpback whales pass through Bermuda’s waters during their annual migration in March and April, travelling from Caribbean breeding grounds to the colder waters off Canada, Greenland and Iceland. More than 10,000 whales make this journey each year, and they pass close enough to the south shore for sightings from the yacht. Water temperatures are cooler during this window (19–21°C / 66–70°F), so wetsuits are advisable for diving, but the whale-watching experience is genuinely world-class.