National Heroes Weekend and the Bermuda Carnival heats up the island from June 17-22 Photo Credit BERNEWS

 BERMUDA INVITES TRAVELERS  TO SAIL INTO SUMMER 

Fun in the Sun Awaits Visitors to Bermuda

 

NEW YORK (May 2022) – From boating, kitesurfing, and golfing to cricket and carnivals, Bermuda is chockablock with vacation-worthy options and activities. Rolling out the welcome mat for American travelers planning a summer vacation, the island is a quick two-hour flight from many airports on the east coast.

Sailing Into Summer:  There’s never been a better time to visit Bermuda by air or sea to experience some of the world’s most ideal sailing conditions and most prestigious maritime competitions.

Leg 8 of the Round the World Clipper Race (Expected to arrive in Bermuda around June 16) – The Clipper Round the World Race is a record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a fleet of eleven identical 70-foot ocean racing yacht, divided into eight legs and between 13 and 16 individual races. Bermuda is making its debut on the Clipper Race circuit as a Host Port and competing yacht named GoToBermuda. Its Bermuda Ambassadors are Chanara Smith-Rookes and Matthew Stephens joining race legs 7 and 8 to the finale. The event is a unique opportunity to see these amazing vessels in action, meet crew members and participate in festive community events.

Newport Bermuda Race (June 17-25) – After a hiatus of four years, this beloved event returns in 2022, bringing a beloved open-ocean race back to Bermuda. Every other year, sailing crews compete between U.S. and Bermuda waters in what has been lovingly nicknamed “The Thrash to the Onion Patch.” First taking place in 1906, this is the race that turned the sea into a playground and made ocean racing a sport. The 635 nautical miles between Newport, Rhode Island, and Bermuda offer high winds and big waves – usually the kinds of things seamen do their best to avoid. But the challenge and thrills of the race have proven addictive to adventurous types.

Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship (Throughout July) – Each July, Bermuda hooks big-time anglers with the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. It’s a series of three fishing competitions happening in concert with the higher-stakes Blue Marlin World Cup. (The World Cup has been won in Bermuda several times.) The Triple Crown celebrates the top-performing boats, crews and anglers of the Bermuda billfish season, with fun parties and other events taking place during the contest, too.

Church Bay is ideal for swimming and snorkeling Photo Credit @bermudatourism

Summer Celebrations: 

Bermuda Day (May 27) – The Bermuda Day Parade is an explosion of island culture — and thanks to a new visitor experience you can not only see the parade but become a part of the procession. Soak in our British charm. Revel in our Caribbean heritage. Immerse yourself in our way of life as the entire country crowds the streets of Hamilton in jovial celebration. Visitors can book a VIP Visitor package for a premium full-day experience with food, drink, and a front-row seat for the action. National Heroes Weekend / Carnival In Bermuda (June 17-22) – Bermuda’s Heroes Weekend has emerged as one of the island’s most anticipated events. From bands that get you on your feet to J’Ouvert, a variety of Carnival-style fetes and raft-ups (tons of boats and floaties linked together on Bermuda’s perfect turquoise water), Bermuda’s built a distinct, can’t-miss experience – especially for every carnival aficionado on the East Coast.   Cup Match Cricket Festival / Summer Splash (July 28-29) – With no shortage of entertainment, sit back and watch a competitive cricket match from the Somerset Cricket Club, try your luck at the famous Crown, and Anchor tent, and experience an array of great local food. Coinciding with Cup Match, Summer Splash is Bermuda’s ultimate summer event, featuring top international Reggae music artists, followed by rich local cultural traditions and non-stop fun on the water and in the sun.

Exploring downunder is a treat for snorkelers and divers Photo Credit @bermudatourism

Nature’s Fireworks Show –  Sailing twice monthly, two and three days after the full moon, evening glow worm tours organized by Ana Luna Adventures let you view a rare, bioluminescent mating spectacle on the water’s surface. From a glass-bottom boat, you’ll see a dream-like, bright green glow in the water.    Kite Surfing – Pompano Beach Club launched its first kite surfing school, offering all ages the chance to learn this exciting action sport from experienced Bermudian kite surfer Gray Robinson, who operates international kitesurfing schools in Cape Town, South Africa, and Tarifa, Spain. Pompano Beach Club is also notable for its sprawling reef and sandbar that keeps the water shallow for more than 50 yards.   Bermuda Biennial – The Bermuda National Gallery, one of Bermuda’s cultural treasures, is celebrating its third decade in 2022 in conjunction with the 15th Bermuda Biennial, opening in June. Sponsored by Bacardi Limited, the Biennial provides a critical platform for the island’s living artists, giving them the opportunity to have their work seen by professionals from prominent international art institutions.

 Beds for Heads at Cambridge Beaches

Since 1923, Cambridge Beaches has served as a storied Bermuda resort set on a private peninsula. Now, nearly 100 years later, guests can be the first to discover a new era for Cambridge Beaches.   Led by Phil Hospod of hospitality group Dovetail + Co, with interior design by Kellyann Hee (formerly of Soho House) and creative work by Paris-based Saint-Lazare, the property will have a newly refined perspective, immersive dining experiences, and expanded amenities. Working with existing architectural details dating back to the 17th century, the restyled cottages will be whimsical and tropical, featuring a mix of Portuguese, Spanish, and British aesthetics. All 86 guest rooms are set in cottages with expansive outdoor patios and panoramic water views.   This new chapter for the property – as it approaches its centennial in 2023 – will also offer new dining experiences accessible by land and sea: Breezes, an alfresco restaurant serving elevated island cuisine; Pastel, a casual poolside restaurant; and Sunken Harbor Club, an immersive cocktail bar by the award-winning mixologist and restaurateur, St. John Fritzell of Sunken Harbor Club in Brooklyn.

Looking Ahead

·         Golf Experiences in Bermuda – This fall, Bermuda will host Black Golfers Week (Oct. 24-31), featuring thrilling tournament play, fun festivities, important conversations and more – all with the aim of bringing more diversity to the sport of golf. The event follows the prestigious Butterfield Bermuda Championship (Oct. 21-23) at Port Royal Golf Course, a pro-am tournament set against a natural backdrop you’ll have to see to believe.

·         Fairmont Southampton Reopening – In 2023, the Fairmont Southampton resort will reopen after a $400 million investment project featuring 593 completely modernized and upgraded rooms, a reimagined Beach Club to feature both indoor and outdoor event space, new events lawn space, and Ocean Club renovations.

Bermuda is vacation nirvana for golfers with many courses dotting the island Photo Credit @bermudatourism

About the Bermuda Tourism Authority

The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) is an independent, non-government entity and the official destination marketing organization for the island country. The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) promotes Bermuda globally as a world-class destination for leisure and group travel and tourism investment. For more information visit: www.gotobermuda.com/bermudatourism.