I Visited Bermuda and Never Went to the Beach—Here’s Why an Off-season Trip Is Worth It

There’s a reason wintertime is Bermuda’s off season—the ocean is more of a cold plunge, the famous pink beaches are too breezy for sunning, and a jacket, not a bikini, is the costume de rigueur.

This British Overseas Territory sits on the same latitude as North Carolina, after all. While it’s more tropical than Britain, to be sure, it’s not an always-warm Caribbean island. With a remote location in the North Atlantic, Bermuda is a place with true seasons, including a cold one.

Yet on a chilly mid-February getaway to The Loren at Pink Beach—my first time visiting Bermuda—I fell in love with the out-of-water side of of the destination even without being able to partake in my usual island activities of swimming, diving, and sun-soaked beach days.

Without the usual pressure to squeeze in beach time, boat days, and exploring (and, oh yeah, relaxing, too), you’ll discover a side of Bermuda that’s slower, cozier, and rich in history and culture. The dark ‘n’ stormys are just as strong and the vibe is more romantic—just get a hotel room with a view.

Here’s the best things to do in Bermuda without going to the beach.

Tour the Crystal and Fantasy Caves

Touring the breathtaking Crystal and Fantasy Caves is a must on any trip to Bermuda. As I descended the 83 steps into the Crystal Cave, I was blown away by this natural wonder. You walk on a floating trail between limestone stalactites that are potentially hundreds of millions of years old and over some of the most crystalline water I’ve ever seen. Entry is by guided tour only and it’s $24 per adult, per cave, or $35 if you visit both (and you’ll want to). Since it’s underground, it’s equally stunning on a rainy day.

Practice morning yoga

One of my favorite Bermuda experiences was practicing yoga among locals without ever leaving my hotel. Salt Yoga meets at The Loren, so the hotel’s daily yoga offering isn’t packed with other hotel guests but rather a group of happy-go-lucky locals. I felt like I was among friends as I joined the regulars to salute the sun from The Loren’s raised beachfront pavilion with the waves creating a natural sound machine all around us—a ticket to bliss, and you won’t even get sandy.

Get a massage inside a cave

I didn’t get the chance on my visit, but booking a massage inside a natural cave at Grotto Bay is at the top of my wishlist for next time.

Sip a rum swizzle at The Swizzle Inn

Aside from being Bermuda’s oldest pub, The Swizzle Inn’s claim to fame is creating the rum swizzle, Bermuda’s national drink, in 1932. Served from an iced pitcher, you can order by the glass, half jug, or full jug. But know that a little goes a long way with this heady combo of Gosling’s Black Seal and Amber rums mixed with orange, pineapple, and lemon juices plus fruit liqueurs and falernum.

And don’t neglect Bermuda’s other national drink, the dark ‘n’ stormy; something about this concoction of dark rum, ginger beer, and lime hits different when the weather is, indeed, dark and stormy.

Eat like a local

You don’t need prime weather to enjoy Bermuda’s flourishing culinary scene.

At The Loren, notable restaurants from around the world regularly take over the kitchen for intimate, multi-course pop-up dinners as part of their guest chef series. The hotel’s two restaurants are highly rated in their own right, but an Uchi experience during Valentine’s Day weekend visit really kicked things up a notch.

On Sundays, locals fill the tables for brunch at Village Pantry in Flatts Village. Or, for a peek into the past, make a dinner reservation at the historic Tom Moore’s Tavern, built in 1652 as a private home. The present-day restaurant retains many of the original features and has attracted celebrities and royals, including Prince Charles in 1970.

Don’t even think about leaving without trying a famous Bermudian fish sandwich, a staple on most menus island-wide. It’s fried fish on raisin bread with tartar sauce, coleslaw, tomato, and cheese, so I had my doubts about its supposed deliciousness, but one bite made me a believer. It’s comfort food, Bermuda style.

Rent a scooter and get lost

As long as the weather is fair enough, renting a scooter to explore is another top thing to do in Bermuda off the beach. Bermuda limits each household to one car, so it’s a very scooter-friendly island and the roads are easy to navigate. You can wind your way by pastel homes, windswept cliffs, and hidden lookout points for a true taste of the island’s beauty. The Loren arranged for Oleander Cycles to drop off and pick up a scooter at the hotel for us, so the process couldn’t have been easier.

Walk around Hamilton

Spend a few hours walking and shopping around Hamilton, the capital city of Bermuda; Front Street is worth a stroll. And don’t miss the massive modern art collection at the pretty-in-pink Hamilton Princess & Beach Club—the lobby and ground-floor halls are lined with pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, and Banksy. The courtyard setting of the Crown & Anchor’s harborfront terrace is nice for a lingering lunch.

Make your own perfume

For a truly authentic Bermudian souvenir, stop by the Lili Bermuda Perfumery to create a custom scent or shop their line of handcrafted fragrances inspired by island botanicals. Located in a 1700s-era home in the historic town of St. George, the perfumery traces its storied history to 1928. You can join a complimentary tour (held daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. except on Sundays and public holidays) or even take afternoon tea in the gardens on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Visit Bermuda in the wintertime and you may not go home with a tan, but if you’re like me, you may find this off-season vacation somehow even more refreshing than one on which you never change out of a swimsuit.