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Parish · Eastern Parishes
St. George's
St. George's, the 1612 town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the forts of the east coast, Tobacco Bay, St. David's and Bermuda's airport.
In the photo: The beach and the rocks of Tobacco Bay, in St. George’s.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The parish
Get to know St. George's
The parish of St. George's occupies the far east of Bermuda and is made up of several islands: St. George's Island, St. David's Island, Coney Island and the tip of Tucker's Town, around St. George's Harbour and Castle Harbour. The L.F. Wade airport, where air arrivals come in, is located there.
Bermuda’s history begins on this coast. In 1609 the ship Sea Venture, which was carrying English settlers to Virginia, was wrecked on the island’s reefs, and the survivors built two boats there to continue the journey. In 1612 the English founded the town of St. George's, which was the capital until 1815. The town and the surrounding fortifications were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
In the center, narrow streets and whitewashed stone houses lead to King’s Square, the State House from 1620, and St. Peter’s Church, one of the oldest Anglican churches still in use outside the British Isles. On tiny Ordnance Island is a replica of the Deliverance, one of the castaways’ boats. A little farther up is the Unfinished Church, a 19th-century church that was never completed and became an open-air ruin.
The coast north and east of the town is marked by the forts that defended the harbour entrance, such as Fort St. Catherine, Gates Fort and Alexandra Battery. Near Fort St. Catherine, Tobacco Bay has shallow water among rocks, good for swimming and snorkeling.
On the other side of the harbour, St. David's Island retains a fishing-village feel, with the 1879 St. David's Lighthouse on a hill and the beaches and trails of Clearwater Beach and the Cooper's Island nature reserve. In summer, the Cup Match cricket game, a national holiday, alternates its host between the St. George's club and Somerset, at the other end of the island.
When to go
From May to October the sea is warmer, and Tobacco Bay and Clearwater Beach receive more visitors; the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. At that time, the ferry that connects St. George's to the Royal Naval Dockyard usually operates. From December to March the air is mild and the wind stronger, a good period to walk around the historic town and the forts with fewer crowds.
Getting there
L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) is located in the parish itself, between St. George's and St. David's, with flights to cities on the U.S. east coast, Toronto and London. From the town of Hamilton to St. George's there are public buses that leave from the central terminal; there is no direct ferry between the two. In the summer season a ferry links St. George's to the Royal Naval Dockyard in the west. Smaller cruise ships dock in St. George's harbour.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about St. George's
What to see in St. George's, Bermuda?
The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: King’s Square, the State House, St. Peter’s Church, the Deliverance replica and the Unfinished Church. Outside the center, visit Fort St. Catherine, Tobacco Bay and Gates Fort, and cross to St. David's Island for the lighthouse and the beaches of Clearwater and Cooper's Island.
How much time to allow for St. George's?
A full day allows you to see the historic center at a relaxed pace, visit one or two forts and swim at Tobacco Bay. With a second day you can explore St. David's Island, the lighthouse and the beaches on the east side. People staying in Hamilton commonly go by bus and return in the late afternoon.
How to get from Bermuda's airport to St. George's?
The airport is in the same parish, a few kilometers from the town. Taxis wait outside the arrivals area, and there are public buses that stop near the airport. Visitors cannot rent a regular car: those who want to drive rent a small electric car or a scooter in town.
Why is St. George's a World Heritage Site?
Because it is one of the oldest English towns in the Americas continuously inhabited since its founding in 1612, and it preserves the layout, houses and churches of the colonial period. In 2000 UNESCO inscribed the town together with the fortifications built over three centuries to defend the east of Bermuda.
Is Tobacco Bay good for snorkeling?
Yes. The cove is protected by limestone rocks, has shallow, clear water and fish near the rocks, which makes snorkeling easy for beginners. On days with strong north winds the sea can become rough: check conditions before entering. The beach is a walk from St. George's center.