Sailing in Bermuda
Bermuda is a small chain of islands about 700 miles due east of South Carolina. Sailboats have traveled to or through Bermuda for a long time, and it is the most popular tropical destination for sailing enthusiasts on the US East Coast. Bermuda is also a frequent stop for sailboats from the Canada and Europe. As a vacation spot, Bermuda is the end of historical sailing races and pulls hundreds of American boats on cruising trips.
The weather is usually good for sailing (Location catamaran) in November, when some sailboats cruise to Bermuda. This island chain is nowhere near the southern trade winds, however historical records on nautical records show that the wind can arise from any region. If you’ll be crossing the Gulf Stream, check the weather carefully before sailing to miss being grabbed by a northerly wind, which may produce steep currents that are nauseating and can become troublesome. In the famous Newport-Bermuda sail race in June of even years, almost 200 fast boats made the journey in 3 days, depending on the currents. In odd-numbered years the Marion-Bermuda race is a more relaxed competition for cruising boats.
A British territory, Bermuda offers much to cruising sailing enthusiasts. The city of Hamilton boasts the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and has a quality large harbor full of all types of boats. On the other side of Bermuda, the lesser city and harbor of St. George’s are home of the St. George’s Dinghy and Sports Club. Both clubs and both harbors have fantastic facilities for traveling cruisers. Boat manufacturers, and other businesses abound.
With around 20 square miles of land spread over numerous closely placed islands, Bermuda hosts a stable population of about 66,000. The economy is healthy and the locals friendly, and even low income neighborhoods are well kept and make for pleasant visiting everywhere. The subtropical climate keeps the island warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Beautiful beaches of pink sand seem to be everywhere, and coral reefs make for good snorkeling, although the ocean is cooler than in the Caribbean.
With so many boats traveling there from so many other areas, Bermuda has amazing procedures for assisting with sailing and arrival. Mariners should have high quality charts to avoid the plentiful reefs surrounding the island chain, especially on the northern side, but Bermuda Harbor Radio is easily reached on the VHF and should help guide you in. Customs must be cleared first in St. George’s Harbor, customs is well marked and illuminated for day entry. You enter the harbor through a thin jagged cut that seems very small even for a medium sized boat, but concerns about squeezing through soon turn to embarrassment when you see a large cruise ship make the same passage.
