Bermuda Photo Gallery
The best of everywhere else, with all the nasty stuff taken out.
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Here there are no slums, no crowds & no amusement arcades.
Bermuda is simply stunning and little short of perfection. If anywhere deserves the name “Paradise”, this is it.
(left) 1950's Postcard of SS Queen of Bermuda on Front Street. (right) Sagafjord in 1995, arriving on one of her regular summer visits, seen by local photographer, Ann Smith Gordon. |
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| And if you must ask about the Bermuda Triangle, see The Bermuda Triangle >> | << Back to HomePage |
| The first arrival | Map >> | 
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| Inside the reef following the South Channel |
Two Rock Passage entering Hamilton Harbour |
House on Point Shares Hamilton Harbour |
approaching Front Street City of Hamilton |
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| alongside Front Street | From the harbour by night | alongside Front Street |
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| John Smith's Bay pink sand & turquoise seas |
Flatts Village |
Replica of "Deliverance" (1610) Town of St George |
Kings Square, St George Town Hall (1782) |
Diving off the reef
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| Greg Hartley's Helmet Dive |
Submarine "Enterprise" |
Living Coral | Wreck of The "Lartington" |
The "Lartington" & Coral |
The Bermuda Aquarium
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| Live Coral | Dusky Shark | Rhinoceros Iguana | Alligator | Parrot |
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| Black Grouper | Spiny Lobster | Seahorse | Loggerhead Turtle |
Departing Hamilton
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| Departing Hamilton & Royal Viking Star |
Departing Hamilton & Royal Viking Star |
Hamilton Princess Hotel |
Government House Residence of the Governor |
| King's Wharf & Dockyard | Map >> |
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| Dockyard Ireland Island |
Queen Elizabeth 2 docks at the new King's Wharf Terminal |
The Bridge | QE2 at Dockyard Ireland Island |
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Glass-bottomed boat and Ferry to Hamilton
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| Glass-bottomed Boat | Andrew | Luxury Homes on Point Shares |
Hamilton Colourful Front Street |
Botanical Gardens & Camden House
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| Lime-washed roofs (near Flatts Village) |
A Traditional Colonial House | The Botanical Gardens | Camden House Official Residence of The Premier of Bermuda |
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Underwater Helmet-diving Again!
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Other cruise ships had booked all the available berths in Bermuda today, so we were obliged to drop anchor in the Great Sound, just outside Hamilton, from where a local tender service was provided. Union regulations meant that the ship was not allowed to use its own tenders, which would have been much better; as it was, we had to make do with an hourly ferry service! | |
| Royal Viking Sun (by John) |
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| Front Street, Hamilton & the famous "Birdcage" |
Historic St George's Town St Peter's Church (1620) is the oldest Anglican Church still in use outside Britain. (right) Kings Square |
Peacocks at the Bermuda Aquarium |
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| Hamilton Harbour | NCL's "Westward" (the ex-"Royal Viking Star") |
"Nordic Prince" & "Horizon" (in 3 years' time, we would arrive here aboard "Horizon") |
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| Song of America (1982) & a cloudburst! |
Front Street & the "Birdcage" |
Pink Flamingoes at the Aquarium |
Sagafjord by Night & the "Birdcage" |
Hamilton & surroundings
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| The South Channel approach into Bermuda |
Off Point Shares entering Hamilton Harbour |
Sessions House (Bermuda Parliament) |
Bustling Front Street & Hamilton Cathedral |
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| Front Street | The Birdcage | Horizon & The Birdcage |
Horizon at her berth & the Harbour Ferry Terminal |
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| Camden House | The pink sands of Horseshoe Bay |
Stunning views from 354ft above sea-level Gibbs Hill Lighthouse |
Anglican Cathedral (1886-97) |
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St George
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| Majesty Cruise Line's Royal Majesty (1992) (32,400grt - 1,050 pass) |
Ordnance Island, St George Royal Majesty & Replica of "Deliverance" from 1609 |
At Penno's Wharf Cruise Terminal Celebrity's Horizon |
The town of St George is the historical heart of Bermuda; it was here in 1609 that 150 castaways from the wrecked "Sea Venture" took up residence while they built
a new ship, "Deliverance" to continue to their original destination, Jamestown, Virginia. About 50 settlers returned 2 years later however,
and founded St George in 1612, and it still has many historic buildings and features.
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| Water Street, St George's The tourist centre of the town |
Fading Grandeur Gate-posts are all that remain of one home! |
The Unfinished Church (1870's) | ||||||
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| St David's Lighthouse & the view of St George Harbour |
Sheltered snorkelling at Tobacco Bay |
Fort St Catherine & St Catherine's Beach |
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A frustrating one-day visit, shortened even to 9am-4.30pm, made all the more disappointing
by Andrew suffering a nasty fall on the rocks at West Whale Bay, sustaining cuts and bruises
as well as losing his camera in a rock-pool. Still, not to be daunted eh!
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| Arrival at King's Wharf | Andrew (pre-accident) |
Crystal Harmony at King's Wharf Bermuda | Church Bay | West Whale Bay (Andrew's accident) |
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| Gibbs Hill Lighthouse | Gibbs Hill Lighthouse | House on South Shore | Sunset Departure | Sunset over Bermuda |
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Hamilton & Surroundings | Map >> |
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This trip marked our return to Celebrity & a relaxing 4-day stay.
It would prove a successful formula and one that we repeated on a number of occasions over the years. (left) Dad, John & Andrew on the Dockyard Ferry & (right) At the Maritime Museum |
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| NCL's Norwegian Crown arriving from St George (ex-Crown Odyssey 1987 34,242grt - 1,200 passengers) |
Zenith alongside Front Street |
Front Street Policeman in the "Birdcage"! |
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| Spanish Point Park Native Cedars & the remains of the Floating Dock (see left) |
The View across Grassy Bay to Dockyard | |||||
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Bermuda's Floating Dock
Built in England in 1869 and towed to Bermuda in 35 days by HMS Agincourt & HMS Northumberland, assisted by 3 other ships including HMS Warrior (now restored at Portsmouth), it was the second largest floating dock in the World and became an integral facility at the Navy Dockyard on Ireland Island. 381ft long & 125ft wide, it could accommodate ships up to 25 feet wide but fell out of use in 1906, with the arrival of the new generation of warships. |
| Sold for scrap, it was being towed away when it was caught in a gale and broke free, eventually getting stuck on the reef off Spanish Point. It was finally abandoned in 1908. They tried to blow it up with dynamite in 1950 but the remains of its rusting hulk can still be seen just above the water (see photo above, far left). |
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| Celebrity's Horizon arrives from New York (1990 46,811grt - 1,350 passengers) |
Horizon at Kings Wharf, Dockyard |
Crystal Caves (apologies for poor photo!) |
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Dad & I went on to visit the Crystal Caves and by the time we returned to Hamilton, the weather was perfect again. Note the Wind-Compass on
top of City Hall (instead of a clock); the weather-vane is the Sea Venture wrecked here in 1609.
(left) NCL's Norwegian Crown alongside Front St, Hamilton (right) Hamilton City Hall's Wind-Compass & Weather-Vane |
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St George & the East End | Map >> |
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| Zenith departs Hamilton | Zenith en-route to St George |
Passing through "The Town Cut" |
St George's Harbour |
| The Passage to St George
I caused some concern at the gangway, going ashore at 5.45am; the ship was about to leave! But I caught the bus to St George at 6.45am and walked out to Gates Fort, in time for Zenith's arrival, passing through the narrow Town Cut, blasted-out in 1917 to improve the access into St George's Harbour. Much to everyone's surprise, I was back aboard in time for breakfast at 8.30am! |
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| Tobacco Bay | Sailboat & Coral Arch |
Paddling & Snorkelling | Dad! |
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The town of St George is the historical heart of Bermuda; it was here in 1609 that 150 castaways from the wrecked Sea Venture took up residence while they built a new ship, Deliverance to continue to their original destination, Jamestown, Virginia. About 50 settlers returned 2 years later however, and founded St George in 1612. A number of historic buildings and important features lie close to King's Square, including the Town Stocks, a Ducking-stool and a full-size replica of the Deliverance on Ordnance Island. |
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| Spittal Pond Reserve & Portuguese Rock |
Woodland Walk | Flowering Cactii Spittal Pond Reserve |
Sea Song Cottage Overlooking the South Shore |
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| Harrington Sound near Devil's Hole | Feeding the Turtles at Devil's Hole Aquarium |
The ex-Astor Mansion across Ferry Reach |
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The Astor Family's Bermuda Estate
The sprawling 22-acre estate stands across Ferry Reach and you can see it as the bus passes the Airport. Although today in private ownership, it was owned by Vincent Astor, who at 20 years of age, became the richest young man in America when his father, 47 year-old John Jacob Astor IV was lost in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. |
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| In 1914, he married Helen Huntington and the Bermuda Estate was developed in the 1930's. As well as his philanthropic interests, Vincent Astor had a passion for trains and his private railway once connected to the Bermuda Railway at a private Halt you can still see the remains of today on the Railway Trail west of St George. |
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Zenith left St George at 3pm, passing close to NCL's Norwegian Majesty before slipping back through the Town Cut
into a choppy sea en-route to New York.
Formal Night again; wonderful Dinner, aweful Show! |
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Hamilton & Dockyard | Map >> |
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| White's Island My "Fantasy Island" |
Zenith alongside Front Street |
Dockyard The Ferry & Clocktower Mall |
The Keep & Gate to the Keep Pond |
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| The Commissioner's House (1827) | The Commissioner's House Entrance Hall & Commissioners' Board Room |
The view from The Verandah |
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The Commissioner's House
Completed in 1827, this was the first residential building in history to utilise cast-iron framing, which was all pre-fabricated and transported from England. Like many other Dockyard buildings, the walls are hard Bermuda limestone, largely quarried by convicts and slaves. The Commissioner's House was originally occupied by the Dockyard Commissioners and then by the Army, as the Royal Marine Barracks until 1914, when it became married quarters and barracks for naval ratings during the Great War.
When the Navy left in 1951, the six-acre Keep and Commissioner’s House were left to decay until 1974 when the Bermuda Maritime Museum took responsibility. With only voluntary donors and contributions, the restoration of the building was finally completed in 2000, the largest restoration project ever undertaken in Bermuda and earning an RICS Architectural Excellence Award. It is now an elegant exhibition and special events space and a major asset for the cultural heritage of the Island.
Completed in 1827, this was the first residential building in history to utilise cast-iron framing, which was all pre-fabricated and transported from England. Like many other Dockyard buildings, the walls are hard Bermuda limestone, largely quarried by convicts and slaves. The Commissioner's House was originally occupied by the Dockyard Commissioners and then by the Army, as the Royal Marine Barracks until 1914, when it became married quarters and barracks for naval ratings during the Great War.
When the Navy left in 1951, the six-acre Keep and Commissioner’s House were left to decay until 1974 when the Bermuda Maritime Museum took responsibility. With only voluntary donors and contributions, the restoration of the building was finally completed in 2000, the largest restoration project ever undertaken in Bermuda and earning an RICS Architectural Excellence Award. It is now an elegant exhibition and special events space and a major asset for the cultural heritage of the Island.
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The Flying Boat Service to Bermuda began in 1937 and though it lasted only until 1948, it played a significant part in the opening-up of the island. I bought one of these splendid Limited Edition Prints by artist John Finch here and on the evening of our departure from Bermuda, I was made a surprise presentation of the other one by Joyce & Anne, as a "thankyou" for bringing them here! | 
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| Hamilton Cathedral | Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Hamilton Completed in Neo-Gothic style in 1911 |
Zenith Alongside Front Street |
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Fort Hamilton
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| A Moon Gate John, Andrew, Anne, Joyce, Anny & Gerry |
The Ramparts of Fort Hamilton Zenith & Horizon (just arrived from St George) below |
The Moat Botanical Gardens |
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Although close by, Fort Hamilton is often overlooked by tourists and while it has not
been developed much as a museum, it is still worth exploring its passages and tunnels, dating from the 1860's.
Apart from the view over Hamilton from the ramparts, its other striking feature is the luxuriant Botanical Garden
in the old Moat, which benefits from its own unique micro-climate.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
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| Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (1846) (Photos from our trip aboard Horizon in 1995) |
354 feet down! | The Lighthouse Tea-Room |
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Completed in 1846, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse was only the 2nd in the World to be made of cast-iron and it was shipped in pieces from England.
The 185 steps to the top don't include the hill climb but at 354 feet above sea-level, there's a stunning view over Bermuda and highly respectable
Tea-room (selling Earl Grey Tea and cream cakes!) in which to recover afterwards!
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| Church Bay Beware - Ants in the sand! |
Yachting in Hamilton Sound |
Zenith in Hamilton Before her dawn departure for St George |
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St George | Map >> |
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| Zenith approaches the Town Cut |
The Town Cut | Tranquil St George Harbour Zenith tied-up at Penno's Wharf |
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The Town Cut, St George's
Entering St George's Harbour from the sea is an experience, as the ship passes through the Town Cut, a narrow channel blasted-out in 1917. At the entrance stands the ruined Gates Fort (dating from 1609) where the Town Crier stands and greets the ships as they enter the harbour. |
Show Video |
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Fort George
Dating from 1788 and rebuilt in the 1840's, sadly there isn't much remaining, apart from the view but while there, we watched as Norwegian Majesty arrived in the harbour through the "Town Cut". |
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The Ducking Stool Ceremony
The Ducking Stool was a traditional form of medieval punishment (of women) by public humiliation and is an example of "local justice" for minor misdemeanours. Today, the entertainment put on for the tourists re-enacts the punishment of a "Nagging Wife" - not very "PC" these days but it's all in good fun. This 5 min video is worth a watch! |
Show Video |
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| A Moon Gate | The State House Bermuda's oldest building |
Chimney-pots and Roof-tops | ||||
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Pacific Princess (the "Love Boat")
Built in 1971 for Flagship Cruises, she ran cruises to Bermuda as Sea Venture (19,903grt), the same name as the ship which brought the first settlers to Bermuda in 1609. From 1975 to 2002 as Pacific Princess, she became famous as the "Love Boat" from the popular 70's TV series. |
Show Video |
Norwegian Majesty
10th - 13th June 2003
The Magnificent Seven again!
View the complete Log of this cruise >>
10th - 13th June 2003
The Magnificent Seven again!
View the complete Log of this cruise >>
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| Anny, Andrew, Gerry & John sunbathing |
Pat sunbathing | St George & The Deliverance |
Norwegian Majesty in St George |
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| Rooftops of St George | St George | The Commissioner's House | Norwegian Empress at King's Wharf |
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| Fort Hamilton | Fort Hamilton The Moat |
The Moon Gate near Fort Hamilton |
Spanish Point Park |
The Railway Trail
From Palmetto Park to Gibbons Bay
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Shelly Bay, Crawl Waterfront Park & Bailey's Bay
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Parasailing
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| Gerry.... | at the end of his tether! | Yours Truly | Whatever you do, don't let go! |
Me, about to be dunked! |
Celebrity Cruises' "Zenith" and Norwegian Cruise Line's "Norwegian Majesty" alongside in St George, Bermuda in 2003
Front Street, Hamilton
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| Arriving in Hamilton | Front Street Hamilton & The Birdcage | Empress of the Seas on Front Street Hamilton | Empress of the Seas & Zenith in Hamilton |
Dockyard, The Commissioner's House & the Railway Trail
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| Dockyard & The Commissioner's House | The restored Commissioner's House | The Commissioner's House at Dockyard | The Railway Trail | From the Railway Trail |
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| Grandeur of the Seas | From the Railway Trail | House on Flatts Inlet | Flatts Bridge |
The Crystal Caves, St George & Tobacco Bay
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| The Crystal Caves | The Crystal Caves | Departing Hamilton at Dawn |
Zenith in St George |
Norwegian Majesty in St George |
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| House in St George | The Rooftops of St George |
Tobacco Bay | Snorkelling at Tobacco Bay |
Lighthouses & Clearwater Beach
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| View from St David's Lighthouse | St David's Lighthouse | St David's Lighthouse from Clearwater Bay | Clearwater Beach | St David's Lighthouse & Clearwater Beach |
Grotto Bay Beach Resort
8th-15th September 2015
My 11th visit to Bermuda wasn't actually a cruise but...
See the full photo-album on
at Captain Martini >>
8th-15th September 2015
My 11th visit to Bermuda wasn't actually a cruise but...
See the full photo-album on
at Captain Martini >>
