The Complete Hidden Gems: Bermuda

Good things come in small packages – and nowhere is that more true than the islands of Bermuda. That’s right, the “islands.” Most visitors think Bermuda is just one island, but it’s more than 120 of them. Watch the full video of Peter's Hidden Gems: Bermuda, as he uncovers places and experiences that even the locals don't know about. From spicy Bermudian cuisine to off-the-beaten path islands with rare inhabitants, this is a Bermuda you haven't see before.

Bermuda is world famous for its pink sand beaches, but for the real experience you have to get off the shore and into the water. One of the best ways to see the island is by small boat. Bermuda is covered with small and large coves, harbours and beaches. Maneuvering around the water is easy by water. You’ll get a firsthand look at the 4,500 marine organisms that make Bermuda home. Being on the water is also the best way to explore the island’s sunken history. The islands are surrounded by five centuries’ worth of shipwrecks. One wreck you don’t want to miss is the HMS Vixen, which you can visit by Jet Ski. You’ll also want to explore the caves of the Admiralty House Cliffs, some of which you can only enter from the water. There are also more than 150 inland caves, such as the subterranean limestone wonderland of the Grotto Bay Beach Resort.

The islands of Bermuda are linked with bridges and causeways, making it seem like one big island. But beyond the beaten path, there are pristine spots like Nonsuch Island, a wildlife sanctuary, accessible only by boat – and you need permission to dock here. Small groups can see and learn about seabirds and the chicks in their nests. Nonsuch’s most special inhabitant is the Cahow, a rare seabird that is the emblem of Bermuda. The bird was thought extinct by 1620, but 330 years later the Cahow was found living on Nonsuch Island. Over the last 70 years, conservationists have worked to bring the number of Cahows from 14 to well over 100.

On land, rent a scooter to see the island up-close-and-personal. Head to the Bermuda Pefumery, where owner/perfumer Isabelle Ramsay Brackstone creates one-of-a-kind scents. She uses Bermuda’s flowers and trees as inspiration. Another unique Bermuda product can be found at Chartwell Apiaries, where beekeeper Randolph Furber keeps about 100 hives. A visit here is a master class in the art of honey production.

You’re going to find a lot of fine dining in Bermuda. But you can also get out and eat like a local. For authentic Bermuda food, come to the Fish Hut in Hamilton, known for its BIG fish sandwich. The island also has a national obsession with fish chowder, which you can try at the Black Horse Tavern. Made with sherry peppers, rockfish and black rum, it’s a delicious combination.

The Royal Naval Cemetary (aka the Glade) has memorials for those who died while serving the British military in Bermuda. The gravestones here go into detail about the person’s life and death – a great look at Bermuda’s history. For even more history, go to church – Bermuda has more churches per capita than any other nation in the world and each one has its own special story. In Warwick Parish, pay a visit to Cobbs Hill Methodist Church, built by slaves and free blacks back in the 1820s.

Watch the full video of Peter's Hidden Gems: Bermuda, as he uncovers places and experiences that even the locals don't know about. From spicy Bermudian cuisine to off-the-beaten path islands with rare inhabitants, this is a Bermuda you haven't see before.