First of all, feel free to email me and ask me any particular questions, but I hope that this will be really helpful.
St George is very easy to get around. It is a very small town, so you can get around it on foot. If you want to go beyond St George, you will need to either get a bus pass (highly recommended) or rent a moped (highly NOT recommended - most accident involve tourists, and driving on the left side of the road can be very hard to get used to!). Bus passes and schedules should be available on your ship. Buses are very clean, ridiculously efficient, and will get you anywhere you would like to go. The bus drivers are very friendly, and if you tell them where you want to go, they will tell you when you get to your stop. The bus pass is also good on the ferry system, which is a very cool way to get around.
There are Board of Tourism offices in St George (in the square right where your ship will dock - if you don't see it, just ask anyone in one of the shops) and Hamilton (on Front Street). They are very helpful and will answer any questions you have.
THINGS TO DO IN ST GEORGE:
St George’s is the old capital and a pretty little town. There are several things to do therel. St Peter’s church is oldest continually used Anglican church in the western hemisphere (or something like that), and is a pretty little church, made with lots of Bermuda cedar. I suggest getting ice cream at Temptations Ice Cream Shoppe next door, and eat it on the steps in front of the church. Fort St Catherine is pretty much what it says it is – a fort – it’s pretty large, and they have turned it in to somewhat of a museum – if you have some time, go, but it’s a pretty good walk – the bus does not go up to the fort – you might want to take a cab. There is also a little town square where they do a reenactment daily – I believe it is around 11:30 or so – of public punishment – it’s actually pretty amusing, and I try to see it whenever I get the chance. They also have stocks, which I guess is always good for a family photo. There’s some shopping, but it is mostly just a good little town to walk around in – quaint alleys, etc. – there is also a good size beach in Tobacco Bay – it has a snack shop, etc – but it is also a good walk (about 20 minutes from the dock). Also check out the Unfinished Church. On Tuesday nights, they hold Heritage Nights - similar to Harbour Nights in Hamilton, but on a smaller scale. They also do the punishment re-enactment during Heritage Nights.
HAMILTON:
Hamilton is the capital and the only true city on the island. Start on Front Street. There is lots of shopping - but to be honest, there really is not a whole lot there that you can’t get at home – and since they have to import everything, some stuff can be pretty pricey – but there are a few things that are unique to the island and worth purchasing. Definitely check out the Island Shop – it is on Queen Street, which intersects with Front Street at the birdcage (where the policeman directs traffic – you’ll know it when you see it). It has a lot of really nice things, and I feel that it is the best place for gifts. For gifts/souvenirs, also try AS Cooper (they are building a mega-store, so their shops/departments are scattered throughout). For jewelry (or jewellery, as they spell it), your best bet is probably Crisson (best quality with lots of BDA-themed items) or Astwood-Dickinson. For T-shirts, my favorite is Flying Colours (next to the Island Shop).
Also in Hamilton, definitely go to the Cathedral – it is a beautiful, gigantic gothic cathedral – you can pay a couple of dollars and climb to the top of the tower – the view is worth it.
During tourist season, on Wednesday nights, they have Harbour Nights - do not miss this - Front Street is closed to vehicular traffic and the street comes alive with sparkling lights, vendors offering the best in local arts and crafts, and music.
DOCKYARD:
Dockyard is the old naval dockyards – and there are really only 3 things to do there: the Maritime Museum/Dolphin Quest, the Dockyard Mall, and a snorkel park that is actually quite nice. My personal opinion of the best thing to do in Dockyard is to get on the bus and head up to the South Shore to the beaches (see below). Dockyard is not the best place to be at night - they are starting up an event similar to Harbour and Heritage nights, but as a general rule, I would stay away from Dockyard at night. It seems that the rare instances of crime tend to happen around here. But it is perfectly safe during the day.
BEACHES:
Yes, they are really pink. The ones on the South Shore are, anyway. Horseshoe is the most famous beach; but not my favorite. It will be jammed with people, particularly if there is more than 1 ship docked (which there usually will be). If you need a beach that has refreshments, changing rooms, etc, then it would be fine. Beware – it is a heck of a hike back up the hill from the beach, but in-season, there is a mini-bus that charges a dollar to take you to the top. If you do not need changing rooms, etc., try Warwick Long Bay. I think it is more scenic and it is definitely less crowded. Elbow Beach is also pretty nice. There are lots of other little beaches along the way. All of the public beaches are part of the national park system and are clearly marked.
SNORKELLING:
You can snorkel either right off the beach, or you can take a snorkelling cruise. I always snorkel off the beach. The best places to snorkel is probably Church Bay. Other great places are the snorkel park at Dockyard, Jobson's Cove (next to Warwick Long Bay), and I really like to snorkel at Grotto Bay Hotel (they have a safe, secluded natural aquarium with tons of fish).
SWIZZLE INN (not Rizzle Inn):
There are 2 locations - one on South Shore Rd that just opened last June, and the original in Bailey's Bay (see below).
NIGHTLIFE:
Not a lot to offer. There are a couple of clubs in Hamilton, but not a lot. Heritage Nights and Harbour Nights are 2 great things to do at night. There is also a thing called "Don't Stop the Carnival" on Hawkins Island - I think it's about $90/per person for a big ol' party on Hawkins Island that includes food, entertainment, open bar, and a boat ride to and from the island.
EATING:
Honestly, you should probably eat on the boat. It's paid for, and food is so expensive at restaurants - $12 for a burger at Swizzle Inn). If you do decide to eat in St Georges, there are a couple of places within a 1-2 minute walk of your ship. Tey the White Horse Tavern. Places to eat in Hamilton include Little Venice, The Lemon Tree Inn (breakfast and lunch only), the Lobster Pot, the Pickled Onion, and Hog Penny Tavern.
OTHER THINGS TO DO:
Flatts: This is one of my favorite places on the island. There is a nice Aquarium/Zoo, and a cute little Harbor. Not much to do other than the Aquarium, but it is just a nice quiet place to explore.
Bailey’s Bay: this area has what is arguably the most famous restaurant in Bermuda, the Swizzle Inn. It’s been around forever, and it just seems to be "the" place to go. Make sure you take a business card or two to tack up on the wall, and of course, you must have a Rum Swizzle or a Dark 'N Stormy. Bailey’s Bay also has the best ice cream/sandwich shop - Bailey’s Ice Cream. Bailey’s ice cream is great (and also what they serve at Temptations in St George). Get a cone and walk around the corner to the Crystal and Fantasy Caves – an underground cavern that is pretty cool.
Gibbs Hill lighthouse: make sure that you check with the Tourism Board office to see if this has reopened – the railing was damaged by a hurricane a couple of years ago, and it was closed – but if it has reopened, it is definitely worth the climb to the top – the views are awesome.
Verdmont: if you’re into the historical preservation thing, this is one of the oldest houses on the island, furnished with 17th or 18th-century items.
BUS TIPS:
The main bus terminal is in Hamilton. All bus stops are marked by a pink or blue pole. Pink poles are routes going into Hamilton, blue poles are heading out of Hamilton. You may see a few striped poles - if you do, the top color on the pole is the one you go by. They used to all be striped, but it was changed a few years back, and I think they just missed a couple of poles in the process.
If you get on the bus at Dockyard, get on the 7 bus and try to be first on the bus - you will want a seat on the right side of the bus, as this will offer the best views of the beaches as you go down the road.
If there are a lot of ships docked (and in June, there will be), a bus may go right past you while you are waiting at a stop - do not tak it personally, it just means that the bus us full. For this reason, do not wait until the last minute if you have to be somewhere by a certain time - last summer, I waited at a stop for 50 minutes for a bus that came by every 15.
As I said, the bus pass also works for the ferry. There is a ferry that gots from St George to Dockyard that I recommend. Ferries are double-decker; the lower level is enclosed and air conditioned, the upper level is open-air and offers the better views.
This is certainly not everything to do, but hopefully, I have given you some ideas. Again, feel free to contact me if you have further questions! Have a great great trip!! Take a big memory card or lots of film and maybe some underwater cameras for snorkelling.