Thread: Kings Wharf Logistics

I would love to hear from anyone that has docked for one day at Kings Wharf and logistically, how you traveled around w/o booking excursions through the cruise line. Possibly going to pink beach, walking/biking the old railway, or visiting the old St. George area. Obviously, we haven't nailed down what we would like to do with such a short amount of time there. Arrive @ 8am, depart 5pm.

Hi travelmom,

I just found this thread. I was in Bermuda Sept 2008 and we docked at King's Wharf (Dockyard). We were there overnight so time was not an issue on Day 1. Our original plan was to go to Horseshoe Bay Beach by bus and then to Hamilton or St. George's by bus and return to King's Wharf by ferry.

When we got off the ship, it was so crowded with people that had the same idea that we altered our plan. We bought one day transportation passes for $12.00 per adult/$6.00 per child. They cover transportation on the buses and ferries to all zones for the whole day. When you get off the ship, there is a building where you can buy these, BUT if it is very crowded keep walking to the right as if you're leaving the port area and you'll see another building (looks like a construction trailer) by the ferry launch on your left once you round the road where they also sell these. There was no one in line there.

We were able to hop right on a ferry to Hamilton, there was a huge line for St. George's, and walked up to Fort Hamilton. After we were done at the Fort we took a bus to Horseshoe Bay Beach for a couple hours then we took the bus again back to King's Wharf. There is also the Bermuda Maritime Museum within walking distance of where the ship docks, so we went there when we returned. Inside the Museum grounds is a Dolphin Encounter. If you paid to get in the Museum you can sit and watch the dolphin interaction.

Here is a link to some information regarding Bermuda's Bus Routes; click on the route you want and the schedule will open

Public Transportation Board

And the ferries: You'd need to download the schedule

Sea Express

Hi travelmom, me again

I also wanted to let you know..the ferry to St. George's from King's Wharf is approximately 40 minutes each way. I see that you're in port for just 1 day and wanted to make sure you allow enough time for your return, which is usually an all aboard call of 1/2 hour prior to departure time if the ship is docked and 1 hour prior if you're tendering.

One day? That's hard.

We've been there for two days and once for three, and find even that's not enough time.

You may consider taking the jet ferry over to St. George, and then work your way back on the bus system, dropping by Hamilton, and then a south shore beach, like Horseshoe Bay, and then back to the ship.

But you really need to set your priorites.

After 5 visits, I've yet to be able to fit St. George in.

Thank you for the info! It is so hard to decide what to do when you only have one day! We live at the beach on the east coast so my family wants to skip any beaches but it is Bermuda!

40 minutes one way to St. George - wow! Wasn't expecting that... maybe we will just do the Railway Tour and ride bikes to one of the beaches. We just can't decide. ;-)

I understand wanting to see Bermuda's beaches, they are beautiful! One day in a port is never enough time, we stayed overnight, so we were there a day and a half and it still didn't feel like enough time!

If your family likes seeing anything historical then the Martime Museum is very nice. There was not very much to see at Fort Hamilton, but there were beautiful views from it! If you're doing a ship sponsored tour, then you won't need to be as concerned with time, but if you're on your own just make sure that you are back to the ship within plenty of time for the all aboard call.

We bought the transportation passes because the ship's tour to Horseshoe Bay Beach was $48.00 per person; which was in essence a bus ride to the beach...nothing else was included. On Day 2 we went on a kayak tour. I contacted the provider directly, but they would not take outside reservations and told me we needed to book through Royal Caribbean.

Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure you'll love it! Bermuda is beautiful

[When we got off the ship, it was so crowded with people that had the same idea that we altered our plan.]

Do you mind if I ask what time you got off the ship? We intend to get off as soon as we dock - around 8 am and head to Horseshoe Bay before the sun gets too high. Then we will gradually work our way back to the ship, going to Warwick Beach and possibly the lighthouse - our daughter wants to see the lighthouse.

There is a big celebration Saturday in Bermuda so Hamilton will have closed streets and most likely be very crowded, as well as the buses.

I'm pretty sure we docked at 9am and made our way down to the gangway around 9:15am. We figured since we had 1.5 days we'd let the "rush" crowd go first. But, they were still there!

If there is a long line at the Bermuda Tourist Info Center to buy your travel passes; I would highly recommend you walk around to the other one! It is right near the ferry docks and I know it's hard to picture by words, but I'll try

When you first walk off the ship you'll walk through gates. As you exit, look to your left and that is where the first TI Center is. If there is no crowd you can buy your passes here, but if there is a crowd, walk to your right, the road will curve and as you round the bend you'll see another building by the ferry docks and your left hand side. The Bus Stop, which will take you to Horseshoe Bay, in addition to other destinations is right before this building, maybe 20 or 30 feet. If it is crowded there will be a long line for it!

With Hamilton having street closures, I would stay away from the area if you're relying on buses, and not ferries, to get you there or back and trying to see more than just Hamilton.

My DH would not "stand his ground" in the line I put him in, which was at the actual bus stop while I went to buy the passes, so by the time I turned around and walked back to him there was a "new" line of people who were pushing to get on the Horseshoe Bay bus! It did seem as if all 3,100 passengers from Explorer were all in this small area at the same time! I know they weren't, but with the crowds we just wanted to get away from as much of it as possible, so we changed course to something that was less crowded.

If it is so crowded that you don't want to waste time waiting for the bus to Horseshoe Bay, the Maritime Museum sits off diagonal to your right from the Ferry area/bus stop and you could spend an hour there and come back to the bus stop after the crowd has died down. There is a time table for the buses on the bus link I posted above and we found that the buses ran accurate within a few minutes.

Since it sounds like you are going to Horseshoe Bay Beach, it is a long walk down to the actual beach from the Bus Stop, definitely not a problem on the way down as it's all down hill, the way back up is all up hill though! There are people who will shuttle you back up to the top of the hill, these people are parked in the parking lot and have "shuttle to the top" signs. I think they charge $1.00 per person, we gave the driver $5 for the 2 of us because we felt it was worth every penny not to walk back up that hill Make sure you take some cash with you for this if you don't walk to hike back up that hill. They will wait until their vehicle is full, unless you are pressed for time and offer to give them more. We allowed 30 minutes to get from the parking lot to the top and walk over to the Bus Stop, which has an enclosure and will be on your right hand side once you're at the top of the hill on the main road. We waited about 10 - 15 minutes for the bus, but again the shuttle drivers will want a full van load to take you to the top (I don't know how many are in your party?)

I didn't make it to the other beach you mention or the lighthouse; but we did pass the bus stop you'd need for the lighthouse and we could see the lighthouse from the road. It also looks as if it's a good walk to get to it. I'm mentioning this because I don't know how much stuff you take with you to the Beach? We had 1 backpack DH carried and I had a fanny pack, so we didn't feel weighted down. Some people on the bus had beach bags, sand toys, chairs, etc.

thank you for all the info... we won't carry much with us! I did not even think about a line for the bus. I would guess many will have the same idea as we only have the one day in Bermuda & will have been on the ship for 1.5 days. Patience and kindness. ;-)

Originally Posted by ziggysun

If there is a long line at the Bermuda Tourist Info Center to buy your travel passes; I would highly recommend you walk around to the other one! It is right near the ferry docks and I know it's hard to picture by words, but I'll try

On at least RCCL and CCL, you buy the passes right on board ship!