Bermuda's sailing legacy is still unfolding
The U.K.-based World Sailing Day Organisation recently announced the inaugural World Sailing Day is set to take place on May 28, which means there’s no better time to discover the centuries-old maritime heritage of Bermuda, an island where sailing history, innovation and modern competition meet. From the Sea Venture and the founding of St. George’s, to the famous Bermuda rig and today’s world-class sailing races, Bermuda offers one of the richest and most continuous sailing narratives in the Atlantic.
The island’s steady trade winds and calm turquoise waters create one of the world’s most accessible places for travellers to learn how to sail. In Bermuda, visitors will find hands-on lessons for all ages and experience levels, covering everything from basic navigation and sail handling to safety and racing techniques. U Sail Bermuda on Harrington Sound provides Royal Yachting Association (RYA)-accredited courses, one-on-one instruction, and social group sessions. For a more immersive option, the Bermuda Sailing Association runs multi-day and weeklong programs across the island, including youth camps and adult learn-to-sail courses hosted at local yacht clubs such as the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, which is home to several past Olympians.
For travellers who’d prefer to watch the action from dry land, the SailGP championship returns to Bermuda's shores from May 9 to 10. The high-energy competition showcases national teams racing identical F50 catamarans that lift onto foils reaching incredible speeds as they ‘catch breeze’ and cut through the water – think F1 racing on the water! With races unfolding just offshore, spectators can enjoy front-row views from land or sea, making it one of the most accessible and exciting stops on the international SailGP circuit, which concludes in Halifax, NS this June.
How to travel like a Royal in Bermuda
Bermuda will welcome His Majesty King Charles III to the island from April 30 to May 2, marking the first Royal Visit by a reigning monarch in 16 years. With strong ties to the Commonwealth, Bermuda is a sophisticated tropical getaway for travellers who want to vacation in true Royal style.
Stay: Affectionately known as the island’s Pink Palace, the Hamilton Princess Hotel is appointed with regal touches throughout its luxurious guest suites, ballrooms and dining areas. The hotel first opened in 1885 and was named in honour of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise, who lived in Canada at the time and enjoyed visiting the island for a sunny escape. Today, guests can indulge in traditional Afternoon Tea service and tour the impressive art collection throughout the property.
Eat: Full of historic charm, Tom Moore's Tavern is Bermuda’s oldest and most storied dining room. Over the years, the elegant eatery has welcomed A-list celebrities, government officials and visiting dignitaries from around the world. In 1970, Prince Charles visited for a special luncheon featuring fresh Bermuda lobster and a banana sundae laced with Bermudian black rum.
See: As dedicated patrons of the arts, members of the Royal family are known to visit Bermuda’s Masterworks Museum. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester toured the permanent collection and exhibition galleries of Bermudian artwork during a 2025 visit to the island. The museum is located on the grounds of the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, which launched a dedicated Coronation Garden in 2023 to honour King Charles and his commitment to sustainability.
Island style: Beyond Bermuda shorts
Bermuda’s iconic knee-grazing shorts have been spotted on and off the runway in recent years. And while travellers will spot this preppy staple on men and women around the island, Bermuda style is so much more than the ubiquitous shorts. The island is home to a diverse array of fashion designers who draw inspiration from the country’s rich history, island life and global inspirations.
- Factor Bermuda: This island-born swimwear line brings together sun-protection, sustainability and seriously cool style. Originally from New Brunswick, founder Melissa Leach was inspired to launch the UPF50+ luxury swimwear line following her own melanoma diagnosis. Made with luxurious Italian lycra, Factor’s eye-catching designs are a true reflection of life in Bermuda and feature elegant silhouettes, timeless colours, and a signature Heron-print collection inspired by the popular sea bird found across the island.
- Sarah Bray Bermuda: Former New York magazine editor turned haberdasher Sarah Bray specializes in eco-conscious sunhats crafted with natural and recycled materials like woven seagrass, palm leaf and vintage floral ribbons. Structural sun hats pair beautifully with the brand’s curated collection of hand-embroidered Bermudian cedar frame handbags, which are sourced from estate sales.
- Dana Cooper: Bold tropical prints and vibrant colours are the hallmarks of Dana Cooper’s eponymous resortwear label. Apparel collections for men and women are designed for coastal living, with lightweight and performance-oriented fabrics emblazoned with Bermudian-inspired floral, fauna and sealife prints.
Science meets sanctuary on Nonsuch Island for endangered Cahow bird
The first Cahow chick of the nesting season hatched last month on Nonsuch Island in Bermuda. Also known as Bermuda Petrel, the island’s national bird is one of the rarest seabirds on the planet, nesting exclusively in underground burrows. The critically endangered species was thought to be extinct for 330 years before a pair were discovered living on the rocky island in 1951. The first named Cahow chick of the 2026 nesting season has been dubbed Artemis as a nod to the recent NASA space mission.
Bermuda’s Cahow Recovery Program is considered one of the most successful restoration projects and was recognized at the first World Seabird Conference in Victoria, B.C. in 2010. Curious bird-lovers can check out the Cahow in real-time via a live camera in the burrow on the island, which has been live-streaming Cahow hatchings for the last decade.
Part of the Castle Harbour Islands Nature Reserve, Nonsuch Island is located at the eastern end of Bermuda in St. Georges parish and is one of the most important sites in the Atlantic for the conservation of rare and threatened species and habitats.
Bermuda Carnival: Small Island, Big Vibes
Set against a gorgeous island backdrop, Carnival In Bermuda brings together revelers for several days and nights of pure island excitement. From June 10 to 15, travellers can experience one of the island's biggest summer celebrations featuring local cuisine, fetes, Soca music, ‘raft up’ boat parties, and a grand Revel de Road finale that features Mas (mascarade) bands parading through the streets of Hamilton decked out in their most incredible outfits.
Founded in 2015, Bermuda’s Carnival is one of the newest and fastest-growing Carnivals in the world, offering events that strike a nice balance between turnt-up parties, family friendly programming, and more intimate experiences. The compact island makes it easy for party-hopping throughout the six-day Carnival festivities, and visitors can explore the island’s historic sites and cultural attractions in between the revelry.
The last day of Carnival in Bermuda coincides with Bermuda's National Heroes Day, a holiday honouring notable Bermudians who are acknowledged for their courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. National Heroes include Gladys Carlyon de Courcy Morrell, a leader of the 30-year campaign for women’s voting rights in Bermuda, beginning in the 1920s, and Sir Edward Trenton Richards, one of a small group of visionaries who laid the foundations for the diverse, inclusive Bermuda of today.