Royal Naval Dockyard

Learn about Bermuda’s history at the National Museum of Bermuda, located in the heart of a former navy fortress. Stroll through the 19th-century dockyard and shop at the Clocktower Mall, the Dockyard Glassworks, or the craft market—then head to Snorkel Park Beach to rent a kayak, pedal boat, or Jet Ski.

Most Bermuda island tours include a stop at the Royal Navy Dockyard, whether you opt to leave from Hamilton or St. George’s. Sightseeing can be done on foot, in a traditional tour vehicle, or via Segway. As the dockyard area is adjacent to the cruise port, many excursions originate from the Island Tour Centre there.

• Public docking for those arriving by boat is available for a maximum of three hours. Vessels can contact the dockmaster to inquire about extended stays.

• There are a handful of restaurants at the Royal Naval Dockyard, including the famous Frog and Onion Pub.

• A free trolley shuttle service operates around the dockyard in summer.

The Royal Naval Dockyard is located in Sandy's Parish on the westernmost point of Bermuda. The outpost can be reached via regularly departing ferries from Hamilton and by bus, taxi, car, or rented moped.

Bermuda is busiest from May through October. Those wishing to avoid the major crowds (especially from cruise ships) would do well to visit in March or April, when the weather is just starting to warm up.

Following the American Revolution, the British lost all of their strategic ports on the US mainland and instead turned to their "Gibraltar of the West:” the Royal Naval Dockyard. The dockyard remained a strategic base in the Atlantic for England and an active shipyard through WWI and WWII, until it stopped serving the Royal Navy in 1951.

The history of Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard dates back to the early 1800s, when it was built to be Britain’s strategic defense post in the Atlantic. The Royal Navy abandoned the dockyard in 1951 and today it is home to the island’s biggest cruise ship pier, plus many restaurants, stores, and other attractions.

The top attractions at the Royal Naval Dockyard are the National Museum of Bermuda, which is located in a former fortress and houses exhibits on the island’s history; the Clocktower Shopping Mall, housed in a historic building with twin clock towers; and the Spirit of Bermuda ship, a replica of a Royal Navy sloop-of-war ship.

You can get to the Royal Naval Dockyard from Hamilton by taking the high-speed ferry or the bus. From Hamilton, the ferry journey is 20 minutes—around half the time it takes to travel by road. In the summer, the ferry travels from St. George’s to the Dockyard in under an hour.

Yes, the Royal Naval Dockyard is worth visiting—the site has a number of attractions to suit most interests. It’s especially worthwhile if you’re looking to do some shopping in the mall or at local artisan craft stores, where you can find interesting souvenirs.

Yes, there are several dining options at the Royal Naval Dockyard, from upscale restaurants to casual eateries. Options include dining on seafood in the Clocktower Shopping Mall, having a British-style pub lunch in the Old Cooperage Building, or enjoying an ice-cream cone on the terrace.

Some tips for visiting the Royal Naval Dockyard include visiting early to avoid the biggest crowds—especially on days when cruise ships are in port—wearing comfortable footwear as the site is spread out, and checking the opening hours of attractions before you go.