Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T GET BURNED: SMART
tanning
TIPS
Nobody is completely safe from the
sun's harmful rays: All skin types and
races can burn. To ensure that your
vacation won't be ruined by a painful
sunburn, be sure to wear a strong sun-
screen that protects against both UVA
and UVB rays at all times (look for zinc
oxide, benzophenone, oxybenzone,
sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, or avo-
benzone in the list of ingredients). Wear
6
a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Keep infants under 6 months out of the
sun completely, and slather older babies
and children with strong sunscreen fre-
quently.
If you do get a burn, aloe vera, cool
compresses, cold baths, and benzocaine
can help with the pain. Stay out of the
sun until the burn is completely gone.
storm, be especially careful that you don't encounter a Portuguese man-of-war—they
often wash up here in greater numbers than elsewhere on Bermuda.
One advantage this beach has over others is the
Horseshoe Bay Beach Cafe
(
&
441/238-2651
), which offers changing rooms, toilets, beach-gear rentals, and
showers. It also serves snacks and sandwiches daily from 9am to 5pm. A lifeguard is
on duty from May to September.
Insider's tip:
When you tire of the crowds at Horse-
shoe Bay, take one of the little trails that wind through the park nearby; they'll lead
you to secluded cove beaches that afford more privacy. Our favorites are Port Royal
Cove to the west, and Peel Rock Cove and Wafer Rocks Beach to the east. You might
also sneak over to Chaplin Bay to the east (see above). Take bus no. 7.
Church Bay
This beach off West Side Road lies along Bermuda's southwestern edge, at the point
in Southampton Parish where the island hooks off to the northeast. The waves pound
much of the shore mercilessly, but rows of offshore reefs shelter Church Bay. Marine
life abounds in the relatively calm waters, much to the delight of snorkelers. If you're
just planning to lounge in the sun, this is a great place: The beach offers unusually
deep pink sands. There are toilets at the top of the hill near the parking area, and a
concession stand (May 1-Oct 31 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm) sells soda and chips, and
rents out masks and fins for snorkeling. Take bus no. 7 or 8.
Somerset Long Bay
When offshore storms stir up the waters northwest of Bermuda, the water here is
unsafe for swimming. Because its bottom isn't always sandy or of a consistent depth,
many people find Somerset Long Bay better suited to beachcombing or long walks
than to swimming. Nevertheless, many single travelers favor this beach when they're
looking for seclusion. The undeveloped parkland of Sandys Parish shelters it from the
rest of the island, and the beach's crescent shape and length—about .5km (
1
⁄
3
-mile)—
make it unusual by Bermudian standards. It has restrooms and changing facilities.
We think this is one of the best places on Bermuda to watch the sunset. A plus is the
beach's proximity to the
Bermuda Audubon Society Nature Reserve
(www.
audubon.bm), where you can go for long walks and enjoy moments of solitude—
except on weekends, when family picnics abound. Take bus no. 7 or 8.
