Bermuda - Facts
Bermuda FAQs
Pre-Arrival Boat: There are 3 forms to complete and submit online prior to arrival, including Customs clearance via SailClear – see Clearance for more details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: Some nationalities must arrange a visa in advance. A visitor card must be completed by all crew in advance. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter? St. George’s Harbor is the only port of entry on Bermuda.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? All crew must pay a passenger tax and all yachts must purchase either a transit permit or cruising permit. See Fees for details.
What security concerns should I know about? There is minimal risk of crime in Bermuda. See Security for more info.
Bermuda Facts for Sailors
- Bermuda is an archipelago of over 150 small islands and islets, lying approximately 1000nm due east of the coast of the USA in the North Atlantic. The largest island is linked together by causeways and bridges into a fish hook shape.
- The population mid-2025 was 64,555 and as the largest of the British Overseas Territories, English is the dominant language.
- Currency is the Bermudan Dollar, on a par with the US$.
- The Atlantic Time Zone (UTC -4) is in operation in Bermuda. For specifics see General Info.
- The climate is sub-tropical, mild in the winter, spring and autumn, but from late May to October it can be uncomfortably hot with high humidity. See Weather below for more details.
- Although Bermuda has little to offer in the way of cruising, every year over 1,000 yachts stop here to rest and reprovision after a long passage, or simply to turn around at the finish of one of the many ocean races which run from the US East Coast.
- The well-sheltered St George’s Harbour provides a restful anchorage from which to explore this neat and tidy little country. Such exploring is best done by land. The alternative anchorage is in Hamilton,
- Although existing repair and service facilities are dispersed all over Bermuda rather than being grouped together, virtually everything one may need is available on the island even if it may take some time to find it. Marine supplies or essential parts that are unavailable can be ordered from the USA to which there are several flights every day. For more information, see Yachting Essentials.
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We arrived May 1, 2019. I was surprised that at 1:00 AM Bermuda Harbor Radio would arrange for someone from immigration to be there to check us in. It was a calm night, so sorting out the Ordnance Island dockage was not too confusing. We then anchored in Powder Hole and we were able to secure a spot on the quay the next morning through Bermuda Yacht Services. ($1 foot). Gotta love Bermuda.
November 2018
St George’s
Head tax is 35USD
We docked at the cruise terminal — same rate as the town dock. Use a batter board! Seems like this is kosher as long as there is no cruise ship in port. Cruise ships are relatively rare in St George. (Meanwhile the ferry terminal is quite busy).
There is a duty-free fuel option which is supposedly available if you get a group of boats together to achieve the minimum amount required. You can also try to flag down the duty-free fuel truck if you see them.
We were told that Dowling’s sold water at 0.25USD/gal…which is only valid if you buy fuel, too. If you buy water (and NO fuel), the rate is increased to 0.35USD/gal.
It is easy to get around the island on the bus. You can buy a book of bus tickets at the post office. You can also buy bus tokens at the tourism office (? unsure).
As of November 2017, we were not asked to provide a consumable stores list or crew list. All food is ok so long as it stays on the boat. Do bring the completed Declaration of Health form with you (or complete it in the office). All crew need to come into the office and complete a customs form and present their passport.
Normally most countries require an outgoing clearance document from last port of call. If you leave the Bahamas bound for Bermuda Customs and immigration in i.e. Nassau charged us 75 USD for an outgoing clearance. When we arrived in St Georges harbour on Bermuda for clearance the officers said the Cruising Permit from the Bahamas had been good enough as an outgoing document from the Bahamas. So lesson learned is to skip a special outgoing document from Customs and immigration in Nassau and save 75 USD.
The cost for clearing into Bermuda is $35 per person. It’s possible Martyn was incorrectly charged last year as he had 4 people on board then, however, the cost this year is correct.
The cost of clearing into Bermuda is now $140 for a sailing yacht with 4 people on board.
(Last year it was $35!)
The Yacht Centre on Ordnance Island now offers free wifi to all yachtsmen in or outside their office.
You can get a 5% discount at the supermarket by stating that you are on a boat.