SailBadtheSinner - Bermuda info

[sccoast]

you seem to know tons about Bermuda. is it possible to get from the dockyard to horseshoe beach by bus on a sunday? would a taxi be better? what would the cost be (approx)? can you arrange to have them pick you back up a few hours later or will they charge to wait on you? is there a bar at horseshoe? someone told my daughter to get a 'dark and stormy' there......

[bermuda triangle]

you seem to know tons about Bermuda. is it possible to get from the dockyard to horseshoe beach by bus on a sunday? would a taxi be better? what would the cost be (approx)? can you arrange to have them pick you back up a few hours later or will they charge to wait on you? is there a bar at horseshoe? someone told my daughter to get a 'dark and stormy' there......

 

Not SBts..but..

A taxi costs approx $30 for three people from dockyard to horseshoe bay. In my opinion this is better as there is a huge hill to walk up/down from the road to the parking lot. A taxi will drop you off close to the concession/at the beginning of the beach. If your taxi driver can't come back for you, there are plenty of taxis waiting for fares in the parking lot.

 

If you go the bus route there are often extra busses added on sundays when ships are in port. Bus Schedule (You will take bus 7) http://www.gov.bm/portal/server..pt/gateway/gateway/plumtree/common/private/js/document.pts_d4452/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_18606_252_993_43/http%3B/ptpublisher.gov.bm%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/ministry_of_tourism_and_transport/public_transportation_board/bus_schedules/bus_schedule11.pdf There is a shuttle van that will take you up the hill from the parking lot for $2 pp. picture of the hill http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/slideshow-photo/frank-is-carrying-our-beach-stuff-masks-snorkels-down-the-long-hill-leading-to-the-famous-horseshoe-bay-beach-tuckers-town-bermuda.html?sid=11501552&fid=fb-5471158658570435138 (found randomly online)

 

As I mentioned there is a concession at Horseshoe Bay..they have burgers, fries, soda, ice cream, snow cones and rum swizzles. If they have a dark and stormy it is a combination of rum and ginger beer (much more flavorful than ginger ale). There are also bathrooms and outdoor showers. You can also rent chairs and umbrellas or if needed a sand friendly wheelchair.

 

Whether on the bus or in a taxi the drivers appreciate if you rinse any sand off and they dislike wet bathing suits, so allow ample time to dry off.

 

Hope this helps!

Laura

[SailBadtheSinner]

Just want to add that there would be a 25% surcharge on taxi fares on Sunday travel. The $30.00 estimate in the previous post is spot on for weekday & Saturday travel .

 

 

SBtS

[sccoast]

thanks for the info laura and SBtS. once you walk up the hill from the beach, is the bus stop nearby? i think i have a map bookmarked with that. the taxi will end up being about $45 one way with the surcharge and tip. bus is sounding better and better.

 

how much time does it take to walk around and window shop at the dockyard? i know that varies as some people can walk through a mall in an hour while others take all day but i'm wondering if a few hours is enough time and then by 7 walk to Sea Glass beach and still make it back before dark.

[bermuda triangle]

You are welcome. The bus stop is at the top of the hill going back look for the blue pole. Blue poles are heading away from Hamilton and Pink are toward Hamilton. You will be dropped off near the pink pole. Some stops just have a pole that isn't colored, but asking a local is a great idea, if you need help!

Dean, the man who runs the shuttle will be able to point out the correct pole if need be. The shuttle runs up the hill approx every 15 minutes. The bus ride takes between 25-35 minutes, this is dependent on traffic and time of day.

 

I haven't shopped at the dockyard only in Hamilton and St. George's, however the website with different shopping info is http://www.thewestend.bm/ this may help as you can pick and choose the shops you want to go in or the other attractions you'd like to see.

 

I have read that walking is not an easy option to go to sea glass beach as there are no sidewalks and people have taken the bus to/from the beach.

 

If you plan on doing this I would suggest the all day bus pass versus buying tokens. There is a building when you get off the ship where you can purchase either.

 

There is a current thread with walking directions to the beach about a 25 minute walk http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1441854

 

:)

 

Laura

 

P.S. there is a bus strike occuring currently in Bermuda..you may want to be sure that it is over before purchasing your bus tokens/pass as there have been major delays/disruptions to the bus service. http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20110815/NEWS/708159921 The Royal Gazette newspaper is a good place to keep up to date on that info.

[sccoast]

Bus strike, wouldn't you know it. i have 3 days left and can still book a carnival excursion online if the strike continues.

[sccoast]

do you know if this is affecting the ferry as well? they might be an alternate mode of transportation without the high cost of taxi.

[ljk76]

Will there be enough taxis should there be a bus strike?

[sccoast]

i would think there would not be enough taxi's not to mention that they are $40 an hr + 25% surcharge on a sunday which was the day we were going to use the bus. Maybe strike will end soon.

[SailBadtheSinner]

according to this site http://www.bermuda-online.org/getround.htm , there are 600 taxis in Bermuda. If you read at the link provide, you'd eventually read this - ....the regulatory agency, say that sometimes less then 50% of the total taxi fleet is available.... :(

 

I hope there is no strike; they'll only be shooting themselves in the foot if they do.

 

 

SBtS

[sccoast]

we'll just have to wait until we get there and figure things out i guess. bus, no bus. taxi, maybe not. someone said they rented a bike and with no buses on the road it wasn't bad.

[cruises42]

Does anyone know how far the zoo is from the city of Hamilton?

[SailBadtheSinner]

BAMZ is about 4.2 miles from the intersection of Front St and Queen St in Hamilton. A route #10 or #11 bus would drop you right in front of BAMZ.

 

 

SBtS

[cruises42]

BAMZ is about 4.2 miles from the intersection of Front St and Queen St in Hamilton. A route #10 or #11 bus would drop you right in front of BAMZ.

 

 

SBtS

 

Thanks. Do you know if it is usual for a private tour guide to take you to places you don't want to go as part of "his" tour? I thought we (the passengers) choose where we would like to go on a tour.

[njhorseman]

Thanks. Do you know if it is usual for a private tour guide to take you to places you don't want to go as part of "his" tour? I thought we (the passengers) choose where we would like to go on a tour.

 

You're paying for the private guide, so where you'll go is ultimately your decision...but it makes sense to ask them for advice...after all they're the ones who know the island.