Bermuda underwater exploration institute

[everylastbreath]

Has anyone been? Website says it’s in Hamilton- is it within walking distance from boat dock? Is it a safe area to go with small children and would they enjoy it? Any suggestions for Norwegian sponsored excursions (we are doing dolphins already) with a 5 and 3 year old is appreciated! Don’t want to go too far off beaten path for safety sake and would rather do ship sponsored activities- any help is appreciated 

[1025cruise]

The institute is in Hamilton. The ships dock at the dockyard. You will need to take the public ferry to Hamilton.

Assuming you are on one of the weekly multi day visits to Bermuda, there is 100% absolutely 0 need to do a ship's excursion.

[shof515]

the last time i went there, they had some kind of tram that went from the ferry dock to the institute. contact them for the times they are running the tram

[Charles4515]

31 minutes ago, everylastbreath said:

Has anyone been? Website says it’s in Hamilton- is it within walking distance from boat dock? Is it a safe area to go with small children and would they enjoy it? Any suggestions for Norwegian sponsored excursions (we are doing dolphins already) with a 5 and 3 year old is appreciated! Don’t want to go too far off beaten path for safety sake and would rather do ship sponsored activities- any help is appreciated 

I have been there. It is geared to children but I would say elementary and middle school age. Yours may be too young. YMMV. It is in Hamiton on Front St., the same street as the ferry terminal. About a 15 minute walk. You would have take the ferry to Hamiton.

 

No need to do cruise line excursions in Bermuda. You won't have any more safety in Bermuda on their excursions than doing everything on your own. You will only be paying a higher price. And likely people will be on the same excursion who booked independently at a lower price. Also ny place you would go with the cruise line in Bermuda you can safely do yourself. 

[bluesea777]

If your children are young aged 3 & 5 it might be better if you take them to the Aquarium in Flatts. There are buses going there from Hamilton.

 

 

[princeton123211]

4 hours ago, everylastbreath said:

Don’t want to go too far off beaten path for safety sake and would rather do ship sponsored activities- any help is appreciated 

As Charles said, safety really shouldn't be a major concern here. Bermuda is an incredibly safe island and is far more upscale and secure than most places you find further South in the Caribbean. If you haven't been before you'll get a good sense once you get off the ship. 

 

And he's quite right in that you are selling yourself short, both from a flexibility and financial standpoint, doing ship excursions in Bermuda unless you have on board credit to burn or its the last day and you have a legitimate concern of getting back to the ship before sailing time. 

 

But for basically everything else you'll most likely have 2-3 days with overnights-- enjoy the freedom and flexibility this gives you vs other itineraries and go off on your own and explore. It's a wonderful place. 

[bjtravelnews]

We went to the BUEI last June for the first time and LOVED it!  The public place is called the Ocean Discovery Center.  The tram was not running (only operates one day a week, thinking Tuesdays?).  While the website says it's a short distance from Hamilton ferry or bus station, it was much longer than expected.  There is a bus stop just after the entrance and we ended taking the public bus back to Hamilton instead of walking.

We spent about two hours there.  Lots of exhibits and a fun "Bermuda Triangle" movie ride (extra cost).  However, it may be too intense for very young children.  I think to appreciate the exhibits you have to be interested in the intrigue of the Bermuda Triangle (great area in the exhibits with speculative reasons for the mishaps) as well as ecology of the oceans.  Thus, while it seems to appeal to children (lots of school groups go here for field trips), it can be boring.  If you have any specific questions about the Ocean Discovery Center, post back and I will try to answer them.