Hamilton Parish

Hamilton Parish is on the island of Bermuda. == Understand == At the middle northeastern section of the island chain, the parish is split in two by the large Harrington Sound, occupying all but the south and northeastern ends of its coast. Bailey's Bay is a district known for its caves. Flatt's Village is a small area with an aquarium, restaurants and a few shops, built around Harrington Sound's connective inlet to the Atlantic Ocean. The narrow inlet forces the tidal waters to flow at a surprisingly quick rate. It's not a place to spend all day, but worth a visit if you're touring Bermuda for a few days. == Get in == === By taxi === Bailey's Bay is less than five minutes taxi ride from Bermuda's airport ($10), or about twenty minutes ($20-$25) from downtown Hamilton. === By car === From Hamilton, take Middle Road or North Shore Road east for about 15 minutes. === By bus === Busses #1, #3, #10 and #11 pass through Flatts Village on their way between Hamilton and St. George's. If coming from the airport, take direction "Hamilton". If coming from Hamilton, take direction "St. George's". == Get around == The district of Baileys Bay is less than a mile long. If you are fit enough to walk five city blocks, then you can walk. There are usually taxis going back and forth from the airport that can take you a short distance if you need it. Flatts Village is small enough to walk around on foot. Public parking is available across the street from the aquarium. Roads are very narrow and not all have sidewalks -- keep close to the curb and walk single file. == See == 1 Crystal and Fantasy Caves, Wilkinson Avenue, Bailey's Bay, ☏ +1 441 293-0640. 9:30AM-4:30PM (last admission 4:00). Two caves, almost adjacent but different from each other. Crystal cave has cool water formations and a floating bridge. It shows a good bit of human damage and decent amount of sunglasses and cellphones that have made their way to the bottom. Fantasy has more impressive rock formations, a larger area to explore, is a newer business so it doesn't show as many signs of abuse as Crystal, and its walls have a little more color and variations. $24/cave, $35/combo (both caves). (updated Sep 2024) 2 Flatts Bridge. the unusual tidal forces are visible each day. It's a good place for seeing fish life, including the occasional spotted eagle ray, as well as Bermuda's rarest native bird, the common tern. Some locals youths jump off the bridge into the water during the hot summer in spite of the signage. (updated Oct 2018) == Do == 1 Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, 40 North Shore Rd. (across the bridge from Flatts Village), ☏ +1 441 293-2727. Daily 9AM-5PM (last admission 4PM), except Christmas. Flatts' main attraction is a remarkably extensive aquarium of Bermuda's local fish life, as well as samples of animal life from Australasia, Madagascar and the Caribbean. At $10 per person, it's a great way to spend an hour or two with the kids. Center-pieced by a 140,000 gallon replica coral reef, this one of Bermuda's main attractions. Over three hundred birds, reptiles and mammals and 200 species of fish. Adults $10, Seniors $5, ages 5 to 12 $5.. (updated Oct 2018) 2 Blue Hole Park. with its caves, fishy ponds, and calabash trees. 3 Railway Trail. Walk between Coney Island and Bailey's Bay for fantastic ocean views. === Swimming, bays and beaches === 4 John Smith's Bay Beach. Nice pink sand beach. Summer lifeguards. Usually a mobile food concession. 5 Shelly Bay, North Shore Road (further north of the Bermuda Aquarium on the road from Flatts Village). Lots of shallow water and a large playground make this great choice for families with small kids. Restrooms, beach rentals, food concession. == Buy == Memorabilia from the Swizzle Inn == Eat == 1 Swizzle Inn, 3 Blue Hole Hill, Baileys Bay, ☏ +1 441-293-1854. One of Bermuda's most iconic establishments offers great food and is home to the Rum Swizzle. According to the motto, you Swizzle Inn and Swagger Out. 2 Jamaican Grill, Coney Island Road, ☏ +1 441-293-8899. Jamaican take-out, including ox tail, jerk chicken and curried goat. 3 Rustico Restaurant, 36 N Shore Rd, Flatts Village, ☏ +1 441 295-5212. the nicest restaurant in Flatts, offering delicious suppers at Bermuda's usual high prices. Reservations recommended == Drink == Swizzle Inn's famous rum swizzle. == Sleep == 1 Grotto Bay Beach Resort, 11 Blue Hole Hill, Bailey's Bay, ☏ +1 441 293-8333. one of the nicer hotels on the island. == Go next == Smith's Parish is to the southwest. St. George's Parish is to the northeast.