Northern Caribbean Beaches: Church Bay

Church Bay

 
 
 

Beach-goers can easily find Church Bay located on the southwestern coast of Bermuda. The island of Bermuda is actually made up of several islands clustered together, and Hamilton is located on the main island of the chain.

If you're looking for a chance to get away from it all, you might want to visit Church Bay.

Church Bay is a rather small piece of beach on Bermuda's south shore. Its deep pink sands are a unique site that appeals to sunbathers, while a line of offshore reefs make this beach a remarkable swimming and snorkeling area. A variety of colorful coral makes up the reef drawing all kinds of marine life for visitors to view in the water.

Although Bermuda has some more secluded beaches that Church Bay the mix of natural setting, personality and atmosphere available at this location might be just right for you.

Many of the beaches in Bermuda are quiet and secluded, and Church Bay offers a taste of travel away from the beaten path though you'll never be too far away, either. Cities are close without being too close you won't lack for anything.

Location is important, and you can find a great sunny spot to relax on a beach. Bermuda is home to many beaches, like Church Bay. Therefore, no matter what you're looking for, you'll be sure to find a beach you enjoy, but this one might not be for you.

If you are comparing beaches, location is a key factor to consider. The Caribbean has hundreds of beaches, so Church Bay is not your only option. Using the information presented below, you can easily determine if this beach fits your dream.

Food

No matter the meal, an ideal way to start the day off or end a day at the beach is sometimes enjoying a local food establishment, where you'll be able to have a taste of something a little different without having to go far from the beach.

The table below provides some food choices near this beach.

Restaurants Near Church Bay
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
Coconuts International lunch & dinner 0.3 mi. NE
The Sea Grape Pan Asian/ Pacific Rim lunch & dinner 0.3 mi. NE
Ocean Echo Southwestern varies 0.8 mi. NE
Lighthouse Tea Room British breakfast & lunch 1.0 mi. NE
Henry VIII British lunch & dinner 1.1 mi. NE
Rib Room Steak dinner 1.2 mi. NE
The Newport Room French dinner 1.2 mi. NE
Whaler Inn Seafood lunch & dinner 1.2 mi. NE
Wickets Brasserie & Cricket Club International breakfast, lunch, dinner 1.2 mi. NE
Tio Pepe Restaurant Italian lunch & dinner 1.5 mi. NE
Freeport Gardens Caribbean lunch & dinner 3.0 mi. NW
Il Palio Italian dinner 3.3 mi. NW
Pawpaws Restaurant & Bar French lunch & dinner 3.5 mi. NE
Somerset Country Squire Pub & Restaurant British lunch & dinner 3.6 mi. NW
Palms Mediterranean breakfast, lunch, dinner 3.7 mi. NE
Tamarisk Dining Room International lunch & dinner 3.7 mi. NW
Fourways Inn American varies 4.1 mi. NE
Green Lantern International breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.2 mi. NE
Waterloo House Caribbean lunch & dinner 4.3 mi. NE
Primavera Italian lunch & dinner 4.3 mi. NE
Heritage Court American lunch & dinner 4.3 mi. NE
Horizons American breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.4 mi. NE
Paraquet Restaurant Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.4 mi. NE
Lobster Pot & Boat House Bar Seafood lunch & dinner 4.4 mi. NE
Little Venice Italian lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
Seahorse Grill Contemporary lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
Harbourfront Italian lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
New Harbourfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar Italian lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
Cafe Lido Mediterranean lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
Ascots Italian lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
The Hickory Stick Deli breakfast & lunch 4.5 mi. NE
Front Street Terrace International breakfast & lunch 4.5 mi. NE
Portofino Italian lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. NE
M.R. Onions Family Fare varies 4.6 mi. NE
Spot Restaurant American breakfast & lunch 4.6 mi. NE
Paradiso Cafe Deli breakfast & lunch 4.6 mi. NE
Barracuda Grill Seafood lunch & dinner 4.6 mi. NE
Spring Garden Caribbean lunch & dinner 4.6 mi. NE
La Trattoria Italian lunch & dinner 4.6 mi. NE
East Meets West Indian breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.6 mi. NE
Hog Penny British lunch & dinner 4.6 mi. NE
The Pickled Onion International lunch & dinner 4.6 mi. NE
Ristorante Primavera Italian lunch & dinner 4.7 mi. NE
Monte Carlo Italian lunch & dinner 4.7 mi. NE
Le Figaro Bistro & Bar French lunch & dinner 4.7 mi. NE
Bistro J. French lunch & dinner 4.7 mi. NE
The Porch International lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. NE
The Beach British lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. NE
Coconut Rock International lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. NE
Pasta Basta Italian lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. NE
Red Carpet Bar & Restaurant American lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. NE
Tuscany Italian lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. NE
The Bombay Indian lunch & dinner 4.9 mi. NE
Chopsticks Restaurant Chinese lunch & dinner 4.9 mi. NE
Docksider Sports Bar lunch & dinner 4.9 mi. NE
Jamaican Grill Jamaican breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.0 mi. NE
House of India Indian lunch & dinner 5.1 mi. NE
La Coquille French lunch & dinner 5.2 mi. NE
Frog & Onion British varies 5.3 mi. N
Pirates Landing International lunch & dinner 5.3 mi. N
Specialty Inn International breakfast, lunch, dinner 7.3 mi. NE
Rustico Restaurant & Pizzeria Italian varies 7.9 mi. NE
North Rock Brewing Company International lunch & dinner 8.5 mi. NE
Landfall Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 9.1 mi. NE
Swizzle Inn Caribbean lunch & dinner 10.2 mi. NE
San Giorgio Italian lunch & dinner 12.8 mi. NE
Water Street Cafe N.A. varies 13.0 mi. NE
Carriage House Steak lunch & dinner 13.0 mi. NE
Pasta Pasta Italian lunch & dinner 13.0 mi. NE
White Horse Tavern Caribbean lunch & dinner 13.0 mi. NE
Black Horse Tavern International lunch & dinner 13.2 mi. NE

Every location in the world has its very own culinary style, and Bermuda is no different. One of the nicest places to sample the local fare is directly on the beach. Many hotels will be happy to pack a picnic lunch for their guests, or you can pick up some food en route to the beach.

Amenities and Ambience

Most of the crowd at Church Bay are attracted by the colorful line of coral cliffs along the waters edge. The complex composition of the reefs provides a great habitat for a wide variety of marine life, so remember to bring your flippers and watch the colors flow through the waters. Picnic facilities and primitive restrooms are available at this beach.

Who you share these sands with will depend on a few things, including the time of year and day of the week. Some of Bermuda's beaches may rarely be crowded, while others are often crowded particularly during the high tourism season. One of the key things one should keep in mind when considering a day at the beach can be, for some beach goers, the possibility of crowds. While some beach goers prefer a crowded beach with lots of activity, other beach bums like a quieter oceanfront setting.

Like so many places in Bermuda this beach has a distinctive personality which will be more appealing to some than to others. The personality of this beach is somewhat different from what is offered at the other beaches in Bermuda. This small beach can get very crowded during Bermuda's prime beach season. Most of the people go to swim or snorkle in the waters because of the fantastic marine life, so bring your snorkle.

Attractions

Seeing more of the island is easy when you take a side trip to see its natural attractions after a day of fun in the sun. One example is Gilbert Nature Reserve, which is 3.2 miles to the northwest of Church Bay.

If you want more information on the history of Bermuda you'll be able to find opportunities nearby. For example Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is located 1.1 miles to the northeast of Church Bay.

If a visit to the beach won't satiate your need for island activities, you'll find the closest ones to the beach in the following table.

Attractions Near Church Bay
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse 1.1 mi. NE Historical Site
Fort Scaur 2.6 mi. NW Historical Site
St. James Anglican Church 2.7 mi. NW Church
Gilbert Nature Reserve 3.2 mi. NW Natural Attraction
Christ Church 3.3 mi. NE Church
Bird Cage 4.5 mi. NE Historical Site
Bermuda Historical Society Museum 4.5 mi. NE Museum
Tarpon Hole 4.6 mi. NE Natural Attraction
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity 4.7 mi. NE Church
Bermuda National Gallery 4.7 mi. NE Museum

Location

You'll find this sandy spot on Bermuda's southwestern coast; it is located near the Reefs, 0.3 miles away. Church Bay is close to Somerset Village, so you can explore the town after your visit to the beach.

Nearby Hotels

Whether or not you have the beach pretty much to yourself will be influenced by the time of day as well as the season. You can generally expect to see visitors from nearby hotels. There are a large number of hotels nearby. So if you're looking for a place to stay in this neighborhood you can certainly find a spot.

Other Beaches

Bermuda has many nice beaches and Church Bay is just one option. You might also enjoy Achilles Bay; it's found 13.5 miles to the northeast. Overall, the beach at Achilles Bay is a nice seaside location, but one of the major setbacks is that it can't be reached by bus.

But, if you're interested in a more active beach, you might like Horseshoe Bay. You'll find it 1.4 miles to the northeast.

Another option worth considering is West Whale Bay, located 1.8 miles from Church Bay. West Whale Bay Beach is a small area with pink sands, shallow waters, and a rocky cliff behind it. Perfect for watching the migrating whales in the spring, this beach also attracts offshore fishermen, locals, and tourists enjoying a picnic. Low tide is the best time for swimming in the calm waters and a hillside behind the beach provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying the beautiful scenery and experiencing the sunset's radiant glow. Make sure to keep an eye out for migrating whales!

The activities you'll experience in Bermuda will have plenty of variety, even if you've planned a vacation far from Church Bay.

Print   Return to Normal View