Northern Caribbean Beaches: Somerset Long Bay

Somerset Long Bay

 
 
 

Travelers can easily find Somerset Long Bay on Bermuda's northwestern coast. 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 should consider visiting Somerset Long Bay.

On the northwestern end of the island lies Somerset Long Bay and with about a quarter of a mile of sandy coast, this is one of the longer beaches on Bermuda. Undeveloped park land borders this beach, giving it a secluded and uninhabited atmosphere and the small crowd usually consists of locals. The waters along the bay are shallow and calm, perfect for wading or swimming near the coast. However, it is often treacherous to go too much further out; the bottom of the bay is scattered with sharp rocks.

While Bermuda has some beaches that are more secluded than Somerset Long Bay the natural setting, atmosphere and personality offered by this beach might be just right for you.

The beaches found throughout Bermuda are most often quiet beaches, but you'll find something a little different at Somerset Long Bay. Though few would call this spot urbanized it's not those planning on stopping at this beach during their vacations can make the most of their travel without sacrificing the chance to meet new people.

Many visitors feel that a beach's amenities and attractions can be the most important attributes. For others, getting the chance to spend a day in the sun and experience seclusion is extremely important. No matter what you're looking for, Bermuda has plenty to choose from, and you may find what you're looking for at Somerset Long Bay.

All of the most important attributes of a beach can be influenced by its location. The Caribbean has many beaches, so your options aren't limited to Somerset Long Bay. By studying the information below, you can decide if this specific beach fits your specifications.

Food

If around midday you begin to get hungry, this beach has you covered, and you don't have to go far away.

The table below provides some some restaurant options.

Restaurants Near Somerset Long Bay
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
Tamarisk Dining Room International lunch & dinner 0.5 mi. NE
Somerset Country Squire Pub & Restaurant British lunch & dinner 0.6 mi. E
Il Palio Italian dinner 0.6 mi. SE
Freeport Gardens Caribbean lunch & dinner 1.0 mi. SE
Frog & Onion British varies 3.0 mi. NE
Pirates Landing International lunch & dinner 3.0 mi. NE
Coconuts International lunch & dinner 3.9 mi. SE
The Sea Grape Pan Asian/ Pacific Rim lunch & dinner 3.9 mi. SE
Ocean Echo Southwestern varies 4.2 mi. SE
Lighthouse Tea Room British breakfast & lunch 4.2 mi. SE
The Newport Room French dinner 4.3 mi. SE
Whaler Inn Seafood lunch & dinner 4.3 mi. SE
Green Lantern International breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.3 mi. E
Wickets Brasserie & Cricket Club International breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.3 mi. SE
Rib Room Steak dinner 4.3 mi. SE
Henry VIII British lunch & dinner 4.3 mi. SE
Ascots Italian lunch & dinner 4.4 mi. NE
Tio Pepe Restaurant Italian lunch & dinner 4.4 mi. SE
Heritage Court American lunch & dinner 4.4 mi. E
Primavera Italian lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. E
Waterloo House Caribbean lunch & dinner 4.5 mi. E
Lobster Pot & Boat House Bar Seafood lunch & dinner 4.8 mi. E
The Hickory Stick Deli breakfast & lunch 4.9 mi. E
Pasta Basta Italian lunch & dinner 4.9 mi. NE
Portofino Italian lunch & dinner 4.9 mi. E
Little Venice Italian lunch & dinner 4.9 mi. E
M.R. Onions Family Fare varies 4.9 mi. N.A.
Monte Carlo Italian lunch & dinner 5.0 mi. N.A.
Spring Garden Caribbean lunch & dinner 5.0 mi. E
Front Street Terrace International breakfast & lunch 5.0 mi. E
East Meets West Indian breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.0 mi. E
Paradiso Cafe Deli breakfast & lunch 5.0 mi. E
Harbourfront Italian lunch & dinner 5.0 mi. E
New Harbourfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar Italian lunch & dinner 5.0 mi. E
La Trattoria Italian lunch & dinner 5.1 mi. E
House of India Indian lunch & dinner 5.1 mi. NE
Hog Penny British lunch & dinner 5.1 mi. E
The Pickled Onion International lunch & dinner 5.1 mi. E
Spot Restaurant American breakfast & lunch 5.1 mi. E
Barracuda Grill Seafood lunch & dinner 5.1 mi. E
Jamaican Grill Jamaican breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.2 mi. NE
Le Figaro Bistro & Bar French lunch & dinner 5.2 mi. E
Fourways Inn American varies 5.2 mi. E
Bistro J. French lunch & dinner 5.2 mi. E
Red Carpet Bar & Restaurant American lunch & dinner 5.2 mi. E
Pawpaws Restaurant & Bar French lunch & dinner 5.2 mi. E
Ristorante Primavera Italian lunch & dinner 5.2 mi. E
The Beach British lunch & dinner 5.3 mi. E
Coconut Rock International lunch & dinner 5.3 mi. E
Tuscany Italian lunch & dinner 5.3 mi. E
The Porch International lunch & dinner 5.3 mi. E
Chopsticks Restaurant Chinese lunch & dinner 5.4 mi. E
Docksider Sports Bar lunch & dinner 5.4 mi. E
The Bombay Indian lunch & dinner 5.4 mi. E
Palms Mediterranean breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.5 mi. E
Horizons American breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.6 mi. E
La Coquille French lunch & dinner 5.7 mi. NE
Cafe Lido Mediterranean lunch & dinner 5.8 mi. E
Paraquet Restaurant Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.8 mi. E
Seahorse Grill Contemporary lunch & dinner 5.9 mi. E
Specialty Inn International breakfast, lunch, dinner 7.5 mi. NE
Rustico Restaurant & Pizzeria Italian varies 7.8 mi. NE
Landfall Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 8.4 mi. NE
North Rock Brewing Company International lunch & dinner 8.7 mi. NE
Swizzle Inn Caribbean lunch & dinner 9.7 mi. NE
San Giorgio Italian lunch & dinner 12.0 mi. NE
Pasta Pasta Italian lunch & dinner 12.1 mi. NE
Carriage House Steak lunch & dinner 12.1 mi. NE
White Horse Tavern Caribbean lunch & dinner 12.2 mi. NE
Water Street Cafe N.A. varies 12.2 mi. NE
Black Horse Tavern International lunch & dinner 12.8 mi. NE

There are various dining experiences to be enjoyed in Bermuda, but a meal on the beach can be particularly fun. Check with your hotel to see if they will pack a picnic lunch for you, or you can obtain picnic supplies on your way to the beach.

Amenities and Ambience

Located far away from tourist areas, the isolation of this beach is the main attraction. The beach is very laid back with parkland sheilding it from the streets and offering guests a place to enjoy the scenery.

The number of people at the beach is affected by several factors, including the day of the week and time of year. A few of Bermuda's beaches may hardly ever be crowded, while others are frequently crowded particularly when tourism season is as its peak. When considering a day at the beach, an important thing to keep in mind may be the size of the crowd you'll be joining, which is important to some vacationers. While some prefer a crowded beach filled with people and activity, some prefer to just hear the sounds of the surf.

Like so many places in Bermuda this beach has its own personality which will attract certain visitors. The atmosphere of this beach is a little different from what you'll discover in other parts of Bermuda. Somerset Long Bay does not attract very many tourists to its shores. Small groups of locals are usually the only people at this rather uncrowded beach.

Attractions

If you're like many vacationers, you enjoy seeing plenty of wonderful sights during your visit-- and also relax. The beach can be a relaxing experience, but natural attractions, like Gilbert Nature Reserve (located 0.7 miles to the southeast of Somerset Long Bay) can be an wonderful part of your vacation experience.

Historical attractions like Government House offer a wonderful complement to the scenery of Somerset Long Bay, allowing vacationers to learn more about Bermuda without straying to far from the beach.

If activity is your top vacation choice, the following table will show you the beach's closest options.

Attractions Near Somerset Long Bay
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
Gilbert Nature Reserve 0.7 mi. SE Natural Attraction
St. James Anglican Church 1.2 mi. SE Church
Fort Scaur 1.3 mi. SE Historical Site
Bermuda Maritime Museum 2.9 mi. NE Museum
Royal Naval Dock Yard 3.0 mi. NE Watersport
Dolphin Quest Bermuda 3.0 mi. NE Tourism Oriented Business
Dockyard Glassworks & Bermuda Rum Cake Company 3.0 mi. NE Shopping
Admiralty House Park 4.1 mi. NE Historical Site
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse 4.2 mi. SE Historical Site
Bermuda Historical Society Museum 4.8 mi. E Museum

Location

Visitors will find this stretch of sand on the northwestern coast of Bermuda. It is located 0.3 miles from the Cambridge Beaches Bermuda. Somerset Long Bay is close to Somerset Village, so walking the town is a definite option.

Nearby Hotels

The number of other guests enjoying the beach can vary widely, depending upon when you visit. The beach is not located next door to any large hotels but it is often visited by visitors from hotels in the general vicinity. You'll find 25 hotels located near this beach. If you're looking for a place to stay in this vicinity you shouldn't have much difficulty.

Other Beaches

Vacationers looking for a great beach can find plenty of other choices in Bermuda besides Somerset Long Bay. Another location you might enjoy is Achilles Bay; it is located 12.6 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 enjoy people watching at West Whale Bay. It is located 2.5 miles to the southeast.

You might also want to visit Church Bay, which can be found 3.9 miles away from Somerset Long Bay. Church Bay is a public beach on the south shore of Bermuda with soft deep pink sands that are great for sunbathing. A small offshore reef beckons snorkelers who lazily traverse the waters looking for the colors of tropical fish.

When you're ready to hit the beach in Bermuda you'll have plenty of choices, even a visit to Somerset Long Bay can play a part.

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