Hamilton Shopping & Sightseeing: Bermuda Cruise & City Walk

Hamilton by Boat & on Foot: Half a Day in Bermuda's Capital

You board a narrated cruise from Royal Naval Dockyard heading to Hamilton, Bermuda's capital. Once there, you choose: shop and eat freely for two hours, or join a guided one-hour walking tour followed by an hour at leisure. You get a city map with store coupons and return transport to Dockyard. The round trip takes a few hours and requires you to board and exit via boat steps.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sightseeing and shopping in Hamilton

• Enjoy narrated cruise to Hamilton
• Join optional one-hour walking tour
• Spend one hour at leisure
• Shop, eat, or visit parks
• Return cruise to Dockyard

The experience

The boat was supposed to leave at nine, but we didn't push off until quarter past. The crew was still counting heads, and someone's family was running late from the hotel. It gave us time to settle in, grab a coffee from the bar, and watch the Royal Naval Dockyard shrink behind us as the narrated cruise began. The water was that particular shade of turquoise you see in photos but don't quite believe until you're standing in it, and the guide's voice came through clearly enough that you could actually hear the history instead of just nodding along.

Hamilton appeared gradually, not all at once: the pastel roofs first, then the narrow streets, then the harbor itself crowded with sailboats. We had two hours to do whatever we wanted. Some people went straight into the shops along Front Street looking for duty-free deals. Others grabbed lunch at one of the waterfront spots or just sat in Par-la-Ville Park with a book. If you don't want to navigate alone, there's a complimentary one-hour walking tour of the city that leaves from the dock, which gives you the layout and the stories, then an hour to wander on your own or duck into a museum. The city map they hand you has coupons for select stores, which actually saves money if you're buying anything.

The walk itself is manageable: Hamilton's streets are paved and mostly flat, though there are some hills and uneven surfaces mixed in, so it's not a stroll. The return cruise leaves at a set time (you'll know it before you board), and the boat back to Dockyard follows the same route, which means you get the narration again if you want it, or you can just stand on deck and watch the light change. The cash bar runs both ways, but they only take cash for drinks, so plan ahead if that matters to you.

This works best if you're docked at Royal Naval Dockyard and want to see the capital without renting a car or figuring out the ferry schedule yourself. The whole thing is a few hours, not a full day, so it fits into a port stop or a morning before something else.

What’s included

• Narrated sightseeing cruise from Royal Naval Dockyard to Hamilton and return.
• city map with coupons for select stores.
• complimentary one-hour walking tour of Hamilton (optional) or two hours at leisure.
• access to on-board cash bar.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday7 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:30Last departure this season: 21 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Island Tour Centre

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based at Royal Naval Dockyard and want to reach Hamilton without arranging your own transport: the fixed schedule and included map mean you can shop, eat, or explore the capital without planning the logistics yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.50★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the Hamilton shopping tour?

Narrated cruise both ways between Royal Naval Dockyard and Hamilton, a city map with store coupons, and either two hours of free time or a one-hour complimentary walking tour plus one hour at leisure. The cash bar is available on-board but accepts cash only.

How long is the tour?

The full excursion is a few hours. You spend two hours (or one hour if you take the walking tour) in Hamilton, plus travel time on the boat each way.

Can I do the walking tour or is it optional?

The one-hour walking tour is complimentary and optional. You can choose to take it and then have an hour free, or skip it and have the full two hours to yourself.

Is there food and drink available?

Yes. Hamilton has restaurants and cafes where you can eat during your leisure time. On-board, there's a cash bar for beverages (cash only).

What if I have mobility concerns?

You need to be able to walk on and off the boat via steps (5–10 steps depending on tide). Hamilton's streets are paved but include some hills, inclines and uneven surfaces. The tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those confined to a wheelchair.

Do I need to book the walking tour in advance?

No. The walking tour is complimentary and you can choose to join it when you arrive in Hamilton.

What payment methods are accepted on the boat?

The cash bar accepts cash only for beverages.

Is this tour weather-dependent?

Yes. All tours are subject to weather and require a minimum number of participants to run.