St. David’s Head
St. George's Parish, St. David's Island
St. David’s Head sits on Bermuda’s easternmost shore, jutting out from two headlands into the North Atlantic Ocean. While most people visiting Bermuda don’t make it out this far, those that do find a place untouched by tourism. Highlights include hiking in Great Head Park and seeing the artillery guns at St. David’s Battery—both boast striking ocean views.
The basics
Hikes around St. David’s Head will invariably pass St. David’s Battery, the abandoned coastal defense station with artillery guns dating back to the early 1900s. Another site that’s good to work into a route is the Figurehead Memorial, a poignant piece of art that commemorates Bermudian sailors whose lives were lost at sea.
While there are few group day trips to St. David’s Head, private tours of Bermuda’s East End or St. George’s Parish sometimes add it to their itineraries. Private cruises can pass the headlands for views of the cliffs that plunge into the sea. It’s relatively easy to visit independently with your own transport, just be sure to leave plenty of time.
Things to know before you go
There are limited public facilities and services on St. David’s Island compared to elsewhere in Bermuda.
St. David’s Head will appeal to lovers of quiet, who want to see a bit of the “real” Bermuda without the crowds.
The Great Head Park is a great place to bring a picnic, especially for a mid-hike stop to soak up the sea views.
How to get there
Take bus number 6 from St. George’s to St. David’s Island, and ask the driver for the closest stop to St. David’s Head. Since this bus route isn’t as frequent as other Bermuda services, you may want to consider a taxi or drive there yourself. There’s a small parking lot for microcars and scooters by the Great Head Park.
When to get there
You can access St. David’s Head and the Great Head Park year-round as they are public sites. As the whole of St. David’s Island is off the main tourist track in Bermuda, there are no annual visitor events that take place over here, and it rarely feels busy. Note that St. David’s Battery is believed to be only open to the public on Wednesdays.
What to see nearby: St. David’s Lighthouse and Clearwater Beach
If you make the trek over to St. David’s Island, make time for a photo by St. David’s Lighthouse, just south of the Great Head Park. Its vintage-looking, red-striped facade makes for a great snap against the backdrop of the ocean. Clearwater Beach is a little further south, but it offers a wide expanse of sand with swimmable water, a playground, and a laidback local vibe.
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