This is a bit of a hidden gem. Far enough from the popular Horseshoe Bay in the West and the City of Hamilton in the North East, this beach is great if you want some peace and quiet. Peace and quiet from people that is. The Ocean often makes a fair bit of noise here and waves can be bigger and more powerful than anywhere else.
Bermuda is surrounded by a barrier reef which extends quite far out to the North and West and acts as a natural breakwater around a shallow laggon. On the South side the barrier is thin and so waves come in a bit stronger if the swell and wind comes from that direction.
This beach is a part of the Southlands estate which was bought at one point by private investors who wanted to develop a hotel on site. As this is one of the few relatively, unspoilt natural areas left in Bermuda the Government arranged a land swap and now both the beach and the park are open to the public.
The beach is quite wide and open which also means there is very little shade. There is a little car park where you can leave your scooter. Alternatively you can get the number 7 bus which stops just outside the Swizzle Inn, about 5 minute walk away. It’s possible to walk from the bus stop as this is one of the few stretches of main roads in Bermuda that actually have a little bit of grass on either side. If you’re walking from the bus stop you will walk past the Southlands Park where the original estate was located and which is now, for all intents and purposes, a thick, dark jungle.
Snorkeling is pretty good here – there are some corals on the left and right end of the beach. You will find here lots of parrotfish and doctorfish. Around and under the rocks on the right hand side are always a few trunkfish. Occassionaly you can spot a palometa darting past you, Bermuda chubs floating around and even, once, what looked like a baby barracuda!
A bit further offshore on the right end is a small boiler reef with very nice soft coral. Water there is shallow enough to freedive with fins.
A word of warning – Hurricane Humberto really did a number on Southlands beach. Tons of sand were washed out to the sea creating huge ditches, exposing previously buried rocks and generally changing the coastline. The beach itself has gone back to normal since then (although the new sand is not as nice and white as it was previously) however the sandy bottom changed so much you can now walk quite far out without it becoming too deep and there is also a strong side current. If the wind is blowing from the south or there is a big swell make sure the side current is not pushing you to the right, onto the reef.
After you’re done snorkeling and lounging you can go back to the Swizzle Inn – the place makes decent food, their cocktails are really quite strong and the prices are reasonable (for Bermuda!). On Sunday evenings there is usually some form of live music.
SeaVenture 