Saint George's: Nature, Coast and History

A saltwater pond, a long-running conservation project and historic sites give Saint George's its many different facets. On the northeastern shore of St. George’s Island lies Lover’s Lake: the 0.38-hectare saltwater pond is both a Government of Bermuda nature reserve and a Ramsar site.

Protected Nature and Coast

Nonsuch Island is also in Saint George’s Parish and is part of the Castle Harbour Islands Nature Reserve. It is Bermuda’s most significant site for protecting rare and endangered species and habitats. For more than 50 years, a project there has been working to restore an entire ecosystem, including the associated plant and animal communities in their habitats. Nonsuch therefore focuses not just on individual species, but on a more comprehensive approach to conservation.

Nearby, Tobacco Bay is a great place to swim and snorkel. The sheltered bay has calm, clear water that is well suited to snorkeling. Unusual limestone formations also lie off the coast of Tobacco Bay Beach. They provide a habitat for marine life such as parrotfish and sergeant majors.

Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve offers walking trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Its Wildlife Observation Tower affords an almost 360-degree view of the Atlantic. When planning outings around your interests, you can distinguish between waterside nature experiences and trails and wildlife-viewing opportunities within the reserve.

History and Traditions Nearby

King’s Square is a historic focal point of the Town of St. George. The Onion Drop takes place there every year on New Year’s Eve. Gates Fort offers a different historical perspective: it is a significant battery overlooking Town Cut. At Fort St. Catherine, ramparts, secret passages and views of the coast and Atlantic are among its distinctive features.

The Carter House Museum is housed in a 17th-century Bermudian farmhouse built by the Christopher Carter family. Its exhibits cover whaling, fishing, agriculture and other aspects of everyday life in early Bermuda. You can also encounter history nearby in oral form: the Town Crier often tells stories from the past and sometimes invites volunteers to try the ducking stool.

Sport also has a long history: St. George’s Cricket Club was founded in 1892 and hosts Cup Match in alternating years. The Onion Drop takes place annually on New Year’s Eve, while Cup Match is held every other year. If you’d like to include either event in your travel plans, check the exact dates in advance.

Choose the Right Vacation Rental for Your Travel Interests

When choosing a vacation rental, you can start by considering what you want your trip to focus on. Protected landscapes, the coast and wildlife viewing offer a different focus from historic buildings, exhibits and recurring events. The places and experiences described here provide a practical guide, without requiring you to pack all your interests into a single day’s outing. Let what you most want to discover guide your accommodation search, and plan your outings around your own daily rhythm.

Bermuda as a Wider Travel Destination

The Railway Trail offers a different perspective on the island as a whole. Of the original 22 miles of railway track, 18 miles are open to the public as the Railway Trail. The trail is divided into nine sections, each between 1 and 3¾ miles long, that pass through Bermuda’s parishes. These details apply to Bermuda as a whole and add another way to experience the island to the nature and history around Saint George's.

Discover More Destinations

Also explore Tucker's Town and Saint George's.

Discover more destinations: Southampton Parish, Sandys Parish, Paget Parish, Pembroke Parish.

Return to the main travel overview: Bermuda.