More famous for being a site of romantic island weddings than swimming, nevertheless this cove is a delight to experienced swimmers. Its rocky shore line and strong waters are not for amateur swimmers. For observers there’s a magnificent park maintained by Bermuda’s Parks department ideal for picnics and nature walks. It is also a photographers dream and understandably why a popular wedding vista.

Barr's Bay Park is right on the Hamilton Harbour next to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club along Pitts Bay Road. It is a fabulous place for a picnic lunch and to watch the boats go by. Named for a Bermudian family dating back to 1727. The park is wheelchair accessible and often used for outdoor events in Bermuda, such as the Bermuda Boat Parade and the Bermuda Big Game Classic.

The Bermuda Railway Trail is often called the most expensive railway ever built.  It didn’t go very far and it didn’t last very long; it failed horribly shortly after its launch in 1931. Today, however, the Bermuda Railway Trail provides a bounty of naturally beautiful riches that locals and visitors find simply priceless. In the 1980’s the government converted the old railway trail into a route of traffic-free roads and narrow pathways that hug shorelines and meander through unspoiled land.  Perfect for a romantic stroll, a scenic jog or a peaceful bicycle ride.  Be sure to take your camera with you.

This 12-acre nature reserve is located just opposite of Grotto Bay Beach Resort with parking and restrooms. There is a well groomed trail featuring wetland habitat, an observation post for bird watching and the fairytale setting of the Blue Grotto. Stand on the wooden platform and lose yourself staring into the deep blue waters that fill this sunken cave. There is also a limestone cavern hidden among the vegetation.

No matter where you travel in Bermuda it is hard to miss the profuse array of flowers and trees that line the roadsides. Many trees native to the island produce scented flowers that fill the air with perfume. The Botanical Gardens in Paget is one of Bermuda’s major attractions. The 35-acre landscaped park contains hundreds of clearly identified flowers, shrubs and trees, including a vast collection of subtropical fruit, hibiscus, an aviary, banyan trees and a garden for the blind. A good way to see the expanse of gardens is to take the walking tour, which lasts for 90 minutes and stretches from the Point Finger Road, to Berry Hill and the South Shore Road.

"Camden House" is located in the Botanical Gardens and is the official residence of the Premier used only for offical functions, not a living quarters. It is an historic example of typical Bermudian architecture, it was first built in the early 1700's and houses wonderful antiques and art. Free tours are given on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12noon to 2pm, unless official functions are scheduled. Plan to see this beautiful old Bermuda home after the Botanical Gardens tour!

The Bermuda Botanical Society operates the Visitor Centre open from 9:30am to 3:30pm (except Holidays) and holds a walking tour of the Gardens on Tuesdays & Fridays 10:30 am year-round, weather permitting, beginning at the Visitors Centre. The Visitor Centre also has a wonderful Craft Shop with lots of unique gift items, and a place to have sandwich, coffee, tea or cool drink.

Clearwater Beach and Park off of St. David’s Island is actually two man-made beaches created when the airport land was reclaimed around 1946 as a US military base and joined to smaller islands. It has been a public recreation area since 1996 with playground, beaches, hardscape for cycling, rollerblading and other activities. Many Bermudians enjoy this area, as it is a great location for a church picnic, company party or music festivals. There is ample parking and during the summer months a lifeguard is on duty.

Stretches of turtle grass create dark patches offshore and at the same time provide a feeding station for turtles and fish. Overhead, one may observe arriving and departing aircraft from the adjacent Bermuda International Airport which, by the way does nothing to disturb the tranquility of the area.

This is the last surviving endemic Bermuda Palmetto and Cedar forest. The 25-acre nature reserve is owned and maintained by the Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Audubon Society. There is a boardwalk that spans the area bringing the wetland habitat and mangrove ponds closer without getting wet! Bird Watching is fantastic with many migratory species passing through. Open dawn to dusk.

This unique private garden has a spectucular Bermuda-shaped reflecting pool, along with exotic parrots, topical plants and a beautiful view of the ocean on the south shore. It is located east of Ariel Sands in Devonshire and open to the public Monday - Thursday from 9am - 5pm.

This centrally located park is a favorite of locals during lunch to escape to nature if only for an hour! There are two entrances to the park – Par-La-Ville Road where the oldest Moongate stands, or on Queen Street next to Perot’s Post Office of the first postmaster in Bermuda. His house is now the Bermuda public library and the Bermuda Historical Society Museum.

On February 2, 2007 “Jete”, a life-size bronze of international ballet star David Wall by Italian sculptor Enzo Plazzotta, was installed in Par-La-Ville Park. Part of the recent bequest to the Bermuda National Gallery by John Hinson Young II and Nelga Young, it depicts the dancer David Wall, former Principal dancer with the Royal Ballet and now Principal Repetiteur with English National Ballet, in a leap known as a jeté. It is the second from the Young Collection to be placed in the park, following the installation of American sculptor Berthold Schiwetz’s bronze Preying Mantis Fountain last year. Together they form the basis of Bermuda’s first Sculpture Park, a joint project between the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) and the Corporation of Hamilton that will eventually form part of a city-wide Public Sculpture Trail.

Situated behind the City Hall & Arts Centre, the most notable feature of this small city centre park is its band stand. Erected in the late 19th century to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria, it’s now the setting for free Sunday evening summer concerts, Concerts in the Park, sponsored by the Bank of Butterfield and the Corporation of Hamilton from 6 – 9pm. Each themed concert features around five local and international artists. Bring a picnic of food and wine to enjoy during the performance. There are public restrooms.

Warwick Pond borders on the Warwick portion of the Railway Trail and is the second largest freshwater nature reserve, a 9-acre haven for resident and migratory waterfowl. There are a number of endemic Bermuda cedars and lots of Allspice trees, named for the pungent scent of the leaf. The Bermuda National Trust recently installed an interpretive sign nature trail around the pond. Open dawn to dusk.