Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay is definitely the most popular and arguably the most beautiful of Bermuda’s beaches. Unsurprisingly its pink sands are shaped like a horseshoe. It also boasts more facilities than any other public beach in Bermuda.

The Horseshoe Bay Beach House serves cold drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and other light refreshments. There’s also a concession that rents snorkelling equipment, beach chairs and umbrellas, and a small shop that sells towels, t-shirts, hats and suncream. The beach also boasts good toilet and changing facilities. The showers are very useful for cleaning all that sand and salt water from your bodily crevices; meaning that you don’t have to return to your hotel before going for lunch or dinner.

Despite its often calm appearance, the water’s surface hides dangerous rip currents. This is one of the reasons why lifeguards are on duty here (10:00 – 18:00, May 1 – Oct 31). Another is the Portuguese man-of-war which sometimes makes an unwelcome appearance.

As mentioned previously, Horseshoe Bay can get extremely crowded. If you fancy a break from the crowds make for the small cove at the western end of the beach. The waters are shallow and sheltered, making it an ideal spot for children.

Access to Horseshoe Bay is from Horseshoe Road, off South Road and opposite the Tio Pepe restaurant (a good spot to eat for something more substantial than the beach café). There’s also a bus stop at the entrance. At the end of Horseshoe Road there’s a parking lot with plenty of space for both cars and scooters.

Reader Reviews and Additional Information

paula :

Bermuda is the best place on earth. I lived there for 5 years and am now about to return for a 2 week visit. I can't wait. There truly is no other place like it.

Susan :

I was at Horseshoe Beach a few days ago. It was absolutely breathtaking! We loved it so much we are planning to go back!

Louis :

The water was spectacularly blue, clean, but salty. The life guards were diligent, helpful. The beach had sea weeds scattered about. Overall, the beach was nice, but not the nicest.

julie :

I can't wait to go back to Horseshoe Bay. It is the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. I found all the people to be very friendly too!

Jennifer Smith :

I have been to Bermuda several times. It is a very beautiful island and Horseshoe Bay is the prettiest beach I have ever seen. It is absolutely breathtaking. The people of Bermuda are very friendly and helpful. Not once have I ever experienced rude or an unpleasant personality. I have always experienced the exact opposite. When my husband and I travelled to Bermuda with our young children we always offered help with the stroller or holding a door for us etc. If you ever get a chance I highly recommend travelling to Bermuda at least once in your life! I hope to visit again someday!

Donna :

I went to Horse Shoe Bay Beach with my husband. It was a romantic and beautiful day. It was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to.

KIm :

I went to Bermuda and visited Horseshoe Bay and it was like you were actually in a dream. It was paradise. I am definitely going back and I recommend anyone to go. You and your family will really enjoy it.

4everlovers :

Horseshoe Bay was breathtaking. From the moment we stepped on the beach we felt like we was in heaven. Just being in such a beautiful atmosphere brought my wife and myself so much closer together.

vero :

I have been to Bermuda six times and my next trip is this June! I have to say it is the most relaxing location I have ever been to! Get my Dark and Stormy ready!

Dawn :

I was there in August and it was by far the most beautiful place I have ever been. Several of the pictures I took there have been blown up and decorate my house. I have never been anywhere that I have loved as much as this place.

stephanie :

To respond to "Chandlier's" comment about the local Bermudians. They were very friendly to my husband and myself. We were staying with a friend of ours here on the island and found people to be very helpful and genuine.
Of course not all people are friendly you cannot judge them all by one experience you had with a Bermudian and think it's very rude to post such a comment.
These islands are paradise and just a note about the others who said Bermuda did not have the "Caribbean" feel to it. News flash but Bermuda isn't considered in the Caribbean nor is it even close. Though some locals live here and have Caribbean culture it's not native to Bermuda.
I love this place for it's people, hospitality, and the blue waters that surrounds these islands that we as visitors should be glad to be visiting

From Bermuda :

I'm from Bermuda, born and raised. I love all the comments. Horseshoe has been my favourite since I had one.

Laura :

I went to Horseshoe Bay Beach in September 2007. It was incredible. All the locals were so nice and it was so worth the dollar to have the gentleman bring you to the top of the road at the end.

Hal :

This beach is beautiful indeed. It does get crowded when there are cruise ships in Hamilton. If you go on an "off day" the beach is not crowded and very peaceful. Move to the far end, climb the rocks and you'll find several small and very private beaches with great snorkeling. The local people are also very warm and pleasant which is one of the main reasons to visit Bermuda.

sean :

I'm from New England so I'm used to cold dark gray water. Horseshoe Bay beach was and still is the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. The sand and waters color and temperature were perfect.

SS :

The water is really blue.

Cindy :

Steph, Bill did not mean that cruise ships 'sail by and make noise', he was stating that when the cruise ships are in - as in docked in Hamilton or wherever - the beaches can be crowded and noisy or busy.

Alex :

I went to Horseshoe Bay in its off season (11/30/07) and the beach was lined with seaweed, but it was still very beautiful and the water was not that cold. I did some body surfing and got taken under a number of times. The caves that lined the water were very entertaining and fun to explore. I had to have taken at least 60% of my total 250 vacation photos here and set them as my computer background.

amy :

The locals in Bermuda were not friendly at all and there was no "caribbean spirit" to the island. It felt very aloof and untropical.

Chandler :

Went to Horseshoe Bay on October 2nd. Absolutely gorgeous, undeniably the most prettiest place I've ever been to. Came in from a cruise ship. The natives, as well as the bus drivers were very rude, and it was obvious they hated tourists. Guess I can't blame them even though I felt like slapping one of the drivers!! I doubt Bermuda would be much without tourists. So natives, shut up and get over it!

KAROL :

BEAUTIFUL BEACH, CLEAR BLUE WATER, LIGHT PINK SAND. SO SO BEAUTIFUL. VISITED ON 10/2007

Steve :

My wife and I visited the beach and thought it was a wonderful place to visit and enjoy. As well, very beautiful and relaxing.

TOMMY M :

WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH I'VE SEEN. THE WATER WAS SO INVITING YOU COULD EASILY STAY IN IT FOR HOURS.

steph :

That Bill guy is full of it. I've been to Bermuda and horseshoe bay way over 4 times and there are no ships that go by and if they do i didn't hear any noise. Bermuda is beautiful and especially horseshoe bay beach.

Editor :

The Department of Tourism’s Movies on the Beach event makes a welcome return tonight (Aug 30 2007). A giant screen at Horseshoe Bay will show a series of top movies over the next 4 days. The schedule is Into the Blue (Aug 30, 8.15pm), Casino Royal (Aug 31, 9.05pm), Pirates of the Caribbean (Sep 1, 10pm), The Holiday (Sep 2, 10.30pm). Admission is free.

nic :

This is the most beautiful beach I have ever been to. The water is crystal clear and you can see all of the fish as they swim around you. The facilities were great and for the most part clean. I recommend getting there very early, as there is usually a crowd of vacationers later on in the day.

Dennis :

We were there on 8/6 late afternoon. Although the snack stand and rentals were closed by then, it was not too crowded, and we had a great time on this amazingly beautiful beach. The walk down the hill is steep, and the bus ride to and from is quite interesting!

SP :

The road down to Horseshoe Beach from the main South Road is quite steep, and takes about 5 - 10 minutes to walk. There's a guy there who gives lifts up and down for a dollar per person.

Janet :

I visited Horseshoe Bay Beach on July 6. It was amazing - beautiful, clean (but a little crowded). Visitors should be very careful of the undertow. A wave knocked me over, pulled me under and took my sunglasses far out to sea!

Bill :

I was there on cruise day. WAY too many people. However, a beautiful beach. Check out Tio Pepes, a great place to eat at the top of the hill. Value and quality can't be beat.

Dee :

I was just there this past Thursday 6/7/07. What a beautiful beach!!!!!
The water was pristine and the sand comfortable and cool to the touch!!! My niece couldn't believe she could see her toes as we went deeper and deeper into the water. What a wonderful experience!!

annie :

I went here about a week ago and it is the most beautiful beach i've ever been to. I've never seen such clean sand, blue water, and the mini cliffs were so much fun to climb. It's a great place for families to visit and i'd recommend a visit to see this wonderful part of Bermuda.

bill :

Horseshoe Bay does have the best facilities of all the beaches in Bermuda, but when the cruise ships are in the crowds can be unbearable. Elbow Beach is much quieter.