Royal Naval Dockyard

With their defeat in the American War of Independence the British lost the use of the ports of its former colonies. To compensate work began in 1809 at Bermuda’s Ireland Island on the construction of the ‘Gibraltar of the West’, the Royal Naval Dockyard. The work was carried out using both slaves and convicts shipped from England. Of 9,000 convicts shipped to Bermuda, approximately 2,000 perished during construction, many from yellow fever.

The Royal Naval Dockyard remained a major Atlantic outpost for the British Royal Navy until 1951, when most of the facility was closed. A limited number of buildings and facilities remained opened for the support of British and NATO ships until complete closure in 1995.

Since then the location has been transformed into one of Bermuda’s most popular tourist areas. The former Keep became the Bermuda Maritime Museum and Dolphin Quest, whilst the Royal Navy’s administrative headquarters are now a shopping centre, the Clocktower Mall. The Cooperage, originally used for making barrels, is now home to the Frog and Onion Pub, the Bermuda Art Centre, the Bermuda Craft Market and the Neptune Cinema. Buildings previously used for repair work, munitions storage etc. now house the Bermuda Clayworks, Bermuda Rum Cake Company and Dockyard Glassworks.

Near to the ferry terminal there's the Visitor Information Centre. Its friendly staff are happy to answer questions and can supply informative brochures and guides.

The Royal Naval Dockyard is one of the ports used by cruise ships visiting Bermuda and is the venue for the annual Bermuda Jazz Festival. Windjammer Watersports operate from here offering snorkelling safaris and other aquatic adventures. Oleander Cycles has a branch here and rents scooters.

Royal Naval Dockyard is in Sandys Parish and can be reached from Hamilton by bus or ferry. Admission to the Royal Naval Dockyard is free.

Reviews / Comments / Additional Information

Rob

The Dockyard isn't the best place if you are part of the younger crowd. I just got back from a Celebrity cruise to Bermuda and there isn't much to do in the Dockyard. I did enjoy the Frog and Onion Pub being that I'm 18 and was able to drink for a change, but other than that there is nowhere else to hang out at night. I did enjoy the Maritime Museum there though. There are no restrictions inside and we were able to touch whatever and climb the entire wall of the fort. The mall had some unique stores that I enjoyed. The prices are not cheap but they are reasonable considering it's an island. I am a very cheap person and actually found myself buying lots of stuff there. The cats were nice too. I didn't realize until now that they are renown for being in the Dockyard.

Paula

We have been to Bermuda 3 different times. It is a wonderful and friendly island. The Royal Dockyard is fun and the Snorkel Park is worth going to. But one thing we did the last time we went was to find a cab that will take you on an island tour (they have special blue stickers in the windows). You can tell them how long your want to go and where. We had a wonderful retired gentleman that stopped wherever and whenever we wanted. He gave us lots of interesting info and was well worth the money. There is no set fee that I know of for this, so we agreed on a price and we ended up giving him more after he brought us back to our ship. We are going back to Bermuda the 29th of May and I can`t wait.

Ann

We loved landing w/our cruise ship at the Dockyard. The Snorkel Park was a few steps from our pier and offered a good view of the fish and coral. And, the grounds of the Royal Dockyard are excellent reminders of that Empire of yore on which the "sun never sat."

zeej

The Dockyard is an over commercialized tourist trap. See the real Bermuda, not the Dockyard where the prices are inflated.

amos

Make sure you visit the Frog and Onion pub. Lovely place and you wont get any closer to a traditional British pub. Mention my name and you might get a free pint (actually.....depends on who you speak to, you might be asked to leave!)

Akamad

It's awesome dude, I really want to see what dockyard really looks like.

Ernie

We just returned from a 11 day cruise in Constellation. One reason for joining this cruise was that the ship would be calling at the Royal Dockyard for a day and a half. This was our third trip to the Dockyard. It's the best place on the island.

Jack

We love the mall! Its got a great mix of shops. We got so many clothes at Davison's of Bermuda and everyone loved them!

Emily

I love the Dockyard. Being an avid cat fan, the Dockyard Cats are a huge source of fascination and pleasure. I love them!

Mitch

Dockyard is awesome with all the cool buildings and resturants. I like going to see the dolphins