Route 7 runs from Hamilton to Royal Naval Dockyard (Kings Wharf/Heritage Wharf) and is arguably Bermuda’s most picturesque bus route.
Route 8 also goes between Hamilton and Dockyard but takes a less interesting route along Middle Road.
The bus leaves the Central Terminal in Hamilton and travels along East Broadway, passing the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. It then goes into Paget Parish, stopping at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Botanical Gardens (Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art and Camden).
It then follows the South Road, a beautiful coastal route along the island’s south shore. Places of interest include Elbow Beach, Astwood Park, Warwick Long Bay, Jobson’s Cove, Chaplin Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Fairmont Southampton, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, and Church Bay.
The bus then joins Middle Road and takes the same route as bus number 8 to Dockyard, passing through Southampton and Sandys. Attractions and hotels on this stretch of the route include the Port Royal Golf Course, the Pompano Beach Club, Hog Bay Park, Somerset Bridge, Fort Scaur, Somerset Long Bay, and Cambridge Beaches.
The final destination is the Royal Naval Dockyard. The former naval base is home to Bermuda’s largest cruise ship terminals (Kings Wharf and Heritage Wharf) and plenty of attractions such as Bermuda Fun Golf, the Bermuda Arts Centre, the National Museum of Bermuda, Dolphin Quest, Snorkel Park Beach, and the Media Lounge cinema. The area also boasts several retail outlets (Clocktower Mall, Dockyard Pharmacy) and places to eat and drink.
The complete trip from Hamilton to Dockyard takes around one hour. The first buses depart from Hamilton and Dockyard around 7 am, and services run approximately every 15 minutes.
It should be noted that some buses on this route only go as far as Barnes Corner in Southampton Parish. For clarification, check the sign on the front of the bus or the official schedule.
There’s also a ferry service between Hamilton and Dockyard. Many visitors choose to take the bus for one leg of the journey and take the ferry for the return. A transportation pass is valid for both modes of travel.
Fares and Payment
As of 2024, a one-way adult fare for the journey between Hamilton and Dockyard is $5. Children aged 5 to 16 pay $2.75, and those under five travel free. Exact change is required if paying cash on the bus.
Tokens, tickets, and transportation passes can be purchased from the Dockyard Visitors Service Centre or the Central Bus Terminal in Hamilton. They are also valid for ferry services.
Journey Times from Hamilton
Approximate journey times from Hamilton to selected destinations on this bus route are as follows:
| Destination | Minutes from Hamilton |
|---|---|
| BUEI | 5 |
| King Edward VII Memorial Hospital/Botanical Gardens | 10 |
| Coco Reef/Elbow Beach | 15 |
| Astwood Park | 20 |
| Warwick Long Bay | 25 |
| Chaplin Bay/Horseshoe Bay | 30 |
| Fairmont Southampton/Church Bay/Gibbs Hill Lighthouse | 35 |
| Port Royal Golf Course/Pompano Beach Club/Hog Bay Park | 40 |
| Somerset Bridge/Fort Scaur | 45 |
| Somerset Long Bay/Cambridge Beaches | 50 |
| Dockyard (Kings Wharf/Heritage Wharf) | 60 |
Journey Times from Dockyard
Journey times from the Dockyard to selected destinations are shown in the table below:
| Destination | Minutes from Dockyard |
|---|---|
| Somerset Long Bay/Cambridge Beaches | 10 |
| Somerset Bridge/Fort Scaur | 15 |
| Port Royal Golf Course/Pompano Beach Club/Hog Bay Park | 20 |
| Fairmont Southampton/Church Bay/Gibbs Hill Lighthouse | 25 |
| Chaplin Bay/Horseshoe Bay | 30 |
| Warwick Long Bay | 35 |
| Astwood Park | 40 |
| Coco Reef/Elbow Beach | 45 |
| King Edward VII Memorial Hospital/Botanical Gardens | 50 |
| BUEI | 55 |
| Hamilton (Central Bus Terminal) | 60 |
The journey from Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay takes around 30 minutes by public bus.
Travelling the full route from Dockyard to the city of Hamilton takes around 60 minutes.
Shuttle Buses to Horseshoe Bay: An Alternative to Bus 7
Horseshoe Bay Beach is the most popular destination on the route. This crescent-shaped beach is renowned for its fine, light pink sand and crystal-clear waters. The beach offers a range of facilities, including a cafe serving various food and drinks and a rental service for umbrellas and chairs.
Shuttle buses are a convenient alternative to the public bus to get to Horseshoe Bay. These private minibuses operate from the Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay and offer a direct service. The cost per person is only slightly higher than the bus fare.
Another advantage is that the minibuses go directly to the beach. The number 7 bus stop is on South Road, about 1/3 mile from the beach.
Taxis are another option, but cost considerably more.
