St George's cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: Penno's Wharf to King's Square.

• Walk: realistic for a town visit; leave the wharf for Penno's Drive and follow the waterfront connection to Water Street and King's Square. The route is shown on the official visitor map; the tourism authority describes the compact town as walkable.

Orientation, not a walking route

Penno's Wharf is the cruise berth identified by Bermuda's tourism authority, and ocean-cruise calls appear in the port authority's schedule. The normal arrangement for ships assigned this berth is alongside docking. Smaller-ship access here is distinct from the large-ship wharves at Dockyard.

Take the actual berth and return instructions from your ship before leaving. Penno's Wharf, the public ferry boarding point and King's Square are useful orientation landmarks, but they are not interchangeable meeting places. Passengers needing assistance should ask the ship about gangway access before going ashore; town walkability does not establish step-free ship access.

About this port

St George's gives smaller ocean-cruise ships a landing beside Bermuda's historic town. Its lanes, waterfront and churchyard make a satisfying local visit, with Tobacco Bay offering a separate beach outing. The town and associated fortifications form a UNESCO World Heritage Site; this is somewhere to explore slowly rather than rush through on the way across the island.

The itinerary names Saint George, St George's and St George Island refer here to the Bermudian town and port. This guide covers a ship calling at Penno's Wharf. Passengers visiting by ferry from a ship at Royal Naval Dockyard must return to Dockyard, not to a ship in St George's harbour.

Getting Around

Walking works well for the town's historic streets. For Tobacco Bay, the tourism authority estimates about 15 minutes from the town centre, not from your gangway. No public bus goes directly to the beach; take a taxi if the walk does not suit you.

For an excursion to Hamilton, routes 10 and 11 link the towns. Route 11's current timetable gives an average 50 minutes in each direction, before waiting or walking to the stop. The full St George's–Hamilton adult fare is BD$5 cash or BD$4.50 by token, one way; an adult all-day bus-and-ferry pass costs BD$19. Prices checked 2026-09-25 against government fares and its route/fare guide.

The seasonal Orange Route ferry links St George's with Dockyard, with departures varying by operating day. It is useful for a deliberate west-end outing, but is not a local town shuttle or a dependable last-minute escape from a missed bus. Taxis are another option for excursions; settle the pickup point and return arrangement before leaving town.

Things to Do

Explore King's Square and the adjoining lanes. Begin with the waterfront, then wander the streets around the square rather than trying to see the entire parish. Shops and small eating places let you break up the walk without committing to another transfer. The town's historic street pattern is part of the interest.

Visit St Peter's Church and churchyard. The separate burial ground for enslaved and free Black Bermudians gives an essential perspective on the town's history. The church's own visitor guidance describes level access from Church Lane behind the building for people who cannot use the front steps. Keep the churchyard visit respectful and follow any worship arrangements on arrival.

Spend time at Tobacco Bay. Limestone formations frame a sheltered beach used for swimming and snorkelling. Food, drinks and beach equipment are available, making this a practical outing without crossing Bermuda. Allow for the walk back, and decide whether to stay with the town or the beach if your call is short. Sea conditions on the day should guide whether you enter the water.

Getting back to your ship

For a Penno's Wharf call, retrace the town route to that berth. A trip to Hamilton creates a substantial road return; a Dockyard outing depends on the seasonal ferry timetable. Choose a return service before heading out and leave room for an alternative. Use the ship's stated return berth and all-aboard time, especially when an itinerary names more than one Bermudian port. From Tobacco Bay, remember that reaching King's Square still leaves the onward walk to Penno's Wharf.

Practical Information

Visitor Services at 25 York Street can help with maps and local transport. Bermudian dollars and US dollars are accepted at equal value. Bring comfortable shoes, water and sun protection; the local walking route and a beach visit place different demands on footwear.

Cash bus fares require exact coins. The Shorelink app provides digital fares to activate when boarding. Keep the ship's identification requirements and contact number with you rather than relying on returning to the same waterfront spot from memory.