Diving, golf and historical intrigue in beautiful Bermuda

The British Overseas Territory sits more than 600 miles off the east coast of the US in the North Atlantic ocean, yet despite its proximity to the American mainland, the island is awash with English heritage. The Union Jack still features on Bermuda’s flag, and visitors can catch a glimpse of the British red postboxes that have remained since colonial times. A visit to the Royal Naval Dockyard, which acted as the principal base for the navy between American Independence and the Cold War, is ideal for history buffs.

Alastair Jack, partnership and promotions manager at the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said flights can pose problems for UK travellers.

“The UK represents 9% of arrivals – 9,000 leisure travellers visited in 2018. However, the one major challenge we have is the price of flights. It puts people off,” he explained.

“British Airways, who are the only airline serving us from the UK, have reduced the frequency of their winter flights from Heathrow to six a week.”

To entice visitors from the UK, the tourism authority has been promoting a “Pink Sale” campaign, offering reduced rates at many of the island’s hotels as well as discounts on sports and family-friendly packages. Participating properties include the Coco Reef, Fairmont Southampton and Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort and Spa.

Sale highlights include the Bermuda Golf Around Getaway, which capitalises on the island’s golf credentials, with more courses per square mile than anywhere else on earth. Priced from £374pp, clients can choose from three-, four- and five-night packages, the latter including accommodation, daily breakfast and four rounds of golf at the following courses; Port Royal, Tucker’s Point and Belmont Hills and one at the Turtle Hill Golf Club or Ocean View.

Jack said the construction of a new passenger terminal at the LF Wade International airport, which is set to be complete by 2020, would be another positive step toward achieving more airlift from the UK.

For now, Bermuda offers a clutch of sights, activities and attractions to keep visitors under its spell. Because it’s situated on the most northerly coral reef in the Atlantic, marine life flourishes in its unspoiled waters – divers can spot the Bermuda blue angelfish and colourful parrot fish in abundance.

For families, the island’s award-winning Horseshoe Bay beach near the capital of Hamilton offers pink sands, enclosed pools and plenty of caves for exploration.

With Bermuda’s attractive discounts and a St Regis and Ritz-Carlton to open over the next few years, the island is sure to entice customers and give agents more exciting options to sell.