Nearby Attractions
BUEI
Johnny Barnes Statue
Waterville
The Arboretum
The Botanical Gardens
BUEI
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) was established in 1997, by Bermudian, Teddy Tucker. Tucker was well-known for exploring our shipwrecks in the surrounding waters and collecting all his findings. As an institute, BUEI employs those to improve their ocean understanding with deep dives into the knowledge of deep-sea discovery, diverse marine life, and the history of the Atlantic Ocean.
As a museum, BUEI has a fascinating, interactive simulated dive into the Bermuda Triangle theories exhibit, in addition to the wonderous treasures Tucker has collected from shipwrecks over the years. There’s even an opportunity to see Jack Lightbourne’s private shell collection of over 1200 shells with various features. Located only a 20-minute walk away from the visitor centre near Albuoy’s point Ferry Terminal in the city, BUEI is a great excursion to spend time exploring all the ocean has to offer.
BUEI is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 4 pm on weekends. The walk from the city is flat, but there is limited accessibility on the narrower sidewalks for those with motorised mobility needs.
Join us for a complementary guided tour with museum entry. Click HERE to book!
Johnny Barnes Statue
Johnny Barnes, born John James Randolf Adolphus Mills, was a Bermudian born in 1923. He was well-known for greeting commuters entering the city of Hamilton at the Foot of the Lane roundabout. Johnny arrived at his post in as early as 3:45am until 10 am every workday. He started this greeting ritual in 1986 and continued until 2015. During November of 1998, he viewed the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of him blowing kisses in the air. The site can be reached by taking a two-minute walk (flat, gentle stroll) through the portion where BUEI and FIL meet. It’s a splendid photo-opportunity, so be sure to stop by a take a picture with Johnny Barnes’ Statue!
Bermuda National Trust Waterville
Waterville is the headquarters for the Bermuda National Trust (BNT), an organisation that aims to protect and promote Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage forever by gaining and conserving artefacts, buildings, and land. They also instil appreciation and stewardship through advocacy, education, participation, and research. The Waterville house of BNT was built around 1747 and was a previous Trimingham family home. Currently, Waterville is open to the public and you can view the original parlour and dining room which has a wonderful display of their fine artwork, silver, Chine, and antique Bermuda cedar furniture fine collections.
Once you visit the Waterville, National Trust location, visiting their original guest home and gift shop, you can learn more of what the other three museums have on offer. The Waterville National Trust is open weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, and visitation is free. To get to the Waterville property from BUEI, you can take an approximate 8-minute walk (flat, gentle stroll), cutting through Crow Lane Park, or hop on the bus (routes #2, #7, or #8) for a 5-minute ride.
The Arboretum
The Arboretum is a 22-acre national park in Bermuda, where the land was formerly owned by the British Army and British War Department. The land was then handed over to the Bermuda Government for ownership in 1951. In 1962, around a decade after the British Army left, they planted the lands as an Arboretum.
Currently, the Arboretum is home to palms, acacia, rubber trees, and cedar trees. This vegetation provides habitat for bluebirds and cardinals. The Arboretum has a cedar bridge, a gazebo, and many picnic spots. Throughout the park are also 20 different exercise stations. The Arboretum is accessible by bus (route #3) or an approximate 20-minute walk (moderate with light incline) from BUEI. Entry is free and is open to visit from sunrise to sunset every day.
The Botanical Gardens
The Bermuda Botanical Gardens is a 36-acre area of open lawns and formal gardens established in 1898. The Camden House, which is on the garden property and is from the 18th century, was a former arrowroot factory and is now the official residence of Bermuda’s Premier.
Currently, the Gardens is home to various fragrant flowers such as hibiscus, frangipanis, and roses. There is also a gazebo, a palmetto palm tree garden, and a sensory garden with Braille signage. The Botanical Gardens also have a cacti house, a kitchen garden, and is home to the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art and The Botanist Cafe. Admission is free and the Gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset. You can get to the Gardens from BUEI using bus routes #1, #2, and #7, for an approximate 5-minute ride from BUEI. Alternatively, you can take a 15-minute walk (moderate with light incline).
