Several water sports outfitters operate from the Hamilton [1] waterfront, running cruises (day and evening), and offering sportfishing, reef snorkeling, ecotours, sailing, whale-watching, and scuba expeditions.
Fantasea Bermuda (Albuoy’s Point, 5 Point Pleasant Park, tel. 441/236-1300, fax 441/236-8926, www.fantasea.bm [2]) is a full-service PADI and NAUI dive center offering daily one- and two-tank dives, night dives, private charters, and equipment sales. Fantasea is also popular for its kayak tours, cycling ecoexpeditions along the Railway Trail, glass-bottomed boat tours, plus private sailing charters. The company even offers a three-events-in-three-hours package, combining a boat cruise with cycling, kayaking, and swimming.
Winner of the Tourism Department’s 2007 “VIP” Award, Jessie James Cruises (The Flagpole, Front St., at foot of Burnaby Hill, tel. 441/236-4804, jessiejames [at] northrock [dot] bm, www.jessiejames.bm [3]) is known for its daily tours April through October, which take visitors to three different snorkeling locations—a beach and small islet, a historic shallow shipwreck, and a coral reef sea garden—as part of a three-hour cruise. Glass-bottomed boat sightseeing tours are also offered year-round. Reservations are required.
One of Hamilton’s [1] best sports facilities is the outdoor commercial climbing wall at The Olympic Club (13 Dundonald St., tel. 441/292-4095, 6 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.). Full-time professional instructors can run you through the basics of belaying and top-roping. The wall has beginner routes, plus tougher overhangs, freeform pitches, and slots. Climbing shoes can be rented at the club.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/bermuda/city-hamilton-and-pembroke-parish/the-city-hamilton
[2] http://www.fantasea.bm
[3] http://www.jessiejames.bm