Southampton Parish can be explored through three distinct highlights: the coast, the Railway Trail and golf. Chaplin Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Church Bay and smaller coves form a continuous stretch of coastline; paths and trails connect quieter areas. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether you want to spend most of your stay by the water, on the trails or on the golf course.

Bays and Water Activities

The individual beaches each have their own character. Church Bay is considered one of Bermuda’s notable snorkeling spots. Jobson’s Cove is a sheltered bay popular for swimming; Stonehole Bay is described as a quieter beach on Southampton’s south coast. This gives you different options to choose from: snorkeling, swimming in a sheltered bay or enjoying a quieter beach.

Whales can be watched from shore at West Whale Bay Beach. At low tide, visitors can wade out from there to coral reefs with diverse marine life. Shore fishing is also possible; bonefish, pompano and great barracuda are among the possible catches. The activities differ in nature: watching from shore, wading out to the reefs at low tide or fishing from shore.

Railway Trail and Golf

The Railway Trail in Southampton follows old railway routes through residential areas, past coastal viewpoints and through shady stretches of cedar and palmetto. It can be explored on foot, by running or by bicycle. The Southampton section described in 2017 runs from Church Road to Whale Bay Road. This gives you both a clearly named section and different ways to enjoy it when planning your visit.

Across Bermuda as a whole, 18 miles of the original 22-mile railway line are publicly accessible as the Railway Trail. The trail is divided into nine sections, each between 1 and 3¾ miles long. These figures put the Southampton section in the context of Bermuda as a whole; the mileage figures refer to the Railway Trail across Bermuda.

Port Royal Golf Course is a golf course in Southampton Parish, owned and operated by the Government of Bermuda. It is open to the public. Check the latest operating details before your trip if you are planning a visit.

Plan Your Stay

When looking for a vacation rental in Southampton Parish, you can match the area’s highlights to your own travel priorities. First, consider whether you want to focus mainly on the coast, the Railway Trail or the golf course. Two specific conditions are relevant to your plans: wading out at West Whale Bay Beach depends on the tide being low, and you should check the latest operating details before visiting Port Royal Golf Course. This helps you choose accommodation that fits the activities you have planned.

Discover more destinations: Pembroke Parish, Paget Parish, Sandys Parish, Saint George’s

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