Sandy's Parish of Bermuda.

Sandy's Parish of Bermuda.

Sandys Parish (which is actually pronounced "sands" the area's namesake, Sir Edwin Sands, did not spell his name with a y) is made up of several islands: Ireland North, Ireland South, Boaz, Watford and Somerset. From Hamilton you can take the ferry to Sandys Parish; traveling through Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound, the 45-minute journey is a pleasant way to reach this charming area of Bermuda.

The parish's most famous landmark is the Royal Naval Dockyard, located on Ireland Island North. A former naval base for Britain's Royal Navy, the Dockyard is a fascinating historic complex, now home to a museum, shops, art galleries and other attractions. For more on the Dockyard, check our History section.

As you travel along to the village of Somerset, you'll pass Mangrove Bay, which was once a smugglers' harbor and is now a favorite spot for swimming, sailing and fishing. Boats are available for rent, and sightseeing excursions are offered, as well. Offshore from here, the Sea Gardens are home to coral reefs, brain coral and parrotfish. You can embark on a glass-bottom-boat sightseeing adventure out to the reefs; several of these tour operators depart from Albuoy's Point, in Hamilton.

Nearby is Springfield and the Gilbert Nature Reserve, an early 18th-century plantation house and its grounds. The Sandys Community Center now operates out of the home, while the five acres of nature reserve are unspoiled woodland, open space and planting land.

One of Bermuda's loveliest churches, St. James Church, or the Anglican Church of Somerset, is found in Sandys Parish, along Somerset Road. Constructed on a promontory, the original church was destroyed in a hurricane in 1780. The structure you see today replaced it just nine years later. It is noted for its graceful spire and sweeping entranceway.

Also on Somerset Road is Scaur Hill Fort and Park, where you can enjoy terrific vistas of Great Sound and Ely's Harbour. The fort was built by the British Army in the 1860s, 70s and 80s to protect the Royal Naval Dockyard from possible American attack. The park is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Linking Somerset Island with the main island is Somerset Bridge, the smallest drawbridge over the Atlantic. It was one of the first bridges built in Bermuda in the 17th century, and allows only an 18-inch clearance for the mast of a sailboat. From the bridge you'll enjoy a view of Cathedral Rocks, a natural formation of rocks that is reminiscent of a medieval cathedral.

Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Heydon Trust, a 22-acre park offering breathtaking views of the Great Sound. Here you'll find walking trails, flower gardens, a picnic area and a tiny chapel dating back to 1616. Hog Bay Park, opened in 1997, is another terrific destination in which to relish Bermuda's natural beauty. This park features well-maintained trails, vegetable gardens and wooded hillsides with native and endemic vegetation. Within the park, Sugarloaf Hill offers amazing views in all directions. Thirty-eight acres in size, Hog Bay Park is also home to incredible bird-watching opportunities. More than 120 different species have been observed here, including orchid orioles, purple finches and rough-legged hawks.

• Bermuda Cruises

The Nine Parishes of Bermuda

There are nine Bermuda Parishes located on the islands. Check out which area you would be interested in when on one of our Bermuda Cruises.

• Devonshire

• Hamilton

• Paget

• Pembroke

• Sandys

• Smiths

• Southhampton

• St. Georges

• Warwick

We hope you find this information useful and hope you choose us for your one of your next cruises to Bermuda.  Remember that we specialize in Bermuda Cruises.