Best of Smith’s and Hamilton Parishes

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve [1]: Explore the sprawling 34-acre bird sanctuary — the island’s premier nature reserve. Rolling coastal trails with unparalleled outlooks over the South Shore, plus numerous local and migratory birds, make it well worth a hike.

John Smith’s Bay [2]: A family favorite, this small half-moon bay is good for a day’s retreat or just a dip while touring the eastern parishes. It is one of the few beaches with lifeguards on duty through the summer.

Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo [3]: Long Bermuda’s favorite attraction, this waterfront facility’s lush, exotic grounds and modern exhibits offer an up-close look at Bermuda’s diverse marine life, plants, and conservation projects, not to mention intriguing creatures from oceanic islands around the world. Kids of all ages will love the activity rooms.

Blue Hole Park and Walsingham Nature Reserve [4]: For a rejuvenating escape to nature, head to the little-visited forest reserve commonly known as Tom Moore’s Jungle, with winding trails through cherry bushes, mangroves, and sunken caves. Fish and turtles can sometimes be seen in one of its pocket-sized lagoons — a delightful swimming hole connected to the sea.

Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave [5]: Discovered in the early 1900s, Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave are but two grand examples of a honeycomb that riddles the parish. The caves themselves offer spectacular interiors, but their garden estate’s royal palms and behemoth Indian laurel trees are equally fascinating. The property’s well-run café is open seven days a week.

Shelly Bay Beach and Nature Reserve [6]: There’s nothing more beautiful on a summer day than the mirror-flat turquoise shallows of this roadside beach. Surrounded by sports fields, a playground, a grassy picnic area, and a nature reserve, it’s popular with families, romantics, and windsurfers — when the breeze picks up.