Royal Naval Dockyard is where cruise ships dock in Bermuda, right alongside King’s Wharf or Heritage Wharf in the West End, with no tendering needed. Hamilton’s a twenty-minute ferry ride away, St George’s just under forty, and the Dockyard itself has shops, a museum and a beach shuttle to fill your day ashore.
Where cruise ships dock: King’s Wharf and Heritage Wharf
King’s Wharf and Heritage Wharf are the two berths that make up Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda’s busiest cruise port, sitting side by side at the island’s western tip. King’s Wharf is the older, more established of the two, built back when Bermuda was still a working Royal Navy base, and it connects straight into Clocktower Mall and the main Dockyard attractions.
Heritage Wharf is newer, given a proper refresh more recently, and usually takes the bigger ships; it’s a short walk from the same shops and restaurants.
Most of the lines calling at Bermuda, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, MSC, Regent Seven Seas, Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Explora Journeys and Virgin Voyages among them, just get assigned whichever berth happens to be free that day. Norwegian Cruise Line is the exception: King’s Wharf doubles as the homeport for Norwegian’s roundtrip Bermuda sailings, so if you’re starting or ending your cruise here rather than just popping in for the day, you’re most likely sailing with Norwegian.
| King’s Wharf | Heritage Wharf | |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1850s | 2009, renovated more recently |
| Typically used by | Most calling ships, including Norwegian’s roundtrip sailings | Larger vessels |
| Walk to Clocktower Mall | Direct | Short walk |
Nearly every regularly scheduled cruise call to Bermuda comes through Royal Naval Dockyard these days. The Hamilton cruise ship port and the Port of St. George’s still get used, mostly by smaller or occasional ships. If you want to see how all three stack up against each other, the Bermuda cruise ship port guide covers them side by side.
Royal Naval Dockyard sits on a narrow peninsula.
Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port map
Ships dock at Heritage Wharf. From there, Clocktower Mall is about a 8-minute walk. Tap a pin for directions.
- Heritage WharfWhere ships dock
- Dockyard Ferry TerminalAbout 5 min walk from Heritage Wharf
- Clocktower MallAbout 8 min walk from Heritage Wharf
- HamiltonAbout 7 km from Heritage Wharf
- National Museum of Bermuda
- Bermuda Snorkel Park Beach
- Dolphin Quest Bermuda
- Moongate Garden
- St George’s Town
- Horseshoe Bay Beach
- Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
- Hamilton Ferry Terminal
- St George’s Ferry Terminal
- Crystal Caves of Bermuda
- Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo
Ferries and buses from the Dockyard to Hamilton and St George’s
Ferries from Royal Naval Dockyard are the fastest way into either town. The Blue Route goes to Hamilton, and the Orange Route to St George’s. Both routes stop at the three Visitor Information Centres around the Dockyard, where staff will sell you bus and ferry tickets and point you in the right direction.
You can’t hire a car anywhere in Bermuda, so driving yourself to the beaches or towns is off the table. Most people get around on the ferries and buses instead, or grab a taxi for shorter hops.
There’s also a minibus shuttle running from King’s Wharf to Horseshoe Bay beach, continuously between 8am and 3pm, with the last trip back at 6pm. If that’s where you’re headed, pack a quick-dry beach towel, because you won’t be nipping back to the ship for one.
Where to eat near Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port
The best place to eat near Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port is right around the wharf, where pubs, a floating bar and a handful of casual grills are all within a few minutes’ walk of the ship.
- Rum Swizzle or Dark & Stormy – Bermuda’s two national drinks, poured at a floating bar moored just outside Heritage Wharf, right by the Moongate.
- Bermuda fish sandwich – fried local fish, snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi, stacked between slices of raisin bread with tartar sauce. Ask for it “with the works” if you want lettuce, tomato and onion too. Find it at casual spots inside the Cooperage Building and around Dockyard Terrace.
- Bermuda rum cake and cedar goods – locally made treats and crafts in the boutiques of Clocktower Mall, sitting next to bottles of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum.
Where to stay near Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port
Staying near Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port only matters if your cruise starts or finishes here rather than just stopping by for the day. On a normal port call, you sleep back on the ship, so a hotel doesn’t come into it.
If you are starting or ending a roundtrip sailing though, Hamilton makes the easiest base, with options closer to the Dockyard itself or further round on the south shore if you fancy something more scenic.
- Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – right in central Hamilton, with ferry connections out to Royal Naval Dockyard and plenty of restaurants and shops on the doorstep.
- Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa – in Somerset Village, around 2.3 miles from King’s Wharf, the closest of the three to the cruise terminal.
- The Reefs Resort & Club – on the south shore, better suited to a beach-focused stay, but a longer transfer back to the Dockyard.
These same areas work just as well if you’re staying on for a night or two after you get off the ship, before flying home.
Luggage storage at Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port
If you’re off the ship early with a flight later that day, or you’ve arrived the night before a roundtrip sailing, sort your bags out before you go rather than lugging them round the shops and museum. You can book luggage storage near the terminal ahead of time.
What to wear in Bermuda: outfit ideas for a port day
Bermuda runs on smart-casual, which rules out beachwear and bare chests the second you step off the sand. For men that means a collared polo shirt with tailored shorts or trousers by day, and a collared shirt with closed-toe shoes if you’re out in the evening. For women, a sundress, tailored linen trousers or a neat blouse will see you through daytime sightseeing and a smarter evening both.
Pack a light rain jacket too; the ferry crossings between the Dockyard and Hamilton or St George’s can get breezy. It packs down small enough for a day bag, leaving a hand free for whatever you pick up at Clocktower Mall.
A packable rain jacket for breezy crossings works well here. For more ideas, see these Caribbean cruise outfit ideas.
Best photo spots near Royal Naval Dockyard
The best photo spots near Royal Naval Dockyard are all within a short walk of the wharf, running from a stone arch with ocean views to a beach scattered with coloured glass pebbles.
- The Moongate – a circular stone arch right on the pier, close to the ship and directly in front of the floating bar. It’s a traditional Bermudian symbol of good luck, and a favourite for anniversary photos.
- National Museum of Bermuda – stand beside one of the old cannons and you get the horizon and the whole sweep of the Dockyard in one shot.
- Sea Glass Beach – a small, lesser-known beach where the sand is mixed through with decades’ worth of smoothed, colourful glass.
- Clocktower Mall – home to an official marked point for the Bermuda Triangle, good for a quick novelty photo on your way back to the ship.
How to spend a port day at Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda
A port day at Royal Naval Dockyard works best if you pick one: wander the wharf’s own shops, museum and beach, or take the ferry into Hamilton for the afternoon.
Before you sail
- Check minibus shuttle times before heading to Horseshoe Bay Beach
- Pack a quick-dry towel if visiting the beach, there's no nipping back to the ship
- Book luggage storage ahead if you're ashore early with a later flight
Short port day: under 6 hours
- On dockingMoongate photo stopPhoto stopStep off the ship and walk to the Moongate, the circular stone arch on the pier right by Heritage Wharf, for a quick good-luck photo before the crowds build.
- +20 minNational Museum of BermudaMuseumWalk over to the National Museum of Bermuda and wander the old fort, standing by one of the cannons for a shot that takes in the horizon and the whole Dockyard.
- +1 hr 30 minLunch: Bermuda fish sandwichLocal dishHead to the Cooperage Building or Dockyard Terrace for a Bermuda fish sandwich, fried local snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi in raisin bread, ask for it with the works.
- +2 hr 30 minBrowse Clocktower MallShoppingWalk to Clocktower Mall for Bermuda rum cake and cedar crafts, and snap the marked Bermuda Triangle photo point while you're there.
- +3 hr 30 minSea Glass BeachBeachWalk over to Sea Glass Beach, a small stretch of sand mixed through with decades of smoothed, colourful glass, good for a slower last stop before heading back.
- +4 hr 30 minDrink at the floating barLocal drinkWalk back towards King's Wharf and stop at the floating bar near Heritage Wharf for a Rum Swizzle or Dark & Stormy before rejoining the ship.
- All-aboard minus 30 minReboard at King's WharfMake your way back to King's Wharf and board the ship in good time before all-aboard.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If the museum or beach feel too full, Clocktower Mall and the floating bar are close enough to fill the time instead.
Long port day: 8 hours or more
- On dockingBuy ferry ticketsBuy ticketsWalk to one of the Visitor Information Centres near the wharf and buy a Blue Route ferry ticket to Hamilton; staff will point you to the right dock.
- +20 minFerry to HamiltonBoard the Blue Route ferry from Royal Naval Dockyard to Hamilton, a crossing of around twenty minutes across the Great Sound.
- +50 minExplore HamiltonSpend the morning wandering Hamilton's Front Street, with shops and harbour views near where the ferry drops you.
- +2 hrLunch: Bermuda fish sandwichLocal dishStop for a Bermuda fish sandwich, fried local snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi in raisin bread, at a casual spot in Hamilton, with the works if you like it loaded.
- +3 hrBrowse Hamilton's shopsKeep browsing the shops along Hamilton's Front Street for boutiques and local crafts before heading back towards the water.
- +4 hr 15 minHarbour views in HamiltonWalk along Hamilton's waterfront for harbour views and a last look at the town before making your way back to the ferry dock.
- +5 hr 30 minFerry back to the DockyardCatch the Blue Route ferry back to Royal Naval Dockyard, another twenty-minute crossing, timed to leave plenty of slack before all-aboard.
The times on the map are for the whole journey there by train and bus.
Get train and bus times in Google Maps
If plans change: If the ferry queue is long, the Orange Route to St George's or simply staying at the Dockyard for the shops and museum works just as well.
Royal Naval Dockyard cruise port FAQs
Is King’s Wharf the same place as Royal Naval Dockyard?
King’s Wharf is one of two cruise berths at Royal Naval Dockyard, not a separate port of its own. Heritage Wharf is the other, sitting right alongside it.
Do cruise ships tender at Royal Naval Dockyard?
Cruise ships dock straight at King’s Wharf or Heritage Wharf, so there’s no tendering involved getting ashore at Royal Naval Dockyard.
Which wharf will my ship use, King’s Wharf or Heritage Wharf?
Which wharf your ship uses comes down to the day and the size of the vessel. King’s Wharf gets used most often, while Heritage Wharf tends to take the larger ships.
Does Norwegian Cruise Line dock at King’s Wharf or Heritage Wharf?
Norwegian Cruise Line uses King’s Wharf as a homeport for its roundtrip Bermuda sailings, on top of its regular port calls there.
Can I hire a car at Royal Naval Dockyard?
Car hire isn’t available anywhere in Bermuda, so getting around from the Dockyard means the ferries, buses or taxis instead.
How do I get from the Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay beach?
Getting from the Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay beach is a minibus shuttle ride, running continuously from King’s Wharf between 8am and 3pm, with the last trip back at 6pm.
How long is the ferry from Royal Naval Dockyard to Hamilton?
The ferry from Royal Naval Dockyard to Hamilton takes around twenty minutes, running on the Blue Route.
What is the Moongate near Heritage Wharf?
The Moongate is a circular stone arch on the pier near Heritage Wharf, a traditional Bermudian symbol of good luck and one of the port’s most popular photo spots.
Last Updated: 2 November 2026