Crystal caves in Bermuda

[Tidra00]

Hi, my family and I booked the January 2nd 10 day cruise departing NY on the Getaway. We will be in Bermuda on day 8 and 9. We wanted to visit the caves on day 8 but the boat arrives at 2pm and I don’t think we have time to do this. I would like to know how much time it takes to get there and back. Since the boat departs the next day at 4, it does not give us much time to visit the caves. Too bad it arrives so late on day 8.

Edited October 4, 2023 by Tidra00

[leaveitallbehind]

We have visited the caves on our own and it is about an hour to hour and a half from the Dockyards via ferry to Hamilton and then bus to the caves.  This is dependent on timing between the two transportations and could be longer.  The bus schedule is more frequent than the ferry so we time it based on the ferry.  The caves require an hour or two based on their tour schedule.  So I would plan on 5 - 6 hours total and would think the departure day with an early AM ferry would work fine.  Just be sure of the return ferry times.  You can also take the bus the whole route as an option but that is typically longer.

 

At the entrance to the caves, which is adjacent to the bus stop, is Baileys Ice Cream Parlour and across the street is the Swizzle Inn and Pub - both good stops if time allows.

 

The other option would be to see what ship sponsored tour would be available.  Clearly they would have that timed appropriately to assure no issues.

Edited October 4, 2023 by leaveitallbehind

[lenquixote66]

My wife went on a tour organized by the cruise ship.

[Host Kat]

10 hours ago, Tidra00 said:

Hi, my family and I booked the January 2nd 10 day cruise departing NY on the Getaway. We will be in Bermuda on day 8 and 9. We wanted to visit the caves on day 8 but the boat arrives at 2pm and I don’t think we have time to do this. I would like to know how much time it takes to get there and back. Since the boat departs the next day at 4, it does not give us much time to visit the caves. Too bad it arrives so late on day 8.

 

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[sebas030]

Fastest way to the caves is by taxi from the Dockyard ( about 45 minutes and expect around $70 )

 

Less expensive is ferry to Hamilton and taxi to caves ( around 1h of travel time )

 

If time is the most important thing here, I would ( and will in January ) hire a taxi driver for a 4 hour tour and I will ask him to drive us directly to the caves as soon as the ship docks. I will have him wait for us ( the Crystal cave takes about 35 minutes if no line to acces it ) at the cave, then take about 2h to drive back to the Dockyard and doing some sightseeing on the way.

 

Yes it will be more expensive, but I will be sure to do the roundtrip in 4h.

 

 

[Turtles06]

A few years ago, the folks at the Caves advised us that if we were going to see them on our own, to be sure we had a reservation. They said the cruise lines book up available slots, and if you go out there without a reservation, you may be out of luck. 
 

Unfortunately, the travel distance from the Dockyard and a ship’s schedule might make seeing the Caves via a ship’s tour advisable (as unnecessary as that otherwise would be).

 

 

[cynt]

I just did this and with your time constraints I would recommend book thru the cruise ship if you don't want to worry about anything and your nerves are bad. Hire a taxi if you can manage your time and money isn't a problem. 

 

 

[Tidra00]

Yup, that was exactly my thought.Thanks