Pristine Beach, Improved Restrooms, Amenities

May 12, 2016

“Pristine beaches, improved restroom facilities and enhanced amenities” are just a few of the things that local residents and visitors to Bermuda said should be part of the ‘Bermuda beach experience’.

The findings stemmed from a series of detailed surveys and focus groups carried out in recent months by the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] and Ministry of Public of Works.

The local survey asked residents questions such as, “What three words describe the ideal Bermuda beach?” and “What types of activities do you use public beaches for?” and “When visiting a public beach in Bermuda, what types of food service options would you want in close proximity?”

The aim of the surveys was to create a ‘Beach Vision’ for Bermuda and also to identify any potential gaps in the beach experience [improved restroom facilities, for example].

35-minute video of the BTA staff providing an overview of the Beach Vision at a Rotary meeting

The statement below is the newly-formulated beach vision for Bermuda:

The Bermuda pink sand beach experience must be iconic, memorable for its natural beauty complemented by cleanliness and casual amenities that are culturally authentic – true to the island’s attitude of unpretentious relaxation and warm hospitality.

“The aim of the beach vision is for us to realize how we can further improve the beach experience for all beach-goers – both residents and visitors alike,” explained The Minister of Public Works Craig Cannonier.

“It’s a vision for the future that is truly a reflection of where survey respondents told us we need to go. One thing that was immediately clear from the surveys was that the cleanliness of our beaches and their restroom facilities is paramount to beach-goers, as well as the desire that they do not become over-crowded.

“Our aim is simple: to deliver a beach experience that lives up to this vision, with a focus on five public beaches in particular: John Smith’s Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Shelly Bay, Tobacco Bay and Clearwater.

“The main tenet of our plan is to improve the facilities at beaches that already have infrastructure in place, as opposed to creating new infrastructure at beaches where none currently exists.”

“The survey of potential and past visitors to Bermuda [based in the East Coast of the United States] presented several key findings including the following:

  • The ideal Bermuda beach is clean, with abundant beauty and powdery sand;
  • Bermuda visitors desire primarily casual dining options near the beaches they visit;
  • Visitors expect moderate prices for food, beverage and services at public beaches in Bermuda;

In order to gain further insight into the opinions of potential and past visitors to Bermuda, four two-hour focus groups in Boston and New York City were held to discuss topics on beach experiences. The Key Findings were:

  • Participants showed a general preference for public beaches in Bermuda that are easy to access, with a relaxing energy and with many available activities.
  • Participants were clearly interested in basic amenities such as chair rental, towel service and equipment rental. Clean public bathrooms were seen as a necessity.
  • Travelers to Bermuda will likely appreciate an array of high-quality but casual food options on or close to Bermuda’s public beaches with options for local cuisine.

The Department of Parks played an important role in providing feedback on the Bermuda Beach Vision, primarily with regards to the overall presence and style of beach vendors.

“When reviewing the beach vision for Bermuda, we considered aspects such as sustainability and the protection of natural assets,” explained Parks Officer Craig Burt. “It’s about enhancing what’s already there, without changing it drastically. The National Parks Act permits only minimal development on beaches in order to ensure that they are not exploited.”

“Bermuda’s beaches are some of our most valuable and treasured resources,” said Minister Cannonier. “They provide a place to escape and find solace at the end of a busy day; somewhere we can gather to socialize with friends and family; somewhere to go for both relaxation and adventure. Their beauty and pristine condition are what makes them so special.

“Every good plan starts with a vision. The beach vision is by no means set in stone; it continues to be a work in progress. Ultimately these beaches belong to the people of Bermuda so we need the public to let us know if we got this right; whether our plan for the future is one they can be proud of.”

Feedback on the beach vision can be sent to: beaches@gov.bm.

A 27-page presentation on the ”Beach Economy Vision”  follows below [PDF here]:

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Comments (16)

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  1. Legalgal says:

    Isn’t this a bit late. It’s already tourist Season. You do this during the offseason.

  2. Raymond Ray says:

    Please, DO NON”T put any plastic restrooms on or near the beaches! Construct “wooden sack” changing / restrooms with leaves over roof to give them an island appearance…Food for thought :-)

  3. sage says:

    $3 dollar bottles of water aren’t moderate.

  4. Seascape says:

    Mr. Cannonier – please also arrange for our roadsides to be cleaned. Cut back, cut down and remove trees. It is no longer a pleasure to drive around some of our roads.

  5. Will says:

    There’s literally one beach that has what is mentioned…are we now stretching the truth to attract visitors? Pretty low balling if you ask me

  6. Curious says:

    Congratulations to the BTA for executing this.

    Very good news that there has been a broad consultation process to identify the five beaches that will be developed and that 88% of all Bermuda Beaches are to remain protected as pristine.

    I do hope there is an immediate improvement in the amenities of the developed beaches as easy access,good food,and clean washrooms are the lasting impression our guests and residents leave a Bermuda beach experience with.

  7. Onion Juice says:

    Thats why de Pathway to Status people are gongho to stay here, not to mention $$$$$.

  8. hen bird says:

    Well,duh……….

  9. Moneywellspent says:

    Seriously…surveys and focus groups to tell us our beaches need improvement and basic necessities? So many surprising findings here…#yawn.

  10. just wondering says:

    and yet I understand the operation at Horseshoe bay cant get a liquor license – no question its an improvement on the previous facility who had one for many years – so whats the problem???

    • sage says:

      The previous people had a bar serving liquor out of a pop-up tent in front of the restaurant , thought it was an offense to drink in public. When will we allow ganja to be sold to tourists at the beach?

  11. Triangle Drifter says:

    What Americans place importance on above everything else man made at attractions is the availability of functioning clean restrooms.

    Go to a site like Trip Advisor & see what they comment on when it comes to campgrounds & parks. This does not mean that the restrooms have to be permanent plumbed type. Porta Pottys are just fine, provided they are serviced on a regular basis.

    Restrooms are rare at Bermuda public beaches.

  12. San George says:

    Keep W&E away from this. Private contractors will build bathrooms in a week or two; W&E may get it done in months. Keep the bloated Bermuda government out of it. We must take care of and improve the real only asset we have. Did I hear Vision – finally.

  13. I heart 441 says:

    Horseshoe beach is far better then any beach on the US east coast. It’s less crowded, far more pristine, and we serve the same food they sell.
    Now we can sell more Bermudian food, but lets be realistic, your at a beach, not on front street/back of town. Some seafood/jerk chicken would be good though.

    Some entertainment(steel band, jazz, some BOB M) is good during peak times at the beach.

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Not true at all. Peace & quiet can be found at a US East Beach. Like here, for some solitude it is going to take some walking away from the convenience of a closeby carpark.

      At state parks & national seashores such as Assateague NS, facilities are likely limited to porta potties & dumpsters in the car park.

  14. Cow Polly says:

    Dear BTA, I trust you read these blogs and take onboard the comments (at least for the most part – please ignore the moaning Myrtles).

    I spent a week in Cancun just recently in an all-in resort. I enjoyed the wait-staff providing me drinks whilst I lounged around the pool, listening to music and having pristine bathrooms right at hand.
    However, when I decided to visit Cozumel for the day, the highlight was finding Miami! This was a shack on the side of the road where you could purchase freshly made margaritas and daquaris made with fresh fruit and blended in ice out of a cooler. The only bathroom was a port-aloo and, with drink in hand, I sat down on plastic chairs under some umbrellas and enjoyed the view.
    My point is that tourists enjoy variety. If I’m going to the beach all day then I would like the amenities that you are talking about however, I would also like to find my own ‘little gem’ where there is nothing but a barman making me cocktails! Balance is the key.