Camping Guidelines For Cup Match Holiday
The Department of Parks issued an advisory about camping and parks and have urged the “public to play their small part in helping to ensure that our parks, beaches, and open spaces are kept in a pristine condition during the busy Cup Match holiday weekend.”
A Government spokesperson said, “With the Island preparing to celebrate Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day next week, the Department of Parks wishes to encourage the public to play their small part in helping to ensure that our parks, beaches, and open spaces are kept in a pristine condition during the busy Cup Match holiday weekend.
“The public is reminded that three designated campgrounds are available for convenience: Ferry Point Park, Chaplin Bay, and Higgs and Horseshoe Islands. Camping registration began on 8 May 2024 and ends on 20 October 2024.
“Camping permits are required before camping can take place at the designated campgrounds. Permits can be received from the Parks Office located in Global House, and the cost per site is $15 per night.
Cup Match Camping
“The Cup Match Holiday period is a hectic time for camping and picnicking at the Government parks and beaches.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works and the Department of Parks have established guidelines for those wishing to camp outside the three designated campgrounds listed above.
- 1. No camping is permitted at Blue Hole Park/Nature Reserve or Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
- 2. Camping is not allowed on the dune immediately behind Jobsons’ Cove in South Shore Park due to the rare and sensitive plants that need to be protected there. A sign advising park users of this policy has been erected.
- 3. Absolutely no paint, spray paint, markers, or any other form of graffiti is to be used to mark camping spots, especially on trees. Camping will be permitted from Wednesday, 31 July 2024, until Sunday, 4 August 2024.
- 4. Horseshoe Bay Beach will close at 8 p.m. on Thursday 1 August.
- 5. No tents or ropes to mark spots are permitted to be erected on Monday, 29 July. The Department of Parks will take down tents and ropes found erected at the parks and beaches on this date.
- 6. Campers may pitch tents and tarps on Tuesday, 30 July, to secure their preferred spot. However, no one will be permitted to camp on this date. Please do not erect tents in front of the park and beach access gates.
- 7. Park gates will be opened during the day on Wednesday, 31 July, to allow campers and picnickers the opportunity to set up. Park Rangers will be on duty until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, 31 July and will begin locking the gates at 9:30 p.m.
- 8. For the safety of park users, all vehicles must be removed from the parks and placed in the designated parking lots.
- 9. Park Rangers will also be on duty on Thursday, 1 August, and Friday, 2 August, from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Saturday, 3 August, and Sunday, 4 August, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist park users.
- 10. Lifeguards will be on duty at Clearwater Beach, John Smith’s Bay, and Horseshoe Bay from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the holiday period.
- 11. The Department will also have employees on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. assisting with parking and traffic control at West Whale Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay West, Elbow Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Cooper’s Island Park.
- 12. Members of the public who will be around Clearwater Beach are asked to park only in the large parking lot to avoid blocking the narrow pathway to the main entrance of the Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
Horses in National Parks
“The Department of Parks would like to remind the public that from 1 May to 31 October, horses are prohibited from being on any beach in South Shore Park, in addition to John Smith’s Bay, Elbow Beach and Shelly Bay.
“Horses, however, are permitted on the dunes and on the Railway Trails.
Dogs in National Parks
“The public is also reminded that as of 1 April, dogs are not permitted to be on any of the public beaches until 31 October.
Department of Parks Special Permissions
“The Department also reminds the public to contact the Parks Office to request a Special Permission permit before hosting an activity/event.
Bonfires in National parks
“We also want to remind the public to be mindful of the rules and regulations outlined for recreational bonfires as mandated by the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986.
Enforcement
“Under the authority of the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 and the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988, the Park Ranger Service and all authorised Officers aim to provide a safe and secure environment for all Bermuda’s park patrons.
“For general information regarding our National Parks, including camping, animals, enforcement, and legal issues, please visit https://www.gov.bm/department/parks or call 236-5902.”
For extensive coverage of Cup Match spanning over a decade, visit our website BernewsCupMatch.com, the island’s most comprehensive resource on the Cup Match holiday.
- Over 6,000 photos here
- Over 150 videos here
- Over 80 graphics here
- History here
- Dedicated website: BernewsCupMatch.com
