You are going toBermuda for the beach. There is more to this small island in the Atlantic Ocean than just being on the beach. The same history of colonial influences, pirate outlaws and distilling rum can be found in Bermuda, which is not part of the Caribbean.

Here are nine things to do to break up those beach days on the island.

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A view over a village in Bermuda
The towns and villages dotted around Bermuda's shores are well worth exploring © Cavan Images / Getty Images

Drink Bermudian rum

The Dark and Stormy is a mix of Goslings rum, ginger beer, and lime, and is the island's official drink. You can find these classics at most island pubs and hotel bars even if rum isn't your favorite spirit.

The historic Swizzle Inn is named after the house punch. The Birdcage and 1609 are waterfront restaurants that serve cocktails with a view.

You can find your pink bliss at the top 14 beaches.

Eat a fish sandwich

You might have tasted a fish sandwich before, but it wasn't from the island. On this idyllic island fresh catch of the day is usually a white flaky fish such as snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi and is fried and stacked between slices of raisin bread.

The sandwich with "the works" is usually lettuce, tomato, onion, and extra tartar sauce. You won't regret having a fish sandwich at least once.

You can find a fish sandwich at Art Mel's Spicy Dicy and the north shore's Seaside Grill.

A trio of boats moored in the ocean during sunset.
Enjoy Bermuda's calm waters on a boat trip around the island © Gla Flamme / Getty Images/iStockphoto

View the island from on deck 

The view from the water of the Royal Navy sailors who pursued pirates is the same view you can get on a boat trip away from the coast.

Whether it is a regatta in the summer or an off-season cruise in the winter, boating is always a good idea.

There are many ways to enjoy the island from the water. Sign up for a cruise on the catamaran Good Vibrations, rent a boat or jet ski from K.S. Watersports, go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, or simply hop on a ferry to tour the island.

From the beach to the beach in the island.

Soak up history in Bermuda’s forts 

The location of the island in the middle of the Atlantic made it possible for it to build fortifications. The forts offer a glimpse into the history of the island, dating back as far as the early 1600s when the first Spanish sailors came.

You won't have to travel a long way to find a fort. The Royal Naval Dockyard is a popular fort to visit. It is a good idea to visit the forts in the early morning to beat the heat.

Most forts are free, but on-site museums such as the one at Fort St Catherine charge a small entry fee.

A group of people in jet skis stop next to a semi-submerged shipwreck in ocean near the Bermuda island.
Bermuda's shipwrecks are fantastic destinations for diving and snorkeling © Djangosupertramp / Getty Images / iStockphoto

Explore reefs and wrecks with a mask and snorkel

A diverse cast of marine life, from parrot fish and damselfish to bright soft corals and visiting turtles, can be found just below the surface of the jewel-blue waters.

Rent snorkeling gear at your hotel and head to Church Bay for quality snorkeling right off the beach if you want a short excursion. You can take a snorkeling tour with K.S. Water Sports. You can see the bottom of the clear waters in many places if you don't want to plunge in.

The chance to walk under the sea about two miles offshore is offered by Hartley's Helmet Diving. Scuba diving is a popular sport on the island and many operators can arrange dive trips.

The wreck of the Pelinaion, a Greek steamer that foundered on the rocks in 1939 is one of the top dive sites on the island.

There are many places to visit outside of the beach.

Take part in the island’s sporting scene 

Whether you watch or participate, there's always something happening on the sporting calendar, and it's easy to get involved. The island has the highest concentration of golf courses in the world throughout the year, as well as summer's Cup match cricket tournament and Rugby Classic.

Seafood risotto in Bermuda
There are plenty of places to enjoy seafood with a sea view in Bermuda © Tatjana Damjanovic / iStockphoto / Getty Images

Dine by the sea

From elegant venues overlooking the harbor to beachfront bars where you can dine with your toes in the sand, visitors to Bermuda will find plenty of waterfront restaurants.

Bringing a picnic to the beach can be used as an alfresco dining experience. Jobson's Cove is a great location for a romantic sunset spread or a casual pizza dinner.

Walk the railway trail

The Railway Trail spans from one end of the island to the other and offers miles of walking with views of turquoise waters. It is a great way to see the other side of the island.

18 miles of the original 22 miles are now accessible to the public, with abandoned rail beds overgrown with local vegetation, open to undisturbed sections of rocky coastline and views of the horizon beyond.

If walking on the Railway Trail during the hot summer months, you should bring a waterbottle. The railway's history can be explored on a walking tour.

A family with children relaxing on a Bermuda beach
Bermuda's beaches range from umbrella-crammed resort beaches to quiet coves © Alison Wright / Getty Images

Don’t forget the obvious: hit the beach!

We knew it was obvious, but we couldn't leave out this must-do. There are more than 30 idyllic beaches spread around just 64 miles of coastline, with easy access to fine white sands and rosy specks of coral.

There is a drive along the South Shore that leads to the perfect beaches. Cooper's Island Nature Reserve is a great place to visit if you want a more local scene.

The first article was published in December of 2011.