Royal Naval Dockyard
Bermuda's former Royal Navy base, where convict labor built the dockyard and the old buildings now hold shops, restaurants and a museum.
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Royal Naval Dockyard sits on Ireland Island at the northwest end of Bermuda's island chain, in the West End. From American independence until the Cold War, it was the Royal Navy's main base in the Western Atlantic. Convicts from Britain and Ireland did most of the early construction from 1823, under harsh conditions. The former warehouses now hold artists' shops, the clock tower building has a pedestrian mall, and the Keep area includes the National Museum of Bermuda, the Dolphin Quest attraction and several restaurants.
The site suits a day of history, waterfront walking and a meal. Cruise ships dock at King's Wharf, mainly in summer, so the yard is busiest on those days. Plan a half day for the main site, or a full day if you want the museum and a meal on site. If you arrive by cruise ship, check current berth availability before you go.
Royal Naval Dockyard in five
- Check the King's Wharf cruise scheduleCruise ships dock at the dockyard, which cruise lines call King's Wharf, mainly during the summer months. On a ship day the yard gets busier, so check the schedule before you pick a date.
- Take the ferry from HamiltonFerries run from Hamilton to the Dockyard. Check the timetable before you go, since times change between seasons.Getting around
- Give the Keep half a dayThe Keep holds the National Museum of Bermuda and the Dolphin Quest attraction, with several restaurants on site. Plan the museum and a meal there before you walk the rest of the yard.
- Read the convict history before you walkConvicts from Britain and Ireland did most of the early construction from 1823, and the last were withdrawn in 1863. Read the signs on site for the convict history.
- Learn the difference between Malabar and the yardHMS Malabar applied only to the South Yard naval base and some shore establishments. It closed in 1995. People often use the name for the whole dockyard, so check which part a sign or book means.
Things to do in Royal Naval Dockyard
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Need to know
- Currency
- Bermudian dollar (BMD); US dollars also accepted
- Entry
- Passport needed; visa rules depend on nationality, so check gov.bm first Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check the bill for a service charge before you add a tip
- Time
- UTC-4 Atlantic time, UTC-3 in daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, quiet
- FebruaryCool, quiet
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilMild, calm
- MayWarm, few crowds
- JuneCruise season
- JulySummer, cruise days
- AugustHurricane season
- SeptemberHurricane season
- OctoberWarm, calmer
- NovemberMild, quieter
- DecemberHolidays, cool
Right now in Royal Naval Dockyard
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 31 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 21%
Hamilton
04:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°21°21%Monday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Tue24°22°58%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed24°23°14%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Thu25°23°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Fri25°23°51%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sat25°23°38%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sun25°23°19%Sunday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 19%.
Updated 01:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1 BMD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hamiltonabout 30 to 45 min by ferryThe capital, with the House of Assembly and the Cabinet Building, which hold portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte.Read the guide
- St. George'sbus or ferry; check the timetableThe Royal Navy's first Bermuda base sat around the town, and a brick building there is now the Carriage House Museum and Restaurant.Read the guide
- Rest of Bermudabus or ferry; check the timetableIsland routes, beaches and towns beyond the West End, reached from the capital.Read the guide
Before you go to Royal Naval Dockyard
Rules for Royal Naval Dockyard, checked
- Carry a passport and check entry rules on the official government site before you book.
- Check Bermuda's import rules on food, plants and animals before you pack.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere on the island.
Plan around Royal Naval Dockyard
Island routes, entry and money for a Bermuda trip
Read the guideGetting around BermudaFerry, bus and taxi options across the island
Read the guideMoney and costsTypical prices for food, rooms and sights on the island
Read the guideVisas and entryPassport rules and what to check before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayHamilton, St. George's and the West End compared
Read the guideTours and ticketsTours and tickets for island visits
Read the guideRoyal Naval Dockyard FAQ
Is the Royal Naval Dockyard worth visiting?
Yes for the convict history, the old warehouses and the Keep. Plan at least half a day, and more if you want the museum and a meal there.
How do you get to the Royal Naval Dockyard?
Take the ferry from Hamilton. Check timetables before you go, since they change by season.
Where is the Royal Naval Dockyard?
It sits on Ireland Island at the northwest end of Bermuda's archipelago, in the West End.
Do cruise ships dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard?
Yes, ships dock at King's Wharf, mainly in summer. A mega-cruise dock was reported as built by April 2011, so check current berth availability before you visit.
Is the Royal Naval Dockyard the same as HMS Malabar?
No. HMS Malabar was the South Yard naval base and some shore establishments, and it closed in 1995 after the Cold War.
Who built the Royal Naval Dockyard?
Work began in the 1810s, and from 1823 convicts from Britain and Ireland did most of the early construction under harsh conditions.