Bermuda boat questions, answered.

Easy. You show up at the dock, we hand you a drink, and the rest of the day is yours. Sean knows every cove, reef and beach in Bermuda and reads what you're after fast. If you want to chase fish, we chase fish. If you want to anchor and float for three hours, we float. If you want to hop between five beaches, we hop. The boat is your living room for the day. Most guests come back and say it was the best part of their Bermuda trip, which is exactly the point. You're on holiday and we want it to feel that way the minute you step on board.

Yes. The itinerary we talk about on WhatsApp is a starting point, not a contract. If the kids fall in love with the first snorkel stop and don't want to leave, we stay. If you change your mind and want to fish instead of cruise, we'll grab rods. If the sunset is going to be epic in a different cove than the one we planned, we'll relocate. Sean's job is to make your day feel right, not march through a checklist. Tell us mid-trip what you're loving or what you'd rather skip and we'll roll with it.

Bermuda's mostly sunshine from May through October but we get the occasional grey morning or breezy afternoon. Sean makes the weather call the day of your trip after reading the actual marine forecast and looking at the water. Light rain or overcast skies usually don't cancel anything, the water stays warm, the boat has a Bimini for cover, and overcast days actually shoot some of the best photos. If conditions would make you uncomfortable or unsafe, we reschedule to any open slot in your stay at no charge, or refund every dollar. Nobody loses out on a charter for weather and we've never had a guest regret the decision.

Bermuda's inshore water is some of the calmest in the world. The reefs block the open-ocean swell, so most days inside the reef line you barely feel the boat move. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness we'll keep the day inside Castle Harbour, Hamilton Harbour or the Great Sound where it's mirror-flat. Bring ginger chews or Dramamine if you want extra peace of mind. In twenty years of running charters, seasickness has very rarely been an issue and never the reason a trip ended early.

Charter rates depend on the boat, duration, group size and season. Every quote includes the licensed captain, fuel and any standard gear listed on the charter page. WhatsApp Sean at +1 (441) 518-7077 or email info@bdaboats.com with your dates and group size for a same-day rate.

No, not as a charter guest. Your captain holds a current Bermuda commercial license and handles all navigation, safety and Bermuda Maritime Authority requirements. All BDA captained charters include the captain in the quote so you just show up and enjoy.

We pick up from every major dock in Bermuda. Most common pickups are Hamilton Harbour for guests staying in central Pembroke, Dockyard for the West End or cruise-ship guests, Grotto Bay for Hamilton Parish, and Castle Harbour for the East End and St. George's. We confirm your preferred dock at booking and arrive 15 minutes before departure. If you aren't sure which dock is closest to your hotel or rental, send your address on WhatsApp and we'll recommend the fastest option.

Peak Bermuda boating runs May through October with July and August the busiest. For peak weekends and sunset slots, book two to four weeks in advance. Off-peak weekdays and shoulder season trips can usually be confirmed 24 to 48 hours out. Last-minute openings happen often when other guests reschedule, so it's always worth a quick message. WhatsApp is the fastest way to check live availability since Sean answers 24 hours.

Absolutely. BYOB is welcome on every charter. Most guests bring sandwiches, fruit, snacks, beer, wine or cocktails. We provide the cooler with ice topped up through the day. If you'd rather we arrange catering we can recommend a Bermuda caterer who delivers to the boat (charcuterie boxes, sandwich platters, prepared meals). Just no glass on board for safety. Sodas, water and a few backup snacks are usually on the boat too.

Swimsuit, towel, sunglasses with a strap, reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Flip flops or barefoot at the dock, shoes optional once we're underway. A light cover-up for cooler returns and a dry bag if you have valuables. Phones and cameras are fine. We provide life jackets in adult and child sizes. If you forget anything we usually have spare towels, sunscreen and a couple of hats on board.

Yes, all ages are welcome and we run a lot of family trips. The Pontune Paradise has shaded seating on the upper deck, a swim ladder, a stable platform that's easy for small kids to move around on, and the inflatable water slide that becomes the centerpiece of every kid's day. We carry child-sized life jackets and snorkel gear in smaller sizes. Reef snorkel stops are calm enough for first-timers from about age six. Tell us ages when you book so we can pick the right stops and gear.

Yes. BYOB is welcome on charter trips: beer, wine, cocktails. We provide the cooler and ice. Bermuda law allows drinking on private charters provided you're 18+. The captain stays sober obviously. The only rule is no glass containers on the deck for safety. Cans, plastic, or pour from a bottle into a cup all work fine. Many guests bring a bubbly cooler for sunset cruises and a sealed cooler for the day trips.

Yes, group celebrations are some of our favorite charters. Sunset cruises and full-day private charters work especially well for bachelorettes, anniversaries, family reunions and corporate teams. For groups over six we coordinate a second boat from our partner fleet to keep everyone together. Tell us the occasion when you book and we'll suggest the best route, time of day and any optional add-ons.

Yes. Every snorkel and day-cruise charter includes mask, snorkel and fins in adult and child sizes. If you have your own preferred mask you're welcome to bring it. Fins are mainly useful for reef and wreck stops where there's a bit of current. We carry a few different sizes and prescription-compatible options on board.

Tips are appreciated but not mandatory. If you had a great day on the water and want to tip the captain, fifteen to twenty percent of the charter cost is the local standard (same as a restaurant). Cash or sent over WhatsApp/Venmo both work.

Bermuda's prime boating season runs May through October when water temperatures hover between 75 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August are the peak with the calmest seas, longest days and warmest water. Late May, June, September and early October are the quiet sweet spots with fewer cruise ships and easier dock availability. November through April still offers boatable days when wind is low but expect cooler water and shorter daylight. For sunset cruises specifically, May and September deliver the most dramatic skies and the fewest weather cancellations.

Bermuda water sits between 75 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit from May through October, warm enough to swim for hours without a wetsuit. July through September is the warmest stretch. November through April the water drops to 65 to 72 degrees, still swimmable for the brave but cool enough that most snorkelers want a shorty wetsuit. We can arrange wetsuit rental for off-season trips on request.

Bermuda's hurricane season runs June through November with peak risk in August and September. Direct hits are uncommon since most named storms pass north or south of the island. We watch the National Hurricane Center forecasts closely and will reschedule any charter that could be affected. Travel insurance is a good idea for trips planned during peak hurricane months if your dates aren't flexible.

Not really. Bermuda inshore waters have no dangerous shark species. The sharks here are mostly small, reef-dwelling and uninterested in people. We've never had an incident. Portuguese Man o' War occasionally drift in on north winds in winter and spring; if any are around we'll skip that stop or move to a sheltered cove. Regular jellyfish are uncommon. Bermuda is one of the safer destinations for swimming and snorkeling.

A 25 percent deposit holds the date. Send it on WhatsApp via bank transfer, Wise, Venmo, Zelle or credit card via a payment link we send you. The balance is due at the dock and we accept cash, credit card or transfer. For local Bermuda guests we sometimes invoice with the boat already in hand. Everything goes on a written receipt.

Yes at every major Bermuda dock we use. Hamilton Harbour has paid public parking right next to the slip, Dockyard has the cruise-terminal lots, Grotto Bay parks at the resort, and Castle Harbour has public spaces nearby. We'll tell you exactly where to park when we confirm the pickup point.

The Pontune Paradise has the easiest boarding of any party boat in Bermuda: flat deck, low step from the dock, no climbing required, plenty of room to sit and move on the lower level. We can preposition a chair on the swim platform for easier water access. Tell us what would help in advance and we'll have it set up before you arrive.

Cancel seven or more days out and the deposit is fully refunded. Three to seven days out, fifty percent refund or full credit toward a different date in your stay. Inside 72 hours the deposit is non-refundable except for weather, in which case it's a full refund or rescheduled at no charge. Travel insurance is recommended for trips that can't be rescheduled.