Summer is here and it’s time to get off land and into water.
If it’s excitement you’re after, take a jet ski tour to a cliff-side slide. Maybe a day or evening on a yacht, speed boat or pontoon is more appealing? Or even just a gentle glide around in a kayak peacefully admiring what swims beneath our waters.
It has never been easier to get out and enjoy Bermuda’s waters and, however high your excitement bar is, BDA Watersports at Robinson’s Marina in Sandys, has something for everyone.
This family-run business is co-owned by husband and wife team David Roache and Shima Sarabi, who talked us through the options for both adrenaline junkies and peaceful adventurers.
Jet ski tours
The latest item on the jet ski menu is the “Ski & Slide Tour” which takes thrill-seekers to Grace Island’s 143-foot waterslide.
This will twist you and turn you before depositing you into the crystal clear waters below. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a platform cliff dive.
There are daily morning and afternoon time slots, and the island has lifeguards, making it an option for younger as well more mature daredevils.
Other jet ski adventures include “Ski and Snorkel” tours, “Sunset Tours”, “Ski and Cliff Jumping”, which takes those who are brave enough to Diving Board Island, as well as tours that simply take you to all the best West End locations – at speed, and learning about Bermuda’s waters along the way.
“No two tours are ever the same,” Ms Sarabi said.
“We don’t have a script that our guides follow. Each guide does their own thing. You can come back to us on two different occasions and get two different experiences, on two different tours, which makes it really fun for repeat customers.”
The minimum age for driving a jet ski is 16 solo, and 18 with a passenger. There is no legal minimum age for passengers, but Ms Sarabi recommended 5 and up.
Bermuda by boat
Speed
For larger groups who want speedy fun on the water but in the comfort of a boat, the latest arrival to the BDA Watersports dock – the Malibu Wakesetter XTi 23-feet – might be just the trip option for you.
Described as the “ultimate luxury water sports and coastal charter”, the Malibu Wakesetter can reach speeds of up to 50mph, has seating for up to 12 and is ideal for towing a wakeboard or tube, as well as anchoring down and more calmly enjoying the parts of Bermuda that can’t be reached by road. It comes with a captain, so everyone on board can just relax and enjoy the ride.
Luxury
If luxury or deep sea adventure is more your thing, the 47-foot Viking Charter, which was introduced last year, is the way to go. The “Deep Sea Fishing” charter takes either four or eight hours and the crew will help guests catch the bigger fish, usually found beyond the reef.
Guests who want to stay closer to home and enjoy a luxurious cruise around the West End also have the option to anchor at places such as Kings Point or the Pompano sandbar for snorkelling, paddle-boarding, swimming and sunbathing.
Family Fun
Pontoon boats are the ideal way to head out onto the water with the whole family. Large enough to fit up to 10, they are particularly easy to get in and out of and have a large bimini for sun shade.
Drive the boat yourself or hire your own captain for the day. Other add-ons to make the day even more fun include fishing kit, water floaties, snorkel gear and a towable and rope.
New this year for the pontoon rentals are food tours.
“The captain takes you on the regular stops, like the Vixen, cliff jumping if you want,” Ms Sarabi said. “Kings Point is often a wonderful place to anchor, but then we would also stop at a few partnered restaurants to have Bermudian cuisine.”
Paddle power
For a calmer experience, BDA Watersports rents out clear kayaks and paddle boards, which are ideal for exploring the protected and pristine waters of Ely’s Harbour, or beyond if your arms are strong enough.
Big enough to fit two adults with a small child in the middle, the kayaks also make for a fun family adventure and, because there is no motor, parrot fish and sea turtles often swim underneath – or, in the case of the turtles, might even pop up to say hello.
The kayaks and paddleboards can also be taken out at dusk.
“We have these LED lights underneath them that glow at night,” Ms Sarabi said. “You can go out at sunset and come back at night and it will still be ok because you have the help of the lights.”
Special occasions
Fireworks
A new experience for 2026, BDA Watersports has teamed up with Swan pyrotechnics to offer fireworks on sunset charters to help special occasions go with a bang.
Photography
To capture these fun and special moments, without the risk of dropping phones and cameras into the water, they have partnered with Bermudian photographer, Brandon Morrison, to offer a photography package.
50 shades of blue
Our island is only 21 square miles, but head out onto the ocean and space is seemingly infinite. Factor in its beauty, colour and the way the island looks from the sea and, pointed out Ms Sarabi, it’s anything but boring.
“You have to open yourself up to the water and, once you do, Bermuda becomes so much larger and there’s a lot more to see,” she said.
“It’s pristine, we keep really good care of it. The wildlife in the water is beautiful. The coastline is beautiful. There’s different blues everywhere you look because of the corals, so you have 50 shades of blue, depending on where you are.”
To book an adventure with BDAWatersports, visit bdawatersports.com.
