Updated in September 2026, this National Museum of Bermuda guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, transport, accessibility and what to see.
The National Museum of Bermuda occupies The Keep, Bermuda‘s largest fort, at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Formerly the Bermuda Maritime Museum, it was renamed in 2009 and includes Commissioner’s House, the world’s first cast-iron residential building.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Summer 9:00 am–5:00 pm; weekends/holidays 9:30 am–5:00 pm; winter 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Ticket prices | $20 adults, $18 seniors (65+), free for children under 16 |
| Address | 1 The Keep, Sandys MA 01, Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard) |
| Nearest transport | Ferry or bus route 7/8 to the Royal Naval Dockyard |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
National Museum of Bermuda opening hours
In summer, the museum opens 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; on weekends and holidays, it opens slightly later, at 9:30 am. In winter, opening moves to 10:00 am, still closing at 5:00 pm. Last admission is 4:00 pm year-round, and the museum is closed on 25 December.
5 experiences worth booking in Bermuda
- 🤿 On a glass-bottom boat cruise, go for a walk along the ocean floor in a diving helmet.
- 🍽️ In Hamilton, taste authentic Bermudan dishes and drinks on a food walking tour.
- ⛵ Take a catamaran cruise to a private cove without the crowds – with snorkelling equipment included.
- 🤿 Explore the Constellation and Montana Shipwrecks on a snorkelling adventure.
- 🪨 Combine the Crystal Caves with top scenic photo stops on a half day island tour.
National Museum of Bermuda ticket prices
Standard admission costs $20 for adults and $18 for seniors aged 65 and over. Members enter free with a valid card, as do local Bermuda school groups that book in advance.
Children’s admission is described slightly differently across the museum’s own pages: one section states “Children under 16 are free,” while the admission price table specifies free entry only for “students under 16 (residents).” Given this, non-resident visitors travelling with children may want to confirm current policy directly with the museum before their visit.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. Dolphin Quest, a separate marine-life attraction on the grounds, requires museum admission; if you have pre-booked and paid for a dolphin encounter, that admission fee is already included.
Tickets can be bought online in advance or on arrival at the Ticket Office; there is no Bermuda-wide attraction pass that includes the museum.
How to get to the National Museum of Bermuda
The museum is within the Royal Naval Dockyard, at the island’s western end. The ferry from Hamilton takes about 30 minutes, while bus routes 7 and 8 take roughly an hour from Hamilton, stopping directly at Dockyard.
Parking at the National Museum of Bermuda
General parking is available at the Dockyard. Disabled parking is available directly outside the museum gates and in a nearby lot.
How long to spend at the National Museum of Bermuda
Most visitors need 2 to 3 hours to explore the 11 historic buildings that make up the site, including Commissioner’s House and the surrounding Keep.
Accessibility at the National Museum of Bermuda
Commissioner’s House is wheelchair accessible, entered on the ground floor through the Defence Exhibit, with a lift in the hallway. Visitors unable to walk up the hill to Commissioner’s House can prearrange vehicle access by calling the museum office ahead of their visit, so their car can drive up and park behind the house. Accessible toilets are available on the Lower Grounds and in Commissioner’s House.
Inside the National Museum of Bermuda: what to see
Commissioner’s House, built in the 1820s and designed by Edward Holl, was the world’s first residential building with a prefabricated cast-iron frame. It reopened as an exhibition space in 2000 after a 20-year restoration.
Its centrepiece is the Hall of History, a 1,000-square-foot mural by Bermudian artist Graham Foster that took over three years to complete and was unveiled in 2009, tracing roughly 500 years of the island’s history across two storeys of the Pillared Hall.
The ground floor houses the Defence Heritage exhibit, covering Bermuda’s fortifications since 1612 and the role of local forces in both World Wars. The first floor displays historic coins and Bermuda’s first currency, “Hogge money,” alongside exhibits on the slave trade, Portuguese settlement, the Newport Bermuda Race, and the growth of tourism.
The vaulted Queen’s Exhibition Hall displays treasures recovered from 18 historic shipwrecks, including the Sea Venture, whose 1609 wreck led directly to Bermuda’s settlement; artefacts range from pottery and armaments to slave chains.
Elsewhere in the Keep, visitors can explore buildings including the 1837 Shifting House, several 1850s Ordnance Buildings that once stored thousands of kegs of gunpowder, and the 1870 High Cave magazine, built above a flooded natural cave. The grounds offer sweeping views from the ramparts, a children’s playhouse and playground, and, occasionally, grazing sheep.
The museum itself was founded in 1974 as the Bermuda Maritime Museum, taking on its current name in 2009 to reflect its broader focus on the whole of Bermuda’s history rather than maritime history alone.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive by early afternoon at the latest, since last admission is 4:00 pm. |
| Crowds | Cruise ship days bring heavy foot traffic right at the Dockyard entrance. |
| Layout | Pace yourself across the 11 buildings; wear comfortable shoes for the ramparts. |
| Entry process | Buy tickets online or at the Ticket Office; school groups should book ahead. |
| On-site logistics | There is no on-site café, but picnic tables and Dockyard restaurants are nearby. |
Frequently asked questions about the National Museum of Bermuda
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the National Museum of Bermuda suitable for children? | Yes. There is a playground, and admission for children is generally free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No for individual visitors; groups and school visits should book ahead. |
| Is the museum open every day? | Yes, except 25 December. |
| Is the National Museum of Bermuda wheelchair accessible? | Yes, via an accessible entrance and lift; prearranged vehicle access is available. |
| Do you need a separate ticket for Dolphin Quest? | Museum admission is required; it’s included if you’ve booked a paid encounter. |
Things to do near the National Museum of Bermuda
- Royal Naval Dockyard shops and restaurants: dining and retail right outside the museum gates.
- Dolphin Quest Bermuda: a marine sanctuary on the museum grounds (separate activity fee).
- Bermuda Craft Market: local crafts and souvenirs a short walk away.
- Clocktower Mall: shops housed in a restored Victorian-era Dockyard building.
- Snorkel Park Beach: a Dockyard beach with snorkelling and water sports.
Alternative attractions
- Fort Hamilton: a Victorian-era garrison and moat garden in the City of Hamilton, about 30 minutes away.
- Fort St Catherine: a 17th-century coastal fort near St. George’s, about 1 hour away.
- Fort Scaur: a hilltop fort and park near Somerset, about 20 minutes away.
- Gibbs Hill Lighthouse: Bermuda’s tallest lighthouse, about 25 minutes away.
- Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave: natural limestone caverns in Hamilton Parish, about 1 hour away.
