How to Get Your Passport Stamped in Bermuda

One of my absolute favorite parts about going on a cruise is getting to experience new countries. However, one of my least favorite parts is that they don’t stamp your passport! I love looking back and admiring my stamps over the life of my passport. It really is the ultimate souvenir! If you’re heading to Bermuda on a cruise and are looking for a stamp, it’s very quick and easy to get one! Here’s how to get your passport stamped in Bermuda.

Ferry Ride

While the thought of taking public transportation in a foreign country may be daunting to some, the ferries in Bermuda could not be easier! The vast majority of cruise ships to Bermuda dock here, in the Royal Naval Dockyard. By land, it’s pretty removed from the rest of the island and would require a lengthy taxi ride wherever you wanted to go. However, taking a water ferry gets you to the capital city of Hamilton in about fifteen minutes!

Just steps off the cruise ship pier is the Royal Naval Dockyard ferry stop. Here is an exact pin to help you find it. Directly next to the ferry stop is the Bermuda Visitor Centre where you can buy ferry tokens and get more information about the island. Operating hours of the visitors center are limited and it may not be open when you want to get on the ferry. Fear not! You can pay cash upon boarding the ferry, and US Dollars are widely accepted on the island! Buying a one-way token from the visitors center will cost you $4.50 and paying on-board is an even $5.00. Not a huge difference! Immediately upon boarding there will be a box to deposit you coins or cash, and the workers are very friendly if you have any questions.

Tip: Be sure to plan ahead and consult the ferry schedule while planning your day! The route between Hamilton and the Dockyards is the blue line. If you miss the last ferry, you’ll be stuck taking a long (and expensive) cab back to the ship!

Walk down Front Street

After a short fifteen-minute ferry ride, you’ll arrive in Bermuda’s capital city: Hamilton! Here is a pin to the ferry dock in the city. After you dock, walk towards Front Street and make a right. From there, it’s about a ten-minute or so walk to the government building to get your passport stamped.

Along the walk, there will be plenty of shops, restaurants, and hidden gems to explore! The famous The Pickled Onion is just a few steps from the ferry and was recommended to me by both locals and visitors! Along the walk, it will be impossible to miss The Cabinet Building. While I couldn’t tell you the exact significance of this building, it was really nice to look at and had a beautifully landscaped garden that was open to the public. A perfect photo op!

By far my favorite part of walking down Front Street was popping into the hidden alleyways that connect Front and Reid Streets. Some of my favorites included Chancery Lane (with a bright rainbow painted staircase) and Old Cellar Lane (tons of brightly painted murals). Keep your eyes out for them!

131 Front Street, Hamilton

At last! You’ve arrived at the Customs House, located at 131 Front Street to get your passport stamped in Bermuda! The Customs House is a government building and hours are limited to weekdays, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. You’ll want to plan accordingly to make sure you get your stamp!

Once you arrive, you’ll walk through a series of glass doors. As mentioned, it’s a government building so the layout is very easy to navigate and you’ll find many signs directing you to the right place. Once you walk in to the main atrium, immediately to your right will be elevators that you’ll take up one story. As a reminder though, you’ll be taking it up one story to the first floor. In Bermuda, the first floor (as we would call it in America) is actually the ground floor. And their first floor is our second floor. Confusing I know, but important to keep in mind. Upon exiting the elevators, the customs office is located to your left, in the first series of doors.

“In Transit Sea Stamp”

These are the magic words you’ll ask for to get your passport stamped in Bermuda! I arrived first thing in the morning so was lucky enough to not have to wait in a line, so I cannot speak to how busy it gets later in the day. However, I found the workers to be incredibly kind and patient with me, even though I know this must be such a silly ask for them. Turns out, it’s very common! They told me that they get a lot of cruise ship passengers coming in for their stamp. Definitely made me feel like less of a passport nerd! But you just simply hand them your passport, they stamp it, and you’re on your way. Simple as that! And now you have a beautiful souvenir in your passport to look at and admire!

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