Orange route adds more sailings and aligns with cruise ship arrivals
The Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport, in partnership with the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA), Marine & Ports and St. George’s stakeholders, has announced significant transportation enhancements to support the Town of St. George during the 2026 tourism season.
The announcement follows a stakeholder meeting held on March 17 at the White Horse Pub & Restaurant, where approximately 20 participants — including Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport Owen Darrell, BTA Acting CEO Erin Wright and representatives from the BTA’s stakeholder engagement and visitor experiences teams, Marine & Ports, the Corporation of St. George’s and local business owners — met to address transportation gaps affecting visitor traffic in the East End.
The March meeting builds on earlier engagement led by the BTA’s Visitor Experiences team, which convened an initial stakeholder session in February to gather feedback and identify key challenges impacting St. George’s. That groundwork helped shape the collaborative solutions now being implemented.
A key outcome of this process is the expansion of ferry services to St. George’s, including the reintroduction of a direct Dockyard-to-St. George’s route for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marine & Ports confirmed that the enhanced ferry service will launch on April 6, 2026, delivering a 133 % increase in service to St. George’s.
Under the updated Orange Route schedule:
· Service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with Saturday service newly introduced
· There will be three trips on high-demand days and two on lower-demand days
· The first departure from Dockyard will be at 9:30 a.m., with the final departure from St. George’s at 6 p.m.
· Ferry schedules have been aligned with cruise ship arrivals to improve accessibility for visitors
In addition, a Bermuda Visitor Services Centre ambassador will be stationed on the St. George’s ferry to support visitors, provide guidance and enhance the overall onboard experience.
The expanded service is intended to improve access to St. George’s for both visitors and residents, supporting increased foot traffic and economic activity for local businesses.
Darrell said the initiative reflects a coordinated effort across government and industry partners.
“This is a clear example of what can be achieved through collaboration,” he said. “By working closely with the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Marine & Ports and St. George’s stakeholders, we are ensuring that improved transportation directly benefits the community and enhances the visitor experience.”
BTA Acting CEO, Michael DeCouto said the improvements represent a positive step forward for both St. George’s and the wider tourism offering.
“One of Bermuda’s greatest strengths is its accessibility — visitors can explore the entire island safely and experience the diversity each community offers,” he said. “Enhancing connectivity to St. George’s ensures that visitors arriving in Dockyard can enjoy a full Bermuda experience, including our UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
DeCouto added that the progress is already resonating with industry partners. “This positive momentum was shared with cruise line partners last week through joint engagement by the Ministry, BTA, Bermuda Land Management Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce,” DeCouto said. “Through continued collaboration and stakeholder engagement, we are strengthening the visitor experience while supporting the local economy.”
The Government also highlighted its investment in expanded transport capacity and its commitment to encouraging both visitors and residents to utilise ferry services.
ABOUT THE BERMUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY: The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) is a quasi-autonomous organisation responsible for the marketing and promotion of Bermuda as a tourism destination. Established in 2014, the Authority works in partnership with government, industry stakeholders and international partners to support sustainable tourism growth and economic development for Bermuda. The BTA operates under the oversight of a Board of Directors and is funded through a combination of Government of Bermuda funding and visitor revenues.
