Some help and tips for those coming to Bermuda.

Visas:

No visas are required for citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Western European countries. Visas are required by citizens of the former Soviet Union, most countries in North Africa and the Middle East, China, Sri Lanka and some former Soviet Bloc countries in Eastern Europe.

Health Risks:

Bermuda waters are home to nasty Portuguese man-of-wars

Time:

Bermuda time is set by GMT/UTC minus four hours

Electricity:

Bermuda uses 110V, 60Hz using a US flat, two-pronged plug

Weights & Measures:

Imperial measure and weights are used in Bermuda

Tourism:

Approximately 550,000 visitors per year come to Bermuda

When To Come:

Bermuda can be visited year round, but the busiest tourist season in Bermuda is from April through October when the weather is hottest and water temperatures comfortable for swimming and diving. It's also the busiest time on the island, with lots of events and entertainment options to keep visitors amused in Bermuda.

The winter season in Bermuda is a bit too cool for swimming, and many tourist-related agencies, suspend operations for part of the season. January is the quietest month, so if you're more interested in tennis and golf or seeing the island when it's free of large numbers of tourists, this is the time to come to Bermuda.

The advantage of visiting Bermuda during the cooler months is that accommodation prices can be up to 40% lower and you can escape the colder winter of more northern climes. So-called 'snow birds' arriving from the US East Coast at the end of the 19th century originally made the winter months the high season in Bermuda. The best conditions for windsurfing also tend to be in winter.

Local Events and Festivals:

Bermuda has many golf tournaments and events like bowls tournaments and garden shows aimed older people. This does not mean it cannot be fun.

Gombey dancers strut their stuff in Bermuda on New Year's Day, and the Bermuda Festival is a six-week performing arts spectacular going from mid-January through February. The Bermuda Cat Fanciers Association Championship Cat Show is held in mid-March. The Newport-Bermuda Race, one of the world's major ocean yacht races is hosted in June during even-numbered years.

SOCA is a Caribbean music festival that has the Royal Naval Dockyards hopping in late July or early August, while the Bermuda Reggae Sunsplash continues the skanking in mid-August. March to a different drummer during the three-day Bermuda Tattoo in early November, which culminates with a grand finale of fireworks.