Nature contains wonders that one might find impossible yet breathtaking – that's the case of the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, also known as the "Checkerboard" beach. Due to its crisscross pattern rocks that visitors can walk over, it has been a unique yet well-known vacation getaway for most tourists.

Spittal Pond is a great place to check out for those who haven’t figured out yet what to do in Bermuda during their stay. A combination of bird-watching and nature-tripping, this is a sanctuary to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Geological phenomenon shapes the world, which is evident in Spittal Pond. The rocky shore that formed is thanks to the limestone, which has been carefully crafted by the crashing of the waves.

The Phenomena Of Checkerboard Beach

As mentioned above, limestone that was coincidentally shaped like a checkerboard is the main attraction of Spittal Pond. This took years and decades of waves crashing into the rocky shores. Erosion made the somewhat dull rocks into something that folks marvel at.

The geometry of the rocks found on Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is what brings tourists to the area. The phenomenon, dubbed as "tessellated pavement", creates the crisscross pattern that people see on the rocky shore.

Think of this phenomenon as house or office tiling but instead of being man-made, it's a gift from nature. Once people step into the checkerboard shore, they will be amazed at how the water waves made art out of rocks.

The squares formed not only due to the crashing of the waves but also because of various outdoor elements. Research suggested that old caves existed in the area, which eventually collapsed. The result became the square-looking formations that people see on the beach.

In 1999, Spittal Pond received a recognition award called Wetland of International Importance. This has helped boost its tourism towards the neighboring areas, as well as the rest of the world. Spittal Pond deserves a spot in any traveler's bucket list of unique geological formations to visit.

Other nearby landmarks, such as the Portuguese Rock and Jeffrey’s Cave are found in the area. Both of them are within Spittal Pond and are open for visitors to check out.

The Portuguese Rock, for history buffs, marked the earliest visit to Bermuda by outsiders in 1543. The letters "RP", possibly alluding to "Rex Portugaliae" ("King of Portugal") were carved into this controversial rock. Ever since then, the residents have turned it into a landmark.

Jeffrey's Cave is the historical hiding place of a slave named Jeffrey. Bermuda had a dark slavery period, and during this time a man named Jeffrey attempted to escape his master; he hid in the cave for about a month. There is a long story about Jeffrey's adventures.

  • Address: 101 South Rd Smith's, Bermuda
  • Coordinates: 32.3116, -64.7259
  • Established: 1999
  • Telephone Number: +1 441-236-6483
  • Open: 24 hours

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Flora And Fauna Around Spittal Pond Nature Reserve

The entire reserve is 64 hectares, so there's a lot of exploration for those who are into flora and fauna – specifically bird-watching. For the enthusiast, there's a plethora of resident and migratory birds to look for, which includes the White-tailed Tropicbird, the White-eyed Vireo, and about 500 more species of birds to watch for. Make sure to bring the best cameras (and binoculars) to capture their beauty.

Birds within Spittal Pond's reserve are very elusive so one must take caution when capturing their moments of flight. The Ovenbird and White Warblers can also be found within the area, as well as the tree-hopping American Redstart and the long-legged Northern Waterthrush.

Other faunas found in Spittal Pond include the Bermuda skink, an elusive lizard that grows to 8 inches in length. Don't capture them as they are an endangered species! Simply observing them should be enough.

Humpback whales can also be spotted once the viewer stands on Portuguese Rock. Make sure to head to this area during the peak season, which is typically between March and April. This is yet another photography opportunity for visitors, aside from bird-watching.

Birds are not all that fly by in the area – there are also Buckeye Butterflies that one might spot around the areas of the reserve. Aside from that, a dash of color can be found from the Sally Lightfoot Crabs that visitors might spot around the rocky shores.

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Exploration And Guidelines

Getting there through the South Road will lead you to two different entrances. Vehicle parking is possible and one can hike through the trail into the woods.

Guided tours are available – simply ask the management and they will accept reservations/advanced booking before 3 PM every Monday. The tour lasts for about 90 minutes and includes the following activities:

  • Tour of the unique flora in Waterville
  • Historical tour around the landmarks
  • Visiting Spittal Pond
  • Trail tour of birds and other fauna

For those who are looking for a lot of activities or planning a group tour, this 90-minute plan will suit them best. It will be educational and relaxing due to the various sights and sceneries, as well as the historical lessons along the way.

  • Touring Hours: Every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:00 PM
  • Cost Per Person: $50

Alternatively, there's a budget-friendly tour of Spittal Pond only. This includes free snacks and drinks along the way and they will drive the visitors back and forth. Lynn Throne, a local expert, will be happy to assist tourists and welcome them to Spittal Pond.

  • Spittal Pond Tour Hours: 10 AM to 1 PM
  • Cost Per Person: $25
  • E-mail: throne@northrock.bm

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