Rum runners and pirates: Exploring Bermuda’s hidden smuggling cave

With so many people opting for guided tours and pre-planned experiences in Bermuda, visitors leave few opportunities for real exploration.
But there is a spot -- far from tourist traps and Instagram-famous beaches -- that can bring out your inner child. It allows you to walk in the footsteps of pirates and rum runners. It encourages your imagination to run wild.

That place is called Smugglers Cove and it offers one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had while traveling. And it’s completely free!
Smugglers Cove is located in Admiralty House Park on Spanish Point -- about 10 minutes from downtown Hamilton. The cove is a series of underground tunnels used by pirates, smuggler and rum runners to evade authorities in the 1800s.

• Click here to read about a professor studying Smugglers Cove

A short walk from the parking area will bring you to the opening of the cave, a jagged series of stair near the beautiful coastline. A walk down those stairs, and your are now exploring caves by yourself. No guides. No safety rails. No directions. Just go exploring.
Once you’ve filled up your memory card with pictures, take a 3-minute stroll over to the Clarence Cove Beach. Local kids cliff dive along the coastline. While that sounds awesome, I would advise against it.
I’d plan to spend a couple hours at Admiralty House Park. That gives you enough time to explore the caves, coves, cliffs, trails and more.