By Scott Fawcett
I wanted to share my experience snorkeling The Reefs Resort house reef in Bermuda in June 2025. When we arrived there, we were greeted with winds out of the south creating significant waves and bringing in a whole pile of seaweed that basically filled the entire cove on the left side of the beach. However, we were extremely fortunate that when our one open day we had planned to snorkel their house reef arrived, the winds had switched directions and was now out of the north northwest, not only eliminating the waves but also clearing out all of the seaweed.
What we found while snorkeling The Reefs Resort house reef was acres of extremely healthy coral and tons of fish at perfect depths for snorkelers – shallow enough to drift over and see all the little things, but deep enough so that the many careless snorkelers and swimmers can’t touch, kick, or stand on the coral. It was easily the best house reef I’ve ever experienced and we could have spent multiple days trying to explore everything. As with many Bermuda spots, it had fascinating topography, and at high tide you can even snorkel inside the boiler reefs. Also have to add that the entrance is as soft, sandy, and rock free as any beach I have ever been at.
What We Saw While Snorkeling The Reefs Resort House Reef
Here is a list of what we saw:
- Black Durgon
- Rainbow Parrotfish male
- Rainbow Parrotfish female
- Blue Parrotfish
- Queen Angelfish
- Gray Angelfish
- Blue Headed Wrasse
- Yellowhead Wrasse
- Tobaccofish
- Barred Hamlet
- Spotted Trunkfish
- Smooth Trunkfish
- Trumpetfish
- Reef Butterflyfish
- Foureye Butterflyfish
- High Hat
- Blue Chromis
- Sergeant Major
- Balloonfish
- Blue Tang
- Glassy Sweepers
- Bermuda Chub
- Fairy Basslet
- Honeycombed Cowfish
We even saw a Lionfish (about 25-30 feet down).
Sorry about the lack of pictures, my daughter is still working on the GoPro videos.
Hi Scott, thank you for sharing your experience and list of fish you saw. We are sure someone will find it useful!
For anyone interested, here is a link to TripAdvisor’s reviews of The Reefs Resort. You can help us if you use this link. We may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Hi Scott, I’m not sure if you will see this message. Your post has sent me down a rabbit hole of exploring Bermuda, which is not a place previously on my radar. It sounds like the house reef at The Reefs Hotel was amazing. Is it possible to go to the beach and snorkel there without staying at that hotel? Thank you!
I believe it is a private beach that doesn’t allow non-guests or cruise-shippers to visit. Likely the main reason the coral is still in such good shape as it hasn’t been overrun with tourists like Horseshoe Bay Beach.