Dolphin Quest Bermuda is located inside the National Museum of Bermuda, readily visible and accessible at The Royal Naval Dockyard at the western tip of the island. The Museum and Dolphin Quest are a short walk from the cruise ship piers and ferry dock and easily accessible by bus or taxi with ample parking for rental vehicles. The port destination of Dockyard provides a full day of exploring with local artistan studios and galleries, boutique shops and restaurants as well as access to more family friendly or sporty activities.
The museum is a repurposed 19th century fort and now home to the island’s key cultural and ocean related exhibits as well as a playground and playhouse. Allow approximately 1 hour or more to explore this heritage highlight as a self-guided tour. Learn more about our Bermuda location below.
Visit the National Museum of Bermuda
- Weekday hours: Vary seasonally. Open 9am summer/10 am winter.
- Weekend and public holiday hours: Open 9:30am summer/10 am winter
- Open every day except Christmas Day.
- Admission fees are included for all Dolphin Quest encounter participants.
- General admission fees:
- Adults = $18
- Seniors (over 65) = $15
- Under 16 = FREE (must be accompanied by an adult)
- Members = FREE (with membership card)
- School groups = FREE (must book in advance)
Dolphin Quest Bermuda - Location
National Museum of Bermuda History
- The 16-acre Museum is a non-government, not-for-profit Bermuda Registered Charity that explores, shares, researches, safeguards, and promotes Bermuda’s cultural heritage
- The Museum includes the fortress Keep of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Casemates Barracks, and the massive Northwest Rampart
- In all, the Museum features eight exhibit buildings and the most extensive historical collection on the island, including the hilltop Commissioner’s house
- As a direct result of the independence of the English American colonies in 1783, Bermuda was identified as a strategic location for a naval base and dockyard
- Dockyard’s construction began in 1809 and continued into the earth 20th century
- It involved large land reclamations and quarrying by the initial labor of slaves and then by the efforts of thousands of British convicts
- In its heyday, Dockyard provided facilities for the Royal Navy’s fleet of ships, supported a thriving naval and civilian community and provided training in skilled trades for Bermudians
- The Keep was the citadel of the Dockyard, built to guard the naval base against land or sea attack and as an arsenal
- The massive bastions and ramparts were designed by the Royal Engineers and reinforces at intervals by casemated gun emplacements
- Casemates was built in the late 1830’s to house troops manning the Dockyard fortifications
- After Dockyard closed in 1951 it became Bermuda’s maximum-security prison from 1963-1994
- It is currently undergoing extensive restoration by the Museum and volunteers
- The Museum’s scope has expanded to encompass more than maritime history and today it is a vital custodian of Bermuda’s heritage
- It is also a champion for the preservation of Bermuda’s underwater and land-based cultural heritage through collecting, exhibitions, restoration, conservation, research, publication, education, public outreach, and archaeology
- The Museum’s operations are its full range of projects and programs are funded by generous private and corporate donations, in addition to income from admissions, memberships, and facilities rental