Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"So, can you tell us a little about this place? No Bermuda museum is as glitzy, modern, and innovative as this 41,000-square-foot discovery center on the outskirts of the City of Hamilton. Dedicated to exploring Bermuda’s vast underwater world , the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) features three floors of exhibits, many playfully interactive, making it perfect for families with young kids or anyone interested in learning more about the island’s diverse marine environment. Tell us about those exhibits. Thanks in large part to the late Teddy Tucker—a renowned Bermudian wreck diver who discovered more than 100 shipwrecks—BUEI has an enormous collection of gold doubloons, intact artifacts, and priceless treasures from the sea floor. There’s also one of the world’s largest collection of shells, a floor devoted to Bermuda’s underwater geology, and an entire darkened wing about bioluminescence and the marine organisms that create it. But getting to the latter might be the most fun of all; you must first enter Blue Echo, a small theater-like dive simulator that recreates a plunge to 12,000 feet. The whole experience takes about seven minutes, one that shakes and rattles as you encounter creepy creatures of the deep. Full disclosure: Your littlest of explorers might find this underwater trek slightly harrowing, so brief them before the “submarine” doors close. Any temporary displays we should be sure to check out? In addition to 'Living with the Ocean,' which explores the effect of plastics on ocean life, and an exhibit devoted to the Bermuda Triangle, one of BUEI’s finest exhibits—temporary, permanent, or otherwise—is 'Built To Win,' a wing devoted to America’s Cup (Bermuda hosted the esteemed regatta in 2017). Here you can wear VR goggles to experience what it feels like to sail on a high-speed foiling catamaran, pound a giant air drum to recreate the appearance of wind on the water, or train like a pro sailor on a real grinder machine. Sponsored in large part by ORACLE TEAM USA, which called the island home for more than three years, the exhibit is interactive, high-tech, and the highlight of any museum visit. Who else is likely to come here? Families galore; after all, this is one of the best museums for kids. Many exhibits are tailor-made for the littlest of underwater explorers (like the virtual shark cage, for example, which rattles every time a Great White bumps into the glass). How easy is it to get around? Navigating BUEI is as simple as walking through the large glass doors. Exhibits naturally flow from one to the next, so there’s no other way to tackle it other than going at your own pace. Any guided tours worth trying? Guided tours are available upon request, but you’ll be well-off simply exploring at your leisure.. Is the gift shop worth a stop? Your kids might beg for one of the stuffed marine animals or a small bottle of Bermuda pink sand, but none of it is particularly noteworthy. If we (or the young ones in our party) are in need of a little pick-me-up, are there any good options on site? The gift shop sells snacks, coffee, and little else. If you’d like really good meal, however, head to Harbourfront , an adjacent waterfront restaurant with excellent sushi, sandwiches, salads, and hearty entrées. If we don't have a lot of time for this visit, how should we strategize? What are the highlights? If you’re time-crunched or at all skittish about being in close quarters, skip the dive simulator. To get to the bioluminescence hall without taking the virtual plunge, simply tell one of the museum attendants that you’d like to move onto the next exhibit and they’ll escort you down the stairs." - David LaHuta