Welcome to Coney Island Park!
This national park, thought to be named after the Coney fish (Cephalopholis fulva), has beautiful views of both North Shore and Castle Harbour, a mangrove rimmed saltwater marsh, an old lime kiln and some lovely park area.
Coney Island once served as a crucial connection between St. Georges Island and the main island of Bermuda. First in the 1600's, as a point for Bermuda's first ferry, which operated for 250 years between Ferry Point and Coney Island's North Point. Then later, in 1931, as part of the the Hamilton to St. George's section of the 22 mile long Bermuda Railway. Unfortunately, the railway proved to be uneconomical and was dismantled in 1946. Today, all that remains of this connection are the concrete plinths that used to support the Coney Island trestle and the Ferry Point swing bridges.
From this vantage point on Coney Island you are looking out across Bermuda's north-western reef platform. The waters around Bermuda are warmed by the Gulf Stream, allowing some tropical marine species to thrive despite Bermuda's location at 32 degrees north. It is for this reason that Bermuda has the most northerly coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean and therefore hold global importance.
Bermuda currently supports one of the healthiest coral reef systems of the Wider Caribbean Region. Our northern position has benefited the health of the reefs by reducing certain climate change impacts, such as increased coral 'bleaching' events. Bermuda's variety of reef types creates habitats for a colourful array of reef fish and invertebrates. However, they proved perilous for early explorers and seafarers, as many shipwrecks scatter the reefs surrounding Bermuda.
Bermuda recognized the value of its reefs relatively early. In 1966, long before the global community became concerned for the future of coral reefs, Bermuda passed the Coral Reef Preserve Act. Then in 1978, in response to increasing popularity of bleached coral as curios, the Bermuda Government issued a protected species order completely banning the harvest of any coral. This action, still in place today, essentially made Bermuda a coral preserve.
Public Transport*
Bus # 10 or #11
*please note the bus does not take you all the way to Coney Island. You must get off nearby on Middle Road and walk approx .5 miles.
Disclaimer
- This geocache has approval to be placed at this location on property managed by the Department of Parks.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the Bermuda Government nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
