The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will host the 2027 Bermuda Sandcastle Competition as the organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary.

A BUEI spokeswoman said it had partnered with Hannah Emmerson, the competition’s longtime organiser, to bring the popular fixture back next year after the 2026 event was postponed.

The BUEI will take over administration and logistics while Ms Emmerson will provide creative direction and leadership, along with hosting sandcastle-building workshops.

Ms Emmerson said: “I’m so thankful to have BUEI step in to help take this event to its next level.

“It’s the perfect merger between celebrating nature and our environment and creative expression in sand. I’m so excited to see what BUEI can do with their team and wide range of resources focused on the event.”

Traci Burgess, the chief executive of the BUEI, added: “The Bermuda Sandcastle Competition is a natural fit with BUEI because it brings together creativity, community and an appreciation for the ocean and Bermuda’s natural environment.

“It gives people a fun and accessible way to connect, explore, discover and be inspired, while reinforcing the importance of caring for our ocean and environment, which sits at the heart of BUEI’s mission.

“Our role is to provide the organisational platform and resources to help this event thrive for years to come, while Hannah’s creative leadership remains an important part of its identity.”

The Bermuda Sandcastle Competition was initially launched by Nicky Gurrett, who ran the event for more than 20 years before Ms Emmerson took over in 2017.