As urban legends go, the Bermuda Triangle is one of the most famous theories that has fascinated mariners and land-dwellers for hundreds of years. But what exactly is the Bermuda Triangle? And why does this phenomenon continue to dwell in our imaginations?
When I meet an American as a born and bred Bermudian, they are naturally curious about what life must be like on a tiny island. The most common questions I get are about the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Fortunately, Bermuda is far less frightening than some of the myths out there, and the explanation for the Triangle is far less exciting!
Today, we’ll be taking a look at the where, what, who, when, and how behind this strange corner of history. At Bermudaful Island, we’re very familiar with this urban legend. But it doesn’t stop us from welcoming thousands of guests to our sunny shores each year!
Using our local expertise, our tour guides offer half-day or full-day minibus tours around beautiful Bermuda island — far away from the triangle! We’ll take you to the island’s pink-sand beaches, caves, and coves, where the only legend is how much you’ll enjoy relaxing in these idyllic spots.
If you’re planning a trip to our island and want a little travel advice, get in touch. Our team is on deck to help make your Bermuda vacation a dream come true. The only thing that will disappear on this trip is your worries as you experience the calming island way of life! But, for now, let’s take a look at the facts behind the fiction of the Bermuda Triangle and why this part of the map is so famous.
Where Is the Bermuda Triangle?
The Bermuda Triangle, or the Devil’s Triangle, is located in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean. While there is some dispute over the exact size of the triangle, it is roughly considered to be bounded by Miami, Puerto Rico, and, of course, Bermuda. This gives it its triangular shape.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the Bermuda Triangle, between sipping Rum Swizzles on the beach, now you can! Bermuda’s Tourism Board has put up a commemorative plaque in Point Pleasant’s triangular park in the capital city of Hamilton on Albuoy’s Point.
Here, you can learn about the mystery in person and gaze out over the ocean to the fabled site of multiple disappearances. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby for you to digest the information and delicious fresh seafood.
What Is the Bermuda Triangle
Legend has it that the vast expanse of the Bermuda Triangle has caused more than 50 ships and 20 airplanes to disappear without a trace.
Different writers have charted the size of the Bermuda Triangle between 500,000 and 1,510,000 square miles — the perfect size for UFOs, monstrous sea creatures, or freak weather accidents. Right? Honesty, it’s none of these things. After much investigation, scientists have pinned these freak accidents down to the powerful Gulf Stream. Its rapid currents bisect the Bermuda Triangle, which could carry away the debris from these accidents.
While it is safe to swim in the ocean when you’re on vacation in Bermuda, be mindful of riptides and Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish! Many of the beaches have lifeguards working between 10 am and 6 pm, so be sure to follow any instructions.
Who Is Associated with the Bermuda Triangle
Another famous legend that surrounds the Bermuda Triangle is that Christopher Columbus once sailed through it on his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492.
On this journey, he reportedly had problems with his compass and reported strange sightings in the Bermuda Triangle area. He reported that stars seemed to move around in the sky and that strange candle-like lights moved up and down in the distance, vanishing and reappearing.
Nowadays, the Bermuda Astrological Society can explain most of the flashing lights and star formations! Cooper’s Island or Ireland Island are great spots away from the island’s light pollution to stargaze.
When Did the Bermuda Triangle Become Famous?
The phrase ‘the Bermuda Triangle’ first appeared in the pulp magazine Argosy in a 1964 article. American author Vincent Gaddis authored the article, which he later expanded into a book, detailing the disappearance of Flight 19.
Flight 19 was 14 airmen operating five torpedo bombers that disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle on December 5, 1945. The 13 crew members in a flying boat that launched to find them also disappeared.
While the US Navy wrote a 500-page report detailing possible causes for the disappearances, Gaddis’ article cemented the mystery as supernatural in the public eye. Speaking of when, Bermuda is great to visit from late April to mid-October for clear skies, warm weather, and beautiful, calm waves.
How Dangerous is the Bermuda Triangle?
We hope we’ve debunked some of the myths about the Bermuda Triangle and why this part of the world is so famous, despite not being on any maps!
Another discovery about the Bermuda Triangle has found that it contains the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean — the Milwaukee Depth. This may explain how the wreckage of many crashes has never been found, if it has been lost to these depths.
Despite the legend indicating otherwise, the Bermuda Triangle is no more dangerous than any other part of the ocean! So, how can you get here? Most airports will run flights to Bermuda, directly or indirectly, and it’s very easy to reach by air from the US.
That wraps up our delve into the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. While you almost certainly will not encounter this urban legend on vacation here, we promise you’ll have an equally unforgettable time relaxing on one of our mini-bus tours around Bermuda.
From the island’s historic fortresses and Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse to Bermuda Botanical Gardens, there are plenty of intriguing historical spots to explore beyond the famous urban legend. Despite the rumors, your trip to Bermuda will only be beautiful, relaxing, and risk-free!
If you have any questions before booking a trip to Bermuda, get in touch with us. We have years of experience providing epic journeys around this island and will help you and your loved ones to discover Bermuda like a local!
