Buzz
What do you imagine when you hear 'Bermuda'? Vanished WWII aviators? Alien encounters? Entrances to parallel universes? Unexplained vanishings? Or perhaps a fantastic vacation spot? Surprisingly, the last option isn't everyone's first thought.
Bermuda isn't just famous for its infamous triangle. This stunning archipelago boasts a fascinating past, a vibrant culture, and breathtaking scenery. Discover some of the most captivating facts about this unique destination.
10. Sailors Once Believed Devils Roamed These Islands
Bermuda was initially discovered in 1505, yet Spanish and Portuguese sailors avoided landing on the islands for years. They feared the perilous reefs, but even more unsettling were the unusual noises that echoed from the islands at nightfall. The sounds resembled countless infants wailing together, prompting the superstitious sailors to seek safer ports. Tales of demons, sea creatures, and witches haunting Bermuda soon spread.
The haunting cries were actually from cahows, also known as Bermuda petrels, a native seabird species. These birds return annually to form large nesting colonies, using their eerie calls to attract potential mates. Historically, their population was estimated to exceed 500,000.
Sadly, the cahows faced a dire threat in 1563 when Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Avila ventured to Bermuda in search of his shipwrecked son. While his son was never found, he left behind hogs to aid future shipwreck survivors. These hogs caused ecological devastation, nearly wiping out the bird population.
9. Rescuing a Bird from the Edge of Extinction
In 1609, the Sea Venture, bound for Jamestown, encountered a fierce storm, likely a hurricane. Severely damaged and taking on water, the ship was intentionally grounded on Bermuda's reefs. The stranded crew, relieved to find pigs left by earlier visitors, relied on them for food. They also hunted the remaining cahows, which were easy prey due to their lack of natural predators. Rats from the ship further devastated the bird population.
For 330 years, the cahow was believed to be extinct, with only a few unconfirmed sightings. However, in 1951, a scientific team discovered seven burrows on the islets near Castle Harbor. Among the team was David Wingate, a schoolboy captivated by the rediscovery. Wingate later dedicated his life to saving the species, establishing a sanctuary on Nonsuch Island and working for over 50 years to protect the birds. Thanks to his efforts, there are now more than 100 breeding pairs, though the cahow remains the world's second rarest seabird.
8. The Ocean Is Never More Than a Mile Away
Bermuda is an archipelago consisting of seven main islands and numerous smaller islets. Stretching just 39 kilometers (24 mi) in length and averaging 1.6 kilometers (1 mi) in width, it resembles a fishhook from above. Bridges connect the islands, making them feel like one cohesive landmass. With the highest point only 69 meters (225 ft) above sea level, the ocean is visible from nearly everywhere. A short walk of no more than 1.6 kilometers (1 mi) will take you to the water's edge.
With a land area of only 54 square kilometers (21 mi) and a population of around 65,000, Bermuda has implemented strict measures to avoid traffic congestion. Residents are limited to owning one car, and tourists are prohibited from renting cars, relying instead on public buses.
7. Bermuda Captivated Figures Like Sir Walter Raleigh and William Shakespeare
Gonzalo Fernandez was the first to document Bermuda in 1515, mentioning its “flying fishes and birds like mewes and cormorants.” Later, Sir Walter Raleigh described the island’s “hellish seas filled with thunder, lightning, and storms.” The island’s dramatic weather even inspired poet John Donne, who referenced it in his 1597 sonnet “The Storme”: “Compared to these storms, death is but a qualm / Hell somewhat lightsome, the Bermudas calm.”
Bermuda gained literary fame when Shakespeare used it as inspiration for The Tempest. While the play’s setting was Mediterranean, it featured elements like pigs, noisy birds, and cedarberry liquor—details unmistakably tied to Bermuda. Early settlers, lacking resources, crafted alcohol from cedar trees, which were abundant on the island. Shakespeare’s portrayal clearly mirrored Bermuda.
Though Shakespeare never visited, Irish poet Thomas Moore did in 1804, penning, “Oh! could you view the scenery dear / That now beneath my window lies.” American author Mark Twain also popularized Bermuda through his writings in The Atlantic Monthly, helping establish it as a tourist hotspot. Other literary giants like Eugene O’Neill, Noel Coward, and Rudyard Kipling also drew inspiration from the islands. Notably, Mary Price, a former slave, authored The History of Mary Price, a pivotal work that contributed to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
6. Bermuda Was Uninhabited by Humans
Bermuda had no indigenous population, so the arrival of the Sea Venture's survivors marked the start of human settlement. Most of these early settlers departed once they built new ships, leaving only three behind. This historic event is symbolized on Bermuda's flag, the only national flag featuring a sinking ship. In 1612, the Plough arrived with settlers specifically tasked with colonizing Bermuda, further establishing the island's population.
Gradually, more settlers arrived, including Portuguese immigrants from the Azores. African slaves were also brought to the island (slavery was abolished in 1833), along with a notable number of Native Americans, who were either exiled or sold into slavery. This cultural blend gave rise to unique traditions, such as the vibrant Gombeys dance performances, spicy gingerbread, the iconic Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail, and codfish breakfasts. St. George’s holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the Americas, and Bermuda remains a British Overseas Territory.
Early settlers faced significant challenges, particularly in securing water. With no rivers and only a few seasonal ponds, water scarcity was a constant issue. Even today, Bermuda lacks a municipal water system. Residents rely on specially designed white roofs to collect rainwater, which is stored in underground tanks. Running out of water or dealing with contamination can be costly, as importing water is expensive.
5. Bermuda Holds the Title of Shipwreck Capital of the World
Bermuda’s foundation is an extinct volcanic mountain range capped with limestone, creating miles of shallow reefs surrounding the island. These reefs, combined with frequent and powerful storms, make Bermuda a hotspot for shipwrecks. Over 30 wrecks were recorded near Bermuda before 1600, and more than 300 have been discovered to date. Among them is the Cristobal Colon, a luxury liner that sank in 16 meters (52 ft) of water in 1936, now a popular diving site.
For non-divers, snorkeling offers access to several wrecks. The Constellation and Montana both met their fate in Western Blue Cut. The Constellation, a wooden schooner, struck the reef in 1943 while en route to Bermuda for repairs, scattering its cargo of cement, whiskey, and medical supplies, including morphine ampoules, across the seabed at about 7.6 meters (25 ft). The Montana, a paddle steamboat, sank on its maiden voyage in 1863 after attempting a risky shortcut through the reef. Originally intended as a Civil War blockade runner, it operated under multiple aliases to evade detection. Nearby lies the Lartington, which sank in 1879.
The wrecks are located in relatively shallow waters, making them accessible to snorkelers. Tour boats operated by various companies provide transportation to these fascinating sites.
4. Onions Are Central to New Year’s Celebrations
Bermuda was once a major exporter of onions, renowned for producing some of the finest varieties globally. In the late 19th century, the onion trade flourished, transforming the humble vegetable into a lucrative cash crop traded with the US and UK. On the islands, “onion” became slang for something exceptionally impressive. However, US farmers soon capitalized on the trend, growing their own onions and marketing them as “Bermuda onions,” bypassing the high shipping costs. By 1923, Bermuda’s onion exports plummeted from a peak of 153,000 crates to just over 21,000 annually, as local farmers were outcompeted.
Despite this, the onion remains a symbol of pride, especially during New Year’s celebrations. At midnight, a massive onion adorned with lights and palm fronds is “dropped” from St. George’s Town Hall. For those unable to attend, the tradition is recreated at home using a smaller onion from the fridge.
3. Bermuda Is Not Part of the Caribbean
It’s true.
Many assume Bermuda is near Jamaica or Cuba, but it’s actually located much further northeast. Situated at a similar latitude to Charleston, South Carolina, it lies over 1,200 kilometers (750 mi) from the nearest Caribbean islands, such as the Bahamas. In fact, Bermuda is closer to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina than to the Caribbean. The Gulf Stream keeps the island warm, and it’s home to the northernmost coral reefs in the Atlantic.
2. Human Arrival Hasn’t Been Kind to Bermuda’s Ecosystem
Humans—can anything prevent them from disrupting a pristine ecosystem? Before their arrival, Bermuda’s coasts were lined with forests of native trees and mangroves. The islands were home to the cahow, the Bermuda skink, and a variety of unique invertebrates. However, the introduction of pigs, humans, and rats wreaked havoc on the wildlife, leading to the extinction of several species.
Efforts to control one species by introducing another only worsened the situation. In 1957, the great kiskadee was brought in to manage Anolis lizards, but the plan backfired. The kiskadee began preying on native birds like the white-eyed vireo and the bluebird, while also spreading invasive plant seeds. It’s even suspected of wiping out the Bermuda cicada. Other introduced species, such as sparrows and starlings, were brought in for nostalgic reasons. Today, nearly a quarter of the world’s most damaging invasive species, including the red-eared slider terrapin, kudzu vine, and Brazilian pepper tree, thrive in Bermuda.
1. Bermuda Is Home to a Glow-in-the-Dark Worm That Reacts to Heat
By day, the Bermuda fireworm appears ordinary—small, reddish, and covered in tiny stinging bristles. However, during the summer, on the third night after a full Moon, precisely 56 minutes after sunset, these worms transform. Females rise from the ocean floor, glowing intensely as they prepare to mate.
Their bioluminescence shines at its brightest to attract a mate. Males quickly join the glowing females, creating dazzling green circles in the water. For the best view, head to Ferry Reach Park.
