The Legends & Lore of the Bermuda Triangle

What is the Bermuda Triangle & Where is it Located?

The Bermuda Triangle is a section of the North Atlantic Ocean where ships and planes have vanished without a trace, some claim under mysterious circumstances. The three points of the Triangle are Bermuda (the northernmost point), followed by Puerto Rico and the Florida coast near Miami. See a map of the Bermuda Triangle. 

Triangle FAQs: 3 Key Questions

Why is it called the Bermuda Triangle? The term was coined in a 1964 article from the American pulp magazine Argosy. The article, authored by Vincent Gaddis, illuminated a pattern of disappearing ships and planes in the area. No explanations were offered, and the aura of mystery took hold.

What are the ocean depths of the Bermuda Triangle? The deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean falls within the Bermuda Triangle. At the Milwaukee Depth in the Puerto Rico Trench, the ocean reaches a depth of 27,493 feet (8,380 meters).

Is the Bermuda Triangle dangerous? No. Not anymore, at least. Today’s modern ships, airplanes, and weather forecasting ensure safe passage across this section of ocean. The US Navy, US Coast Guard, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and many other credible institutions maintain that there are no supernatural forces at work, and that the area is highly travelled and safe. Still, the stories captivate.

The Stories & the Science 

Ships lost at sea or hauntingly abandoned for no apparent reason. Planes disappearing without distress signals. Over the past several centuries, more than 50 ships and 20 planes are said to have disappeared in the area now referred to as the Bermuda Triangle. 

In more recent history, two incidents stand out. In 1918, the U.S.S Cyclops, a Navy supply ship with 306 crewmembers on board, disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. No explanation was given and no wreckage found. In 1945, a group of five torpedo bombers known as “Flight 19” took off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a routine training flight and never returned. Again, no explanation was given and no wreckage found. The only clue was intercepted radio messages indicating that the compasses were malfunctioning.

Explanations over the years have included weather, rogue waves, or more fanciful theories. In this best-selling book The Bermuda Triangle (1974), Charles Berlitz suggested that the fabled lost island of Atlantis was to blame.

In reality, environmental factors explain most of the disappearances. Reefs and shallow waters were treacherous for ship navigation before modern technology. Bermuda’s 300+ shipwrecks are largely attributed to run-ins with the island’s extensive reef system – the northernmost coral reefs of the Atlantic. Also, active weather around the Gulf Stream along with tropical storms and hurricanes can cause intense conditions, which the instruments of the time could not forecast.

As far as the compasses going haywire, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) does acknowledge “there is evidence that the Bermuda Triangle is a place where a ‘magnetic’ compass sometimes points towards ‘true’ north as opposed to ‘magnetic’ north.” Most importantly, however, NOAA assures that “There is no evidence that mysterious disappearances occur with any greater frequency in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-traveled area of the ocean.” 

Experience the Bermuda Triangle 

Albuoys Point – Visit the northernmost point of the Bermuda Triangle at Albuoys Point, a fittingly triangular park in the City of Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital. A triangular sign marks the spot – take a photo here and share proof that you braved the Bermuda Triangle.

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) – Explore BUEI’s interactive exhibit “Bermuda Triangle: Unlock the Secrets” to deepen your knowledge of the Triangle. Check out the other ocean-focused exhibits and don’t miss the impressive shell collection.

National Museum of Bermuda – See shipwreck artefacts and learn about Bermuda’s seafaring heritage at the National Museum of Bermuda, part of the popular Royal Naval Dockyard.

Shipwrecks & Shipwreck Diving – Bermuda has more shipwrecks per square mile than anywhere else in the world, some dating to the 1600s. Go below the surface to see where some unlucky ships met their fate. See Bermuda’s best shipwreck dives or let the pros at SeaVenture Diving guide you to the best spots.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse – Get a bird’s-eye-view of the Triangle when you gaze out over the island, the reef, and the open ocean from the top of the towering Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.

Find More Triangle-Themed Fun

From indulgent treats to finely crafted accessories, you’ll find even more Triangle-themed fun around Bermuda.

Get Lost in Great Seafood – The casual restaurant Lost in the Triangle is a local favourite. Try authentic Bermudian dishes and delectable seafood, from fish sandwiches to spiny lobster (seasonal). The owner is a longtime fisherman and catches the seafood himself.

Try an Ice Cream Trifecta – Treat yourself to Meltdown’s signature “Bermuda Triangle,” three scoops of ice cream featuring rum raisin, Dark ‘n’ Stormy®, and coconut. 

Shop the Triangle Collection – Take home a precious memento from Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery. The locally crafted Triangle jewellery collection comes in necklaces, bracelets, and more.

Ready to venture into the Bermuda Triangle? The beauty, fun and island allure are real.