Brave Your Way Through the Bermuda Triangle and Enjoy an Amazing Island Vacation full of Pink Sand Beaches, Snorkeling, and Shipwreck Tours
Have you ever considered taking a vacation to Bermuda? Bermuda is a British territory that’s rich in history and lore. In fact, you might have heard of the Bermuda Triangle, which is the triangle that forms when you connect Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico with straight lines. Over the centuries, many airplanes and ships have been lost in the mysterious waters, so you might be a little leery when it comes to traveling to the Bermuda archipelago. However, if you make it to the islands, you’ll be greeted by pink sand, warm weather, and plenty to see and do, like taking a shipwreck tour. Let’s explore the lore and mystery of the Bermuda Triangle and why it’s worth it to navigate through this fabled region of the Atlantic Ocean to reach the beautiful Bermuda Islands.
Where is Bermuda?
The Bermuda archipelago consists of 181 islands. It’s located in the Atlantic Ocean about 650 miles east of North Carolina, and most commercial flights from the US take less than two hours. The currency is the Bermudan Dollar, and the islands tend to be a mix of British and American Culture.
Where do the flights to Bermuda land?
Flights to Bermuda land at L.F. Wade International Airport on St. David’s Island. It’s the only airport in the archipelago. However, it’s just recently been upgraded and updated. The most recent renovations were completed in 2020. L.F. Wade International Airport currently has one operational runway. Runway 12/30 is 9,706 feet long and 150 feet wide with a displaced threshold of 579 feet. Individuals with private jets should contact Cedar Aviation Services LTD for the entry procedures into Bermuda.
Bermuda Triangle History and Lore
In order to travel to Bermuda, you’ll have to go through the Bermuda Triangle, which is riddled with numerous stories of the disappearances of ships, planes, and people. Since the 1800s, it’s estimated that at least 50 ships and 20 airplanes have mysteriously disappeared into oblivion. Two of the most notorious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle include the USS Cyclops and Flight 19. Of course, you might be surprised to find out that the first known report of strange happenings in the Bermuda Triangle came from Christopher Columbus.
During Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage through what is now known as the Bermuda Triangle, he reported seeing strange lights dancing on the water, as well as strange white water and a large ball of fire crashing into the ocean. He was also the first to report odd compass readings.
USS Cyclops in 1918
The USS Cyclops was a cargo ship. It was 542 feet long and carrying an impressive 10,000 tons of manganese ore. The ore was to be delivered to Baltimore, MD, so that it could be used to make steel for the war effort (WW1). The ship, along with six navy airplanes, departed Brazil. The cargo ship and airplanes made it all the way to Barbados, where they resupplied. At that time, the captain said they had excellent sailing weather. However, shortly after departing Barbados, they disappeared. A search recovered nothing, not even any evidence of German WWI submarines.
Flight 19 in 1945
Flight 19 was another military mission. This time, five Navy bombers departed Fort Lauderdale at 2 PM for a series of training runs over Chicken Shoals, which is located north of the Bahamas. It was a routine flight for the first 60 minutes. However, around 3 PM, the radioman in the Fort Lauderdale air station tower began to get strange reports from the captain of the mission. The airplanes were being subjected to 75 mph winds. They were having difficulty seeing through a strange white haze, and, like Christopher Columbus, they were experiencing erratic compass readings. The radioman also heard them talking about being low on fuel.
The radioman could hear the captain and other pilots talking, but he could not respond to them. Twenty minutes later, all communication was lost. The Navy immediately scrambled planes, and twenty minutes after the rescue effort started, another plane disappeared and was never found. The Coast Guard continued the search, and they were eventually joined by four Navy destroyers, more than 300 airplanes, and a plethora of private boats and planes. Despite the colossal effort, no wreckage or bodies were ever recovered from Flight 19.
When did the Bermuda Triangle become the Bermuda Triangle?
You might be surprised to find out that the Bermuda Triangle didn’t have a name until 1964. At that time, a science fiction writer, Vincent Gaddi, wrote an article entitled, ‘The Deadly Bermuda Triangle.’ The article appeared in Argosy, which was a popular American magazine. The publication was founded in 1882 by Frank Munsey and ran until 2016. At its height of popularity, it had a circulation of more than 1 million. After Vincent’s article, other writers and authors wrote their own pieces, which helped solidify the name in the minds of the public.
Are the Bermuda Triangle disappearances due to aliens or supernatural events?
According to the NOAA. The various disappearances of ships, planes, and people are not due to supernatural events or alien abductions. However, those scenarios do make for good fiction writing. Instead, it’s believed that the disappearances are most likely due to atmospheric disturbances, like methane gas escaping from the ocean, changes in the Gulf Stream, and severe storms, including hurricanes. It’s also theorized that the compasses in ships and airplanes may sometimes point to True North instead of Magnetic North, which can cause the vessels to become lost over the water.
Are there still disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle?
The majority of the Bermuda Triangle disappearances happened between 1800 and 1967. However, a few boats and planes still disappear, on occasion. The most recent disappearances happened in 2015 and 2017. In 2015, two boys took a 19-foot fishing vessel out and disappeared on the water. The boys were never found, but the boat was located in 2016 near the coast of Bermuda. In 2017, a privately owned Mitsubishi MU-2B, twin-engine, turboprop plane, went missing in the area, but a subsequent search found wreckage.
Are you ready to brave your way through the Bermuda Triangle to go on vacation?
Now that you know all about the Bermuda Triangle, its lore, and how it got its name, are you ready to travel through it to go on vacation? The brave and adventurous will have plenty to do in Bermuda. The islands are full of luxury resorts, delicious food, pink sand beaches, snorkeling, and even shipwreck tours.
Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa
There are plenty of places to stay in Bermuda, from vacation rentals to apartments and even floating hotels, but one of the premier places to stay is the Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa. It’s been in operation since 1923. The resort offers plenty of hotel rooms, suites, and cottages to choose from. Guests can enjoy the four private beaches, an on-site marina, several restaurants, and a spa. The resort also boasts a croquet court, a tennis court, putting greens, and a private pool, among other amazing amenities.
Pink Sand Beaches
Bermuda is known for its pink sand beaches, and if you’re ready to sunbathe and swim, you may want to head over to Horseshoe Bay Beach or Warwick Long Bay. Of course, you shouldn’t spend all of your time in one spot. Working your way down this long stretch of sand gives you the opportunity to enjoy the playground, grab some concessions, and visit the Rum Bum Beach Bar. This stretch of sand also offers visitors bathrooms and showers.
Snorkeling Adventures
Snorkeling is extremely popular in Bermuda because the water is clear and averages 82 degrees in the summer. Great places to go snorkeling include Church Bay, Tobacco Bay, John Smith’s Bay, and Snorkel Park, which offers snorkeling gear for rent, along with beach chairs and umbrellas.
Shipwreck Tours
Shipwreck tours are extremely popular in Bermuda because the islands are home to more shipwrecks per mile than anywhere else in the world. For that reason, it’s often referred to as the shipwreck capital of the world. Visitors to the island can view some shipwrecks while snorkeling and some while diving. Popular shipwrecks to view include the Hermes, which is located in Horseshoe Bay, the Mary Celeste, which sunk to a depth of 55 feet just off the South Shore, the Taunton, which is located on the northeastern reef, and a B-29 Bomber whose engine exploded in 1963. The bomber sunk to a depth of 25 feet, which makes it a great shallow-water dive.
Bermuda Forts
While you’re on the island, don’t forget to visit the amazing historic forts. Bermuda is home to Fort Cunningham, which is surrounded by an unusual dry moat, the Ferry Island Fort, and Fort St. Catherine and Museum. Fort St. Catherine is unique in the fact that it was built in the 1600s and was used to defend the islands all the way through World War II.
Fantastic Food
There are plenty of places to eat in Bermuda. Some visitor favorites include the Achilles Bermuda, which serves Mediterranean-Asian inspired dishes with a side of panoramic ocean views, Lido, which is located at Elbow Beach and serves Italian food for lunch and dinner, and Sea Breeze, which is known for its amazing tapas and sushi. Other eateries to try include Munchies by the Sea, which serves up authentic Bermuda Island food, and Fish and Tings, which serves up authentic Jamaican food.
If you’re ready for a vacation that’s steeped in mystery, myth, lore, and history, you’ll love a vacation in Bermuda. You’ll get to fly through the Bermuda Triangle on your way to a pink-sand vacation that’s full of luxury amenities, snorkeling, diving, and sightseeing.
