Think You Know Bermuda? These 30 Facts Say Otherwise

30 Surprising Reasons Bermuda Is Unlike Anywhere Else

Bermuda isn’t just about pink sand and mysterious triangles. It’s a place where fish glow, laws get weird, and sea witches still make guest appearances in local legends. Tucked away in the North Atlantic, this British island has a personality all its own—part proper, part peculiar, and all kinds of fascinating. Beyond the glossy travel brochures lies a world of ghost brides, glowworm ballets, outlawed seeds, and parrot echoes. These are the stories, oddities, and hidden gems that make Bermuda more than a postcard—it’s an island full of surprises.

🌊 1. The Island Has No Freshwater Rivers or Lakes

Despite its lush look, Bermuda has no natural freshwater sources—no rivers, lakes, or streams. How do people stay hydrated? With a genius rain-catching system. Every house on the island has a white limestone roof that collects rainwater, which is stored in tanks below. These iconic white roofs aren’t just stylish—they’re functional engineering marvels. It’s one of the only places in the world where every building doubles as a water collector. Locals are super water-conscious, and visitors quickly learn not to waste a drop. Who needs plumbing when the sky does the work?

🧜‍♀️ 2. There's an Underwater Crystal Palace

Beneath the surface of Hamilton Parish lies a glowing world straight out of a fantasy novel: the Crystal and Fantasy Caves. Discovered in 1907 by two teenage boys chasing a lost cricket ball (seriously), these caves feature mirror-still underground lakes and hanging formations that sparkle like chandeliers. The natural lighting and dramatic stalactites make it feel like Atlantis got an upgrade. It’s so beautiful that Mark Twain visited and called it “the most beautiful cave in the world.” Not your average tourist stop—this is Bermuda’s secret cathedral, 120 feet below the earth.

👻 3. One Hotel Is Said to Be Haunted by a Jilted Bride

The elegant Fairmont Hamilton Princess may have five-star service, but room 426 comes with an extra: a ghost named Mary. According to legend, Mary was a young bride who took her life after being abandoned at the altar in the late 1800s. Guests have reported flickering lights, cold drafts, and eerie sobbing. Some claim they've seen her in a wedding dress near the windows overlooking the harbor. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the staff won’t deny the stories. In Bermuda, even luxury hotels have lingering heartbreak—and a touch of the paranormal.

🕶️ 4. Sunglasses Were Illegal in Parliament Until Recently

Yes, really. Until 2020, Bermuda’s Parliament banned sunglasses and hats during sessions. The law, dating back to colonial times, was meant to prevent identity concealment and maintain respect in government chambers. It stayed on the books for decades, even as fashion and sunshine moved on. Politicians would walk in squinting like they were staring at the sun itself—because they were. It wasn’t until a public outcry (and some fried retinas) that the rule was relaxed. Now you can protect your eyes without breaking the law. Bermuda: where old-school formality meets tropical brightness.

🩳 5. Bermuda Shorts Are Formalwear—With a Twist

In Bermuda, shorts are serious business. Worn with blazers, dress shirts, and long socks, Bermuda shorts are considered full-on formal attire. Government officials wear them to work, and some grooms even rock them at weddings. The tradition dates back to WWI, when British military officers modified their uniforms to survive the heat. The island embraced the look, and now it’s part of the national identity. Walk into any tailor on Front Street, and you’ll find every color under the sun. Who says you can’t mix a business meeting with beach vibes?

🐛 6. Glowworms Light Up the Sea After Every Full Moon

Just three nights after each full moon, Bermuda’s glowworms rise from the sea floor and light up the ocean in a synchronized dance of green bioluminescence. Locals call it the “underwater fireworks show.” The spectacle lasts only 15 minutes and happens just after sunset. The glow is part of their mating ritual—think Tinder meets natural neon. You can witness the magic by boat near Ferry Reach or dockside with a flashlight and good timing. It’s one of Bermuda’s most jaw-dropping natural events—and one of its best-kept secrets.

🔒 7. Bermuda Has the World's Smallest Drawbridge

Meet Somerset Bridge, a charming, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it drawbridge connecting Somerset Island to the mainland. What makes it special? It only opens wide enough to let a single sailboat mast pass through. That’s it. Built in 1620, it’s officially the smallest working drawbridge on Earth. Instead of raising giant steel gates, someone manually lifts a wooden plank. Locals love the quirky simplicity; tourists often don’t even realize they’re crossing it. It’s a relic of old-school engineering in a world of overbuilt infrastructure—and proof that small solutions sometimes win.

🍉 8. It's Illegal to Import Watermelon Seeds

Don’t try to bring watermelon seeds into Bermuda—they’re strictly banned. Why? To prevent the introduction of plant diseases and invasive species that could threaten local agriculture. Bermuda has delicate soil and relies heavily on imported food, so biosecurity is no joke. The customs list of banned items includes everything from fresh mangoes to wild bird eggs—but watermelon seeds top the list for their oddness. So if you’re planning a tropical picnic, maybe leave the fruit seeds at home. You’ll thank customs for saving you the headache.

🔥 9. A Whole Town Burned Down—Because of a Cow

In 1848, a cow kicked over a lantern in St. George’s, starting a fire that wiped out a major part of the town. Locals call it the “Great Cow Fire.” The blaze destroyed dozens of buildings, including parts of King's Square and several historic homes. It’s a strange but true chapter in Bermuda’s storybook past. Today, St. George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and walking its cobbled lanes, you’d never guess it was once nearly flattened by a bovine disaster. Cows may be cute, but on this island, one was a full-blown arsonist.

🌪️ 10. Hurricanes Can Reveal Hidden Cemeteries

After powerful storms, Bermuda’s shifting sands sometimes uncover centuries-old graves. On more than one occasion, hurricanes have ripped up beach dunes to reveal headstones or skeletal remains from forgotten burial sites. One such incident occurred near St. David’s, where coffins were found just beneath the surface. The island’s colonial history, naval battles, and quarantine stations mean there are likely dozens of undocumented graves scattered across the island. It's a haunting reminder of Bermuda’s deep past—and that the sea still occasionally gives up its secrets.

🦜 11. Parrots Used to Be Everywhere—Now They're Ghosts

Long before Instagram tourists arrived, Bermuda was home to flocks of bright green parrots. The now-extinct Bermuda parakeet once filled the skies with its chatter, but habitat loss and invasive predators like cats and rats wiped them out by the 1800s. Today, fossil records and sailor journals are all that remain. Locals still report “phantom calls” in the forest—strange chirps and echoes with no bird in sight. Some believe the island remembers them in spirit. Others say it’s just the wind. Either way, Bermuda has birds no longer seen, but maybe still heard.

🧂 12. Salt Was Once Bermuda’s Biggest Export

In the 1600s, before tourism and banking, Bermuda had a salty side hustle: harvesting sea salt from Turks and Caicos. Bermudians established salt raking colonies on those islands and shipped the crystals back home to trade. Salt was essential for preserving fish and meat, and at one point it was so valuable, it was used as currency. The work was grueling, with rakers toiling barefoot under the sun for hours. Though the salt trade faded out by the 1800s, its impact helped fund Bermuda’s early settlements—and left behind a few very well-seasoned ancestors.

🎭 13. There's a Theatre Inside a Cave

Yes, you can watch a play underground in Bermuda. The Prospect Grotto is a natural limestone cave that’s occasionally used as a performance space for intimate concerts and theatre. Acoustics? Incredible. Atmosphere? Otherworldly. It’s not a regularly scheduled venue, but when an event is planned, it’s island gold. You’ll be seated beneath stalactites, surrounded by echoing drips and glowing formations, with performers using the cave itself as part of the stage. Who needs Broadway when you’ve got bat-assisted ambiance and rock-solid acoustics?

🧜‍♂️ 14. Some Locals Still Blame Shipwrecks on Sea Witches

The infamous Bermuda Triangle may have a pop-culture explanation, but old island folklore has a spookier one: sea witches. These spirits, said to dwell in the reefs and storm clouds, were blamed for shipwrecks and disappearances long before conspiracy theorists arrived. Sailors tossed coins or rum into the sea as offerings to calm them. Some local divers say they’ve felt sudden chills or seen “shadowy shapes” while exploring wrecks. While modern science points to magnetic anomalies and tricky currents, a few Bermudians still whisper: “Don’t anger the sea, or she’ll take you down.”

⛵ 15. Bermuda Built the Fastest Boats in the World—Literally

The sleek Bermuda sloop wasn’t just beautiful—it was revolutionary. Designed in the 1600s by local shipbuilders, this lightweight, speedy vessel could outmaneuver anything else on the water. It changed sailing forever, eventually inspiring modern racing yachts. Bermudian sloops were so fast they were used by smugglers, pirates, and even the Royal Navy. Their unique triangular sails (called Bermuda rigging) are now the standard for most modern sailboats. So next time you see a sleek sail slicing the ocean—thank Bermuda, the little island that sped up the world.

🐟 16. Giant Fish Statues Mark Real Underwater Hotspots

All around Bermuda, you’ll spot colorful fish sculptures in town squares and gardens. They’re not just art—they’re maps. Each statue represents a species found at nearby dive sites, with plaques explaining where and how to spot them. Locals call it the “Bermuda Reef Trail,” and it’s part tourism initiative, part education project. From blue angelfish to massive groupers, these fiberglass fish connect land to sea. Tourists can follow the trail like a scavenger hunt, learning about reef ecology along the way. It’s the only island where fish point you to more fish.

🎩 17. Mark Twain Was Practically a Local

The legendary author Mark Twain loved Bermuda so much, he called it “the right country for a jaded man to loaf in.” He visited multiple times in his final years, reportedly choosing Bermuda as his preferred resting place (though he’s buried in New York). He’d stroll the streets of Hamilton, chat with locals, and write letters raving about the island’s peace and poetry. One of his quotes—“You go to heaven if you want to, I’d rather stay in Bermuda”—is engraved on a bench near the harbor. If Bermuda had a poet laureate, it might just be Twain.

🐉 18. There's a Town Named After a Dragon

Devil’s Hole isn’t just a catchy name—it’s a collapsed underwater cave near Harrington Sound that locals once believed was a portal to the underworld. It gurgled, bubbled, and made strange noises, leading to rumors of a dragon trapped inside. Early settlers even called it “The Devil’s Mouth.” Over time, it became a natural aquarium filled with fish, turtles, and eels. It was one of Bermuda’s first tourist attractions, and some older Bermudians still call it the “place where the earth breathes.” The dragon’s gone, but the legend lingers.

🏴‍☠️ 19. Pirates Once Used Bermuda as a Safe House

Bermuda's location made it a perfect pirate pitstop. In the 1700s, notorious buccaneers like Captain Morgan and Blackbeard were rumored to use the island’s hidden coves and shallow reefs to stash goods and repair ships. While there’s no confirmed buried treasure (yet), dozens of shipwrecks off the coast tell stories of smugglers and scallywags. Some locals believe treasure may still lie hidden in the limestone caves of Castle Harbour. So if you spot a “No Trespassing” sign in the jungle, it might not be for privacy—it might be guarding gold.

🌺 20. Locals Use Easter Lilies to Forecast the Weather

Bermudians have their own version of a Farmer’s Almanac—and it’s floral. If Easter lilies bloom early, locals say, the island’s going to have a dry summer. If they bloom late? Expect storms. These fragrant white flowers are native to the island and bloom around March or April. Traditionally, families gather them to decorate churches on Easter Sunday. But for older Bermudians, their blooming is more than just beautiful—it’s a reliable sign from nature. Who needs meteorologists when lilies are this accurate?

🌈 21. Bermuda Has More Rainbows Than Almost Anywhere

Because of its isolated ocean location and frequent quick sunshowers, Bermuda is one of the best places in the world to spot rainbows—often double ones. Locals believe seeing a rainbow at sunrise is especially lucky, and some old families even record rainbow sightings in personal journals. From pink-sand beaches to misty hilltops, the island becomes a prism after a drizzle. It’s not unusual to see rainbows arching right over pastel buildings or boat sails. If you’re chasing color and calm, Bermuda might just be your personal pot of gold.

🏝️ 22. The Island Once Tried to Ban Motorcars Altogether

When automobiles were first introduced in the early 1900s, Bermuda wasn’t exactly a fan. Locals and lawmakers feared they’d spoil the island’s quiet charm, so for over 30 years, private cars were banned. Only doctors and emergency services were allowed to use them. Visitors arrived in horse-drawn carriages or by bicycle, and many locals walked everywhere. While cars are now allowed (in limited numbers), the one-car-per-household rule still holds. Bermuda remains one of the few places in the world where motor traffic was resisted—and where peace and quiet won, at least for a while.

🔮 23. Fortune Tellers Used to Read the Tides

In older Bermudian villages, you didn’t need tarot cards or tea leaves. The sea told your future. Tide patterns, wave shapes, and sea foam bubbles were all interpreted by spiritual elders—especially women. Some believed foam bubbles that spiraled clockwise predicted weddings, while sudden changes in wave rhythm meant someone would fall ill. Though not practiced openly today, this form of “tide reading” lives on in quiet folklore and bedtime stories. In Bermuda, the ocean isn’t just scenery—it’s a storyteller if you know how to listen.

🐚 24. There's a Shell Unique to Bermuda—and It's Vanishing

The Bermuda land snail (Poecilozonites) was once considered extinct—until a few were rediscovered clinging to a damp wall behind a fast-food restaurant in 2014. Seriously. These tiny native mollusks survived centuries of development and habitat loss. Scientists now call them “living fossils,” and captive breeding programs are working to restore their numbers. You won’t find them on beaches or trails—they’re rare, hidden, and surprisingly resilient. It’s a reminder that in Bermuda, even the smallest creatures have epic survival stories.

🍽️ 25. Sunday Fish Chowder Is Basically Sacred

Forget brunch—Bermuda fish chowder is the island’s unofficial Sunday ritual. Simmered with rockfish, tomato, onions, black rum, and sherry pepper sauce, it’s spicy, smoky, and completely addictive. Every family has its own recipe, and debates over the “right” ingredients can get pretty heated. Locals say you haven’t really been to Bermuda until you’ve had fish chowder for lunch on a rainy Sunday, preferably made by someone’s grandma. It’s more than a meal—it’s liquid tradition in a bowl.

🚫 26. Camouflage Clothing Is Banned

Bring camo to Bermuda and you might get stopped at customs. Like many Caribbean nations, Bermuda bans camouflage clothing, reserving it solely for military and law enforcement use. This includes hats, shorts, and even flip-flops with camo prints. The rule is strict and applies to locals and tourists alike. The goal? To prevent confusion, impersonation, and ensure public safety. So if you're packing for your island trip, maybe leave your army-green outfits at home—and stick to pastels, which Bermuda does far better anyway.

📜 27. Bermuda Had One of the Oldest Newspapers in the World

The Royal Gazette, founded in 1828, is one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the Western Hemisphere. It began with colonial notices and shipping updates and evolved into Bermuda’s main news source—covering everything from hurricanes to horse races. Its archives offer a rare glimpse into 200 years of island life, politics, and scandal. Many historic issues are stored at the Bermuda National Library, and flipping through them feels like time travel. In a digital age, it’s one of the few papers still linking modern Bermuda to its ink-stained past.

🧊 28. Ice Used to Be Imported from America

Before refrigeration, Bermudians had a hot problem: no ice. So in the 1800s, blocks of ice were literally shipped from Boston in insulated cargo holds. It arrived weeks later—melty but still usable—and was considered a luxury item. Only wealthy households or upper-class hotels had “iceboxes,” and offering cold drinks was a major flex. These days, we take ice cubes for granted, but once upon a time in Bermuda, they were exotic, expensive, and melted faster than social status at a summer party.

🎨 29. There's a Law That Says Your House Has to Be Colorful

Okay, not exactly a law—but Bermuda’s Planning Department strongly encourages homeowners to paint their homes in pastel shades like lemon yellow, coral pink, mint green, and baby blue. It’s become an unspoken code that gives the island its dreamy, sherbet-toned aesthetic. Even utility buildings and bus stops are painted with charm. Tourists often assume it’s for Instagram—but really, it’s about tradition, pride, and keeping things bright against Atlantic gray skies. In Bermuda, the walls really do talk—especially in pink.

🎆 30. The Island Celebrates a National Holiday with Explosions

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is a bizarre British tradition that Bermuda has made its own. Every November 5th, locals light massive bonfires and fireworks to commemorate the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot in England. In Bermuda, it’s less about politics and more about partying. Families gather on the beach, roast marshmallows, and send Roman candles into the sky. Some communities even create straw effigies to burn. It’s one of the few places in the world where this colonial-era event is still celebrated with such spark—and no one quite agrees why.

Bermuda—Where Even the Sand Has a Secret

Bermuda is like that friend who dresses classy but always has the weirdest stories at dinner. It’s refined, yes, but also deeply strange—in the best way. From haunted hotel rooms to whispering tides and snail fossils behind fast-food joints, every corner of this island has a tale to tell. Some are historical, others are mystical, and a few are just plain head-scratchers. But one thing’s for sure: once you experience Bermuda beyond the beach, you’ll never see it the same again.