Stories of monsters, missing ships, and whirlpools that swallow entire fleets have been told by sailors for centuries. It’s time to swab the decks of fiction, though. This ship is bound for the waves of truth, so join us on this journey.
The Bermuda Triangle
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Let’s start with the biggest, the most infamous of all modern maritime myths: the Bermuda Triangle, a nebulous patch of ocean between Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico that allegedly gulps down ships and aircraft.
Most of these disappearances in the past had logical explanations. The region is prone to sudden storms and powerful Gulf Stream currents. Magnetic north and true north converge in this area, which can throw off navigation if you’re using a 17th-century compass and no GPS. So, in short, it is no longer a dangerous zone. In 1975, a study by Lloyd’s of London found that the Bermuda Triangle was no more dangerous than any other stretch of heavily trafficked ocean.
The Lost City of Atlantis
The myth originates with Plato, who, in his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, describes Atlantis as a naval superpower located “beyond the Pillars of Hercules” (likely the Strait of Gibraltar). According to him, the city met its end 9,000 years before his time, in a dramatic act of divine retribution.
For centuries, the origin of Atlantis was a controversial matter. The fact that Plato most likely never intended Atlantis to be a historical record is something that is frequently forgotten. The majority of academics concur that it was a warning about hubris and moral decay and a philosophical allegory.
Sea Monsters
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The Leviathan, Kraken and the sea serpent. Medieval maps were peppered with warnings: “Here Be Monsters”
But many so-called sea monsters were just misunderstood marine life, or mariners who’d been at sea a bit too long with a bit too much rum. For instance, the Kraken, feared in Norse legend for its ability to create whirlpools and eat ships whole, is now believed to be inspired by the giant squid.
Also, the sea serpents are probably misidentified versions of oarfish—a ribbonlike species that can grow over 10 meters.
No Bananas On Board
Among the more peculiar rules in the unwritten sailor’s handbook is this one: no bananas on board.
But why? One theory stems from the 1700s, when wooden cargo ships transporting bananas from the Caribbean to Europe had a nasty habit of disappearing—or arriving with dead crews. Bananas spoil fast, so ships carrying them had to sail at dangerous speeds, leaving little time for fishing, maintenance, or weather evasion.
Some believe the methane released by rotting fruit below deck caused health issues or even combustion in tightly packed holds. Others point to banana shipments harboring venomous spiders—one unexpected eight-legged stowaway could spark panic and chaos.
Today, the superstition persists in certain nautical circles, especially among sport fishermen, where the phrase “Don’t bring bananas!” is delivered with the gravity of a Mayday call.
Whirlpools
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Some myths describe whirlpools so vast that they could suck entire ships into the underworld. Scylla and Charybdis in Homer’s Odyssey are prime examples, turning a sea passage into a choice between a rock monster and watery death spiral.
In reality, whirlpools do exist—but they’re rarely lethal. The Maelstrom off Norway’s coast can pull small boats off course, but it’s no sea blender. Most whirlpools form when opposing tides collide or when currents pass through narrow straits, like Saltstraumen in Norway or the Corryvreckan in Scotland.
They can be dangerous to small craft, but they’re no match for modern vessels.
Mermaids
The mermaid myth is nearly universal, from the sirens of Greek mythology to the ningyo of Japan. Early sailors reported seeing women with fish tails, long hair, and often, unnervingly bad attitudes.
But mermaid sightings were likely fueled by manatees or dugongs—marine mammals that can look vaguely human-shaped from a distance. Long voyages, poor vision, and scurvy-induced hallucinations didn’t help.
Christopher Columbus even wrote of seeing mermaids near the Dominican Republic. He admitted ‘She was not as beautiful as they are said to be, for she had some masculine features.”
