Devil's Hole, Bermuda

For other uses, see Devils Hole (disambiguation).

Devil's Hole was a large water-filled sinkhole, close to the southeastern corner of Harrington Sound, Bermuda. At one time an littoral cave, it is fed by the Atlantic ocean proper, rather than the far closer sound, via an underground estuary. It closed in 2009.

The hole got its name after the cave roof collapsed. The resultant open hole produces eerie sounds as the water rises and falls, which were thought by early settlers to be the Devil moaning.

It had been a tourist attraction since the 1830s, as it forms a natural tropical aquarium.^[1] Species range from green turtles to moray eels, and many species of reef fish can be found.

Devil's hole is also used as a landmark on the island. The landmark is a useful way for people to get their bearings on their surroundings relative to Harrington Sound. Devil's hole is 2 km (1.24 miles) from Flats village.

References

1. Rider, Fremont (1922). Rider's Bermuda; a guide book for travelers, with 4 maps. H. Holt and company. pp. 86-87. A few rods beyond Knapton Hill we reach, on R., the Devil's Hole or Neptune's Grotto, a natural fish pond connected by subterranean crevices with the sea. It was originally a cavern, the roof of which must have fallen in at some re-mote period. Stalactites and Stalagmites are still to be seen in course of formation around the side walls. Although barely 50 yards distant from the shore, the waters in the Hole have no known connection with Harrington Sound, but come from the Ocean on the South Shore which is 1/5 mi. away at the nearest point. The name, Devil's Hole, is said to have come from superstitious fears caused by the strange subterranean noises made by the water when entering at very low tide. Since first opened to the public in 1834 as an aquarium, it has been one of Bermuda's chief attractions. With an average depth of 30 ft., the pool has a capacity of many hundred fishes. They are mostly large "Hamlets," or "Hamlet Groupers," with a few green Angel-fish, Oldwives or "Turbots," etc. Entrance fee, 2s.

32°19′15″N 64°42′55″W / 32.320924°N 64.715245°W / 32.320924; -64.715245