Legends of Centipede Island: Where 18-foot insects and spirits roam.

Centipede Island: Myths and legends of the Bocas del Dragón

Tucked quietly in the churning blue straits between Trinidad and Venezuela lies a mysterious dot of land known officially as Gasparillo Island, but more famously and ominously as Centipede Island. Part of the scenic Bocas del Dragón (Dragon’s Mouth) channel, this tiny, forested isle is rich in both natural wonder and supernatural lore. Though barely a few acres in size and officially uninhabited, Centipede Island has inspired generations of Trinidadian myths, tales of monstrous creatures, ghostly apparitions, and inexplicable events.

In this in-depth exploration, we unravel the legends and historical facts that make Centipede Island one of the most enigmatic locations in the Caribbean a place where folklore and geography intertwine to spark curiosity and awe.

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A name that crawls through history

Before exploring its spine-tingling stories, it’s worth considering how the island came by its many names. Originally charted on early colonial maps as Gasparillo, it has long been called “Little Gasparee”, a nod to its proximity to the larger Gaspar Grande Island. Sailors, however, preferred the more poetic “Centre Piece”, due to its central position in the narrow channel that connects the Gulf of Paria to the Atlantic Ocean.

But it is the nickname “Centipede Island” that has endured, a name born not of beauty, but of terror. According to local folklore, the island teems with monstrous centipedes, some allegedly as long as a fishing skiff. Long ago, sailors claimed these creatures could be seen from their boats, curling and uncurling like serpents in the shadows of the limestone cliffs. Whether truth or exaggeration, this myth gave the island its most memorable moniker and its fearsome reputation.

Creepy crawlies: The Centipedes of Legend

The 18-Foot Centipede

The most infamous tale of Centipede Island is, unsurprisingly, that of the giant centipede. Some versions of the myth describe these creatures as 6 to 18 feet long, slithering through the forest floor or creeping over rocks in broad daylight.

While the largest known species in Trinidad the Giant Centipede or Scolopendra gigantea only grows to around 30 centimetres or 12 inches, many fishermen and campers still speak of “oversized” centipedes seen on the island.

One tour guide once quipped, “If they bite you, it’s not poison you worry about, it’s being dragged away!” While said jokingly, the warning reflects a genuine wariness among locals. Even today, some adventurers bring insect repellent more for psychological comfort than practical necessity.

The scorpion curse

In earlier years, Centipede Island was also called “Scorpion Island”, likely due to the abundance of rocky terrain where these stinging arthropods tend to hide. According to old fisherman tales, the first brave soul who tried camping there fled in horror after waking up with scorpions crawling over his sleeping bag. Though there’s no scientific evidence of unusual scorpion populations on the island, the myth adds another layer of mystery to its already fearsome fauna.

Haunted by nature: The terrifying legends of Centipede Island, Trinidad.

The island’s otherworldly inhabitants

Beyond bugs, Centipede Island’s folklore includes some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most iconic supernatural figures, said to haunt its caves, coves and twisted paths.

Papa Bois: Guardian of the forest

The island’s rugged dry forest is home, according to legend, to Papa Bois, the half-man, half-goat guardian of wildlife. Known throughout Trinidadian folklore as the protector of animals and nature, Papa Bois is said to punish those who harm birds or litter the island. The story warns that he may transform violators into plants or animals — forever binding them to the island.

For nature lovers, Papa Bois serves as a spiritual reminder to respect the delicate ecosystem of this isolated refuge.

Douens: The lost children

Douens, another folkloric staple, are ghostly children with no faces and backward feet who lure the living into the forest. On Centipede Island, where the thick bush can quickly obscure paths, parents are warned to keep children close, especially at dusk. Some swear they’ve heard laughter or whispers among the trees — a chilling reminder of the legends passed down through generations.

La Diablesse: The devil woman

One of the more seductive spirits of Trinidadian folklore is La Diablesse, the beautiful woman with a cloven hoof hidden beneath her dress. Said to appear in flowing clothes and a wide-brimmed hat, she tempts wandering men into dangerous terrain. Her presence is rumoured on Centipede Island’s narrow paths and among the overgrown caves. Stories say if you see a woman in the distance while camping there — don’t follow.

Lagahoo: The shapeshifter

The Lagahoo, or Caribbean werewolf, is another creature associated with isolated wilderness. Part-man, part-beast, it reportedly drags chains and prowls in solitude. Some claim Centipede Island’s eerie cries and rustling branches on moonless nights are signs of the Lagahoo’s passage. While dismissed by most as myth, the island’s loneliness adds credence to tales of haunted creatures.

Witchcraft and water spirits

Soucouyant: The fireball witch

Among Trinidad’s most terrifying supernatural beings is the soucouyant an old woman who sheds her skin and transforms into a glowing red fireball. This vampire-like witch is said to suck the blood of sleeping victims. Some claim to have seen flickering orbs skimming the waters around Centipede Island especially during new moons or stormy nights.

These lights may be bioluminescent plankton, but locals often refer to them as “the soucouyant’s flame”. For safety — or tradition — villagers used to scatter rice on the ground, believing the soucouyant must stop to count each grain.

Mama D’Leau: The water mother

Mama D’Leau (also called Mama Dlo), the mermaid-like water spirit of Trinidadian folklore, is believed to inhabit rivers and coastal pools. With the upper body of a woman and the tail of a serpent, she combs her hair by moonlight and curses those who disrespect the sea.

Fishermen travelling through the Bocas channel often toss coins into the water near Centipede Island, offering respect to the spirit. Whispered stories tell of ripples appearing with no wind, or waves that slap boats without warning — signs, perhaps, of Mama Dlo watching.

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Other myths unique to Centipede Island

The vanishing fishermen

Stories persist of fishermen who docked at Centipede Island and were never seen again. Their boats were found drifting with all belongings intact. Adding credibility to fishermen’s tales of 18th-century pirates burying treasure on the island and then placing a curse on it. Those who try to dig for gold allegedly meet misfortune, disappearance, sudden illness, or freak accidents.

Some say ghostly figures (possibly dead pirates) patrol the island at night, protecting their loot. The victims taken by the spirits. Others believe the island holds hidden caves or sinkholes. The mystery remains.

The haunted well

According to myth, there’s a bottomless well on the island that whispers and never runs dry. Drinking from it is said to grant eternal life, at the cost of your sanity. Some even claim it’s a gateway to the underworld. No such well has ever been officially located, but the legend remains popular among night-time campers.

Singing rocks and shifting land

Unusual sounds on the island melodic hums from the cliffs or humming from the caves — have been explained by wind patterns. But locals call these the “singing rocks”. A related myth suggests the island isn’t fixed in place that it moves slightly over time. Seafarers claim the island has appeared in different spots than expected, feeding into speculation that it’s alive or cursed.

Hadco Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre (Ecolodge)

HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre is a sanctuary. Nestled in an ancient rainforest, in the Northern Range of the island of Trinidad, the Asa Wright Nature Centre was established in 1967 with a mission to protect part of the Arima and Aripo valleys for wildlife conservation, education, and scientific research. Home to an easily accessible breeding colony of the rare, nocturnal Oilbird, the Centre covers 1,500 acres of protected rainforest, which houses a rich biota with an outstanding species list that includes native mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies, and a variety of flowering plant species.

A real-life paradise… with a haunting past

Despite its ominous folklore, Centipede Island today is a nature lover’s haven. The dry forest and limestone terrain support birds like pelicans, vultures, swifts, and even fruit bats. Snorkellers admire the coral-rich waters, and kayakers exploring the Bocas often find the island a perfect stop for lunch — or a few spooky stories.

Glowing waters and ghost ships

Occasionally, visitors witness bioluminescence in the waters, with glowing blue trails in the surf. Some explain this as plankton, others attribute it to lost souls or phantom canoes. During World War II, the US Navy used surrounding islands as patrol outposts, adding a historical layer to the region’s maritime mysteries. Some even claim to have seen ghostly ships vanish into fog near Centipede Island’s shore.

Dare to discover Centipede Island?

Whether you believe the legends or not, there’s no denying that Centipede Island holds a unique place in Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape. It is a confluence of folklore, biodiversity, maritime history, and otherworldly charm.

From giant Arthropods to shapeshifting spirits, from pirate gold to singing stones, the island is both a storyteller’s paradise and a real-world escape into raw natural beauty.

If you ever kayak or boat through the Bocas del Dragón, you might want to bring your camera — and maybe a lucky charm. Because when it comes to Centipede Island, you’re never entirely sure what’s real and what belongs to the realm of legend.

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