Here’s a tip for all you adventure-hungry sailors. If you think you’re approaching an island, make sure you double check that it’s not actually a huge demonic whale tricking you into pulling up onto its back.

Legend has it that this mishap occurred when 6th century explorer Saint Brendan the Navigator landed on the back of The Devil Whale on Easter Sunday, mistaking it for a beach. After starting a fire to cook his meal, the “island” started swimming away.

A similar story is found in Sinbad the Sailor, while 13th century French poet Guillaume le Clerc speaks of a dangerous monster that is “a bad neighbour for sailors”, deceiving sailors into thinking its back is a desert island.