San Andrés Guide, Coral Reef and Blue Sea

UNESCO has declared the entire archipelago, composed of several islands, a World Biosphere Reserve. The history of this archipelago (mainly composed of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina, plus other sea rocks) is different from that of Colombia. In the 17th century, it was colonized by English Puritans who settled there with their slaves. This explains why its inhabitants maintain English as a common but unofficial language, especially in Providencia, the nearby island just 30 minutes by plane. For many years, pirates and privateers hunting Spanish galleons loaded with gold passing through these waters attacked the island. In 1793, England recognized Spain’s sovereignty over the archipelago and later, in 1822, the islands joined the state then called Gran Colombia. The sea is the main attraction of the archipelago, with white beaches, forests on emerald green hills, islets and rocks resting on the water, and the sea passing through all shades of green and blue. These are the coral beaches you have always dreamed of, warm, safe, calm, enchanting, framed by a deep blue sky and crystal-clear waters. Safe because they are protected by the third-largest coral reef in the world. Most beaches are on the East coast. To the North there are Spratt Bay beaches with a splendid view of Johnny Cay islet, surrounded by palm trees and coconut trees. San Andres Bay opens on the Northeast coast. To the South toward San Luis, there are delightful white beaches like Cocoplum Bay, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, where with water waist-high you can walk to a stranded boat, or San Luis or Sound Bay, frequented by tourists and residents. Each is different and full of colors.
Things to see and do:
Johnny Cay islet, Regional Park. Located 1.5 km from San Andrés (8 minutes by boat), it is reachable by ferry. You can stay all day on the island, have lunch and swim. White beach, emerald forest at the back, and sea with a thousand colors.
Morgan’s Cave, the Pirate Morgan’s cave, linked to legends of treasures and galleons loaded with gold.
The Blow Hole or Hoyo Soplador, a series of channels starting from the coral reef that forcefully push water through an opening, creating a powerful “blow”.
The Aquarium and Haynes Cay, two islets connected by a coral reef full of life. Ideal places to admire fish or to do scuba diving even with children or beginners.
The La Loma neighborhood, on a hill, where the original island architecture is found including the Baptist church, built in 1847 from pine wood sourced from Alabama.
Cayo Bolivar, 15 miles from San Andrés. Virgin, uninhabited island with fine white sandy beaches. If you are lucky, you might also spot dolphins there.
The Canopy (zip-lining between trees) is another activity. Contact Gema Tours or Canopy La Loma.
Galleon Ride, at night. Two hours long, with music and a “fiesta”!
Semi-submarine tour, with glass-bottom to admire the coral reef.
Snorkeling: Boat trip to different underwater observation points with a guide. Everything included with drinks, mask, snorkel, and fins rental.
Diving: Banda Dive Shop – Luis Miguel Banda Caro or Gloria Echeverry Botero.
Sports: There are two Beach Clubs or Club de Playa, both very well equipped, the very nice Decameron one and the Sol Caribe one. Here you can eat and practice various water sports.
Curiosities: Mundo Marino Agency celebrates underwater weddings with full scuba gear, or on a Spanish galleon also used for incentives.
San Andrés is reachable with AVIANCA or other local airlines from Cartagena, Bogotá, or also from Panama, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla. The flight from Bogotá lasts 2.5 hours.