Guida di San Andrés, barriera corallina e mare blu

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 islets on the sea) ès different from that of Colombia. In the 17th century  it was colonized by English Puritans who settled there with their slaves. This explains why the inhabitants maintain English as the common but unofficial language, especially in Providencia, the nearby island, 30 minutes by plane. For many years pirates and buccaneers hunting Spanish galleons loaded with gold passing through those 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, emerald-green forests on the 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, quiet, enchanted, framed  by an intense blue sky and crystal-clear waters.  Safe because  protected by the world’s third coral barrier. Most of the beaches are on the East coast. To the North are the Spratt Bay beaches with the splendid view of the islet of Johnny Cay, among palms and coconut trees. Baya San Andres opens on the Northeast coast. To the South towards San Luis, there are delightful white beaches like Cocoplum Bay, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, where with water at waist level 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.
To see and do:
Johnny Cay islet, Regional Park. Located 1.5 km from San Andrés (8 minutes by boat), it is reached by a boat. You can stay all day on the island, have lunch, and swim. White beach, emerald forest behind, and sea of 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 set of channels starting from the coral barrier that push water strongly toward an opening from which a powerful  “blow” comes out.
The Aquarium and Haynes Cay, two islets connected by a coral barrier full of life. Ideal places to admire fish or to scuba dive even with  children or beginners.
The neighborhood of La Loma, on the hill, where the original island architecture is found and the Baptist church, built in 1847 with pine wood from Alabama.
Cayo Bolívar, 15 miles from San Andrés. Virgin island, uninhabited, with fine white sandy beaches. There, if you’re lucky, you can also admire dolphins.
The Canopy (Tree-top flight) is another activity. Contact Gema Tours or the Canopy La Loma.
Galleon Tour, at night. Duration two hours, music and “party”!
Tour with a semi-submarine, glass-bottom to admire the coral reef.
Snorkeling: Boat tour to different underwater observation points with a guide. All 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, both very well equipped, the very nice Decameron one,  and the Sol Caribe one. Here you can eat and practice various water sports.
Curiosity: The Mundo Marino Agency holds underwater weddings with full diving gear, or on a Spanish Galleon that is also used for Incentive purposes.
You can reach San Andrés with AVIANCA or other local companies from Cartagena, Bogota, or even Panama, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla. The flight from Bogota lasts 2.5 hours.