Guida di San Andrés, barriera corallina e mare blu

UNESCO has declared the entire archipelago, composed of multiple islands, a World Biosphere Reserve. The history of this archipelago (mainly consisting of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina, plus other rocks in the sea) 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 not official 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 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, 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, tranquil, enchanting, framed  by an intense blue sky and crystal-clear waters. Safe because  protected by the third largest coral barrier in the world. Most of the beaches are on the East coast. To the North are the beaches of Spratt Bay with a splendid view of the islet of Johnny Cay, among palm trees and coconut palms. 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 waist-deep water you reach by walking 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:
The islet Johnny Cay, 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 with a thousand colors.
Morgan’s Cave, the cave of Pirate Morgan, linked to legends of treasures and galleons loaded with gold.
The Blow Hole or Hoyo soplador, a set of channels that start from the coral barrier bringing water with great force to an opening from where a powerful  “blast” comes out.
The Aquarium and Haynes Cay, two islets connected by a coral barrier full of life. The 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 architecture of the island and the Baptist church can be found, built in 1847 from pine wood from Alabama.
Cayo Bolivar , 15 miles from San Andrés. Virgin island, uninhabited with fine, white sandy beaches. There if you are lucky, you can also see dolphins.
The Canopy (Tree-top flight) is another activity. Contact Gema Tours or the Canopy La Loma.
Galleon Tour, at night. Lasts two hours, music and “party”!
Semi-submarine tour, glass-bottom to admire the coral reef.
Snorkeling: Boat trip 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 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: The Mundo Marino Agency celebrates underwater weddings with full diving gear, or on a Spanish Galleon also used for Incentives.
You arrive at San Andrés with AVIANCA or other local airlines from Cartagena, Bogota, or even Panama, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla. The flight from Bogota lasts 2.5 hours.