Andros, a hidden gem to discover The Bahamas

More than 2 million acres are currently protected, including marine and terrestrial sites, across over 30 National Parks throughout the archipelago Las Bahamas. The most famous islands there are Andros, Grand Bahama Island and The Exumas.

Surrounded by the third largest barrier reef in the world, with seafloor plunging to 3 km deep, Andros is one of the most impressive islands in The Bahamas.

At 2,300 square miles, Andros is the largest island of The Bahamas and the fifth-largest island in the Caribbean. Its miles of deserted beaches and freshwater lakes play host to countless species of wildlife, marine life, flora and fauna. Surrounded by legend and mystery, Andros is an Eden-like paradise of sun-kissed white sand beaches, lush green foliage, vivid wild orchids, spectacular tidal blue holes and stunning coral reef – the third largest barrier reef in the world.

Dive in for a real underwater adventure

The Andros Park System is the country’s largest protected area, and includes five national parks: Blue Holes National Park, Crab Replenishment Reserve, North & South Marine Parks and the West Side National Park.

Andros has the highest concentration of blue holes in the world. They house many unusual and unique cave fish and invertebrates, some not found anywhere else in the world.

The reef is 190 miles long, drops to about eight feet on the island side and plunges to more than 6,000 feet in the Tongue of the Ocean. It is unique in the region because of its size, luxuriant coral growth, and low incidence of coral disease. So, Andros is perfect for lovers of snorkell, diving and marine wildlife. Andros allows visitors to dive into the depths of the sea floor, between turquoise waters and porous rocks that create mysterious caves and stunning blue holes that will remain in our memory forever.

The shark dives of The Bahamas are real ‘bucket- list’ material; tiger sharks, hammerheads and bull sharks all jostle for the divers’ attention. No place on earth can match The Islands Of The Bahamas for sheer breath-taking diversity. Wreck and reef dives, a wealth of shallow, clear water sites for beginners and an incredible range of blue hole caverns and precipitous sponge- encrusted sea walls for advanced divers ensure that everyone will experience something utterly amazing.

So closed to heaven

There, we can also experience a close encounter with nature and the range of eco tours includes hiking, cycling, kayaking, walking, birdwatching and exploration of the abundant marine life in the phenomenally clear waters that surround the archipelago.

To our stay, we find The small Hope Bay Lodge, created in 1960. It offers all beachfront cabins, fresh international cuisine, diving, snorkeling, fishing, nature walks. One recommended visit is the Ocean Blue Hole, where we can see cracks and flaws that make up a magical setting. The Guardian Blue Hole, meanwhile, is one of the most impressive blue holes in the world. It is decorated with stalactites and in it we can descend to 100 meters.

Another recommendation to stay is Kamalame Cay, a hidden gem just off Andros’ mainland that sparkles in all its blue-hued Bahamian beauty; and Tiamo Resorts, a luxury Eco-resort, an idyllic place for a truly amazing escape!