Located 90 miles off the coast of Nicaragua, and hundreds of miles to the northwest of Columbia, to which it belongs, the island of San Andres covers just 26 square kilometers and is shaped a little like a seahorse. Flat, and surrounded by ironstone deposits, the island is surrounded by coral reefs. Trade winds blow from the east, so most diving occurs off the island’s western shore. Here are just five of the most popular sites around San Andres – there are many more, ranging from sites that feature shallow beds of seagrass to those that feature stunning drop-offs and plenty of big fish action.
The Pyramids
Also known as La Piramide, The Pyramids is a great site for all divers, with an abundance of colorful reef fish, along with loads of anemones, nudibranchs, and other invertebrates. Here, you’ll find snappers and French grunts, plus ghost pipefish, gobies, shrimp, and crustaceans, to name just a few. Maximum depth is 28 meters, and the site is extremely popular after the sun goes down.
Blue Wall
Suitable only for expert divers, Blue Wall is an absolutely spectacular wall covered with huge bouquets of tube sponge and masses of colorful coral that hang suspended above a drop that ends thousands of feet below the surface. The wall begins at a depth of about seven meters, and is home to an endless array of life in all shapes, sizes and colors. Watch for big sharks and sea turtles passing in the blue; be cautious as surge can be very strong here. At a depth of about 40 meters, there’s a huge cave called Grouper Palace, which is surrounded by black coral and gorgonians; it is usually full of durgon rather than groupers.
Wild Life
Named for the abundance of species you’ll find here, Wild Life is located on the island’s west side, just to the south of the Nirvana reef dive site. Here, everything from clouds of shimmering reef fish to passing pelagics can be seen; currents tend to be calm, and the site begins in shallow water. Newer divers can stay along the reef top, while those with more experience can explore the wall that drops away into the blue beyond.
Trampa Tortuga
An outstanding site where you’ll encounter everything from reef sharks to sea turtles, to schooling fish in a rainbow of colors, Trampa Tortuga is an excellent multi-level dive site. The shallow portion of the reef extends to a depth of about 15 meters, making it ideal for less adventurous divers; on the outer reef though, one can take a technical dive all the way to a depth of 90 meters, encountering some big groupers and even bigger sharks along the way.
Nirvana
Another excellent site for all divers, and a great site for night dives, Nirvana features maximum depth at just 15 meters and is home to plenty of colorful reef fish, along with lots of invertebrates and crustaceans. Watch for smallish reef sharks and the occasional turtle, along with stingrays, octopus, and pipefish.
The reefs at San Andres are in excellent condition, as the area is off the beaten path. Visibility here is astonishingly good, often exceeding 30 meters, and the marine life is exquisite. Bring your camera with you and prepare to enjoy some great diving, excellent local cuisine, and a friendly reception from the island’s people.