Activities in San Andrés
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Banda Dive Shop
Extra-friendly dive shop offering two-tank dives for COP$150,000 and PADI open-water certification for COP$730,000.
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Diving
Thanks to the beautiful coral reefs all around, San Andrés has become an important diving center, with more than 35 different spots for diving.
The reefs are notable for their sponges, which appear in an amazing variety of forms, sizes and colors. Other aquatic inhabitants include barracudas, turtles, lobsters, rays, groupers and red snappers.
Underwater visibility is remarkable, on average between 25m and 30m of sight throughout the year, though at some places it can be up to 45m or even 60m. This is largely due to the lack of currents and minimal erosion. The surface is also generally calm, particularly on the west side of the island. Last but not least, water temperatu…
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Semisubmarino Manatí
A specially designed boat with large windows in its hull. It departs once or twice daily (depending on demand) for a tour around the nearby reefs northeast of town. If you are not planning on scuba diving or snorkeling, this trip is probably the next best option for viewing the rich marine wildlife. Tickets for the trip can be bought from the office of the Cooperativa de Lancheros.
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Semisubmarino Nautilus
A specially designed boat with large windows in its hull. It does trips from the wharf just west of the Casa de la Cultura. If you are not planning on scuba diving or snorkeling, this trip is probably the next best option for viewing the rich marine wildlife. Tickets can be bought from Mundo Marino or from the operator's desk at the wharf.
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La Piscinita
Also known as West View, just south of El Cove, La Piscinita is a good site for snorkeling, usually with calm water, plenty of fish (which will eat out of your hand) and some facilities, including a restaurant with traditional local food and snorkel rental. When the sea is rough, you can only feed the fish from land.
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Acuario
Next to Haynes Cay, off the east coast of San Andrés, Acuario is another place frequently visited by tourists by boat. The surrounding sea is shallow and calm and good for snorkeling. If you forget to bring your snorkeling gear you can rent some on the beach in Acuario for about US$2.
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Snorkeling, Sting Rays, Sunset & Beer
The name says it all, really. Jaime Restrepo runs a slightly flexible tour to swim with the sting rays at Haynes Cay, and throws in some deep-water snorkeling and brews on top of the package. It’s somewhat casual and limited to groups of 10. The tour leaves at 3pm from Tonino’s Marina.
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Cooperativa de Lancheros Tours
On the town's beach, the Cooperativa provides trips to Johnny Cay and Acuario, plus a combined tour to both cays. The Cooperativa also offers tours to the outlying islands, including Cayo Bolívar. These longer tours can also be organized through some of the diving schools.
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Tren Blanco
A sort of road train pulled by a tractor dressed up like a locomotive, it departs every morning to circle the island, stopping at several sights along the way (three hours). The same route can be done, by up to four people, in a taxi for around US$18.
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Mundo Marino
Operates the Captain Morgan party boat, a two-hour evening boat ride (departing at 8:30pm Tue, Thu & Sat) with live music and all-you-can-drink national spirits (per person COP$58,000) as well as the Semisubmarino Nautilus.
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Chamay’s Nautica
The go-to shop for watersports. DIY rental possibilities per hour here include kayaks (COP$25,000), windsurfing (COP$70,000) and kitesurfing (COP$100,000).
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San Andrés Divers
Though not centrally located, this large shop and school has a great reputation and offers PADI certification for a little less (COP$680,000).
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Buzos del Caribe
The oldest and largest facility. It has good equipment and a fine reputation. Two-tank dives cost COP$130,000.
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Karibik Diver
This small school provides quality equipment, personalized service and long dives.
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