Diving in San Andres

Many first-time visitors ask the same question: why dive in San Andres? The short answer is warm, absurdly clear water over a living barrier reef, all year round. Sea temperatures hover around 28°C (82°F), visibility often runs 20 to 30 metres, and the reef that wraps the island belongs to the protected Seaflower Biosphere Reserve - so the coral is healthy and the fish are plentiful. Guided by experienced PADI instructors, divers of every level find something here, from first bubbles in a sheltered lagoon to deep walls that drop into the blue.

What the reef is like

San Andres sits on the third-longest barrier reef in the world. On the eastern side the reef shelters a calm lagoon perfect for beginners and snorkellers; on the outer edge it plunges away in coral walls, canyons and swim-throughs. Between them lie coral gardens teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, barracuda, moray eels, spotted eagle rays and, in season, nurse sharks and turtles. The variety of coral and sea-fan life is what earns the island its reputation among Caribbean divers.

Signature dive sites

• Blue Wall (La Pared Azul) - the island's classic deep dive, a sheer coral wall dropping past 30 metres, patrolled by big pelagics.
• The Pyramids & Wild Life - coral heads and sandy channels on the eastern reef, rich with reef fish and rays; gentle enough for newer divers.
• Nirvana & Trampa Tortuga - reef plateaus where turtles and nurse sharks are often seen resting.
• Wreck of the Nicaraguan Boat & the Blue Diamond - shallow wreck dives that have become artificial reefs, good for photography.
• Cantil / West Point - a dramatic drop-off on the less-visited western side, for experienced divers when conditions allow.

Beginners, courses and snorkelling

You do not need a certification to get in the water. Most centres run a Discover Scuba Diving try-dive for complete beginners, as well as full open-water and advanced courses, refreshers and Nitrox. Because the lagoon is so calm and shallow, San Andres is a forgiving place to learn. If you would rather stay on the surface, the snorkelling is superb - the West View cove and the shallows off the cays let you drift over coral and rays with nothing more than a mask and fins.

Choosing a dive centre

San Andres has a cluster of dive shops, most based in North End near Spratt Bight, and standards vary. A few things to look for: internationally recognised certification (PADI or SSI), small group sizes, well-maintained rental gear, and a briefing that takes conservation seriously. The best operators cap numbers, brief you on not touching the coral, and know the reserve's rules. It is worth asking whether the shop is locally owned and how it supports reef protection.

Diving responsibly in a protected reserve

Because the reef is protected, the rules are stricter than in some Caribbean destinations - and that is a good thing. Do not touch, stand on or collect coral or shells; maintain good buoyancy; keep your fins clear of the bottom; and never feed the fish. Reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle go a long way. Treated well, this reef will still be spectacular for the next generation of divers.

Diving is only half of San Andres's water life. Pair a dive morning with a boat trip to El Acuario and Haynes Cay or the far sandbar of Cayo Bolivar, and read our travel guide for the best months to visit.