Andros may not be on the forefront of your radar of top places to visit, but it very well should be. Andros is filled with options for nature lovers and it’s just a quick hop away from the big city of Nassau. If you are planning to visit Nassau, I highly recommend taking a few days before you depart to hop to an Out Island, and Andros would be a perfect option for those that are looking for a slower-paced, nature escape.

Captain Bill’s Blue Hole

Here is a sample itinerary for your easy trip to Andros Catch the early flight from Nassau into Fresh Creek/Andros Town. The flight is a quick 15 minutes and you’ll barely have a chance to realize you’re in the air before you’ve landed in Andros. Upon arrival, you can arrange an airport pickup and head to Small Hope Bay in order to start your explorations. Small Hope Bay offers a variety of tours and adventures for guests to experience. You can take a Blue Hole Tour, where you’ll jump into 3 blue holes (out of the 30 registered blue holes in Andros), or perhaps do an orchid walk, as you look for a variety of over 300 species of birds and learn about bush medicine with a certified nature and birding guide. If you are an avid fishermen or want to learn about fly fishing, arrange a guide for a half day of bonefishing. Return to the lodge at Small Hope Bay for a family-style dining experience.

You’ll see plenty of wild orchids on your nature walks

Empty fishing rod holders means it’s a good day to be on the water

The next morning don your snorkel or SCUBA gear and head out to the Great Barrier Reef, the third largest barrier reef in the world. Wall dives, caverns, blue holes, and coral nurseries are only 20 minutes away from the dock. If you are interested in learning, take a SCUBA course in order to get a taste of the underwater world. In the afternoon, take a tour of nearby Androsia Batik Factory, which are hand designed and dyed fabrics made right there in Fresh Creek. Arrange a reservation in advance to make your own print and leave with a colorful souvenir. Get ready for your afternoon flight back to Nassau or extend your stay.

Hand dying Androsia batik

Androsia pineapple print hanging on the line to dry after being dyed

If you decide to extend your stay, organize an all-day safari to the remote West Side of Andros. Within the protected national park is a pristine ecosystem. Here you’ll see the infamous West Indian Pink Flamingos, Roseate Spoonbills, Herons, Pelicans, Turtles, Sharks, Dolphins and Iguanas. For a cultural tour, visit the Black Seminole village of Red Bays to witness the thriving basket weaving and wood carving traditions. Support the local community by purchasing their handmade goods and bringing a souvenir home with you. If you want to splurge for star treatment, book a night at Kamalame Cay. Take the short ferry ride from Staniard Creek to this private island just off of mainland Andros. It’s tucked within mature palm trees along a gorgeous stretch of picture-perfect white sandy beach. Here you can arrange diving, snorkeling, and day trips to a remote cay. Relax at their over-water spa and enjoy dining at the Great House. You may be tempted to stay even longer. When you’re ready to head back to civilization, arrange with Kamalame Cay to hop a seaplane back to Nassau or direct to Ft. Lauderdale.

The Great Room at Kamalame Cay

Beach villas at Kamalame Cay

STAY

Small Hope Bay Lodge was established in 1960 by Dick Birch and is now run by a second and third generation of Birches. It was the first resort dive-oriented resort in The Bahamas and the first in the Caribbean region to offer dive instruction. The resort is family oriented, and 70% of guests typically come back year after year. When you enter the great hall, you feel as though you are at one of the traditional family summer resorts from the days of old. The welcoming sense of community is rare in the resorts of today. A large stone fireplace is put to good use in the cool winter months and homemade meals are enjoyed at communal indoor picnic tables. Seventeen cabins were built in the 60s of coral rock and pine and are decorated in colorful Androsia prints (a company also owned by the Birch family) and local art. Kamalame Cay is a private island resort just off of mainland Andros. It’s located on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, activities include dive trips through their on-site dive shop, lunching on a nearby island or sandbar, bonefishing and deep sea fishing or just relaxing on a quiet stretch of beach. The narrow island is hugged by the calm ocean side and mangrove flats on the other side and offers accommodations tucked into dense foliage and with breathtaking ocean views. There is a sense of an old-world charm with the rock walls, wood paneling ceilings and stone tile flooring. Wake up in one of their bungalows and feel as though you are right on the beach, or rent one of the beachfront villa homes. Visit the Kamalame Cay article for more info.

GETTING THERE

San Andros Airport (SAQ) services Nicholl’s Town and North Andros and receives two daily flights from Nassau on Western Air. Andros Town Airport (ASQ) services Fresh Creek and Central Andros. Leair has two flights daily into Andros Town. Watermakers Air flies from Ft Lauderdale Executive airport to San Andros on Mon., Wed., Sat. & Sun. Tropic Ocean Airways is a seaplane charter that flies from Ft. Lauderdale International and will land in San Andros or Andros Town/Fresh Creek airport, or at your accommodations.

For more travel information, be sure to check out my travel guidebook, Moon Bahamas.