Andros for divers: the world's third-largest barrier reef explained

Andros is the biggest island in the Bahamas by a wide margin, and the least developed. It sits west of Nassau across the Tongue of the Ocean — a 6,000-foot-deep underwater canyon that pulls cool, nutrient-rich water onto the island's barrier reef.

That reef is the third largest on Earth, behind only Australia's and Belize's. And almost nobody dives it.

Why Andros is special

The Andros Barrier Reef runs 190 miles down the eastern shore. Two miles offshore the reef wall drops vertically into the Tongue of the Ocean — a wall dive in 80°F water with visibility that regularly hits 100 feet. Spotted eagle rays, reef sharks, and the occasional hammerhead patrol the wall edge.

And then there are the blue holes. Andros has more inland blue holes than any other place on Earth — vertical underwater caverns formed during the last ice age. Some are open-water sinkholes; some require advanced cave diver certification. The most famous are Captain Bill's Blue Hole and Stargate.

Where to base yourself

Most divers stay on the central coast near Fresh Creek or Andros Town. Small Hope Bay Lodge is the legendary spot — an all-inclusive dive resort that's been running since 1960 and trains a lot of the divers you meet elsewhere in the Caribbean. Tiamo Resort and Kamalame Cay are the luxury options, both with private dive ops.

If you want to be near Captain Bill's, stay in the Cargill Creek area. For South Andros and the bonefish flats, base in Driggs Hill or Congo Town.

For your first time diving Andros

You don't need to be an advanced diver. The reef sites in shallow water (30-60ft) are gentle and the visibility makes them easy to navigate. Dive operators will assess your level on the first dive and group you accordingly.

Wall dives and cave dives require more experience. Most operators won't take you on a true cave dive without Cavern Diver certification at minimum. The wall edge can be done at 80ft and most certified open-water divers can handle it with a guide.

When to come

March through September is best for diving. The water is warmest and the visibility most reliable. Late summer brings the occasional storm but also the best wildlife — manta rays, schools of jacks, the rare bull shark.

December through February is also fine, just cooler. You'll want a 5mm wetsuit instead of a 3mm.

Buddy's tip

If you're combining Andros with another island, fly Andros first while you're fresh. The diving's the main event and the rest of the islands are easier on tired legs. Quick 25-minute hop from Nassau on Western Air.