San Andrés Diving & Snorkeling: Complete Guide to Colombia's Caribbean Island
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Contents
- Diving in San Andrés at a Glance
- Top Dive Sites
- El Cañón (The Canyon)
- La Pirámide (The Pyramid)
- Blue Diamond
- El Acuario (The Aquarium)
- El Faro (The Lighthouse)
- The Wreck of the Blue Diamond
- Dive Operators in San Andrés
- Buzos del Caribe
- Sharky Dive Shop
- Caribbean Divers San Andrés
- Snorkeling Without Diving
- PADI Courses
- Getting to San Andrés
- When to Go
- Accommodation Near the Dive Sites
San Andrés sits in the western Caribbean roughly 750 kilometres from the Colombian mainland, closer to Nicaragua than to Bogota. The sea surrounding it — locally called the Sea of Seven Colors for the way its turquoise shades shift from pale sand flats to deep cobalt channels — forms part of the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest marine protected areas in the Caribbean. The coral reefs here are among the healthiest and most biodiverse in the region, covering approximately 65,000 square kilometres of ocean.
For divers, San Andrés offers something unusual: wall dives, shallow coral gardens, historic wrecks and strong marine life sightings all within short boat rides of the island. For non-divers, the snorkeling around the cays and reef flats is genuinely outstanding without needing any equipment beyond a mask.
Diving in San Andrés at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | 27–30°C year-round |
| Visibility | 15–30 metres (best December–April) |
| Depth range | 5m (reef flats) to 40m+ (wall dives) |
| Experience level | Beginner to advanced — suitable sites for all levels |
| Best season | December–April (calmest seas, best visibility) |
| PADI courses | Available from multiple operators |
| Wetsuit | 3mm shorty sufficient year-round |
Top Dive Sites
El Cañón (The Canyon)
The signature dive of San Andrés. A dramatic wall that begins at around 15 metres and drops to beyond 40 metres, covered in sea fans, black coral and tube sponges. The canyon formation channels currents that attract larger pelagic species — eagle rays and occasional hammerhead sharks pass through here. Recommended for Open Water certified divers and above. Depth: 15–40m.
La Pirámide (The Pyramid)
A pyramid-shaped coral formation rising from a sandy bottom at 28 metres to an apex at around 12 metres. The structure is encrusted with tube sponges, barrel sponges and branching coral, with resident green moray eels and several species of grouper. Visibility is typically excellent (20–30m). Good for confident beginner divers. Depth: 12–28m.
Blue Diamond
A combination of reef terrain and sand channels at 8–18 metres, popular with beginner divers and snorkelers from a surface float. The shallow sections have dense staghorn and brain coral with strong fish density — parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and damselfish in numbers. Sea turtles are common. Depth: 8–18m.
El Acuario (The Aquarium)
Technically a snorkeling site more than a dive site, but the water clarity and marine life density at El Acuario — a natural shallow reef pool near Haynes Cay — makes it one of the most visited spots in San Andrés. Depth ranges from 1 to 5 metres. Schools of colourful reef fish, occasional rays and stingrays in the sand. Accessible without a boat from Haynes Cay (reachable by water taxi from San Andrés town, approximately COP 35,000–50,000 return).
El Faro (The Lighthouse)
A moderate wall dive near the northern tip of the island with good current most of the year. Depth: 10–35m. Attracts Caribbean reef sharks on occasion. Best for Advanced Open Water certification and above.
The Wreck of the Blue Diamond
A deliberately sunk vessel at approximately 25 metres, now heavily colonised by coral and sponges. Penetration diving is possible for those with wreck certification; swim-arounds are accessible for all experienced divers. Located near Johnny Cay.
Dive Operators in San Andrés
Buzos del Caribe
One of the most established dive centres on the island, located near the town waterfront. Bilingual guides (Spanish/English). Offers 2-tank morning dives from approximately COP 250,000–310,000 per person including equipment. PADI Open Water course from approximately COP 1,400,000–1,700,000. Nitrox available. Book at least 24 hours ahead in peak season (December–January).
Sharky Dive Shop
Smaller operation with a strong local reputation for smaller group sizes (maximum 6 divers per guide). 2-tank dives from approximately COP 240,000–290,000. Known for access to El Cañón and the wreck sites. Night dives on request, from approximately COP 180,000 per person.
Caribbean Divers San Andrés
PADI 5-Star Dive Centre based near the airport end of the island. Specialises in course instruction — Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue and Divemaster programmes all available. Course prices comparable to Buzos del Caribe; slightly higher for Nitrox specialist courses.
All prices as of 2026. Equipment rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit) is included in most dive packages; confirm when booking. Personal equipment is welcome.
Snorkeling Without Diving
The best snorkeling in San Andrés is accessible without any previous experience or equipment beyond a mask, snorkel and fins (all rentable on Johnny Cay and Haynes Cay for approximately COP 20,000–30,000 per set):
Johnny Cay: A small sandy cay with a protected natural park. The reef surrounds the entire island and is accessible directly from the beach in 0.5–3 metres of water. Water taxis from San Andrés town (COP 35,000–50,000 return). Closes at 5pm; snorkeling best before 11am when the sea is calmest.
Haynes Cay and El Acuario: Adjacent cays east of the main island, reached by water taxi (COP 35,000–50,000 return). The reef pool at El Acuario is the highest-density snorkeling in the area — sea turtles, rays and large schools of reef fish in very shallow water.
La Piscinita (Morgan’s Bay): Accessible directly from the southwest coast of the island by bus or scooter. A natural tide pool formed by an outer reef wall, with calm water and dense marine life. Entry approximately COP 10,000–15,000.
PADI Courses
All three operators above run PADI Open Water courses (the internationally recognised beginner certification) in 3–4 days. The course includes:
- Confined water (pool or shallow bay) skills sessions
- 4 open water checkout dives at reef sites
- Online theory module (complete before arriving if possible)
- PADI certification card valid worldwide
Cost: approximately COP 1,400,000–1,700,000 all inclusive (theory, pool sessions, open water dives, equipment). Bring a passport photo and medical declaration form — agencies provide the form.
For certified divers, a 2-tank morning dive package (including guide, boat, tanks and equipment) typically runs COP 240,000–310,000.
Getting to San Andrés
Fly from Bogota (El Dorado) to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport (ADZ) — flight time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Avianca and LATAM serve the route, with fares from approximately COP 200,000–400,000 one way when booked in advance. Wingo offers budget fares from approximately COP 130,000–250,000. Use an eSIM for Colombia to stay connected on the island — physical SIM cards are available on San Andrés but connectivity is more limited than on the mainland.
Tourism card: All visitors must pay a tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo) on arrival at San Andrés airport — approximately COP 122,000 as of 2026, paid in cash or by card at the airport counter. Colombian nationals are not exempt from this fee.
Getting around the island: Scooter rental is the most practical way to access dive sites and cays independently — approximately COP 60,000–90,000 per day. Golf carts and bicycles are also available. Taxis operate throughout the island.
When to Go
December–April: Peak visibility season. The Caribbean’s dry northeast trade winds keep seas calm and the water clear. This is also high tourism season for the island — book accommodation and dive boats ahead.
July–August: A secondary dry window with good conditions. Popular with Colombian domestic tourists on holiday; some operators get busy.
May–June and September–November: The Atlantic hurricane season. Conditions can be rougher and visibility drops; some operators reduce schedules. Prices for accommodation and flights are significantly lower.
Accommodation Near the Dive Sites
Most dive operators are based near the town centre of San Andrés (North End / El Centro). Good options:
- Hotel El Isleño (walking distance from Buzos del Caribe): from approximately COP 250,000 per night for a double
- Decameron San Luis (beach-facing, scooter ride from town): from approximately COP 580,000–820,000 per night all-inclusive
- Hostel El Viajero San Andrés (budget option, town centre): from approximately COP 70,000 per dorm bed
Book accommodation early for the December–January and Semana Santa peak periods — the island has limited total room stock and fills quickly. For diving and snorkelling tours with vetted operators, tours in San Andres lists day trips and multi-dive packages bookable with free cancellation.
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