Andros Islands

The Spanish "discovered" Andros about 1550. Pirates used the island in the 18th century including Sir Henry Morgan. By the 19th C the island was being used as a refuge by freed slaves and Florida Seminole Indians. Their decendents today number about 10,000.

Andros is actually a series of many small islands in three major groups or bights. Boaters like exploring the many channels, especially because of the island's proximity to Florida.

While there are roads up several sections of the east coast, it is not possible to drive between the islands.

Andros is the largest of the Bahamian islands at 2300sq.mi/5955sq.km. The main touristic interest of Andros is the barrier reef (the third largest in the world) that runs along the eastern edge of the island, plus the many freshwater blue hole and underwater caves, both of which attract divers. Uncle Charlie's and Captain Bill's Blue Holes are two of the more popular Blue Holes for tourists.

The bights between islands are prime fishing areas.

There is also a rich bird life in the mud flats, mangrove swamps, and the variety of forests: scrub, pine, palm, and mahogany.

The main settlement is Andros Town on the Northern Island.

There are four small airports on Andros: ASD (Andros Town), SAQ (San Andros near Nicholl's Town, Morgan's Bluff, Mastic Point), MAY (Mangrove Cay near Moxey Town on the middle island) and TZN (South Andros island near Driggs Hill, Congo Town and Kemp's Bay.