Beginner Colombia
San Andrés and Providencia
One of the longest barrier reefs in the Caribbean, facing a small island, within a biosphere reserve
Two hundred kilometers from the coast of Nicaragua and seven hundred from Colombia, a tiny archipelago holds a barrier reef that ranks among the longest in the hemisphere, with a small island that sees almost no tourism and water known for its seven distinct colors.
In this profile you'll find how diving works on each of the two main islands, what it means for the whole archipelago to be a biosphere reserve, what you'll see, when to go, and what level you need.
It's the largest marine protected area in the Colombian Caribbean and one of the few places where an extensive barrier reef still sits beside a small island community instead of a row of resort complexes.
Geography and access
The archipelago sits in the southwestern Caribbean, much closer to Central America than to the Colombian coast, on an isolated carbonate platform.
The main island is low and elongated, with fringing reefs, walls to the east, and sandy bottoms to the west.
The smaller island, to the north, is volcanic and mountainous, and off its coast runs a barrier reef dozens of kilometers long: one of the longest in the Western Hemisphere.
Between the two lie shallow banks and shoals covered in reef, part of the same platform.
The whole archipelago is designated a biosphere reserve, with zoning that combines traditional fishing, diving, and strict protection zones.
Access is a domestic flight from the mainland to the main island, with a short flight or catamaran to the smaller one.
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