The islands’ biggest attractions are to be found under the sea, and both Providencia and San Andrés have several reputable diving outfits who can introduce you to a whole new world, even if you’re a first-time diver.
Great dive sites
Cantil de Villa Erica Turtles, manta rays and eagle rays to be found around this reef southwest of San Andrés; 12–45m depths.
Manta’s Place Southern stingrays (rather than mantas) congregate at this Providencia spot.
Palacio de la Cherna Exciting wall dive that drops from 12m to over 300m, with reef and nurse sharks, lobster and king crab among its denizens; southeast of San Andrés.
Piramide Large numbers of morays, octopus and shoals of fish make this shallow reef dive in San Andrés one of the most exciting.
Tete’s Place An abundance of schoolmasters, goat fish, parrotfish and more makes you feel as if you’re swimming in a giant aquarium southwest of Providencia.
Dive operators on San Andrés
Banda Dive Shop Av Colombia, San Andrés Town 8 513 1080, bandadiveshop.com. A friendly, central choice.
San Andrés Divers Av Circunvalar Km9 312 448 7230, sanandresdivers.com. Particularly recommended for their professional approach.
Dive operators on Providencia
Felipe Diving Shop in Aguadulce 8 514 8775, http://www.felipediving.com.
Sirius Dive Shop Bahía Suroeste (Southwest Bay) next to Sirius Hotel 8 514 8213.
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