Andros Blue Holes

Blue Holes are found in many places on Andros Island. Most of them lie along a massive fracture system which starts in the marine environment at the edge of the Tongue of the Ocean and runs through the land and across South Bight. Rare and highly specialized species, including cave fish and shrimp can be found within the blue holes. Many of these endemic species have highly restricted ranges.

Andros Diving offers guided snorkeling and diving tours of the Andros Blue Holes including Stargate Blue Hole and El Dorado.  These tidal freshwater blue holes are unique to the Bahamas and are most abundant in Andros Island and South Andros Island.  A major fault line of blue holes runs for more than 50 miles through and surrounding South Andros Island. These blue holes are not to be missed.

Barb’s Nature Walk and Blue Hole Tour is an amazing guided hiking tour of the inland blue holes.  This is an essential part of any true South Andros Island vacation.

Blue Holes of South Andros Island

The rarity, scientific and ecological significance of blue holes and their cave systems cannot be overstated. The South Andros blue holes were first featured in Vol. 138 No. 3, Sept. 1970 of National Geographic Magazine. In the early 1970’s, Jacques Cousteau led an expedition to dive in the blue holes on South Andros. More recently, similar scientific exploration and research by Dr. Stephanie Schwabe, founder and director of the Rob Palmer Blue Holes Foundation, has resulted in the discovery of new species of bacteria. Much of the microbial life which lives in these systems may be the only view we have into early life forms on this planet.

The blue holes and extensive cave system house the fresh water lens underlying Andros and providing the fresh water resources for the island.  The integrity of this water supply is essential to literally all indigenous and migrating life forms on Andros.  In addition, there are birds regularly sighted around some of these blue holes including barn owls, cave swallows and herons. Finally, unique cave formations, such as stalagmites and stalactites, as well as Lucayan artifacts can be found within the blue holes.

Source: The Nature Conservancy 2005 Report