Andros Island, Bahamas

To the right is a satellite image of Andros Island. Florida lies 120 miles to the north-east and Cuba lies to the West. Andros is the largest island of the Bahamas, at 40 miles wide and 100 miles long, and some is so wild that it remains unfamiliar even to modern natives. One road, the Queen’s Highway, skirts the  perimeter of the island.

On the east coast, the dark blue area  is very deep water known as the Tongue of the Ocean. It provides the habitat for the award-winning fishing off Andros’ coast. The thin blue strip between the Tongue and the island is home to the third largest coral reef in the world.  For more  on the Atlantic Ocean, click on “The Reef” icon (above right).

This map illustrates MAIC’s location in relationship to the settlements of Andros, but do not be misled by the many town names. Only 8,000 people live on the whole of Andros Island.

Most of  Andros’ interior  is like the picture to the right. Predominately forested by Bahamian pine, the island offers many tidal creeks and, to the north, bluffs made famous by the dreaded pirate, Captain Morgan.

The white sand beaches of Andros are among the least developed in the world. Bahamian law prohibits ownership of the beach, and so any visitor or local can ramble down the shore for uninterrupted miles. Don’t worry,  there’s no condos, high rises,  or gated communities on the whole island.

Below are photographs of one of the most spectacular parts of Andros Island: Blue Holes. This fresh water phenomenon is similar to the sink holes of Florida. Blue holes can occur on land (right) and, equally spectacular, at sea (left). For more information about the blue holes of Andros, follow this link for adventures.

Alternative History

 It is commonly accepted that Andros is one point of the 20th century’s famed “Bermuda Triangle.” 

Note the light blue swaths of ocean, which signify shallow waters. Many believe that Andros is the largest remaining landmass of the once-great civilization of ancient Atlantis. In 2006, researchers discovered the remains of ancient sea walls and even nonnative cut marble between Bimini and Andros, under 25 meters of water.

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