Top 5 San Andrés Full-Day Tours: Island Adventures

Thinking of checking out San Andrés? Well, get ready because it’s a real gem in the Caribbean. What’s great is that you can see a lot of it just in one day with the right kind of tour. A full-day adventure might be just the ticket if you wanna soak it all up— the beaches, the culture, and that awesome island vibe.

1. The Classic Island Tour: A Grand Overview

Okay, so there’s this “Classic Island Tour,” that kind of shows you a little of everything. It’s almost like getting a sampler platter of the island’s must-see spots. You might be zipping around in an air-conditioned bus, which is very welcomed when it’s real hot. Places it goes? It’s probably gonna hit up La Piscinita, a natural pool that’s quite something, and maybe the San Luis neighborhood, where you can sort of see the real local stuff.

Plus, a stop at the Hoyo Soplador can be pretty amazing—it’s, you know, a blowhole where the sea shoots up in the air. Keep your camera ready! Often, you will find these tours include a bit of shopping time. Usually, that’s at a local artisan market where you can haggle for souvenirs and little trinkets to, maybe, remember your trip by.

This kind of tour is actually usually fantastic for first-timers ’cause you get the lay of the land quickly. The guides usually fill you in on some history and stories too, which really brings the places to life. You may just feel more connected to the island afterwards. If you are into a taste of everything with a guide who knows their stuff, this might be a grand plan.

Read our full review: San Andrés Classic Island Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Classic Island Tour)

2. Johnny Cay and the Aquarium: A Taste of Paradise

Johnny Cay? Oh, it’s sort of like this tiny slice of heaven near San Andrés. Very often the full-day tour deals include a visit here, coupled with a stop at the Aquarium, which isn’t, you know, a building full of tanks, but more like a natural set of snorkeling spots where, truly, you can peek at all kinds of sea life.

You’re probably going to get to Johnny Cay via boat, and right away you might notice those incredibly soft, sandy beaches and tons of palm trees just perfect for chilling. You might even grab a coco loco, which is just a coconut drink, and, well, sit back and not do anything for a bit. Snorkeling at the Aquarium part is often a highlight; the water is very clear, and there’s often loads of colorful fish swimming around, basically right at your feet. Tour operators usually give you the gear you need, which makes things simpler, too.

Oh, so keep in mind that Johnny Cay might be quite popular, usually drawing crowds, especially on weekends. The vibe is still nice though, more or less. This tour might be perfect if you, maybe, like the idea of mixing beach bumming with a little bit of underwater exploring. Getting there is almost half the fun, honestly, as you’re, seemingly, cruising along the Caribbean Sea.

Read our full review: Johnny Cay and Aquarium Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Johnny Cay and Aquarium)

3. The Eco-Adventure: Exploring San Andrés’ Natural Side

For a bit, maybe, something different, why not look at an eco-adventure tour? This kinda skips some of the more usual tourist stops and kind of gets you into the island’s greener areas. Basically, you’re looking at more nature-focused activities.

What might be on the list? Some tours can get you out to the mangroves, where you’re possibly going to be kayaking or canoeing to peek at the cool plant life and the birds. There is almost always some focus on the local ecosystem, maybe getting some chats from guides who know loads of stuff regarding the environment, and basically telling you all sorts of stuff.

Trails are often included, too. Think, like, hikes through tropical forests or maybe visits to spots that give amazing views of the coastline. Sometimes, the itinerary changes based on the time of year because nature is very hard to predict, anyway. It’s a bit of a nicer experience to slow down and connect with the place a bit. If big crowds and the shopping scene is, really, not your thing, but plants and birds sound grand, this should suit you just fine.

Read our full review: San Andrés Eco-Adventure Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Eco-Adventure Tour)

4. Snorkeling and Diving Excursion: Deep-Sea Discoveries

San Andrés is very famous for the snorkeling and scuba because the water is generally so darn clear and filled with sea critters. A full day dedicated to it usually means, almost, several different spots to try out, so you’re not really stuck in one place all day. Many tour operators usually sort you out with all the gear and some basic safety tips if you’re newer to it.

You’re often zipping out to coral reefs which are, sometimes, bursting with colors, seeing all kinds of fish, rays, and the odd turtle is very common. You will get the chance to float and drift while checking all this out. If diving’s really your thing, you’ll have options too—instructors almost always offer introductory sessions for newbies. A guide almost always goes along on these tours, often able to point out all those harder-to-spot underwater characters, to say nothing of keeping everyone safe.

Bear in mind that visibility will change depending on the time of year and also on the weather on a particular day. Really, if getting into the sea and seeing a bunch of underwater scenery sounds great, this is certainly up your street. Just slap on some sunscreen and brace for some aquatic beauty!

Read our full review: San Andrés Snorkeling and Diving Excursion Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Snorkeling and Diving)

5. Pirate Route Tour: San Andrés’ History Unearthed

Maybe you’re the kinda person who thinks pirates are, you know, a bit cool? If that’s how you are, well, think about doing a “Pirate Route” tour when you’re in San Andrés. You will learn a good bit regarding the island’s backstory with a bit of adventure, that’s pretty neat. Such a tour will basically haul you to old forts and, maybe, coves which all have those ancient stories attached.

You’ll quite probably visit places such as Morgan’s Cave which is said to have, maybe, held hidden pirate treasure, hearing yarns spun by your guides regarding the old days. Transport to get to these historical hotspots is always factored into the tours. Sometimes this might mean buses but a lot of times you might even be shipped around on boats!

Be ready that there can be a little bit of walking involved to get about and that tours sometimes end with a costumed performance! Really, a touch silly, a touch cool. I believe, these can be a lot of fun. Should this be a little too cheesy? Who can say?

Read our full review: San Andrés Pirate Route Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Pirate Route Tour)

So, there you have it—five very fun ideas to go peep San Andrés and its offerings. Anything you do could just depend on you.