Andros
Bahamas · Atlantic Ocean
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and home to the third longest barrier reef in the world, stretching over 190 km along its eastern shore. It is legendary for its blue holes — both inland freshwater caves and ocean-connected shafts — and for reliable shark encounters along its deep-water channels.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Live coral covers 15% of this reef. The water is warmer than usual right now, so expect some pale coral.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across 9 survey years from 2007 to 2019, live coral cover here has risen from 10% to 15%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 10% |
| 2008 | 11% |
| 2009 | 11% |
| 2011 | 12% |
| 2012 | 14% |
| 2013 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10% |
| 2016 | 12% |
| 2019 | 15% |
What you will see
20 species across the dive sites here
West Indian Fuzzy Chiton
Seen 2 months ago
at Blue Holes
Bahama Oriole
Seen 2 months ago
at Blue Holes
Endangered
Bahamian Racer
Seen 4 months ago
at Fresh Creek Channel
Least concern
Western Spindalis
Seen 4 months ago
at Blue Holes
Least concern
Checkered Puffer
Seen 4 months ago
at Blue Holes
Least concern
Brown Anole
Seen 4 months ago
at Blue Holes
Least concern
Parrotfish (Stoplight)
Seen 5 months ago
at Trumpet Reef
Least concern
Caribbean Reef Shark
Seen 5 months ago
at Trumpet Reef
Endangered
Nassau Grouper
Seen 6 months ago
at Andros Barrier Reef
Critically endangered
Horse-eye Jack
Seen 8 months ago
at Fresh Creek Channel
Least concern
Queen Angelfish
Seen 8 months ago
at Andros Barrier Reef
Least concern
Atlantic Sergeant Major
Seen 8 months ago
at Andros Barrier Reef
Least concern
Southern Stingray
Seen Jun 2025
at Fresh Creek Channel
Near threatened
Bull Shark
Seen year round
at Blue Holes
Vulnerable
Elkhorn Coral
Seen year round
at Andros Barrier Reef
Critically endangered
Glassy Sweeper
Seen year round
at Blue Holes
Least concern
Pillar Coral
Seen year round
at Trumpet Reef
Critically endangered
Remipedia (cave crustacean)
Seen year round
at Blue Holes
Spotted Moray Eel
Seen year round
at Trumpet Reef
Least concern
Trumpetfish
Seen year round
at Trumpet Reef
Near threatened
Dive sites
Andros Barrier Reef
caribbean reef shark · nassau grouper · queen angelfish · elkhorn coral
Blue Holes
bull shark · glassy sweeper · remipedia (cave crustacean) · brown anole
Fresh Creek Channel
caribbean reef shark · horse-eye jack · southern stingray · brown anole
Trumpet Reef
trumpetfish · pillar coral · spotted moray eel · parrotfish (stoplight)