Andros is the largest island of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and at more than 140 miles long and 40 miles wide, is the fifth largest in all of the Caribbean. Engulfed in a sense of mystery, the sparsely populated Andros is laced with creeks and has a densely forested inland. The island's western coast is still largely unexplored.
History on Andros includes a colorful array of farming, fishing, Arawak Indians, European explorers and colonizers, slaves, pirates, bootleggers, and smugglers. Today, compared with other Bahamian Islands, Andros has a much smaller population with fewer than 9,000 people. Many of the inhabitants are fisherman, weavers, and farmers who live in settlements along the East Coast. Because Andros is split in half by nights and inlets, transportation between the north and south islands is difficult. North Andros is home to more than half the population, a Mennonite mission, a few small resorts, and AUTEC (the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center), a NATO base run by the US Navy.
Andros does not offer the amenities expected by some visitors. Services such as phone, water, and electricity are still not available everywhere on the island. Casinos and shows have not invaded Andros, and there are no malls or fast-food chains on the island. There are few small stores where snack foods and meals can be purchased, but be sure to remember your film, insect repellent, and bathing suit.
Although Andros is roughly 200 miles off the coast of Florida, the language and culture are distinctly different from the States. Androsians live in small communities with standards of housing, dress, and sanitation unlike what we are accustomed to in the States. We share a common language, but Bahamian English is spoken rapidly and sometimes is hard to understand. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification. They are friendly and eager to share their lives and their views as our guests visit their communities. Those who embrace the Androsian people and their culture will be richly rewarded and educated by the experience. Andros is known for its unique and beautiful baskets, carvings, and batik fabrics, to name a few of the special gifts available for purchase.
The lack of development on Andros enhances its environmental uniqueness and makes it an ideal site for our field studies. The pace of life is slow, the passing of the sun rather than the ticking of the clock measures the days.
The nature of Andros
Andros is a subtropical island with at least five distinct vegetation zones, many types of reefs, and many species of fish, birds, insects, and some reptiles. The geology of the island is unique, with fascinating blue holes and intriguing ooid soils. Not to mention the third largest barrier reef in the world. For more detailed information about the individual sites you can visit, see our Sites and sights guide.
Water
As with All tropical islands, water is a precious commodity on Andros. The large fresh water supply provides ample amounts of drinking water to the residents of the island. Andros also provides nearby New Providence Island (Nassau) with 4 million gallons of water a day. We are fortunate at Forfar, and can drink water straight from the tap. We ask that people conserve water by taking sailor showers (get wet, turn off the water, soap up, rinse off). But don't hesitate to drink as much as you want. |
