Gap Year Diver - scuba trips for people taking time out, a career break and gap year

Destination Guide

Andros Island is the largest and least-explored island in The Bahamas. With a population of over six thousand and the fewest people per unit area of all of the Bahamas, most people live on the east coast of the island in the three major towns on the island; Nicholl's Town and Andros Town on North Andros, and Congo Town, on South Andros.

Unlike most of the Bahamian islands, Andros's interior has been largely free of commercial development for the tourism industry, preserving much of its natural beauty. Current Bahamian tourism efforts refer to it as the least-explored island in the chain. Inland there are more than forty square miles (104 km²) of subtropical forest area and the swamp land that is inhabited by a variety of birds, plants and animals

Programmes and Trips

• Bahamian National Trust (Andros Island, The Bahamas)

  
  • Work with the Bahamian National Trust. Assist local communities, teach conservation awareness in primary schools and assist with the effective management of Marine Parks in the area. PADI courses available…
  • Trip Duration: 4 to 10 weeks
  • Suitability: All diving levels and capabilities welcome.
  • From £2475 for 4 weeks
  FULL TRIP DETAILS BOOK ONLINE

Optional Tours / Excursions

The following tours are available to add-on to your gap year diving experience. Tours can generally be done either before or after a programme, but in some cases they can be done during the programme.

Sorry, but we do not appear to have any tours listed at present. Please check back again. Alternatively, please call us to learn more about tours / trip extensions and we can discuss possible options.

Climate / Weather

Weather / Climate

The weather doesn't vary much each season. Tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Summer brings hotter weather and humidity and there's a greter chance of rainfall. The hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30, but that is no cause for panic! 

Diving Conditions

The Bahamas are known for their blue holes, extraordinarily deep inland sea pools fed by the ocean via natural underground passages. These breathtaking pools, caves, and tunnels offer endless discovery and challenge for even the most experienced diver. Caution should be exercised when exploring the blue holes, as they can become dangerous vortices when the tides are strong. The safest way for most to enjoy the blue holes is from the surface--they can be up to 200 feet across, and appear like apparitions in the landscape.

The waters of The Bahamas yield incredible 30m visibility, coral that grows a bit larger and marine life that is slightly more abundant than elsewhere in the already-teeming Caribbean Sea. Coral formations reveal their hypnotic shapes and colors, from fantastic coral canyons to delicate scarlet fans and latticework. The diving tends to improve the farther one goes into the Outer Islands, and Andros is a particularly fine dive destination. Off the coast of the Abacos and Eleuthera, there are not only shipwrecks but also the rarest of undersea ruins-train wrecks.

All diving takes place in the stunning un-commercial waters near the camp, meaning volunteers work within undisturbed marine habitats creating some of the best dive opportunities in the world.

Photos for Bahamas

Travel Advice

Facts

Official Name: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Location: Caribbean
Population: c. 310,000
Languages: English
Religion: Predominantly Christian; Baptist (32%); Anglican (20%), Roman Catholic (19%), Evangelical Protestants (12%), Methodists, Church of God (6%)
Capital: Nassau
FCO Travel Advice Link:Bahamas Information

Visas / Entry Requirements

British nationals visiting The Bahamas do not require visas for visits of up to 3 months. If you wish to extend your stay you must apply to the Department of Immigration in Nassau. If travelling via the USA you should have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport. The Bahamas counts as part of the USA territory for US visa waiver purposes and time spent in The Bahamas counts towards the 90 day maximum permitted stay in the US under this waiver. If you travel to The Bahamas via the USA (under US visa waiver arrangements) you should seek advice about visa procurement as you now have to arrange an electronic visa in advance.

Vaccinations

Please visit www.netdoctor.co.uk for more information or consult with your local GP for professional advice.

Flight times / routes

London to Nassau: British Airways
Nassau to Andros Town: Local charter flight