When you picture tropical paradise, the beaches of San Andres are likely exactly what comes to mind. The tiny island is located off the coast of Nicaragua (but is Colombian territory) and can be reached from the mainland by a short flight.
It’s situated in the Caribbean Sea, so it’s no surprise that its beaches are pretty spectacular – expect white sand, palm-lined shores, flanked by turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs.
With over 40 beaches on the island, you might be wondering which ones to visit during your trip – so I’ve rounded up the best beaches in San Andres below. I visited countless beaches during my trip and can definitely say that some are more worth visiting than others; especially if you only have limited time on the island.
What I Learned About San Andres' Beaches
San Andres is blessed with an eclectic mix of coastlines, despite only measuring 26 square kilometres, and a short drive to the other side of the island often offers a completely different beach experience.
On San Andres’ east coast, you’ll find calm white sand beaches perfect for swimming and relaxing, like the popular Spratt Bight Beach and Playa Charquitos.
A visit to the west coast shores couldn’t be more different; its rocky beaches are the place to go for activities like snorkeling, cliff-jumping, and plunge slides, all of which can be done at West View Beach.
Tip: My favorite way to explore San Andre's coastline is to rent a motorbike. I rented mine from my accommodation at In Di House of Reggae Boutique.
1. Johnny Cay
- Best for: A must-do day trip on San Andrés.
- How to get there: Take a 15 minute boat ride from the San Andrés main pier. You can also book a tour that includes transportation, lunch, and snorkeling.
Located just off the coast of San Andrés, Johnny Cay is one of the island’s most popular beach destinations, and for good reason. Not only is it incredibly beautiful - it’s probably the San Andrés beach with the best atmosphere, and you can expect lively crowds, vendors selling tropical drinks, and reggae music.
The calm waters here are perfect for swimming, and you can wade out quite far before the water deepens, making it ideal for families with kids. Plus, the surrounding reef creates an excellent snorkeling spot where you can see heaps of fish and even turtles - if you’re lucky!
While Johnny Cay can get crowded during peak times (especially in the afternoon), it's still well worth the visit. If you’re wanting to beat the crowds, arrive early in the morning or opt for a private tour. You can spend all day here if you wish, as there’s a handful of places selling things to eat and drink, and there are toilets on the island. Make sure to bring cash with you, as there’s no ATM on the island and a lot of vendors don’t accept card payments.
2. Spratt Bight Beach
- Best for: The San Andrés beach with the most to do.
- How to get there: Located right in the heart of San Andrés town, Spratt Bight Beach is easy to reach wherever you’re staying on the island - it’s walking distance from the main town, and easily accessible from other areas by taxi or scooter.
Spratt Bight is the main beach of San Andrés, located right by the island's town center. It’s the go-to beach for most tourists looking for things to do in San Andres, due to its convenient location and beautiful views. The beach is lined with bars, restaurants, and a few hotels, so there’s plenty of facilities nearby.
There are a handful of water sport options available here if you’re not the type for spending a beach day lounging around, including jet skis, banana boats and parasailing. If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, there are many vendors renting sun loungers and chairs to make use of for the day.
This is the most popular beach in San Andrés, so it can get a bit crowded during peak hours - visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for a quieter experience. It’s worth sticking around and walking along the pier at sunset - it’s one of the best places to take in the island’s stunning views.
3. Rocky Cay
- Best for: A quiet, rugged beach that’s excellent for snorkeling.
- How to get there: Rocky Cay is easily accessible from San Andrés town and San Luis by boat.
For those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a quieter beach experience, Rocky Cay is the perfect spot. Situated on the island’s western coast, Rocky Cay offers a calm, tranquil atmosphere, with great views of the surrounding coral reefs.
There’s a sandbar off the side of the island that extends out into the water, creating a sort of natural causeway. This makes it an excellent spot for snorkeling, as the shallow waters are home to a variety of marine life.
There are a few local food vendors and beach bars where you can grab a snack or cold drink, but for the most part, Rocky Cay remains one of the less developed and more unspoiled San Andrés Colombia beaches. It’s well worth the quick ten minute boat trip over.
4. Haynes Cay & El Acuario
- Best for: Island-hopping, snorkeling, and swimming with starfish and sea turtles.
- How to get there: Book a tour that includes visits to both Haynes Cay and El Acuario. Alternatively, you can catch a boat from San Andrés town (around 30-40 minutes by boat).
No trip to San Andres is complete without a visit to the paradisiacal shores of Haynes Cay and El Acuario, two small islands located just off the mainland. These remote spots are easily some of the best beaches in San Andrés.
Haynes Cay is a small, uninhabited island with shallow waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, where you can see starfish, sea turtles, and a variety of tropical fish. Although the island is only small, it has everything you need for a beach day - you can rent chairs and parasols, and there are a few different restaurants and bars
Once you’ve spent some time on Haynes Cay, you can walk across the sand bar to El Acuario, which is similarly stunning and a bit quieter than its more famous neighbour. El Acuario is covered in palm trees and vegetation, and you can expect to spot iguanas and blue lizards here.
While you can visit on your own by arranging independent boat transfers, it’s definitely worth booking a day trip to the islands - these offer great value and include additional snorkeling stops, as well as a tour of the nearby mangroves.
5. Playa de San Luis
- Best for: A quiet, local beach for a relaxing day
- How to get there: Take a taxi or rent a scooter from the main town - it takes about 20 minutes.
If you’re looking for a quiet beach that’s not overrun by tourists, Playa de San Luis is the place to go. Located on the island’s eastern side, this beach is frequented by locals and offers a blissful escape from the more crowded shores of San Andrés.
The palm-tree lined beach is located on the east coast of the island,and has calm, shallow waters that are perfect for swimming. You can also enjoy a walk along the coast, as the beach stretches for miles.
There are a few little local restaurants along the rest, most of which serve seafood and cold drinks, and some of these have sun loungers available to rent for a small fee. I found that it doesn’t get too busy here during the week, but as it’s a popular spot with locals, it’s slightly busier on weekends.
6. Playa Charquitos
- Best for: An unspoilt beach with a hidden-gem feel.
- How to get there: Playa Charquitos is located just over ten kilometres from San Andres Town, and you can reach it by scooter or taxi.
Playa Charquitos is the best San Andrés beach if you’re looking for a bit of an off-the-beaten-path experience. This secluded spot on the south coast of the island is one of the lesser-known beaches on San Andres, and is small but charming.
One of the unique features of the beach are the natural pools that form near the shore, protected from the stronger current by the surrounding reef. You can spot all sorts of sea life here at lower tides, and the water is shallow - making it a great spot for families with kids. The reef area is very rocky so it’s worth bringing a pair of water shoes if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the water.
There isn’t much infrastructure on Playa Charquitos, but there are a few local food vendors selling fresh fruit and snacks - make sure to bring enough cash for these, as none of them accept card payments.
In my experience, this one is a very peaceful beach and never gets too busy, so you can visit at any time of day without having to worry about the crowds some of the other beaches on San Andres draw.
7. La Piscinita
- Best for: Snorkeling - it’s one of the best spots you’ll find on the island.
- How to get there: Around 20 minutes by taxi or scooter from San Andrés town, located on the southwestern coast.
Though not technically a sandy beach, La Piscinita is one of San Andrés’ top spots for water activities. This rocky cove features incredibly clear waters and calm conditions, making it perfect for snorkeling.
La Piscinita (which translates to “The Little Pool”) is home to schools of colorful fish, coral formations, and sometimes even stingrays in the deeper areas. There’s a small entrance fee of $4,000 COP and snorkel gear is available to rent if you don’t have your own.
You won’t find soft sand here, but there are sun loungers and platforms to relax on. There’s also a small bar where you can grab a drink or snack after your swim. If you're looking to spend a day snorkeling rather than sunbathing, La Piscinita is a must-visit.
8. Sound Bay
- Best for: Authentic local atmosphere with fewer tourists.
- How to get there: Take a taxi or scooter ride (about 15–20 minutes from downtown) to the southern part of the island.
Located near the village of San Luis, Sound Bay offers a more local experience than many of the island’s other beaches. It’s a long, open stretch of coastline that feels refreshingly uncrowded, and it’s particularly popular with locals and expats.
This was one of my favorite beaches on San Andres, because when we visited we pretty much had it to ourselves - a lot of people don’t seem to know about Sound Bay. It has a slightly rugged, windswept feel to it, and there are bigger waves here than the more northern beaches.
There are a couple of family-run restaurants nearby where you can fish dishes, coconut rice, and patacones. There weren’t any sun loungers or chairs available to rent when I visited, so make sure you have a towel or blanket with you if you’re planning on staying for a few hours.
9. Ecoparque West View
- Best for: Adventurous swimming, cliff jumping, and snorkeling in a natural lagoon.
- How to get there: Located on the island’s west coast, about a 15-minute ride from San Andres town by taxi or scooter.
This unique San Andres spot is more of a mini water park than a traditional beach. The Ecoparque West View is a natural ocean lagoon where you can jump into the water from diving platforms and there’s a fun slide to enjoy here as well.
The area is surrounded by cliffs and coral reefs, with clear, fish-filled waters that are ideal for snorkeling. You’ll often find parrotfish, angelfish, and other tropical species swimming just below the surface.
There’s an entry fee (typically around $5,000 COP), and both snorkel gear and lockers are available to rent for a reasonable price.
10. Playa Marrakech Beach Club
- Best for: A fun and lively beach day with music, food and drinks
- How to get there: Take a 15-minute taxi or scooter ride from San Andrés town, to the San Luis area on the island’s east coast.
A lot of the beaches in San Andres are completely undeveloped, and are great places to enjoy the island's charm - but if you’re looking for a beach day with a bit more comfort, Playa Marrakech is a fantastic option. It’s a beach club made up of a waterfront area with cabanas and sun loungers, and a restaurant and bar area with a DJ.
The atmosphere here is lively, and it's popular with Colombian travelers. The beach itself is beautiful, and it’s a great place to spend a day enjoying a slightly more upscale beach experience. It’s a far cry from the glamorous beach clubs you might find in Bali and Dubai, but it’s probably the closest thing you’ll find on San Andres.
Prices vary depending on if there’s an event on or not. If there is no event taking place, you pay a fee for your cabana or lounger - prices don’t seem to be listed online, but we paid $35,000 COP per sun lounger. When there is an event taking place, you pay a higher price, but normally food and drink is included within your entry fee.
It’s best to arrive mid-morning to grab a good spot, and while reservations aren’t always required, it’s a good idea to book during busier periods. You can check their instagram to see what events are on and make reservations.
Where to Stay Near San Andres' Best Beaches
San Andres is quite a small island but there are loads of accommodation options available. The best regions are downtown (El Centro), San Luis, or one of the many resorts along the east and west coasts.
Below are my top three recommendations for all budgets. However, don't miss this up-to-date guide to where to stay on San Andres Island, Colombia for more picks and a rundown of the best neighborhoods to book.
1. In Di House of Reggae Boutique
Reggae-styled hotel with a large outdoor pool and seating area. An on-site restaurant and colorful rooms with sea views. 1 km from Parceras Beach.
2. Aquamare Hotel Luxury
Located only 200 m from Spratt Bight Beach, this 4-star hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar. Perfect for families or couples looking for a relaxing stay.
3. Villa San Miguel Villa
Awesome apartments conveniently located in central near the airport and just a 2-minute walk from Spratt Bight Beach.