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Largest Island
2,300 sq miles of wilderness
Travel Time
5-7 hours from Nassau
Mail Boat Price
From $35-45 one way
Blue Holes
200+ to explore!
Authentic Adventure Alert!
Andros ain't your typical tourist island, folks! Ferry service is limited to traditional mail boats - it's a real island adventure. If you need fancy ferries or strict schedules, this might not be your jam. But if you want the REAL Bahamas? Keep reading!
Your Mail Boat Options to Andros
Traditional boats, traditional vibes, unforgettable journeys
Schedules shift weekly with weather and cargo. For the latest departure days, fares and dock tips, see our dedicated route page:
Nassau → Andros Mail Boat DetailsThe Real Deal About Mail Boats
What to expect on board
Delays Are Normal
Basic Accommodation
BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything)
It's a Social Event
Always Call First
Rough Seas Happen
Why Brave the Mail Boat?
Blue holes, bonefishing and the barrier reef
Blue Hole Heaven
200+ magical swimming holes
Andros has more blue holes than anywhere on Earth! Captain Bill's is perfect for jumping, Uncle Charlie's has a rope swing, and the ocean blue holes? Mind-blowing for divers. Each one is unique - some are tidal, some have underwater caves, all are absolutely stunning.
- ✓ Captain Bill's - biggest inland hole
- ✓ Stargate - famous ocean blue hole
- ✓ Guardian - advanced diving only
- ✓ Free to visit (guides recommended)
Bonefishing Capital
Where legends are made
The west side of Andros has thousands of square miles of flats and is one of the main bonefishing areas in the world. The Gotcha fly was developed here.
- ✓ World's largest bonefish population
- ✓ Trophy fish 8-12 pounds common
- ✓ Legendary local guides
- ✓ Year-round fishing (Oct-May best)
Andros Barrier Reef
3rd largest in the world!
190 miles of pristine reef just minutes offshore. The wall drops from 70 feet to 6,000 feet - it's INSANE! Coral towers, swim-throughs, sharks, rays, turtles... and barely any other divers. Plus, the Tongue of the Ocean for big game fishing!
- ✓ Untouched coral formations
- ✓ Wall diving extraordinaire
- ✓ Minimal dive traffic
- ✓ 100-foot visibility common
Once You're There
Navigating the big yard
Transportation Reality Check
No public transport exists on Andros - zero, zilch, nada. You'll need to arrange pickup from the dock (your lodge should handle this) or rent a car. The mail boat docks can be pretty remote, so don't expect taxis waiting!
Between districts: North and Central Andros are connected by road. To reach South Andros from North, you'll need to fly via Nassau or take a local ferry between Mangrove Cay and Driggs Hill (free, twice daily, 25 minutes).
Car rentals: About $70-85/day. Book ahead - there aren't many! Roads are mostly good with some rough patches. Remember: drive on the left!
Flying Instead
Flights and charters
Fly Instead
From Nassau: Western Air and LeAir fly to San Andros (SAQ), Andros Town/Fresh Creek (ASD), Mangrove Cay (MAY), and Congo Town/South Andros (TZN). About $140-180 round trip, 15-25 minute flights.
From Fort Lauderdale: Tropic Ocean Airways has seaplane service to various Andros locations. Expensive, with views over the islands.
Private charters: Split the cost with other travelers. Cherokee Air and Makers Air offer flexible schedules.
Summary
Who the mail boat suits
Andros suits divers, anglers and travellers who want quiet beaches. Travellers who prefer pools, nightlife and a fixed timetable are better served by Nassau or Paradise Island.
Essential items for mail boat success: Sleeping bag, foam pad, pillow, headlamp, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, seasickness meds, snacks, 2 gallons of water, cash (some docks have no ATM) and waterproof bags.
Where to Stay on Andros
A handful of dive and bonefishing lodges — book early
Andros has no big resorts — accommodation centers on small all-inclusive lodges built around diving, fishing and nature. Rooms are limited, so reserve well ahead. Booking.com lists only a few Andros lodges, so check the live prices below and the lodges' own websites.
See all stays in Andros Sponsored
Small Hope Bay Lodge
All-inclusive from ~$380/night
The classic Andros dive lodge near Fresh Creek (Central Andros). Beachfront cabins, reef and blue-hole diving on the doorstep, family-run for decades. Rate typically includes meals, drinks and most activities.
Check Availability
Tiamo Resort
All-inclusive from ~$550/night
Off-grid, solar-powered eco-luxury on a private South Andros beach reachable only by boat. Adults-focused, with diving, kayaking and bonefishing flats nearby. A splurge for serious unplugging.
Check AvailabilityKamalame Cay
From ~$600/night
A private-island luxury retreat off Staniard Creek (Central Andros) with an overwater spa, white-sand beaches and world-class bonefishing. The high-end choice on the island.
Check AvailabilityDisclosure: BahamasHopping may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative starting rates and vary by season. Learn more.
Andros Ferry FAQ
Quick answers before you go
How do you get to Andros from Nassau?
Two ways: by mail boat from Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau (5–7 hours, from $35 one way) or by a 15–25 minute domestic flight (around $140–180 round trip) on Western Air or LeAir (Flamingo Air has been grounded since July 2026). There is no fast passenger ferry to Andros.
How much does the Andros mail boat cost?
Fares run from about $35 one way for North Andros (M/V Lady Rosalind) to $40 for South Andros (M/V Captain Moxey) and Central Andros/Fresh Creek (M/V Lady D). Pay the purser in cash on board — bring small bills.
What is the mail boat schedule to Andros?
Roughly: the Lady Rosalind departs Nassau Wednesday afternoons for North Andros; the Captain Moxey leaves Monday around 11 PM for South Andros (overnight); the Lady D serves Central Andros/Fresh Creek. Schedules change weekly with weather and cargo, so always confirm with the Potter's Cay Dockmaster at (242) 393-1064 the day before.
Is Andros worth visiting?
Yes — if you want nature over nightlife. Andros has the largest concentration of blue holes on Earth, the 190-mile Andros Barrier Reef, and legendary bonefishing flats. It is quiet, undeveloped and ideal for diving, fishing and eco-travel. If you want resorts, casinos and easy logistics, choose Nassau or Paradise Island instead.
Do US citizens need a passport for Andros?
Yes. US citizens need a valid US passport to enter the Bahamas by air or sea; a passport card is not accepted for air travel. If you arrive on the Baleària ferry from Florida, Baleària Caribbean accepts only a valid US passport book or US passport card, from adults and minors alike, and states in writing that birth certificates, photo ID and naturalization certificates are no longer accepted. General WHTI sea-travel rules are more permissive — which is why many guides say otherwise — but the carrier's condition is the one applied at check-in. See our Bahamas ferry passport guide.
Ready for Real Adventure?
Check the current mail boat schedule
Mail boat seats can't be reserved online (welcome to authentic travel!).
Call the Potter's Cay Dockmaster: (242) 393-1064 — or book a room and fly in.