Daytrip to Aquario and Johny Cay

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An Unplanned Trip to Aquario

We hadn’t originally planned a trip to Aquario at all. Our destination was the famous Johnny Cay, considered a symbol of San Andrés island. We had bought tickets in advance, but fate had other ideas. For all four days we spent on the island, Johnny Cay was closed, and no boats were running there. We were left with only one option – a trip to Aquario became our alternative.

Be Prepared for Initial Chaos

Unfortunately, we only found out that Johnny Cay was closed on the morning we arrived at the harbor, which was in complete chaos. Everyone who had booked a trip to Johnny Cay was offered Aquario as an alternative. We were told they didn’t know how long the closure would last. And even though the island had been closed for a few days already, vendors were still happily selling trips for upcoming days, knowing full well that visitors wouldn’t be able to go.

It took a good three-quarters of an hour for our boat to arrive, and maybe we should have suspected then that this trip wasn’t the best idea.

Once we finally left the harbor, our worries melted away. A stunning turquoise sea stretched out around us. The waves were a bit bigger than we’d anticipated, so water was constantly splashing us. It was quite fun, and after about 45 minutes, we anchored at Aquario.

Then came the second shock. We heard, “You have two minutes to get off,” followed by, “Remember the captain, we’ll pick you up at 13:00.” They ended up arriving at 13:40.

What Aquario Consists Of

Aquario is actually a system of two small islands and a wooden house built on the water. This is where you can store your belongings before heading into the sea or for a walk. You can also buy snacks and drinks here. We put our clothes in a box, paid about 1€, and set off to explore the area.

Since we arrived relatively early (around 10:00 AM), the area wasn’t completely crowded yet. From the house’s window, we had a wonderful view of the sea and the natural pools formed by the rocks.

If you want to move from one section to another, water shoes will definitely come in handy to protect your feet from the rocks. The water is roughly ankle-deep on the rocks and waist-deep in the pools, so you won’t be doing much swimming here. However, thanks to natural barriers, the fish remain somewhat trapped in individual sections, and there are thousands of them.

Snorkeling – like in an Aquarium

Immediately upon arrival, we were greeted by fish swimming right by the pier, completely unafraid of people. The water is so clear that you feel like you’re in a huge open-air aquarium.

During our first snorkeling session, there weren’t many people yet, so there were more fish than humans. The water is shallow, calm, and full of fish of all sorts of colors. Here, fish are used to people and swim right next to you; some even seemed to pose for cameras – a few might have even smiled for the lens.

We moved from one pool to another, observing how the colors and types of fish changed. While there weren’t a huge variety, we hadn’t seen so many in any other place in Colombia. Aquario thus came close to other destinations with richer underwater life. Water shoes were incredibly useful, as the rocks were sharp, and we would have easily hurt ourselves barefoot.

Bridge between the Islands

The biggest attraction is a long bridge connecting both islands. It’s not firmly anchored, so it sways with every wave. Several people even fell directly into the water from it, laughing at how scared some of them were.

Since the bridge was blue in the middle and orange on the edges, we used it for games. When it was less crowded, we had competitions to see who could walk only on the blue part or who could balance the longest. When we first arrived, it wasn’t nearly as packed. Back then, we chased the kids across the bridge and even pushed them into the sea, which was great fun for all of us.

The bridge is about 150 meters long, and even a small wave can make it sway quite a bit. With the white poles along the edges were more for show than support, so if someone lost their balance, they ended up in the sea. I definitely recommend keeping your belongings in a waterproof bag.

Later, the situation changed. The bridge was overcrowded, dozens of people were crammed on both sides, and moving forward was almost impossible.

An Island without a Beach, yet with the Charm of a Tropical Paradise

The bridge leads to an island that, from a distance, seemed ordinary, but looks can be deceiving. In the open area, we saw a vibrant green lawn that contrasted beautifully with the surrounding turquoise water. Tall palm trees rose among the grass, their silhouettes creating the atmosphere of an exotic paradise. This place felt calm and romantic, as if welcoming us to another world.

When we decided to walk around the island, we realized it didn’t take long at all. You can walk the entire perimeter in ten minutes at a slow pace. However, most of the coast isn’t sand, but a rocky shore. The rocks are sharp and jagged, so it’s better to wear water shoes. Looking out to sea, a beautiful palette of colors unfolds before you – from light blue to dark indigo.

Inland, we were surprised by denser vegetation. A small green grove had formed among the palms and smaller trees, which we hadn’t expected at all. After a short walk, we also came across narrow paths winding through the trees. It was a pleasant change, offering peace and shade in contrast to the rocky coast.

Sad reality of the island

Unfortunately, this peace was only an illusion. In reality, the island was literally buckling under the onslaught of tourists. Hundreds of people were crammed into a small space, which significantly spoiled the overall experience. Drink and food stalls were packed, the bridge barely moved due to the crowd, and there was minimal space to relax. Although the place looks like an exotic oasis in photos, in reality, we had nowhere to escape the crowds, and instead of relaxing, after a while, we were just thinking about when we could go back.

Hidden Paradise – the Sandbar

We only discovered the most beautiful spot at the very end. We had originally planned to go snorkeling again, but we quickly changed our minds. When we saw how many people were in the water, we completely lost our enthusiasm. The kids decided to give it a try, and we looked for any way to spend our last hour there.

From the wooden house, we headed to the opposite side. We walked through shallow, ankle-deep water until we reached a sandbar. Along the way, we passed anchored boats, but it was much more peaceful here.

The further we went, the fewer people we encountered, so we knew we were heading in the right direction, even though we had no idea what awaited us at the end. When we arrived, a second island appeared before us – a sandy one. A small, narrow strip of fine sand surrounded by turquoise sea and almost no people. Complete idyll. Here, the atmosphere became calm and intimate. If we had found this place earlier, we definitely would have spent most of our time here. It was a piece of Caribbean paradise just as we had imagined.

Is Aquario Worth Visiting?

We had very mixed feelings about Aquario. This place is beautiful, and the nature here is truly captivating. However, the problem is the sheer number of tourists and the complete lack of regulation, which significantly spoils the entire experience. After just an hour, we were desperately watching our watches, unable to imagine what we’d do for the next two. We’ve never wanted to leave any other trip early – this was the first, and we hope it’s the last.

If you decide to visit Aquario, try to find out if Johnny Cay is open. If it is, the crowds will be divided, and Aquario will likely feel much more pleasant. Otherwise, consider if it’s worth spending your time in a place that, while beautiful, is packed to bursting.

Where to stay? Ideally near Playa Spratt Bight

San Andres island is smaller, but there are relatively large distances between individual places, and no taxi apps work here. We didn’t see any buses either. Maybe some run, but they are definitely not a common mode of transport. The typical form of transport is renting a scooter or an ATV.

The best thing to do is to stay directly in the center or near the main beach. From there, you can easily take a taxi and arrange a pickup, or rent a scooter. Outside San Andrés city, you won’t find a single ATM, so it’s good to have enough cash with you.

Where to stay if you’re looking for budget-friendly options:

• Hotel Tropical dreams is located on the outskirts of the city towards the airport, within a kilometer of the main beach.
• If you’re looking for something right in the center and by the beach, check out Apartahotel Caribe Diez. It’s a bit more expensive than the previous one, but still offers a very friendly price.
• If you’re a solo traveler and just looking for a bed, Viajero San Andres Hostel has great reviews and is located right in the center by the beach.
• 💰 Check out other affordable accommodations here: Budget‑friendly

If you’re looking for quality at a reasonable price, consider:

• The best choice is Caribbean Island Hotel Piso 2, which is located directly on the beach, and from the rooms, you can wake up to the beautiful color of the Caribbean Sea.
• If you prefer apart-hotels, a great option is Apartahotel Bahia Tropical III or Apartahotel Plaza. Both offer double and quadruple rooms and a great location.
• 🏡 Here you’ll find a selection of mid-range hotels: Mid-range accommodation

If you’re looking for something exceptional, don’t want to be in the city, and would like to relax for a few days on a private beach, consider Hotel Hotel Reina del Mar By Dorado.

Another alternative for luxury accommodation is Miraflores Boutique Hotel, which is Adults only. The hotel looks like it’s straight out of a catalog, and if we hadn’t come with children, we would definitely have stayed there for at least one night.