Andros presents an unusual budget profile: the flights from Nassau are among the cheapest in the Bahamas, but the accommodation at the destination lodges is among the most expensive. There is very little middle ground. The island splits into two categories of visitor, those staying at a lodge on an all-inclusive package, and those staying at a local guesthouse on a shoestring, and the costs between those two are dramatically different.
Accommodation Costs
| Type | Approximate Nightly Rate |
|---|---|
| Local guesthouse (Fresh Creek / Nicholls Town) | $60–120 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Fishing camp / basic lodge (Mangrove Cay area) | $150–250, room only [UNVERIFIED] |
| Small Hope Bay Lodge (all-inclusive) | $400–650/person [UNVERIFIED] |
| Kamalame Cay (villa) | $500–900 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Tiamo Resort (all-inclusive) | $700–1,100/person [UNVERIFIED] |
Rates are per person at all-inclusive properties; per room at guesthouses. Lodge rates typically include meals and most activities, which changes the comparison significantly.
Getting There
| Route | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Nassau to North/Central/South Andros (one way, small aircraft) | $60–100 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Round-trip from Nassau | $100–180 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Nassau to Andros via government ferry / mail boat | $40–80 round trip [UNVERIFIED] |
| Fort Lauderdale to Congo Town (if operating) | $150–280 round trip [UNVERIFIED] |
Add the cost of getting to Nassau from your origin. Most US travelers will connect through Nassau, which adds flight cost and potentially a hotel night.
Getting Around
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Car rental (per day) | $70–100 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Taxi from airport to lodge | $20–50 depending on distance [UNVERIFIED] |
| Boat transfer to private cay (lodge-arranged) | Often included in lodge rate |
Transport is simple for lodge guests, the lodge handles transfers. For independent travelers, car rental is the primary cost.
Food and Dining
| Category | Approximate Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Lodge dining (all-inclusive, included in rate) | , |
| Local restaurant lunch (Nicholls Town / Fresh Creek) | $12–20/person |
| Local takeaway / fish fry | $8–15/person |
All-inclusive lodge guests have zero additional food costs. Guesthouse guests eating at local spots can manage on $30–50/day for food, but options are limited.
Activities
| Activity | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Blue Holes National Park (day visit) | Nominal entry fee [UNVERIFIED, confirm current rate] |
| Guided bonefishing (full day, 1–2 anglers) | $600–900 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Guided bonefishing (half day) | $350–500 [UNVERIFIED] |
| Week-long bonefishing package (lodge + guide) | $3,500–6,500/person all-in [UNVERIFIED] |
| Diving, single tank (Small Hope Bay) | Often included in all-inclusive rate |
| Guided blue hole tour with Andros Ecotourism Collective | $80–150/person [UNVERIFIED] |
| Snorkeling (reef access, lodge-arranged) | Often included in lodge rate |
Bonefishing is the dominant paid activity cost for those not on all-inclusive packages. A week of guided fishing is expensive by any measure.
Daily Budget Estimates
Shoestring traveler (local guesthouse, eating at local spots, self-organized day trips): $100–170/day
All-inclusive lodge guest (Small Hope Bay or equivalent, no extras): $400–650/day/person, but this covers accommodation, all meals, drinks, and most water activities
Bonefishing week (lodge package, guided fishing daily): Budget $4,000–7,000/person all-in for a week, including flights from the US.
Money-Saving Considerations
- The all-inclusive rate at lodges like Small Hope Bay is genuinely good value relative to what it covers. Comparing the lodge nightly rate to a room-only hotel is misleading; factor in that you're paying for meals, diving, and the bar.
- Shoulder season (May through June, late October through November) brings meaningfully lower rates at the lodges. Weather is still good; June approaches hurricane season but is typically fine.
- The government ferry from Nassau is dramatically cheaper than flying and practical if you're not in a hurry and have significant gear (fishing equipment, dive bags).
- Bonefishing day rate is per guide, not per person. Two anglers on one skiff halves the per-person daily cost.
- A day trip to Blue Holes National Park is accessible without a lodge and one of the most affordable ways to experience what makes Andros distinctive.