Andros in November: Warm Water, Crawfish Season, Blue Holes and Quiet Settlements

On a November morning in Andros Town, the creek at Fresh Creek lies flat and pale under a low sun, fishing skiffs idle at their moorings, and the smell of fried fish drifts from a kitchen near the water. The days are shorter and softer now, the summer heat has loosened its hold, and the island settles into a slow rhythm. This is a month for travelers who like mangrove creeks, blue holes and quiet settlements more than crowds and nightlife.

A flat coast on Andros in spring · Illustration

What is the weather like in Andros in November?

November is warm and softer than the months before it, with sea water still pleasant and days that are getting shorter.

Month	Sea at Andros (°F)	Daylight on the 15th (hours and minutes)
October	85.1	11 h 37 min
November	81.7	10 h 59 min
December	79.1	10 h 39 min

In Nassau, highs average about 83°F in November, with the rain arriving as passing showers rather than long gray spells. The month falls at the very end of the Atlantic hurricane season, so a late system is still possible, and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation keeps watch on tropical storms in the Atlantic.

The sea around Andros Town has cooled a few degrees from its October peak but still reads as warm. Mornings start easy, afternoons are bright, and the shorter days mean the light turns golden early, which flatters the creeks and the flats. Plan outdoor things for the middle of the day and keep the evening for a slow dinner.

Pack for warm days, a rain layer for a shower and something light for breezier evenings on the water. With daylight shrinking, the sun sets earlier than it did a month ago, so boat trips and walks are best started in the morning.

Can you swim in Andros in November?

Yes, the sea is still warm enough for a proper swim in November, noticeably cooler than October but far from cold.

Andros is ringed by shallow banks, reefs and mangrove shorelines, and what you find varies from one stretch of coast to the next. Some shores are sandy and open to the sea, others are tidal flats where the water is shallow and the bottom is soft. Conditions change from day to day, so look at the water on the day rather than counting on a fixed picture.

Snorkelers and divers are drawn to the reefs along the island’s edge and to the blue holes, which the island is known for. A mask and a thin rash shirt are worth bringing for time in the water, and reef-safe sunscreen suits an island that lives on its marine life.

What to do in Andros in November

November is crawfish season, and the island’s kitchens put it on the plate. The season runs from August through March, so the lobster on the table is local and in its months. The same creature may be listed as crawfish or lobster on many menus, served grilled, as a stew in brown gravy, or as a salad with onions, sweet peppers and lime juice, and at times tucked into a sandwich.

The month suits slow, outdoor days: a morning on the water, a long lunch, an afternoon in a settlement where little happens. There is no big festival to plan around, and that is the point. What you get instead is the island at its ordinary pace, with fishermen coming in and neighbors talking on porches.

Blue holes, inland and offshore

Few places gather so many of these circular pits of deep blue water. At the surface of the Guardian Blue Hole on Andros sits a pond of fresh water, and with a maximum explored depth of 436 feet, it is said to rank as the second deepest cave in the islands of the Bahamas.

From above, blue holes look like dark ink drops set in pale shallows, and the contrast is most striking when the sun is high. November light, softer and lower than in summer, brings out the color well in the morning and late afternoon. Divers explore them, while everyone else can simply look and photograph.

With over 180 of them scattered across the island, both inland and by the coast, locals will name one or another when you ask. Ask where the nearest is when you arrive and let the answer shape a half day.

West Side National Park and the creeks

1.5 million acres of wilderness fall under the park’s protection, a level expanse of mangrove, tidal creeks and shallow water. It is the part of Andros that feels furthest from anywhere, and a day looking at birds, mangrove channels and bright water is the reason many people come.

In November the cooler air makes time outdoors more comfortable, and the low sun gives the flats a silvery look in the early hours. Pack binoculars, a hat, and a light long-sleeved shirt to shield yourself from the sun and from the bugs found in mangroves.

Since this island is so vast and so unpopulated, a trip here centers on calm instead of a list of attractions. Plan a half day or a full day and let the water set the pace.

Andros Town and Fresh Creek

Andros Town sits on Fresh Creek and is where many visitors land, since the airport serves it. The settlement is small, with colorful houses, fishing boats and a few places to eat, and it makes a gentle base for the first day.

Walk the waterfront in the late afternoon, when boats are back and the light is warm. Order whatever the kitchen has caught, and talk to people, since this is an island where conversation is part of the visit.

The biggest island in the Bahamas, Andros consists of North Andros, Mangrove Cay and South Andros, which means getting from one settlement to another takes real time. Choose one area and stay with it rather than trying to cover the whole island.

A two-day itinerary for Andros in November

Day 1 starts in Andros Town. Take a slow breakfast near Fresh Creek, then walk the waterfront while the air is still cool. Around midday, order crawfish for lunch, whether stewed, in a salad or grilled. In the afternoon, get out on the water around the creeks, then be back by the dock as the light turns gold, since the sun sets earlier in November.

Dinner is a simple affair at a local spot, with fish or crawfish and a cold drink. If the sky clouds over, spend the afternoon on a long lunch and a stroll through the settlement.

Day 2 is for the wild side. Head out early toward the blue holes and the mangrove country of West Side National Park, when the light is clearest and the air coolest. Spend the middle of the day looking at the water, the birds and the flats, and eat something packed or local on the way.

In the afternoon, give yourself time in the water with a mask if the sea looks inviting, and leave the last hour for a quiet watch of the sunset. For a rainy hour, a covered porch, a long meal and a conversation with a local are the best indoor plan the island offers.

Is Andros busy in November?

No, Andros is a quiet island in November, and it stays quiet in most months.

Andros stretches wide with only a scattering of residents, so crowds seldom register even when more visitors are around. November sits between the summer season and the winter holidays, which makes it a calm moment for rooms and tables. The last weeks of the month lead into the holiday period, so if you travel near the end, book a little earlier than you would for the first half.

Small places have few rooms and few boats, and a handful of guests fills them. Reach out to lodges and guides ahead rather than arriving without plans, especially if a particular outing or a dive matters to you.

Because the island is large and services are spread out, think about where you sleep and how you will move around before you land. A relaxed itinerary suits the place.

What to pack for Andros in November

Pack for warm days on the water, a shower or two and bugs near the mangroves.

Light, quick-drying clothes for warm days and sudden showers
A light rain jacket for passing rain
Mask and snorkel, since the water is still warm and the reefs are close
Insect repellent for mangrove creeks and evenings
Hat and reef-safe sunscreen for hours on a boat
Binoculars for birds along the flats

Good to know before you go

The U.S. State Department rates the Bahamas Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”, and says most crime occurs in Nassau on New Providence and in Freeport on Grand Bahama.

November is the last month of the Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on November 30, so a late storm can still shape plans. Travelers can keep up with storms through the Bahamas.com hurricane page, which the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation keeps an eye on and urges people to visit.

Visitors from the United States must carry a passport plus a return or onward ticket, and upon request they should be ready to prove they have sufficient money for their stay. Andros Town is served by Andros Town Airport, which goes by Fresh Creek Airport as well.

Andros in November vs October and December

Moving the trip to October gets you the warmest sea of the three and longer days, but also the heart of a stormier season. The water is a few degrees warmer, which swimmers and snorkelers will notice, and evenings stay light a little longer.

December brings the coolest water and the shortest days of the three, plus the pull of the holidays, which makes the island a little busier toward the end of the month. Crawfish season continues into the new year, so the food stays the same. Choose October if the warmth of the sea matters most, December if you want holiday atmosphere, and November if you want a balance of warm water, a calm island and the end of the storm season in sight.

Is November a good time to visit Andros?

Yes, for travelers who want warm water, wide empty horizons and a slow pace, and less so for anyone who wants nightlife, shopping or a packed schedule.

It suits divers, snorkelers, birdwatchers, anglers and people who like to sit by a creek with nothing to do. It does not suit those who want a lively resort scene or lots of organized entertainment, since the island is built around nature and small settlements.

On arrival, settle into Andros Town, eat crawfish and let the first morning be slow. November here is lobster in season, soft light on the flats and a sea that still welcomes a swim.

Sources

Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 10, 2026
sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 10, 2026
NOAA NCEI, GHCN-Daily station BF000078073 (Nassau Airport), normals 1991-2020 computed from the daily record (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=daily-summaries&stations=BF000078073), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, crawfish season (https://www.bahamas.com/blog/its-crawfish-season), checked October 10, 2026
NOAA National Hurricane Center, Climatology (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Hurricane and storm information (https://www.bahamas.com/hurricane-storm-information), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Guardian Blue Hole (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/guardian-blue-hole), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Sapphire Blue Hole (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/sapphire-blue-hole), checked October 10, 2026
Wikipedia, Andros Town Airport (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andros_Town_International_Airport), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Andros (https://www.bahamas.com/islands/andros), checked October 10, 2026
Wikipedia, Andros, Bahamas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andros,_Bahamas), checked October 10, 2026
Wikipedia, Geography of the Bahamas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_the_Bahamas), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Island FAQ (https://www.bahamas.com/plan-your-trip/island-faq), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Department of Immigration, Entry requirements (https://www.immigration.gov.bs/entry-requirements/), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Department of Immigration, Before your arrival (https://www.immigration.gov.bs/entry-requirements/before-your-arrival/), checked October 10, 2026
U.S. Department of State, The Bahamas Travel Advisory, Level 2 (https://travel.state.gov/), checked October 10, 2026