5J0EA Team will be active from San Andres Island, IOTA NA - 033, 21 - 30 November 2025.
Team - EA7BF, EA7JW, EA7FPG, EA7ATX.
Recent DX Spots 5J0EA
5J0EA Log search They will operate on HF Bands, possibly also in CQ WW DX CW Contest, 29 - 30 November 2025.
More information later.
Vacationing on San Andrés Island – fashionable seclusion
Recently, a trend has emerged: when planning a vacation, people are increasingly seeking to get away from civilization, to places that are less populated, where they can be alone with nature and simply “forget” to turn on their cell phones. About three dozen coral islands in the archipelago, led by one of the largest and most important of them, San Andrés Island, are perfect for a comfortable vacation that organically combines the sacred simplicity and naturalness of the environment with high-class service. Tourists who are sophisticated in exclusive vacations adore these places, where nature delights the eye with its unsurpassed beauty and richness of life-affirming colors, and where friendly and hospitable people live.
This truly heavenly corner is located in the Caribbean Sea. The islands are located closer to Nicaragua, 230 km northwest of the coast of Colombia, which has officially owned the archipelago since 1928. Despite the fact that Colombia is quite far away—750 km—the country managed to win these fertile patches of land, as many countries claimed ownership of the archipelago: Britain, Spain, the United States, and Nicaragua. The archipelago can be reached by water, although most travelers prefer to fly from the airport in Cartagena.
San Adnres Island.
San Andrés Island: was it worth fighting for?
Indeed, Colombia had a tough time fighting for the islands, which have been unofficially dubbed the “pearls of the Caribbean.” But it was worth it! As it happened, Nicaragua once managed to prove its rights to a small part of the islands, but the Colombians ignore the information they don't like and pretend that they know nothing about this “misunderstanding.”
Just a few centuries ago, the island of San Andrés was the official residence of pirates who controlled the surrounding waters. Now the days of sea robbers are a thing of the past, and instead of fierce pirates, friendly tourists stroll along the warm sand, sipping rum and cocktails. The wide beaches are lined with cafes and bars, and umbrellas are set up for adults and children to sunbathe under. The average annual air temperature is around +24ºC, allowing visitors to have a good time and the local population to enjoy life.
The total area of San Andrés Island is about 26 square kilometers. The coral island is an elongated strip of land just under 13 km long and 3 km wide. The islands of San Andrés and Providencia, located 90 km away, are strategically important tourist centers in Colombia. These popular destinations for exclusive tourist pilgrimages are considered the best, competing with such famous and recognized resorts as the Dominican Republic and Aruba, Cuba and Curaçao.
San Andres Island. Author - Ricardo Garcia.
About the nature and weather of San Andrés
The weather conditions on the islands are determined by the characteristic features of the tropical climate. Local residents are accustomed to alternating droughts and rainy seasons, which occur twice a year from September to the end of November, as well as in May-June. People are not surprised by the winds that periodically bring variety to the weather conditions. For the sake of such windy periods, windsurfers and yachtsmen are ready to rush here from remote corners of the planet in order to compete with the wind and, at the same time, delight beachgoers with spectacular show regattas.
The natural riches of the islands are its flora and fauna, represented by characteristic and endemic species. Coconut palms, yuccas, cedars, and coconut palms grow in large numbers in a relatively small area, and there are impenetrable jungles and mangrove swamps. The indigenous inhabitants and masters of the forests are birds. Surprisingly, there are no mammals here, except for a single species of bat. The crystal clear, piercingly azure waters are home to countless colorful fish, whose lives are “spied on” by divers equipped with cameras.
San Andres Island. Author - stink fish.
We hear: El Centro – we write: San Andrés Town
The island's capital is the city of the same name, which the locals simply call El Centro. It must be said that the islanders are not exaggerating; it really is the center, where shops, hotels, and entertainment venues are located. Oddly enough, on this remote island, which is part of a free trade zone, you can shop very successfully. It is easy for visitors to find their way around here, as all signs are written in two languages: the local language and English.
Attractions
The Coral Islands attract not only beach lovers; there are also interesting places that tourists should visit to broaden their horizons
La Loma Village, where there is an ancient 16th-century church.
The island's house museum with historical treasures and artifacts, where you can buy original souvenirs.
Morgan's Cave is a magnet for treasure hunters searching for the English pirate Henry Morgan's treasure. According to legend, it is hidden somewhere in this cave.
A sea excursion around the islands (to coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater caves). During the trip on a comfortable boat, travelers are sure to see some of the inhabitants of the deep sea: dolphins, barracudas, or sharks lying in wait for unsuspecting tropical fish.
Excursion to Providencia Island to the Bridge of Lovers.
