On Andros, most guides grew up fishing, diving, and sponging these same flats — then spent careers learning them as guides.
That sentence from a longtime South Andros outfitter captures what makes this stretch of the Bahamas different. Kemps Bay sits on the island’s remote eastern shore, a small settlement with a handful of shops, an airstrip at Congo Town, and some of the most lightly pressured bonefish water in the Atlantic. The guides working these flats didn’t move here for the season — they grew up in the settlements along this coast, fishing the same creeks and channels they now show visiting anglers.
This article breaks down the key fishing grounds around Kemps Bay and South Andros, what each delivers, and how the local guide culture shapes the experience. If you’re planning a trip built around sight casting to tailing bonefish with people who know every tide edge by memory, this is the place.
Kemps Bay South Andros offers some of the most consistent, low-pressure bonefishing in the Bahamas, with guides whose knowledge of local flats runs generations deep. The trade-off is real: access is limited to small aircraft into Congo Town, lodging means fishing lodges or basic guesthouses, and services are minimal. Plan for a dedicated fishing trip rather than a family vacation with options — the non-angling activities (blue holes, barrier reef snorkeling, settlement walks) exist but don’t replace a full resort itinerary.
Experienced flats anglers
Trophy hunters
Solo travelers
The sections below cover the four main fishing zones accessible from a Kemps Bay base, what each zone demands from angler and guide, and how to book the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great one.
| Fishing Ground | Key Feature | Best For | Guide Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bights | Sprawling tidal flats, mangrove channels, consistent action | Volume days, 3–5 lb fish, learning the discipline | Opposing tidal systems mean productive water within reach regardless of wind direction |
| West Side | Remote ocean flats, minimal pressure, double-digit fish | Trophy hunters targeting 11–13 lb bonefish | Access via Little Creek from South Andros cuts exposed run to ~45 minutes |
| Southern Cay Flats | Hard white-sand flats toward Water Cays and Curley Cut Cays | Anglers seeking 7–10 lb class fish with lowest pressure on island | Longer skiff run deters casual traffic — these flats see the fewest boats |
| Kemps Bay & Settlement Waters | Flats extending directly from anchorage, local guide culture | Anglers who value authentic Bahamian Out Island experience | Guides combine fishing with off-season lobster and conch work — their water knowledge is year-round |
The Bights — North, Middle, and South
The Bights form the productive heart of central Andros: a sprawling network of tidal flats, mangrove-edged channels, and shallow creeks that concentrate bonefish in numbers rarely matched elsewhere in the Caribbean. For guides based near Kemps Bay, the Bights offer the most consistent day-to-day fishing, with fish averaging 3–5 pounds and regular action through the tidal cycle. What makes the Bights especially valuable is Andros’s opposing tidal system — the east and west sides run on different cycles, so guides can almost always find productive water within reach of the dock regardless of wind direction.
Guides launch before dawn and track fish movement as the tide pushes water onto the feeding flats. The opening window — when bonefish move into ankle-deep water to feed — is the most predictable moment of the day. Check the full breakdown of tidal strategy on Fishing Explora.
As water stabilizes on the flat, bonefish tail up to feed — this is the sight-casting sweet spot. Guides position the skiff to keep the sun at the right angle and read the subtle disturbances that reveal fish movement.
As the flat empties, guides shift to deeper channel edges where larger fish hold. The Bights’ channel systems concentrate fish as water drops, extending the productive window beyond what the flats alone provide.
October and November are underrated months on the Bights — fish return in numbers after summer, and pressure is lower than the spring peak. December through March brings the largest fish, particularly along deeper channel edges where cooler water pushes bigger bonefish onto flats during warm tidal pushes.
West Side — Land of the Giants
Serious bonefish anglers know the West Side of Andros as the Land of the Giants. These remote ocean-facing flats and channel systems see minimal guided pressure, and the fish sizes reflect years of light traffic. Guides working the West Side regularly encounter singles and pairs in the 11–13 pound range — double-digit bonefish are a realistic seasonal expectation here, not a lucky outlier. The West Side National Park protects 1.5 million acres of tidal flats and mangrove creeks where no development is permitted, keeping the water and the fish wild.
Access from South Andros means running through Little Creek to reach the southwest flats, cutting the exposed run around Cistern Point to about 45 minutes. Not every day works — wind direction matters — but guides who grew up on these waters know which weather windows make the trip viable and which days to stay on the Bights.
Southern Cay Flats — Water Cays and Curley Cut Cays
South Andros adds a third distinct option: the hard white-sand flats extending toward Water Cays and Curley Cut Cays. Guides target these specifically for fish in the 7–10 pound class. The southern cay systems require a longer skiff run from any South Andros base — far enough that casual guided traffic rarely makes it, and these flats carry some of the lowest pressure on the entire island. For anglers who have spent days on the Bights and want a change of scenery and fish size, this is the move.
Tarpon enter the picture from late spring on these southern edges. Adult fish — typically 40–100 pounds — move through the backchannel systems from May onward, with May through July the most productive window for encountering them between bonefish sessions.
Kemps Bay — Where the Guides Come From
Kemps Bay itself isn’t a fishing ground so much as a base and a culture. The settlement sits along South Andros’s eastern shore, a cluster of homes, small shops, and a rhythm dictated by tides rather than clocks. The flats extending from Kemps Bay hold legendary bonefish populations, but what distinguishes this area is the guide community. Many of the men running skiffs here work as commercial lobster and conch fishermen in the off-season, returning to the same water they guide all season long. That accumulated knowledge — which flat activates on a northwest wind, which channels hold fish when the tide drops — separates a productive day from a difficult one.
Book guides through lodges at Mars Bay or Deep Creek even if you’re not staying at the lodge — they can arrange guided fishing for cruisers and independent travelers. Legends like Captain Charlie Smith have spent decades perfecting the art of stalking bonefish on these flats, and the most respected veterans often fill their schedules a year out. Contact lodges directly in early fall for the following season’s availability.
Beyond fishing, the Andros Barrier Reef — the third largest barrier reef system on earth — lies just offshore from the eastern shore, accessible for snorkeling on calm days. The island’s interior holds the world’s largest concentration of accessible blue holes, with Tanglewood Blue Hole near Driggs Hill offering easy inland access and stunning clarity. These are genuine additions to a trip, but they’re secondary to the fishing — plan them as afternoon excursions on days when wind keeps the skiffs off the flats.
Planning Your South Andros Bonefishing Trip
Getting to Kemps Bay requires intent. Congo Town Airport (TZN) receives flights from Nassau and occasionally direct from South Florida on small commuter carriers, but schedules are limited — typically once or twice daily depending on season. International travelers connect through Nassau (NAS) and should book the onward leg carefully to avoid overnight layovers. Private charters are common among serious fishing groups and remove the scheduling headache entirely.
When to Go
Prime bonefishing season runs October through May. October and November offer fresh fish on the Bights with lower pressure than spring. December through March brings the largest fish, particularly on the West Side and deeper channel edges. Summer months still produce good action, especially early mornings and late afternoons when water temperatures drop, but the consistent tailing windows narrow.
Where to Stay
Lodging on South Andros means specialized fishing lodges or small, locally-run guesthouses. Properties near Mangrove Cay or Congo Town that include guides and skiffs in package prices offer the best value — the expertise built into the package matters more than the room quality. Unlike North Andros, where options like Small Hope Bay Lodge cater to a wider audience, South Andros lodging prioritizes tailored service and direct guide access.
What It Costs
Guided bonefishing weeks on South Andros typically run at the higher end of Bahamas rates due to the remoteness and the experience level of the guides. Top guides book a year in advance and command premiums for their water knowledge. Package deals at dedicated lodges often bundle accommodation, meals, skiff, and guide into a single rate that undercuts booking everything separately.
Booking too late. The most respected South Andros guides — those who grew up on these flats and have spent decades reading them — often fill their entire season a year in advance. If you’re targeting a specific guide or lodge, reach out by early fall for the following year. Last-minute bookings usually mean less experienced guides or secondary water that doesn’t deliver the same quality.
Before You Go — South Andros Bonefishing
Do I need to be an expert flats angler to fish here?
Not necessarily. The guides are patient and accustomed to teaching the fundamentals of sight casting. That said, the fishing rewards experience — if you’ve never cast on a flat before, a few practice sessions before the trip will make the first day more productive.
What should I pack beyond fishing gear?
Polarized sunglasses with good glare reduction are essential — the white-sand flats create intense reflection. Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and light long-sleeved shirts for sun protection. If you plan to snorkel the blue holes or barrier reef, bring a rash guard and water shoes.
How many days should I book?
A standard bonefishing week runs six full days on the water, with one rest day built in. Four days is enough to get a solid experience; seven allows for weather buffers and exploration of different zones like the West Side or southern cays.
Can I bring non-fishing family members?
Yes, but set expectations. South Andros has limited non-fishing infrastructure — no resort pools, no shopping, no organized kids’ programs. The barrier reef snorkeling, blue hole visits, and settlement walks are genuine but low-key. This works best for families where everyone understands the trip revolves around the fishing schedule.
What’s the biggest mistake first-time visitors make?
Underestimating the tidal schedule. Guides build the day around the tide, not around breakfast. If you show up expecting a 9 a.m. start, you’ll miss the best windows. Trust the guide’s call on timing and be ready at first light.
The Water They Grew Up On
What makes Kemps Bay South Andros different isn’t the size of the flats or the numbers of fish — though both are exceptional. It’s the fact that the person standing on the poling platform grew up on this exact water, learned its moods as a kid diving for conch, and now applies a lifetime of reading tides and wind to put you on the right fish at the right moment. That kind of knowledge can’t be downloaded or learned from a guidebook. It has to be lived. Explore more pristine bonefish flats across the Bahamas.
References
Sail Abacos. “Kemps Bay Anchorage.” Sail Abacos Guide, 2024. ↗
Fishing Explora. “Bonefishing in the Bahamas.” Fishing Explora Journal, 2024. ↗
Fine Naturalist. “South Andros Bahamas Bonefishing Blue Holes Guide.” Fine Naturalist Blog, 2024. ↗
For more Bahamas fishing destinations, check out our guide to Eleuthera’s pink sand beaches and sapphire blue hole, or read about the underwater wonders around the islands for diving and snorkeling beyond the flats. If you’re planning a broader Bahamas trip, the Exuma Land and Sea Park offers a completely different kind of water experience worth building into a longer itinerary.
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