An epic adventure, a fantastic quest!

Check out the amazing quest of Divemaster Fede and Brett, on a search for a long-lost dive site - Hole In The Wall!

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Feild trip to Abaco

Last week our fearless leader, Jeff Birch, and Divemaster Fede went to see an old Small Hope friend Brian Kakuk. Brian lives on Abaco and is a world-renowned cave diver and explorer. Brian was coming to Small Hope for a week to do some diving in some of Andros' blue holes and also to have a romantic getaway with his lovely wife Michelle. 

So Fede and Jeff decided to fly Jeff's plane to Abaco and pick Brian up. But while they were there . . . the Abacos of the Bahamas are known for having some of the most beautiful and extensive blue hole cave dives in the world. And neither Jeff or Fede would ever pass up the opportunity for a REALLY cool dive! So the three guys got their equipment and headed to Dan's Cave.

Here is Fede's video of the day . . .

Also check out Brian Kakuk's website for more information about cave diving in the Bahamas! Pin It Now!

Stargate!!!

We have had several divers doing some Specialty dives lately. Last week one of our guests, along with Jeff and Divemaster Fede took the short flight down to one of our most spectacular dive sites . . . Stargate. Stargate is an inland blue hole only accessible by plane. The dive is 120 feet deep and is one of the most incredible dives you will ever do!

 

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Everyone likes cookies......

Oatmeal Cookies

 

Ingredients

¾ cup shortening
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon cloves
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped nuts
3 cups quick-cooking oats

Method

Heat oven to 350˚.  Mix thoroughly shortening, sugars, egg, water and vanilla.  Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 1 inch apart onto greased baking sheet.  Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched with finger.  Immediately remove from baking sheet.

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Hi from Jim and Liz....................

We both had a great time at Small Hope Bay Lodge! 

Jim Dive master Dennis and Liz

The place itself is amazing but what adds even more is THE STAFF!!! 

I can’t begin to say enough about them. They are all so friendly and multi-talented, extremely nice young people to help you enjoy your stay at Small Hope.

We mostly snorkeled, relaxed, ate very well, went to Captain Bills Blue Hole and played cribbage!! 

Did a lot of hammocking as well!

Fantastic reefs, with great visibility, teeming with fish of all colors. From the divers we talked to they all said the dives were fantastic! You must do the Shark Emporium Dive or snorkel as I did a memorable experience to be sure!

Kudos to Jeff for offering the opportunity to enjoy Small Hope Bay Lodge, for being such a friendly, gracious host!!

Thanks to all Jeff, Nicky, Mel, Loren, Aidan, Leyna, Antonio, Joe, Bhurna, Austin, Abba, Dennis And thanks to Renaundo and ALL of his kitchen staff for the great meals!

I know I’ve left some out by mistake but you get the idea!

Come to Small Hope Bay Lodge you will LOVE IT!!!

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A Brothers Bond

Alex, Bryant and Nick

Our first diving experience was at Small Hope Bay Lodge in 2003 on a family vacation. We did the Discover SCUBA course and were immediately taken with diving.

Soon after that trip my brothers and I received our Open Water SCUBA certification and have since taken trips to the Florida Keys and Mexico; however we have yet to find an experience that could compete with the one we had at Small Hope.

When we were putting together a diving trip for the youngest brother Nick’s graduation in 2010 we knew that we wanted to be back at SHBL. In the six years since our last visit, not much has changed, but everything we loved when we were kids is still here, the cabins tucked right next to the beach, the extreme variety of diving (wall, reef, Blue Holes, wreck dives), great conversations with the other guests at the communal dinner every night and an attitude among the enthusiastic staff of making sure every guest feels at home.

As you fall asleep at night listening to the waves on the beach you can’t help but feel like you aren’t at a resort but rather a good friends place in the Bahamas, and of course you always wish you could stay for one more night.

Alex, Bryant & Nick Boucher
Colorado Pin It Now!

Captain Bills In-Land Blue Hole Clean Up

Group Picture of helpers on the day

Mel

                                                 

                                                 Joe

Aidan

                               

                                          Silt and Algae where all the trash was hiding

On Saturday 25 September the dive masters of Small Hope Bay Lodge helped clean up Captain Bills In-Land Blue. We found The following is what we collected:
Plastic bottles: 21
Glass bottles: 742
Aluminum cans: 458
Shoes: 4
Pull tabs : 5
Toys; 2
Shut gun shells; 1
Bait containers: 1
Buoys/ floats: 1
Ropes : 3
55 Gallon drum; 1
Lighters; 2
Chair: 1
A big thank you to Gabrielle from  Ancat  Andros Conservancy and Trust for organising it all. All so a big thank you to Andros Island Divers, Greenforce, Forfar and Bahamas National Trust for their help.

55 Gallon Drum 

Pulling up the trash

Sorting the trash

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Small Hope Bay Lodge Staff Party 2010

Lunch Time

SMALL HOPE BAY LODGE 

STAFF PARTY 2010

CAPTAIN BILL'S BLUE HOLE

Chillin' time

We have all recovered from a fabulous staff party at Captain Bills In-Land Blue Hole!

Dancing Time

It was a great day and a big thank you to Jeff for a great day out. 

We had great food prepared by Bobby and Michelle, grilled by Renauldo. 

There were kayaks to paddle around Captain Bills, dancing was a popular way to pass the day, plenty of jumping of the platform.

Abba and Jeff about to jump!

Party Time

Moose was teaching us his bombing technique, and Jeff even got Abba to jump with him which was great to see. 

The day was great success with great food, beverages, and awesome company :-)

Jeff and Moose

Check out the Small Hope staff party video on our YouTube site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYF_JDrLMWY 

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Andros Island Blue Holes.....

Diving an Ocean Blue Hole

Blue Holes are unique geological formations created over thousands of years and multiple glacial and interglacial periods.

There are many types of Blue Holes, but they are essentially caves that formed in a air environment when sea levels were low as a result of  glacial retreat. When the ice retreated the caves flooded and this process of being dry and flooded was repeated several times over as the glaciers came and went.

In Land\Ocean Blue Hole Conch Sound Andros Island

As the caves tops grew thinner from erosion or experienced mechanical stress many of them collapsed leaving large holes often leading to hidden cave systems. These holes got the name Blue Holes due to the fact that the bottoms of the collapse is deeper than surrounding land and when viewed from the air appear rich blue in colour in the ocean, some are dark blue and even black in appearance inland. The inland Blue Holes collect a less dense freshwater lens on top of the ground seawater and are connected to the ocean Blue Holes by cracks and fissures typical of the limestone composition. Imagine a sponge.

Diving an Ocean Blue Hole

The tide moves seawater back and forth between the inland Blue holes and the ocean Blue holes via these cracks and fissures during the high and low cycles of the tide.

Often the Blue holes have strong inflow and out flows as water is exchanged. The cooler hypoxic/anoxic inland water (caused by oxygen dissolving into the limestone)flows out of the ocean Blue holes and this mixes with the warmer sea water. Where the two meet it creates a mixture of haloclines, chemoclines and thermoclines often referred to as a "density interface"

Each Blue Hole has its own personality and offer an opportunity for divers to experience a glimpse of the past geology and formations. Proper training is a must to dive these beautiful structures in safety. Even the cavern portions require experienced guides.

Check out the August edition of National Geographic Magazine for more great facts and pictures.

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Ted,Mike,Dave & Joan Visit Small Hope Bay Lodge

We recently had Ted,Mike,Dave & Joan visit for some diving and some relaxing for Joan, we have a few words from Ted on behalf of the group........

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Guided Tour of North Andros Island

We left Small Hope Bay Lodge and headed North towards Conch Sound (pictured above).

Along the way we were given information about the surrounding area and how the best part of Andros Island was for growing crops, where the citrus farm was, and where some

inland caves and blue holes were situated.

When we arrived at Conch Sound, which was about a 30 minute drive, we were told about the Blue Hole which is around 25-30 feet from shore and a very nice beach and picnic area.

Next stop was the highest point of Andros Island which is around 70 - 80 feet from sea level.

(Pictured below left). There was a little bit of a walk up a hill but nothing too strenuous, the view was well worth it.

We were off again and the next stop was to Captain Henry Morgan's pirates cave's where

legend has it he hid his treasure back in the 1600's to 1700's. Captain Morgan was, in his time, the

most feared man throughout the Caribbean and his treasure is still to be found.

The town Morgans Bluff, where the caves are located, was named after Captain Morgan. (Picture right)

On our way to the next stop we were told about the guardian of the forest, a Chickcharnie, which is half barn owl and half man the size of a leprechaun. If you laugh at the Chickcharnie, he will turn your head 180 degree's for life. If you befriend him, he will give you luck and a share of his gold which is in a nest between two strong pines.

Last stop of the tour was at an inland blue hole called Uncle Charley's Blue Hole. Blue Holes get there names from their perfectly round entrances and because there doesn't appear to be any bottom. A unique feature of the inland blue hole is the layer of fresh water that literally sits on top of the salt below. A very nice spot for a picnic and a jump in the blue hole. (Blue Hole pictured below)

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