Preparation for Tropical Storm Erika

Tropical Storm Erika 

Small Hope Bay Lodge 

In wake of tropical storm Erika, we are working hard to secure your home away from home. Currently the storm is predicted to move southwest of Andros. We have a strong belief that we will not be impacted severely , however mother nature cannot be predicted so we are taking the necessary precautions. 

Jeff has cancelled all check-ins, and closed the resort for the weekend. The team is busy ensuring that our 55 year old baby is well protected to ride the storm out. 

For all of our guests in the eye of the storm, be safe! 

We will be back up and running on Monday, until then we will be partying the storm out. 

Check-out our preparation video

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Jad Davenport visit Andros Wild Wild West!!!!

Jad Davenport visit's Andros West Side with Small Hope Bay 

Jad Davenport writer for coastal magazine and National Geographic photographer recently paid a visit to Small Hope Bay Lodge to visit the west side of Andros Island. He explored the area with Small Hope tour guide Tarran and boat captain Jeff. The west side of Andros is the western most frontier of The Bahama Islands. The area has a large bio-diversity of marine life. Many fishermen believe that because of the preservation of this area, species such as snappers, spiny lobsters, tarpon, and bonfish can use it as a nursery habitat. These nursery habitats are believed to contribute to the fish stocks throughout the Caribbean region and the East Coast of the united states. 

The Small Hope Bay Lodge Andros west side tour will take you on a journey to a place where not many have ventured. Hunting for endangered species such as the Andros Iguana,  the sawtooth fish and luck may bring a few turtles. You will visit Al Capone's old hang out at the Bang Bang club, and the old sponging market. Guests will have a chance to exfoliate their skin with the alluvial clay, and fish for their lunch. The west side tour is like non-other, life changing, thrilling, out of this world. Visit Small Hope Bay Lodge and book the west side tour today www.smallhope.com.

Check out Jad's Adventure by clicking on the link above!

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Small Hope Bay Lodge and ANCAT Cans for Kids

Cans for Kids

Small Hope Partners w/ ANCAT

Recently Small Hope Bay, partnered with Andros Nature Conservancy and Trust to support Cans for Kids. Cans For Kids is a registered charity, formed in 1990 to organise the collection and recycling of aluminium cans in Cyprus. To encourage people to save their cans, it was decided to use the proceeds to purchase medical equipment for the children's wards at Cypriot hospitals. Today the organizations is global and organizes  the collection of cans in different regions the proceeds are used to help in local children related projects. The funds made from Small Hope Bay Lodge's will be donated to the Fresh Creek primary school, to help provide school supplies . 

                                       

 ANCAT & SHBL Shipping Cans to Nassau 

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Meridian School 2015 Graduating Class

Meridian School 2015 Graduating Class Visits Small Hope Bay!! 

For the past three years Lisa Goodie principal of the Meridian School located in Nassau, Bahamas has brought her graduating class to Small Hope Bay. This year the students enjoyed four days of adventure in Andros, exploring nature, hunting for crabs and enjoying the natural wonders of Andros, Island Bahamas. Check-out this video of their week at Small Hope Bay.  

Check out Small Hope Bay Rates or call our office Toll-Free: 800-223-6961 or Direct: 1-242-368-2014 

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Happy Independence Bahamas!

 Bahamas 42nd Independence

After 325 years of British rule, the Bahamas became independent on July 10th, 1973. The Birch family witness history as the Union Jack (British Flag) was slowly brought down, and the Bahamas flag hoisted. The colours each with a meaning; Black for the strength of the people, gold for the sun, and turquoise blue for the surrounding sea, represented the sovereignty of what would be become The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.  

It was a moving moment for all who witness and patriotism flowed in the blood of every man as they song the Bahamas National Anthem: March on Bahamaland.

Small Hope Bay played a pivotal role in the achieving of independence in the Bahamas. The first two secret conclaves of the Progressive Liberal Party (the party that led the Bahamas into independence) were held at Small Hope Bay Lodge. The activities of this meeting started a series of major historical events that would lead to Independence in 1973.

We would like to wish the Bahamas a Happy 42nd 

Independence!!!

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Blast from the past

Small Hope Blast from The Past!!!

Recently we had a visit from a former dive master Mike Francis, and he gave us some photos that made us reminisce.

Small Hope Bay has always centered it's service around family,fun and adventure and we have held true to our core values from 1960 to now. It has been an incredible journey for the past 55 years of operations at Small Hope Bay Lodge, and we plan to keep you 'a part of the family' for many more years to come. 

Small Hope Bay Lodge. then, now, always!!!

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Island Hopping Package

Island Hopping Package!!!!

With over 700 islands and cays the Bahamas has so much to over, travelers seeking to have experience more than one destination is one destination. Small Hope Bay Lodge and Staniel Cay Yacht Club has teamed up to offer you an experience of a lifetime. One vacation two destinations, one country. 

Fly to Andros, and experience the wonderful world, of diving or a nice relaxing day fishing the flats, or just relaxing on a Hammock at Small hope Bay. Then skip on over to Exuma to see the swimming pigs and enjoy the turquoise blue waters of the Exuma Cays.  

The Island Hopping Package includes: 

• Round-trip airfare between Fort Lauderdale, Andros and Staniel Cay
• Beachfront accommodations and all-inclusive amenities at Small Hope Bay Lodge
• Waterfront accommodations, private skiff and more at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

Check out our Island Hopping Package on our website. 

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Small Hope Bay Waste to Cash Program

Small Hope Bay Waste-to -Cash Program!!

Recently we started a recycling program with students from the local communities, transforming wine bottles into drinking glasses. 

In the past Abba did the processing of the wine bottles, however the program discontinued for a while. We decided to develop a program that would help promote recycling among st the younger generation in the local community. The students visit Small Hope Bay Lodge  twice a week two hours per day, one hour is spent studying, and the other is spent processing wine bottles. 

In the upcoming months we plan to stock our boutique with recycled glasses, the students will receive the majority of the earnings from these sales. On your next visit to Small Hope Bay, ask about our Waste-to-Cash student program.  

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Great Place for an Island Wedding

Small Hope Bay Lodge is a beautiful destination for a beachside wedding. We have two secluded beaches, beautiful island flowers, a great kitchen staff to prepare delicious food, and a staff willing to accommodate anything you can imagine for your wedding. This month we have lucky enough to host two weddings.

Brent and Carolyn came to Small Hope with their three kids to celebrate their wedding. They stayed for a week - some tried diving, some snorkeling, bike rides and more. They had their ceremony on the north beach and it could not have been sweeter. Congratulations to them and their family!

Sam and Diana came to escape some of the craziness that go along with wedding planning. They left all the plans up to us and had an intimate ceremony on the south beach. As they came alone, they were able to combine their wedding with their honeymoon. They tried diving, snorkeling, biking and more. Congratulations Sam and Diana!

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A Blast from the Past!

Small Hope Bay Lodge first opened in 1960! That means we are now in our 54th year. 54 years of exploring our reef, of conch fritters, of hanging with our guests at the bar. Here are some of our "old school" photos from back in the day!

Early scuba lessons

Tiki boat, one of our many boats thru the years

Our old zig zag dock

Moose and Elizabeth, friends for years

Past divemasters, Alec and John

Another boat with Dick Birch at the helm

Dick Birch

Yep, we used to limbo!

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Return Guest T-shirt Contest!

We're looking to have a new design for the shirts we give to our return guests and want everybody's input! So to combat this quest, we're holding a design contest and would love to have as many participants as possible. Fun, quirky, fishy designs are always great and anything that you feel suits the experiences you've had at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Think water, fish, diving, relaxing, hammocking, family, food, or whatever else comes to mind when you think of Small Hope. Our current shirt has a Small Hope logo on the front side with a large design on the back sharing a quote from Dick Birch.

Some examples of former T-shirt designs include lists of quotes, birds, funny underwater pictures and others.

We're accepting submissions and the only thing you need to make sure is that your images are saved at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (pixels per inch). Please email your submissions to shbmktandros@gmail.com  and let's get this contest rolling! Get creative! We love quirky and fun!

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Card Sharks

These past few days it's been mighty windy and the raging sea has been crashing down on the rocky shore. Most guests have been relaxing in the lodge by the fire, but no amount of surge could keep our card-playing friends from taking their Bavarian gambling to the waters. Lars, Tom, Phillip and divemaster Claudius take  'Card Sharks' to a whole new level by slapping around cards, coins and downing Kaliks in the water by the dock. Check it out.

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Bahamas Beachside Wedding

Nick and Jessica came to Small Hope Bay Lodge in February to celebrate their wedding. While they were here they also became open water certified divers! Congratulations to them on both accounts. 

Check out this video of the ceremony!

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Goofy Divemasters

It is always a treat to have divemaster Tony on the dock or out in the dive boat. It is never a dull moment when he is dancing or signing or just goofing around. Check out this video of some memorable moments from Tony's time at the Small Hope Bay Lodge Dive Center

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Conch Chowder!

Always a favorite around the Small Hope lunch table is Conch Chowder. This is the perfect meal to replenish your energy after a morning of diving or out on the flats fishing. Now with this recipe you can bring some of the Bahamas and Small Hope Bay Lodge to your lunch or dinner table. With all the snow this winter this is the perfect dish to warm you up after shoveling the driveway! Enjoy!

Ingredients

Vegetable oil                         2 Tbs
Onion, small dice                 1
Celery, small diced         2 pcs
Sweet Pepper small diced 1
Tomatoes, small diced         2
Garlic chopped (cloves)       4
Tomato Paste                 ½ cup
Flour                                 ¾ cup
Conch                                 2 lbs.
Fish Stock, as needed         3 q.
Carrots, medium dice         2
Potatoes, medium dice 2
Thyme                                 2 Tbs
Salt, as needed              1 Tbs
Pepper, as needed         1 Tbs
Pepper sauce                  ¼ teaspoon

Directions 

1.      Sauté onions, pepper, and tomatoes in a pot with the vegetable oil until a little brown and tender.

2.      Add tomato paste, flour, and cook until aroma rises, and brown a little.

3.      Add conch and mix until well blended with mixture in the pot.

4.      Add Water to pot increasing amount as necessary.

5.      Season with thyme, salt and pepper.

6.      Let come to a boil, and reduce down to a simmer.

7.      Add carrots, and potatoes.

8.      Cook for 45 minutes, or until carrots and potatoes are tender and soup has thickened slightly.

9.      If not proper consistency then mix 1 cup of cornstarch with 1 cup of cold water, then add to the pot.

10.  Chowder can now be served

 

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Dive with Sharks in the Bahamas

Small Hope Bay Lodge Shark Observation Dive

Divers and snorkelers can enjoy a thrill of a lifetime while learning about some of the most misunderstood creatures in the ocean. Our shark observation dive allow divers and snorkelers to view sharks up close, in their own habitat and witness the beauty and majesty of these incredible fish. 

At Small Hope Bay Lodge the objective of the shark encounter is to raise awareness, evoke a sense of responsibility and to have fun! Our shark encounter provides the sharks with a small amount of supplemental food on an irregular basis, not making the sharks dependent on us as a food source, yet still allows us to experience the thrill of being up close and personal with one of the ocean's top predators. 

As the boat approaches the site, we can see the sharks begin to gather. An average of a dozen Caribbean reef shark at a time show up for a frozen chum ball feed. The chum ball, composed of frozen fish parts, hangs suspended on a fixed line 40 feet below the surface. Divers kneel off to the side on the sandy bottom at a depth of 60 feet. Other than providing them a free meal, to which they help themselves, we do not interfere with the sharks or molest them in any way. 

Join us for an experience of a lifetime! 

Check out the the Small Hope Sharks Experience Here

Learn more about these incredible creatures below...

 



          cSharks have roamed our oceans since before the time of dinosaurs, but their long reign at the top of the ocean food chain may be ending. The onset of industrial fishing over the past 60 years has drastically depleted their populations. Of the shark and ray species assessed by scientists for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 30 percent are threatened or near-threatened with extinction. There are many threats facing sharks today that include by-catch, where sharks are killed when other seafood is being targeted, recreational fishing, sharks being used for ingredients in cosmetics or health supplements, destruction of habitat and more. Shark fins  are now among the most expensive sea food product in the world. In general sharks are slow growing, late to mature and over long lifetimes will produce few offspring.This leaves them quite vulnerable to over exploitation and slow to recover from depletion. Being that sharks are a top predator within the ocean their depletion presents risks for the entire ocean ecosystem. A decline in the population of Tiger Sharks in a certain area will directly effect the population of sea grass beds. With nothing there to prey on the sea turtle population they will flourish and in turn deplete the vital sea grass beds, which would be an important and devastating loss of habitat.

 How can you help

Visit these sites to see how you can get involved and help preserve the world's shark populations. Keep fun and educational programs such as the Small Hope shark observation dive going by helping to conserve our ocean's sharks!

PADI Shark Conservation

Shark Conservation Society 

The Shark Alliance

Shark Angels, 10 Ways to Save Sharks

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Coconut Cream Pie

Another delicious dessert for you to try. Coconut Cream Pie is always a favorite at the Small Hope dessert table, and now with the recipe you can bring it home to your table!   

Coconut Cream Pie

Ingredients: 

1 pie crust (9 inch), baked
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups water

½ cup evaporated milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 packages coconut flakes (4 cups)
1 teaspoon coconut rum
1 cup whip topping

Directions:

1. In heavy pan, dissolve cornstarch in water; stir in water and milk and egg yolks.
2. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
3. Add coconut flakes and coconut rum
4. Pour into crust.
5. Chill for 4 hours or until set.
6. Whip up the whip topping.
7. Spread top with whipped cream
8. Sprinkle coconut flakes on top

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