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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The Discovery of a New Dive Site

Al's Cooler

A New Dive Site for Small Hope Bay

A new dive site has been officially added to the Small Hope Bay Lodge site roster. A multilevel dive, this site takes divers South along a beautiful section of the wall then comes up to a large sand patch and some lovely plate coral. Both sharks and turtles have been spotted out over the wall but the real attraction at this site is the old 'fish pot' that is now and will forever be known as Al's Cooler. Here is a little history about the discovery and naming of our new site.... 

Al and Alison Scheflow have been coming to Small Hope Bay Lodge for many years. Ever since their first visit in the summer of 2003 they were hooked. Avid divers, they have been diving everywhere from the Florida Keys to Bonaire, but when they were looking for some more diversity and the opportunity to experience some different dives they decided to try the Bahamas. Andros Island, home to the third longest barrier reef and just minutes from the tongue of the ocean was the perfect choice. So they packed their bags and took the short flight over to the beautiful and secluded Small Hope Bay Lodge. 

The diving at SHBL is unlike the diving found in other places. Whether it is a cavern, a wreck, a wall or a blue hole you are never disappointed and as Al and Alison discovered there is always something new to see. This was particularly true on their latest visit to the lodge as they were given the opportunity to explore some never before seen areas of the reef with a few of the Small Hope divemasters.  

It was on one of these exploratory dives that they happened upon the new site. The plan was to anchor and travel along the wall until they found an interesting spot. It was clear however that where they anchored was just perfect. They cruised along marveling at the beauty of the wall and at the magnificence that is the tongue of the ocean. Few things are as spectacular as a 6000 foot drop to the bottom of the deep blue. As the divers came up over the top Al and Alison made the discovery of an old fish pot that had long since been forgotten. Everyone knew that they had found a wonderful site.

But what to call it? Many different names were tossed about, however after some consideration the name that seemed most fitting was Al's Cooler. 

To understand how the site got its name "Al's Cooler" it is important to know a little more about the Scheflow's and their time at SHBL. As members of the Small Hope family Al and Alison have implemented their own Small Hope traditions whenever they come. Al, a serious advocate for drinking only seriously cold beer not only created the Small Hope Beer Koozie but also the tradition of serving beer out of a cooler of ice at the bar.

 "Straight from the cooler to the koozie and the beer stays colder longer".

So when Al discovered the old fish pot on the mystery dive he said it was like finding himself an underwater cooler. Divemaster Dennis joked that he could have cold beer...even on a dive! Believe it or not that is just what he did. To christen the new sight Al and Alison brought down a few beer bottles to put in the "cooler" and even cracked one open and took a sip before tossing it in. Everyone had a great time finding, naming and making the new site official. 

Small Hope would like to send out a BIG thank you to divemasters Dennis, Sam and Laura and especially Al and Alison Scheflow for all the their help with the new site. Last week the first official group tried out the site and all the divers agree it is a beautiful place! 

Check out The Christening of Al's Cooler here and watch how Al and Alison pay tribute to the new site! 

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Closing Time...............

We are half way through closing for another year!!!

Scuba and Sassy have been helping out.

We had a great closing party at Somerset Beach, some much need fun in the sun and relaxation.....
The cabins are getting a spruce up,the boats a getting a new paint job, new divemaster Erin is working on the glass room, we have convince Jeff for some new cushion covers for the lounge so we can't wait for them to arrive!!!

The hot tub has got a brand new deck, no more nails sticking up and a hand rail for easy exit and entry........

The dive staff have been helping ANCAT clean up the mouth of Fresh Creek in conjunction with Project Aware's Debris Month of Action, we got quite a lot, here is just some of what we got.........

• 509 glass bottles
• 9 tyres
• 7 car parts 
• 408 pieces of rubber
• 1 baby carriage
• 1 very large heavy block

That is just the beginning of what is there, we could all help out every weekend for a year and we wouldn't get it all clean!!!!

We can't wait to see everyone again..................... Pin It Now!

Irene has come and gone

Hello to all our friends from Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas!

From Jeff and all the staff we are here and all is well!

Going to do a day of clean up and we re-opened for business on Saturday August 27!

We send out our thoughts to all those who may not be as fortunate as we are…..

We thank all of you who have sent us good wishes and invite you to come on down! 

Check us out…… www.SmallHope.com

Sassy and Scuba had a fine time through out the hurricane getting a one of opportunity to hang out inside with all the staff..........

We are getting ready for our annual closing period as of the 6 of September, to get Small Hope ready for another season......Stay tuned to our Facebook Fan page for updates. 

We have some new things in the boutique for everyone to check out on their next trip to Small Hope

We looking forward to seeing old and meeting new friends soon......

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Return Guest.................

We recently had some returnee guest who has been coming to Small Hope for over twelve years. It was good planning on all party’s part that they got to meet up this year for a few days. To catch up at Small Hope were they all  first meet.

Lisa & Jim, who are both keen dives, enjoyed being back in the water with new and old dive masters. Jim also enjoy a few afternoons of bone fishing with Giles.

Giles, Paula and Alex arrive next. Alex has been an intern here the last two summers. Alex is a keen diver and this summer enjoy the diving while only having to intern for part of his summer. Giles is a mad keen fisherman who comes to Small Hope both for the diving and the bone fishing. Paula is a diver and also enjoys the relax atmosphere that is Small Hope.

Dan, Cynthia & Casey are all divers. Casey started coming here when she was just 3, she is now 13. Casey learnt to dive at Small Hope and also enjoys the chance to relax. Dan and Cynthia are both divers and take this opportunity to enjoy some diving and good conversation with other guest.

It was great to see all them together and reminisce about times gone by and how when coming back to Small Hope it is like returning home as everything is familiar and just as you let it.

Lisa, Jim Winchester KY, Giles, Paula, Alex United Kingdom, Dan, Cynthia & Casey San Francisco CA

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The Boys Vacation

Dr. Howard Khani, has been coming here for over 20 years. Usually bringing along his son, Josh, who was certified here at Small Hope. This year, Howard and Josh made this a boys retreat and brought along father and grandfather, Fred, and their cousin Mike. The boys enjoyed diving, relaxing, bone fishing and socializing at the bar. Click here to hear Fred talk about one of his favorite times during his vacation.
Before leaving, Josh wrote testimonial describing his time here: “We’ve been coming to SHBL for about 20 years, and regardless of weather, time of year, or Jeff Birch’s mood the diving, relaxing, and partying is always amazing and we will continue to be SHB guests for eternity.” – The Khani Family Pin It Now!