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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Land Tour of Andros

Though I am not new to Andros and have visited several times throughout the course of my life, I have never really explored the island. I am currently working as an intern for the next few months and will be sharing some of my experiences here at Small Hope and around the area. I've only been here for a week so far, but on my day off I joined some guests (Cheryl and Jeff) on a land tour with Dennis. The agenda was to explore some blue holes, caves and check out the northern part of the island. On our way up to Conch Sound, we passed pine forests, schools, colorful houses, a Mennonite farm, and a handful of building projects that were left abandoned. It was certainly insightful to ride with our knowledgeable tour guide (and trusty divemaster)Dennis, who answered our questions with ease. When we reached the sound, we saw the flattened water which signified a blue hole underneath and we all got our snorkels on to explore.

Blue Hole at Conch Sound

Caves

What a sight! The cracks in the limestone fell deep and hundreds of fish were passing through as the limestone walls bent and curved in different directions. Several schools of fish of varying size swam beneath us as we floated at the surface. A large blowfish hovered in the open space while another hid behind a crack and slowly peered out everytime I moved a different way. As I watched a lionfish swim around, Dennis called me over and pointed to a sleeping nurse shark, which was exciting for me but  unfortunately it swam away before Jeff and Cheryl could make it over to see.



Unfortunately we set out on a relatively chilly day and the water was so cold I had goosebumps and we were all shaky. We returned to the car, cracked open some drinks, and further explored the island and saw some lovely beaches, Captain Morgan's caves in Morgan's Bluff, and met some locals after having experienced some car malfunctions. We missed out on Captain Bill's Blue Hole, but I'll check that out sometime soon when I have the time. All in all, we had quite an adventure and I look forward to more trips like this. Pin It Now!

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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Nature Walking Through Andros

Small Hope Bay Lodge is good for more than just great diving, snorkeling and bonefishing. We are surrounded by pristine mangroves, coppice land and Andros pine forests. Other Bahamians call the 2300 square mile island the "Big Yard because of the abundance uninhabited land, which makes nature walking and eco tourism an easy thing to do!

Ian and Ann from Nassau, along with their Canadian friends, Eric and Maureen, came to Small Hope to do some nature tourism exploring of this out island. Ian and Ann had never been to the island, even though we are only 27 miles away from Nassau! They thoroughly enjoyed their explorations, heading north to Red Bays to watch the basket weaving and sponging activities. The four friends took long walk in the mangroves and embarked on the Bush Medicine trail that led to the Rainbow Blue Hole.

All four sat with Divemaster Amanda after lunch and talked about their experiences at Small Hope Bay Lodge.

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