Bonefishing the Andros Flats

Come bonefishing at Small Hope & you will be hooked!

We can help organize your perfect bonefishing trip with one of our professional guides.

Food & drinks—we have it covered---half days leave with a cooler of snacks & drinks & whole day trips leave with a lunch cooler & drinks of your choice.

Andros Island , with miles and miles of pristine flats and productive sea grass beds, is the perfect bonefish habitat, and the fish reside in vast numbers throughout the entire chain

Bonefish are amphidromous, living in inshore tropical waters, moving onto shallow mudflats to feed with the incoming tide, and retreating to deeper water as the tide goes out. Juvenile bonefish may be observed in large shoals of like-sized individuals with large mature fish swimming in smaller groups or in pairs. Bonefish are considered to be among the world's premier fly game fish and are highly sought after by anglers. Bonefish are primarily caught for sport.

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Snorkeling at Small Hope..............

There are many places to snorkel around Small Hope; here are some descriptions of two of the more popular snorkel spots.

The Under and Around the Dock

The dock is a place of marine abundance and a great starting point for snorkelers, weather you are just learning to snorkel or are experienced. The dock is where the ruins of a previous dock is, which has been claimed as a home by an enormous variety of marine life. The dock and its surroundings are also delightful for a night snorkel. There is every chance you will see some Sergent Majors, Snappers, French Grunts, Barracudas and schools of sliver sides.




Sergent Majors



Barracuda



Silver sides

John Rock



John Rock

If the tide is high then snorkel out towards John Rock, south from the dock across the sand patch. Keep a look out for sting rays. Look into the crevices at the edge along John Rock and you could come across some needle fish, yellow goat fish and long spined urchin. Early morning and late afternoon is a good time to see southern stingray and spotted eagle rays.

Southern Sting Ray

Yellow Goat Fish

Houndfish

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Friends from the Netherlands

Here at Small Hope we are lucky to meet so many differnet people from all walks of live and from all over the world. Renctly we meet Caterina, Annika & Michael from the Netherlands. Here are a few words from them in both English and in Dutch

Cabins right on the beach

After our first visit to SHB two years ago one thing was clear: we would return here. This time we, Caterina and Annika, also brought son and brother Michael along. On arrival we were truly welcomed as family members by everybody. A lot of the staff was still there and some of the staff was new, even from as far away as the UK and Australia. We settled in our cottage and took of our shoes for the rest of our stay.

We spent the days diving, eating well and socializing with everybody around, guests and staff. The dive staff is wonderful, the guests get to pick the dive site most of the time and everything happens in an extremely relaxed way. Always special are the night dives and the Shark Emporium. But also the shallow reef dives are our favourite because of its coral and lots of little fish. And the temperature of the water is just unbelievable.

Michael and Annika decided to go for their Advanced Open Water certification under the expert guidance of Loren. Caterina was too lazy to go for it but will consider it for the next time. It was our first time to dive Over the Wall and experience some nitrogen narcosis. Fortunately we were watched closely on this deep dive by the dive staff.

The evenings were fun, we got to know everybody in just a few days. The dinners from Denise and Michelle are so good, we will sorely miss them at home.

Michael started out at little tense because of his upcoming first year in college but had completely mellowed out by the time he left for school. Caterina and Annika got to stay another day.

On the last day we were invited to a lovely and intimate wedding on the beach carefully orchestrated by Jeff. We were happy to be part of that wonderful experience.

Back home in the Netherlands now all we can do is to plan our trip back to Small Hope Bay. Annika would actually just like to live there permanently as part of the dive staff!




Caterina Birthday


Dutch Version

Na ons eerste bezoek aan SHB twee jaar geleden was een ding duidelijk: we zouden hier terugkomen. Deze keer namen we, Caterina en Annika, ook zoon en broer Michael mee. Bij aankomst werden we door iedereen binnengehaald als familie. Veel medewerkers waren er nog, sommigen waren nieuw, zelfs vanuit GB en Australië. We betrokken onze cottage and trokken onze schoenen uit voor de rest van ons verblijf.


We brachten de dagen door met duiken, lekker eten en gezellig avonden met de gasten én de medewerkers. De duikinstructeurs zijn geweldig, de gasten mogen meestal de plek uitzoeken war gedoken wordt en alles gebeurt op een heel ontspannen manier. Altijd bijzonder zijn de nachtduiken en de Shark Emproium. Maar ook de ondiepe rifduiken zijn favoriet om het mooie koraal en de vele kleine visjes. En de temperatuur van het water is gewoon ongelooflijk.

Michael en Annika besloten hun Advanced Open Water certificaat te halen onder de deskundige leiding van Loren. Caterina was er te lui voor maar overweegt het voor een volgende keer. Het was onze eerste keer dat we Over the Wall doken en wat van de nitrogen narcosis meekregen. Gelukkig werd er door de duikinstructeurs goed op ons gelet bij deze diepe duik.


De avonden waren leuk. In korte tijd leerden we iedereen kennen. Het eten van Denise en Michelle is zo goed, dat gaan we thuis absoluut missen.


Michael startte de vakantie een beetje gestresst in verband met zijn aankomende eerste jaar in de universiteit maar hij was totaal relaxed tegen de tijd dat hij vertrok voor school. Caterina en Annika mochten nog een dag blijven.


Op de laatste dag werden we uitgenodigd om een kleine, intieme trouwerij op het strand bij te wonen, zorgvuldig geregeld door Jeff. Het was een bijzondere ervaring en waren blij dat we er bij mochten zijn.


Het enige wat we nu terug in Nederland kunnen doen is onze volgende reis naar SHB plannen. Als het aan Annika ligt gaat ze er voor goed wonen als duikinstructeur.

Caterina, Annika & Michael

Netherlands

What a view to wake up to

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Family Holiday Small Hope Bay Lodge Andros Island Bahamas

Just this past month we have been fortunate enough to meet some great families. Here are some words from  Elizabeth Luce about her stay here with her family...............

Our family of four (children 12 & 10) visited Small Hope Bay Lodge for a week. Every day was full of wonderful adventure. Each of us found favourite activities, for Clara (10) it was the Androsia Batik Factory and the chance to make her own fabric, discover scuba diving and her friend se met. She also loved the resident dogs, collecting coconuts and racing hermit crabs. 

Our son Jackson (12) was an all round participant in the wonders of Small Hope. He learned how to scuba dive and went on two 40' dives, caught and tamed lizards!, played ping pong tournaments, best of all for Jackson was fishing. On a guided trip he caught his first bonefish and many other fish. He ventured to the mangroves with a generous guest who taught and guided our over joyed young fisherman.

 

After 14 years hiatus my husband and I both went diving again. The calm easy going dive masters made it so easy to get back in the water. We enjoyed the lovely conversation with staff and guests. As an amateur photographer I had fun taking pictures of the nature. On a walk through the mangroves there were birds and landscape like none other I've seen before. 

We took a family bike trip to Captain Bills Inland Blue Hole and had a blast jumping off the the platform.

                                                  

The most amazing thing about Small Hope Bay Lodge, no matter the amazing activities, is the generous, open, personal people who live and work here. We haven't even left yet and the children are asking when can we come back! And I couldn't agree more.

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Henri and Florence visit Small Hope Bay

Recently we were lucky enough to have a  visit from French couple Henri and Florence, they stayed with us for a week and enjoyed some diving and some relaxation time, here are a few words they had to say......

(Florence diver master Moose and Henri)

Would that be what paradise looks like?

We just spent one of the most unforgettable weeks of our life’s....... and it breaks our hearts that we have to leave now. 

Small Hope is one of those places where you know you can find peace. The beauty of the nature is absolutely overwhelming. We are completely fulfilled with the marine life, diving with gracious eagle rays, majesties sharks and uncountable other magical species. 

The corals are so healthy and rich that you feel like you are evolving through beauty itself.

The cocooning in the lodge is all the more pleasant as is the staff who are kind and attentive.

We just wish the time could stop now.......

If this is not realizable, then be sure we’ll be back, still reaching a little more peace of our own

Henri and Florence

We were also lucky enough to have there few words translated for us so here is the French version as well

Est-ce cela le paradis?

On vient de passer une semaine inoubliable et ça nous brise le coeur de devoir partir maintenant.

Small Hope est un de ces endroits où l’on sait que l’on peux trouver de la paix, du calme. La beauté de la nature est complètement bouleversante. La vie marine nous a parfaitement satisfaits en plongeant avec des raies aigles, des requins majestueux et beaucoup d’autres espèces marines..

Les coraux sont tellement riches et sains que l’on se sent évoluer à travers la beauté elle-même. L’ambiance de l’hôtel est extrêmement agréable, tout comme le personnel, qui est charmant et attentif. On n’a qu’une envie c’est que le temps s’arrête a cet instant. Si vous n’avez pas réaliser, on est sur de rentrer un peu plus serin. 

Florence & Henri

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Dinning at Small Hope Bay Lodge

Small Hope Bay Lodge dinning experience is something not to be missed. The evenings start at cocktail hour around the bar for chat about the day and what the plan is for the next day, then the conch fritters arrive.
The evening meal is announces by the chef of the night and the meals are a collective mix of cuisine's  done with a Bahamian flare.

Dinner is usually served at 7pm, as dinner is help yourself style there is no rush to eat, it is all at your own pace and we try to dine alfresco when we can so you can enjoy the

 beautiful Bahamian sunset as you eat.

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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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Returning family to Small Hope Bay Lodge

We have just had a return visit from Susan, Dave and their daughter Morgan who spent the week exploring the tongue of the ocean and relaxing.

Here are a few words from them.......

We started coming to Small Hope Bay Lodge in 1997. Every time we plan our next dive trip , Small Hope Bay Lodge keeps drawing us in. There is no commercialism, just nature. Every dive brings new adventures and sights. Every trip brings new friends. Morgan, our 8 year old did her first SASY dives and talks about coming back so she can become a certified diver!

One thing that never changes is the relaxation, hospitality, the genuine care by the staff for the ocean, the reef, all the guests and feeling like part of the family. Small Hope is a place to enjoy the beauty of the Bahamas and Andros. We are already planning our next trip."

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Back years later...

Andy used to visit Small Hope back when young Jeffery roamed the resort that his father, Dick Birch, had started. Back then, he used to play with Jeff, Scotty, and Tuffer. Now, years later, he returned and brought his wife Patsy. They both enjoyed the wonderful Bohemian cuisine (even though Patsy is a vegetarian, she was able to find plenty of options) and great diving like the Shark Emporium. Today, he says:

"The resort still has the same charm and wonderfulness that it had way back when."

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Ambassador of Relaxation

Small Hope Bay Lodge had the pleasure of hosting the Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN for the UK this past month. Philip Parham and his wife, Ana, made a brief stopover for a little relaxation and recharging of their batteries.

Here is what Ambassador Parham had to say about Small Hope:

"Just two days on the pine-fringed beach of Small Hope Bay -- all too short but with many highlights; snoozing under the warm sun on the double hammock at the end of the dock, with clear blue ocean lapping beneath us; cycling one day to Fresh Creek town and the Androsia factory and the next day to Love Hill Beach, where we walked along mile after mile of beach under bright sun but cooled by the breeze; lunch-time pina coladas at the beach bar; the warmth of the fire and conversation in the evening; the peace and lack of pretension." Pin It Now!

Learn To Dive On the Andros Barrier Reef

Frank and Benedict escaped the rigors of a wedding for a couple of days of relaxation at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Listen to them talk about their time here, enjoying the food, people and activities! Both tried the Discover Scuba Diving course and Frank went to the reef to see the fish from below the water. Benedict was content to stay on top, viewing the Andros Barrier Reef while snorkeling!

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