Small Hope's Aquatic Friends

Over the past two nights, dinner has been interrupted by a family of dolphins swimming and playing around the dock here at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Guests and dive staff ran out to the dock and enjoyed watching the dolphins jump in and out of the water. A few staff and guests grabbed their snorkel gear and jumped into the ocean where the dolphins came within a few feet, playing around our snorkelers and showing off with underwater acrobatics. Loren Kearney, who is apart of our dive staff and who was one of the lucky snorkelers to jump in the water, took the above picture as one of the dolphins swam by. You can also find a video of the dolphins and snorkelers on YouTube here.

We expect to see more of our new friends again, along with other wonderful aquatic life that lives so close to shore. Such as: star fish, spotted eagle rays, and butterfly fish, all whom you can easily spot any time while snorkeling around our beaches and dock. For more information on our aquatic life in SHBL, or snorkeling, please visit Small Hope’s website here.

Check out Small Hope Bay Lodge on the Real Bahamas webisode on Andros Island! We always knew that Andros was the place to be for diving, snorkeling, eco-tours and world class bonefishing. Now the rest of the world can see it too!

Rate the video and leave a comment about how much you love Small Hope Bay Lodge!

Signature dives only at SHBL

The picture above describes it all. The photographer, Loren Kearny, who is also a part of the dive staff, named this shot "A Diver's Endless Summer". It was taken this month at Diana's Dungeons. A dive signature to Small Hope Bay Lodge, where there are spectacular swim-through caverns on a false wall of a variety of soft coral, as well as amazing red encrusting algae found on the inside of all of the swim-throughs. A diver can wind their way through these wide and well-lit caverns, and expect to see large numbers of silver sides as well as the fish that eat them, like Bar Jacks and Yellowtail Snapper.

This 90ft dive, originally got its name because all the twisted swim-throughs reminded our one-time head dive master of his girlfriend's mind. Regardless of how this site got it's name, Diana's dungeons has quickly become a guest favorite.
To find out more about our other dive sites, please visit our website here.

SHBL hosted “Ulysse Travel Magazine” journalist

Elisabeth, a journalist from the popular French Travel Magazine “Ulysse Mag” visited Small Hope Bay Lodge during a trip through several Bahamian Islands. Throughout the duration of her stay Elisabeth and her husband, Jean-Francois, enjoyed relaxing and snorkeling some of our local spots. You can find “Ulysse Mag” website here.

“ I’ll try to explain (with my bad English): people are very nice, Andros is a wonderful island with a lot of different places very interesting to explore. I trust Jeff for keeping the philosophy of Small Hope Bay and I thank him for the organization I needed…and the tranquility of the hammocks!” –E.B.

Celebrating Father’s Day at Small Hope Bay Lodge

Two father-daughter couples visited Small Hope Bay Lodge last weekend. Win and Helen, who are long-term repeat guests, and Brad and Laurie, who are new to the Small Hope Bay family, all celebrated Father’s day by diving and relaxing together.

“My first time here was in 1965 and I find it gratifying that after Dick was quoted: ‘the only immutable law in life is change’. He has left a place that was great to start and has not changed. We had a ball and will be back. I always come back!” -Win Robinson

“This is my 4th trip to Small Hope Bay and I can’t wait to come back again. It’s so nice that it never changes. The people treat you like family and the diving is phenomenal. See you in 2010!” - Helen Ambuge

“I found the diving experience here to be wonderful, rewarding and unique. I’m just sorry I didn’t learn about SHBL sooner than this year; I would have visited many times before now.” -Brad Frederic

“We have had such a fabulous time – the diving is simply magnificent! The dive crew has the perfect approach, just enough care and concern. But they allow you more freedom than any other dive operations I’ve experienced. This place is truly special, unique and magical!! Thank you, Thank you!” -Laura Frederic

Family Celebrates a 40th Anniversary here at Small Hope Bay Lodge

The Napiers’ and Gilbrides’ family of 10 came down to vacation at Small Hope Bay Lodge to celebrate Bob and Ruth’s 40th anniversary. The ages ranged from 4 and a half to 67 and the whole family enjoyed snorkeling, diving, and quality time together here at Small Hope.

“This trip was a surprise for me – and what a wonderful surprise! Beautiful – great for kids – lots of fun. A great place for our family – grandparents, parents, children – we are celebrating our 40th anniversary and what a celebration!” - Ruth Napier

“So family friendly – all ages – from 67 to age 4. Not only a fabulous setting but the ‘team’ is great and friendly.” - Bob Napier

“What a comfortable place you have here! Our family celebration (40th anniversary) allowed our ages to enjoy fun in the sun, water and being together. The staff is great at making everyone feel at home – food is great, drinks are flowing, kids are all smiles – Thank you for a great time!” - Scott Gilbride

“We have had a fantastic week at Small Hope Bay Resort! Everyone here is super nice and helpful. We couldn’t have asked for a better vacation… boat rides, snorkeling, beach time, Blue Hole, wonderful meals, lots and lots of laughs, crab hunts, and much R&R – Thank you for everything!!”
“P.S. The babysitters were something our children looked forward to every night! A major PLUS!” - Charlotte Gilbride

“Eight days ago, I was simply alive. Seven days in Andros, and now I can dive. The sand, the drinks, the food and the fun in the water. Family Loren, Amanda, Tayna and Danielle, thank you for a trip we will always remember so dear. Bob, Jane Liz and I hope to see you another year!!” - Kristin Napier

“The smile on everyone’s face tells the story…from staff, to dogs, to four year olds. Thanks for a wonderful set of days in the sun. A first time diver, it looks like more adventures here. Cheers to tailing bonefish at low tide.” - Bob Napier

Getting Ready for a beautiful summer at Small Hope Bay Lodge

With the weather already reaching highs of 87 degrees, it’s not hard to guess the beautiful summer we’ll have at Small Hope Bay Lodge! Future guests can get ready for signature dive sites at Brad’s Mountain, where it’s uncommon to not run into a shark or two. Or going on the edge or over on a wall dive. Watching Sharks eat a delicious chum ball for lunch at the Shark Emporium. Or diving in King Kong’s Blue Hole, where the tongue of the ocean plunges to 6,000ft. You can expect there will be many dive trips to these favorites or find your own favorite with more than 60 dive sites around the island.
It’s also been perfect weather for many guests to enjoy other activities such as bone fishing, or one of our many nature walks around Andros Island.
Feeling adventurous, take a hike up to one of our inland Blue Holes, and experience weightlessness while diving in the Fresh Water.
The weather is perfect, the water temperature is rising and the visibility couldn’t be more ideal.