An authentic off-grid Out Island resort delivering legendary diving adventures on the world's third-longest barrier reef. That's Small Hope Bay Lodge. For 65 years, this landmark family-owned property has remained the go-to destination for divers, fishermen and nature lovers seeking Access to the Bahamas' largest and wildest island.
Sitting on a point at the junction of two white-sand beaches on Andros' east coast, Small Hope Bay Lodge is an idyllic an away-from-it-all dive outpost – yet its easy to reach, as it is just 30 miles by water from Nassau and New Providence island, and connected to the world by a nearby airstrip. The resort's guest cottages epitomize the locally sourced and eco-friendly construction ethos. These accommodations were hand-built in the 1960s from coral rock and Andros pine and showcase local artwork, beautiful handmade furniture, and colorful Androsia batik accents.
The ocean-view one-bedroom cabins accommodate couples or dive buddies traveling together. Two-bedroom cottages prove multiple sleeping configurations suitable for two couples, families and small groups. Bedrooms have private entrances and adjacent bathrooms, with both indoor and outdoor showers with solar water heating. Ceiling and room fans supplement sea breezes, and air conditioning is available at a modest surcharge. WiFi is available but paused during happy hour and dinner to encourage socialization and relaxation.
Small Hope Bay Lodge offers all-inclusive rates that include all meals. Menu items feature an enticing mix of Caribbean comfort food, locally caught fish and lobster and international cuisines. Chefs can also accommodate a range of special dietary requests. Outdoor activities include snorkeling, hiking and birding. Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards give access to coastal ecosystems, and bikes are available for exploring the island.
The resort is family-friendly, providing a games room, complimentary childcare for ages 2 to 7 and activities for youngsters. For adults there's a well-stocked library, hammocks and a beachfront hot tub for relaxation. Andros is a favorite destination with bird watchers, and it is known for having some of the best bone fishing in the Bahamas. With deep water just minutes from the resort, reef, deep sea and big game fishing are also popular options.
The number one draw at Small Hope Bay is scuba diving. Small hope Bay is located just minutes from the barrier reef, and the dive shop's boat visits 60 unique dive sites. And unique is the key word when describing Andros diving. Coral reefs starting just offshore offer some of the best shallow-water reef diving in the Bahamas. Large stands of elkhorn coral harbor schooling fish, while the sandy channels that meander through the coral formations create intriguing mazes populated by stingrays, flounder and patrolling barracuda. Spur and groove formations overgrow to create grottoes, tunnels and caverns. Reef crests decorated in colorful soft corals and sponges transition abruptly to steep vertical cliffs facing the open ocean.
Wall diving usually brings to mind a swim along a monolithic cliff face. And there are sites like that visited by Small Hope's dive boats. But that's just the beginning. Some sites close to deep water begin with false walls that lead to plateaus and clefts at mid depths. Clefts and ravines carved into the broader face of the wall create hidden and sheltering oases for marine life. Overhangs are overgrown with wire and whip coral. The massive limestone blocks that form the island's foundations are riddled with cracks and fissures that create shadow-filled caverns. And there are the blue holes – crater-like openings in the sea floor that give entrance to a vast underground network of flooded caves.
Rounding out the dive plan are wreck dives and a shark encounter that draws the predicted ensemble of Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks and large grouper, along with the possibility of blacktip reef sharks, lemon sharks, silky sharks, and the occasional hammerhead. A limited amount of food is used to attract the sharks to ensure encounters remain controlled rather than escalating into frenzied feeds
Small Hope Bay can be reached by quick air connections from Nassau, as well as flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Caradonna agents can create air-inclusive itineraries tailored to each guests unique schedule. They work closely with Small Hope and are conversant on any current special portions or packages that add additional value to the adventures awaiting at Small Hope Bay.