Dive Review of Small Hope Bay Lodge in
Bahamas/Andros Island

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Small Hope Bay Lodge: "Consistently Great Dive Trip", Jul, 2015, by James OSullivan, CA, US ( 1 report with 2 Helpful votes). Report 8624 has 2 Helpful votes.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	My previous visit to Small Hope Bay Lodge was in 2007 with two long-time dive buddies. We have traveled the world seeking out small dive operations that will provide good local guidance without the crowds and the nagging. We found this at SHBL. On my first visit, after a great week's stay, we headed to the airstrip and ran into a multi-hour flight delay. When SHBL learned of this, and that there was no food available at the "airport", they sent over a cooler of cold beer and a batch of hot conch fritters. We vowed to return. Finally, this summer I made good on that promise and went back to SHBL. I went there solo for 5 days before meeting my sweetie elsewhere in the Bahamas. In the small and friendly atmosphere of SHBL, I quickly joined another repeat-visit group there and had a blast. Travel satisfaction is all about expectations. I have moderate expectations for a dive lodge, but SHBL at least met and usually exceeded my expectations. The staff was universally friendly - not merely polite, but actually friendly and engaging. This included both the staff in the dining/bar areas and the dive operation. I was consistently happy with the food, and the no-extra-charge bar made for a nice dynamic - often we'd go behind the bar and mix up drinks for other guests. The accommodations were comfortable, with fans and air conditioning. After diving, there are hammocks, sail boats, island tours, an open bar, and like-minded divers to help pass the time. The dive operation was well run and would keep an experienced diver happy. Bottom times weren't limited, and there was no tank-banging or cattle boats. While the wall off Andros isn't exactly the Red Sea, there is plenty of coral and fish life, and the great variety of Blue Holes to explore keeps even the long-time diver interested. Once again, I will return.
Websites	Small Hope Bay Lodge
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Florida, Caymans, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Bonaire, Curacao, Turks & Caicos, California, Hawaii, Australia, Italy, Maldives, Thailand
Closest Airport	MYAF	Getting There	I flew myself.
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy	Seas	calm, no currents
Water Temp	82-86°F / 28-30°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	60-90 Ft/ 18-27 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Guidance was provided but not specific limits.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

Report currently has 2 Helpful votes

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Dive Review of Small Hope Bay Lodge in Bahamas/Andros Island

Small Hope Bay Lodge: "Consistently Great Dive Trip", Jul, 2015,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Small Hope Bay Lodge in
Bahamas/Andros Island