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We have been catering to scuba divers, snorkelers, fishermen, eco-tourists, and relaxers since 1960. Third largest barrier reef in the world and bonefish heaven. There are 21 all-inclusive rooms in cottages right on the beach. Come experience our unique ambience, friendly staff, and natural safe environment. Our dock and dive shop are right on property and fishing trips are easily arranged. Of course, if grabbing a drink, a book, and a hammock are more your style, go right ahead. We have 2 beaches and plenty of hammocks. Rest, Relaxation, and Rediscovery ...
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Small Hope Bay Lodge is frequently celebrated for its serene, rustic atmosphere and impeccably clean, spacious cabins. The attentive staff garners high praise for fostering a welcoming environment and delivering personalized experiences. While some guests may find the extra fees a drawback, many are enchanted by the diving amenities and family-friendly activities the resort offers.
The rooms, cozy and well-maintained, provide the soothing sounds of the ocean, contributing to a restful sleep. The lodge's location is a highlight for those seeking relaxation and adventure, despite the occasional unpredictability of the weather.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Rustic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Remarkable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Relaxing
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Jeff Birch and his staff have created such a wonderful lodge in Small Hope Bay! Bonnie, Ed, Yente, Dillon, Montene, Dennis, Ricardo, Jay, Noelle, Mia, George and Liam (sorry if I’ve missed anybody) are such wonderful ambassadors. It’s so nice that they eat with the guests and it’s so enjoyable to hear about their adventures and to share your own. They’re all willing to make your visit the best it can be, whether it’s diving, snorkeling, fishing or just relaxing on the beach. They have plenty of ideas for adventures around the island, but seem open to requests if it’s something they have the ability to do. We enjoyed snorkeling around Goat Cay, kayaking up Davis Creek, swimming at Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, birding with Dennis, bonefishing with Glester, and shopping at Androsia among other things.
The cottages are quite comfortable and come equipped with a safe and a giant water cooler. The fans in the room worked well, but they can turn on air conditioning for an extra fee.
Chefs Don and Mel and the cooking staff provide outstanding food. There are two different entrees every evening and there’s a ten day rotation. You definitely will not go hungry. They offer three different desserts at every dinner and they’re always amazing!
Just a wonderful vacation overall. By the end of your stay, everyone feels like family. Small Hope Bay Lodge is definitely a special place. Put it on your bucket list!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â When swimming at a Blue Hole, opt for the swimming noodles. The green flies were attracted to the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Jun 2, 2024
Thank you so much for the incredibly kind review! I'm overjoyed to hear you had an amazing experience at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Your generous compliments about the accommodations, activities, and hospitality are the highest praise we could ask for. We can't wait to welcome you back!
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I had the most wonderful time at Small Hope Bay. The quaint location was perfect for celebrating a dear friend's 50th birthday. The diving was amazing, the food delicious, the staff made us all feel at home. Small Hope Bay is a casual, rustic hotel that is right on the beach and very close to unbelievable diving. The dive staff are professional and knowledgeable about the area and how to protect it. I didn't want to leave, and hope I will be able to bring my family to Small Hope Bay in the near future so they can get their certification and dive with me.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Jan 7, 2023
Dear Fiona, thank you for this lovely review. We loved having you all here and we cant wait to meet your family.
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My family of 5 (3 teen daughters) returned recently from a wonderful vacation at Small Hope Bay. We all loved it. The location is amazing, Andros is really incredible to visit. We were there in December, and the weather was not perfect (windy and a little chilly), but we were able to find activities to do each day. We were not certified to dive prior to our trip, so all 5 of us participated in the resort dive course (which was so easy and user friendly). That enabled us to go on the shallow dives each day and it was magical for my family. The dive masters/ambassadors are an incredible team and work really hard to make sure everyone is accommodated for whatever activity suits. The cabins are simple but very clean and comfortable and the location is phenomenal. We also loved the small size of the property and the welcoming energy of the staff. The service level is fantastic!! Every single person that works there is so gracious. The only thing preventing me from a 5 star review is the food is a little limited and by the end of a week, we were ready for some variety.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Feb 12, 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re thrilled to hear your family enjoyed your time at Small Hope Bay and that you had such a positive experience with the diving and staff. We truly appreciate your feedback on the food and will take it into consideration as we continue to refine our offerings.
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This beautiful unspoiled property in Andros provided great scuba diving and hammock sitting. The staff is incredible. Yente, Dylan, Ricardo, Brad, Montene and Dennis. They are all amazing people that make you feel like a friend from the moment you arrive until you leave. Along the way we went to a national park blue hole for a private family outing complete with transportation and refreshments by a very nice man named Alvin who also happens to make the greatest conch ceviche ever! A boat dropped us at a private island for another outing. The mangroves behind the beach revealed crystal clear water, a few turtles and a ray. The resort stashed some kayaks (with paddles and vests) behind the palm trees to allow guests to go at their leisure. Leisure is the word at this resort. It is quiet and peaceful with multiple hammocks and spaces to chill. The best personal service we have ever received. Every day we were asked if anything was needed. Did we want to do anything else? The scuba team and diving were super. A shark dive, blue hole and deep wall dive provided an underwater playground. The staff made diving fun. Did I mention drinks? Ice water and bottled beer are always available at the bar and of course you must try one or all of the mixed drinks! Our room was cozy and spotless and there was fresh water available to drink in the room as well. We loved the outdoor shower! Small Hope Bay Lodge is an incredibly special place. We absolutely loved it!
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Date of stay: August 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Aug 24, 2022
Thank you so much for your beautiful review, we are so happy to see that you loved and tried all the activities we have to offer. We hope to see you again soon with the small hope family
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My husband and I spent a week at Small Hope and wish we could have stayed longer. It is a little slice of paradise where you can spend the day feeling like there is no one for miles and then gather in the afternoon at the bar to hang out with the other guests and staff.
Dennis, Ricardo, Kate, Dan, and all the staff absolutely made our stay and will go out of their way to make sure you are enjoying your time. Dennis had so much patience with me during the Discover Scuba experience and I really appreciated him taking extra time to make sure I was comfortable.
We fished two half days with Glaister and caught a ton of bonefish, and he improved our fly casting immensely with just a 10-minute lesson. We kayaked over to Crystal Beach, waded the flats there, and followed a bonefish school for hours, catching several more. My husband also caught a good-sized snapper off the dock and the kitchen staff prepared it for us for dinner.
There are plenty of things to do if you aren't fishing or diving, and some of the highlights for us were the shark snorkel, getting dropped off at Goat Cay for our own private island experience, biking to the blue hole, snorkeling around the dock, and kayaking Davis Creek.
Every meal was delicious and Chef Don even made a special Key Lime Pie for my husband's birthday that I will never outdo. In the morning you can order hot breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast, omelets, etc. or sample the Bahamian breakfast. Lunch and dinner are served on the patio with plenty of choices including salads, soups, fish, meat, and sides. You can help yourself to the cooler of Kaliks, order a cocktail from the menu, or have the bartender make something up for you.
The rooms are bright, spacious, and clean with comfortable beds but the showers are very small, although some of the cabins have outdoor showers. We paid the $15/night for the air conditioning in July and thought it was worth it, although the fan did keep it fairly cool when we had the air off during the day. I loved the lounge with its communal library where you can take or leave a book, games, or sunscreen if you run out.
I can see why so many guests are repeat visitors. The location is amazing, it's not at all crowded, there is plenty to do, and the staff make you feel like family. We hope to come back soon!
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Dec 19, 2021
Dear Adrienne It was a pleasure to meet you are your husband! We had a great time with the two of you here at Small Hope. I like to think of Small Hope as being one big family where you can totally just be yourself weather you spend your day with some R,R and R (relaxation, restore and rediscover) or weather you fill your days with some of the activities that we have to offer. I am glad to see that you made use of our resort course and that you experienced the magic of the underwater world with my staff. My staff pride themselves in presenting just the best for our guests and well Don does make one good Key Lime Pie. We also love to take birthdays very seriously and make you feel special on the day. I hope that we will see you again soon now that you are part of the Small Hope family!
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Small Hope Bay Lodge is a magical place. With just 18 rooms, Small Hope is able to create an intimate experience for each of its guests. The food (it's all inclusive!) was amazing. Meals are served family style, so you have wonderful opportunities to mix with staff and other guests. There was a great mix of guests, from divers, to fishers, to the relaxers. Small Hope is a total gem.
This is not the resort for someone who is looking for a big party scene, or for someone who wants fancy AF lodgings. The rooms are clean and the beds are comfy and you'll sleep like a baby to the sound of the ocean.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Be sure to figure out your flight to/from Andros. Your cheapest option is to fly into Nassau and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Feb 18, 2024
Thank you for the glowing review calling our lodge a gem; your feedback highlighting our personalized service, memorable mealtime interactions, and authentic vibe as the perfect slice of paradise means so much.
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All of the staff acts as if it is their personal responsibility that each guest is having a great time and that all of their needs are met. We arrived in a storm on a Saturday, and the rain did not let up until early Sunday. It was a little bit of a bummer for it to be stormy and ugly as soon as you arrive. We had a welcome drink and a description of how things worked there, while they were taking our bags to our rooms. We went to our rooms, got the optional AC going, and it was nice and comfortable. We had dinner inside on the first night due to the rain, but were fortunate that we were able to have dinner inside every other night but one. Nassau and Miami were getting pounded with rain all that week, so we were fortunate. Dennis, Ricardo, Montene, Noelle, Yente, Ed, Bonnie, Jay, Liam, George, Dillon, and Mia were all outstanding. They made the trip special for us. The Androsia shop is a nice place to visit and close by. We went on a snorkeling trip, as we are too old to take up diving now, and one of us is deathly afraid of sharks (not me)! But the beach water and the scenery is amazing! I don’t ever get tired of it. We witnessed sea turtles kayaking in the mangroves, rays, starfish, and numerous fish on the seemingly empty beach! Shout out to Rick and Terri for passing on their ice chest! Filled with Kaliks every day we stayed on the beach, and passed it on! Thank you all for a wonderful stay!
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Jun 26, 2024
Thank you for the lovely review, we are happy we could turn the first day of storms into sunshine and you could enjoy the rest of the time in the Bahamian sunshine. We look forward to having you back and creating some more memories.
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We have a small, private plane, and a friend recommended Small Hope Bay Lodge, so it seemed to be a perfect place to fly to from the Panhandle of Florida.
Traveling during the pandemic can be challenging with testing requirements, health visas, and safety-first mindset.
Small Hope nailed it with guidance on testing, exceptional covid protocols in place at the lodge, and who could ever complain about the required test to reenter the United States when they came to us during Happy Hour and told us they were ready to test us, just 50 feet away in their office.
Private plane travel also had its challenges, with weather and mechanical issues always a factor. Our first attempt to visit left us stranded partway there, waiting on a part. Our Bahamas Health Visa expired the day before the part arrived. SHB was very understanding, and we were thrilled that they just held our deposit for another visit.
Upon our 2nd attempt, we had a tire issue; Delayed yet again! However, we made it a day late, and because they are not a total capacity right now, we were able to extend a day to make up for it.
SHB is like going to stay with family. Every day was greeted with home-cooked breakfast made to order and folks asking, "What would you like to do today?" They would give us countless options from snorkeling to kayaking, bike riding, bonefishing, and we instantly knew we had to return for more time there.
The incredibly pristine waters and quiet setting will make it struggle to leave and will certainly lure you to return. Many guests are repeat visitors for decades!
If you are looking for a Sandals type all-inclusive, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for a Bahamian experience with casual relaxation, immaculate accommodations, perfect views, and pristine island waters, you should go to Small Hope, for at least a week.
Pros: Large rooms Very Clean Lots of spaces to relax away from others if you like Waterside bar with any drink you want and other guests to socialize with AC in bedrooms for a small extra fee, but we did not need it Super friendly and helpful staff and owner
Cons: It can be a challenge to get there (but maybe that's a pro!) Wifi is only in the lodge lobby. (we work while we travel)
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Date of stay: March 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms are waterfront, adjoining rooms can be a little loud if neighbor is loud snoring or...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Mar 26, 2021
Hi Sandra, Thank you so much for taking your friend's recommendation and coming to stay with us on Andros! I know it can be more challenging to get here (maybe that is a good thing for some!) but I appreciate that you persevered with travel hiccups and finally made it. We have been open since November, and we've managed to adhere to the Bahamian Covid protocols, to maintain our own safety protocols, and still hopefully make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. Thanks for trusting in us to keep you safe. Being a family owned resort, we like to treat all our guests like an extended member of the family! And with some many repeat guests, it often feels like one extended family reunion around here! We look forward to welcoming you back again to Andros as part of the Small Hope family. My staff and I are so happy to help our guests have the most rewarding experience possible, and with so many activities available both on the property and in the area there's no shortage of fun to be hand! I'm proud to be the anti-Sandals and give people an intimate, unique all inclusive experience while still offering an authentic taste of The Bahamas.
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My boyfriend and I visited Small Hope last week as our first trip since March. I was very nervous about traveling, but the staff was incredibly cognizant of ensuring we felt comfortable throughout the entirety of our stay. There was hand sanitizer all over the place, and the staff wore masks at all times. The food is phenomenal as are the drinks and you truly feel like family by the end of your stay. As for activities, the location, diving, and fishing are exactly what you would expect from the Bahamas- absolutely beautiful and world-class. We dove four days of our trip and were thrilled to learn the dive masters took our preferences into consideration when planning the next day's activities. We were able to dive a blue hole, wrecks, caverns, and even took part in a night dive that was a pretty unique experience. I caught the biggest bonefish I have ever seen while fishing which also made the trip unforgettable! Overall, our entire stay was phenomenal. The staff, service, activities, food, and family environment truly make Small Hope one of a kind.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms face the ocean! We didn't need A/C since it was December which was nice, but there...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Dec 24, 2020
Hi Elizabeth, Thank you so much for your very kind review of Small Hope. I know this year has been a frustrating year travel-wise and we so appreciate you trusting in us to keep you happy and healthy. I am so happy to know you felt comfortable through your stay, and recognised the little ways we have adjusted to honor COVID protocols while still maintaining our laidback, family vibe. It sounds like you really took advantage of all we have to offer on Andros. You're right - the island is beautiful, the fishing is world class, and our diverse diving program can cater to all sorts of interests and skill levels. Night Dives are a once-in-a-blue-moon experience and one that I know you won't soon forget! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and that we will see you again very soon.
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We chose Small Hope Bay because we wanted to find a small lodge with plenty of activities for the whole family. As avid flyfishers, it can be difficult to find a location that allows for top notch fishing, but also provides a family atmosphere. Small Hope was a perfect fit for us! While the lodge is primarily a dive focused operation, they work with local fly fishing guides that were professional and excellent. The bonefishing was outstanding for everyone, including the kids. Typically it takes me several days to transition into vacation mode, but the staff instantly made us comfortable. The organization and planning was perfect. Everyone on the staff was beyond helpful and accommodating. Even an offhand query at dinner would be remembered and followed up on by the staff. The staff were all friendly and treated us more like friends than guests at a resort. The rooms are basic, but very comfortable and clean (why would you want to spend time in the room anyway in the Bahamas) The food was excellent with plenty of variety for everyone. If you want absolute luxury, this may not be the place for you. If you want to experience Andros, meet some great people, relax, disconnect and enjoy some of the best saltwater flyishing I have ever experienced, Small Hope is the place. We had an awesome fishing vacation and we will be returning!
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Date of stay: November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Birch, Owner at Small Hope Bay Lodge
Responded Dec 13, 2022
Hi Brad, it was lovely having you and the family here and such a pleasure to get to know you all. Thank you for the lovely review and we look forward to seeing you all again
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We were there last week and at the resort and while we were fishing we got excellent service. We could even FaceTime our kids and had a couple zoom meetings. Was not great on the dive boat but I didn’t expect it.
There are more places to choose from in the Andros area.
PRICE RANGE
C$905 - C$1,088 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
small hope bay hotel andros, small hope bay resort
LOCATION
CaribbeanBahamasOut IslandsAndros
NUMBER OF ROOMS
21
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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