News Release Page - Small Hope Bay Lodge - Andros Bahamas

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Single Parents are Welcomed at Small Hope this summer
Small Hope offers a new Program for Guided Eco-tours of North Andros
Small Hope Bay Lodge now offers Yoga classes
Divers get Free PADI upgrade in Special Offer from Small Hope
Families Learn to Dive Free
New Bahamaian National Park - Central Andros
Small Hope Opens New Dive Operation: ExumaSCUBA
Contest for Free Holiday at Bahamas Out Island resort
Two More Birding Adventures Planned for Small Hope Bay Lodge
Small Hope's Shark Observation Dives School Divers About Shark
The family that runs Small Hope Bay Lodge
Single parents are in, single surcharges are out at Small Hope Bay Lodge this summer
Nitrox 32 Airfills & Nitrox Certification now available

May 12, 2008
Small Hope Bay Lodge Welcomes Single Parent Families during the Summer Months

Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas, welcomes single parent families during the summer months. For single parents, Small Hope Bay Lodge waives the regular "two-adult requirement" for children to qualify for discounted children's rates during the period June 14 through September 2, 2008. Single parents may take advantage of Small Hope's extremely attractive rates for their children during this period. All-inclusive rates during the summer months are $209 per adult / per night and $95 per child (2-12) / per night. There is no charge for babies under two years of age, and free crib and cot are services are available. Babysitting is complimentary for children 2 - 9 during the hours of 6:00PM-8:45PM. At that time the children eat dinner and play games or do arts and crafts in the games room with our babysitters. This allows the adults some adult time and the children some time to be kids.

Small Hope also has Young Ranger and Young Naturalist programs to get children familiar with the environment of Andros. They obtain a certificate upon completion.

For more information contact Small Hope Bay Lodge and mention the Single Parent Special, 800-223-6961; 242-368-2014; SHBinfo@SmallHope.com; www.SmallHope.com.

March 9, 2004
Divers get Free PADI Upgrade in Special Offer from Small Hope

(Andros Island, Bahamas): Small Hope Bay Lodge offers Open Water divers a chance to enhance their skills this summer with a free upgrade to PADI Adventure Diver. This is a fun learning experience that every diver can enjoy.

To become a PADI Adventure Diver, a student must be an Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver. The Adventure Diver program adds to the student's skill level by encouraging them to choose three areas of diving in which to enhance their skills. These can include Underwater Photography, Wreck Diving, Underwater Naturalist, Deep Diver, Night Diver, Boat Diver, Search and Recovery, and more.

Students who can complete any three adventure dives and the course work, can earn PADI Adventure Diver certification. And your instruction is free! There is only a nominal charge for registration and materials.

This special offer must be pre-booked and is in effect June 20 through September 7, 2004. Minimum of a 4 night stay is required.

What's more, a student with a PADI Adventure Diver Certification needs only two more courses -- one in Underwater Navigation and one in Deep Diving, for a total of five Adventure Dives—to upgrade to Advanced Open Water Diver.

Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros is an ideal venue for divers to gain experience. The resort has been teaching students for over forty years on the Andros Barrier Reef, possibly one of the most diverse reef systems in the world.

Rates, beginning at $175 a night, are all-inclusive. A 7-night all-inclusive dive package including 3 dives per day is $1585.

For more information, contact www.SmallHope.com; SHBmkt@SmallHope.com.

Or call 1-800-223-6961- 1-242-368-2014.

Dateline: February 16, 2004
Families Learn to Dive Free
Small Hope Bay Lodge Offers Free Discover SCUBA Experience

(Andros Island, Bahamas) SCUBA diving is an excellent choice of activity for families with young adolescents and teenagers. Even Dad and Mom will enjoy getting into the act.

Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island in the Bahamas makes the idea an easy reality. The beachfront resort offers free introductory SCUBA lessons for the whole family—equipment included. There’s no easier, more instantly rewarding way to try diving. And there's no need for a big financial outlay in equipment costs and certification lessons.

Every afternoon at 2PM Small Hope Bay Lodge offers free “Discover SCUBA” lessons right off its dock. In a two-hour course, students can learn the fundamentals of diving, and don tank and fins to dive around the Small Hope dock, in 4-6 feet of water, mastering basic underwater skills. Once they have completed the free course, these new divers are welcome to join the Small Hope dive masters on the reef. The first open water dive will be in approximately 15 feet of water, and divers may gradually increase their depths in accordance with their comfort level. Within a week’s time, “Discover SCUBA” divers are often doing the same dive schedule as certified divers. Of course, dive masters are in the water with them at all times.

Cost for the subsequent dives are $50 each for a single tank dive, and $70 for a two-tank dive. Students must be 10 years and older. For the under ten set, Small Hope offers free “Bubble Maker SASY Lessons,” a surface SCUBA experience for youngsters. Once they get the hang of it, youngsters may continue to use the SASY equipment, with parental supervision.

“SCUBA diving, especially in the Bahamas, really is a very easy activity,” notes head Dive Master and Instructor Mike Hornby. “The waters here are warm and clear, and there is hardly any current. It’s the perfect place to learn.”

Once divers complete the free Discover SCUBA course, divers who want to continue on and get full open water certification are certainly welcome to do so. Cost is $250.

Small Hope Bay Lodge is the first dive-dedicated resort ever to open in the Bahamas. Since 1960, the Birch family has been introducing people to the world of SCUBA diving. The resort features 21 rooms in simple cottages on the beach, with a central Lodge and outdoor patio for dining and socializing. In addition to a full service dive and snorkel program, the Lodge offers fishing, bikes, kayaks, windsurfers, and a small sailboat. Rates include meals and all beverages.

For information contact Small Hope Bay Lodge, 800-223-6961; 242-368-2014; SHBmkt@SmallHope.com; www.SmallHope.com

Dateline: May 15, 2002
Central Andros National Park: New Park System Aims for Sustainable Development and Protection For Reefs Around Small Hope Bay

(Andros Island, Bahamas) --- Andros Island, the large and sparsely developed island in the Bahamian archipelago, now boasts a national park system. The park, known as the Central Andros National Park, approximates 288,000 acres collectively, and encompasses five areas in central Andros. These protected areas include two marine replenishment zones, bonefish habitat in North Bight and the West Side, land crab habitat, as well as reef areas designated as scientific monitoring zones.

The park is one of ten new areas recently designated by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and the Bahamas National Trust. The designation of these additional parks doubles the country's National Parks areas, and represent a significant commitment to sustainable development and the promotion of the Bahamas as an eco-tourism destination.

Jeff Birch, manager of Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, the first dive operation ever established on the island in 1960, applauded the move. "This has been a long time in the making," he said. "My father Dick Birch began campaigning for environmental awareness and protection over 30 years ago. He would have been gratified to see this."

The areas involved in the designated park system include reef areas from Fresh Creek to Lightbourne Point and from Staniard Creek to Stafford Creek. Regulations will restrict fishing, jetskis and airboats. "Non-consumptive" sports such as diving and snorkeling will be permitted. Some small reef areas designated as Scientific Monitoring Zones will restrict even recreational use to allow for research only.

In addition, a land area from Fresh Creek to Stafford Creek with a high concentration of blue holes and some of the best beaches in Central Andros will also be protected, through restricting development.

The move is the culmination of five year's worth of efforts by the central Andros community under the auspices of ANCAT - The Andros Conservancy and Trust, formed by Peter Douglas, General Manager for Tourism on Andros. With support and advice from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the BNT - Bahamas National Trust, BREEF-The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and others, the park proposal was pushed forward and first presented to Government in 1999.

As one of the first viable tourism operations on Andros, Small Hope has had over forty years of watching the Andros ecosystem react to increasing environmental pressures. A firm supporter of conservation efforts in the Central Andros community, the company won the Cacique Award for Ecotourism in 1998, and was a finalist in the Caribbean Hotel Association/American Express Green Hotel Award in 2000.

According to Mr. Birch, Small Hope is extremely pleased with the park system designation, much of which encompasses the reef system around the small dive lodge. He says: "By world standards, Andros is a virtual paradise of nature’s biodiversity. Our reef system is the third longest in the world, and provides breeding and growing grounds for a wide variety of marine life, including grouper, crawfish and conch. The establishment of this park system helps ensure that our visitors can continue to enjoy these blessings while still allowing for viable economic development."

For details about the Park System in Central Andros, visit www.ancat.org. For details about Small Hope Bay Lodge, visit www.SmallHope.com; Tel. 1-242-368-2013 or 2014.

Dateline: March 20, 2000
Small Hope opens new dive operation: ExumaSCUBA

    (BAHAMAS)--Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas, the oldest dive resort in the Bahamas, announces the opening of a second dive operation in the Bahamas, in George Town, Exuma.

The new dive shop, known as ExumaSCUBA, opened on the grounds of Club Peace & Plenty on March 1.

"We are excited about this new adventure, said Jeff Birch, manager and owner of Small Hope Bay Lodge. "It allows us to grow and broaden our horizons without having to expand Small Hope Bay Lodge itself.

Small Hope Bay Lodge is a 20-room family run dive resort on Andros Island, which opened in 1960. It is known throughout the dive community for its unique atmosphere and charm.

"The operation will be run with the same standards of fun and safety on which Small Hope Bay Lodge was built. My Father (Dick Birch) knew the recipe for a good dive operation. Keep it simple, keep it fun. We plan on bringing that same recipe to our operation in Exuma.

Costs for diving at ExumaSCUBA will be $45 for a single tank dive, and $55 for a two tank dive. ExumaSCUBA offers three boat dives a day-a two tank dive in the morning and a single tank dive in the afternoon. Night dives will also be available.

ExumaSCUBA will also offer snorkeling excursions, SCUBA Certifications, and the SASY program, a special on-the-surface SCUBA experience for children 8 years old and up.

Diving around Great Exuma offers pristine reefs and an undisturbed ecosystem of spectacular corals and abundant fish. Depths are generally less than 70 feet. Additionally, there are several blue holes (underwater cave systems) in the area.

Dive packages will be available in conjunction with the Peace & Plenty Beach Club,as well as with other properties in George Town.

Club Peace & Plenty is a 35-room beachfront property overlooking Elizabeth Harbour in Georgetown, Exuma. All rooms are air-conditioned and have satellite TV. The facility includes a fresh water terrace pool plus two beaches at the Stocking Island Beach Club.

For information, contact
ExumaSCUBA
telephone: 1-242-336-2298
FAX: 1-242-357-2259
Website: www.ExumaSCUBA.com
Email: info@ExumaSCUBA.com
c/o Peace and Plenty
PO Box 29055
George Town
Exuma, Bahamas

Dateline: April 15, 2000
Three Resorts, Three Chances To Win:
Contest for Free Holiday at Bahamas Out Island resort

Divers in the state of Florida and elsewhere can win exciting dive trips to three Out Island resorts in The Bahamas in a contest that runs through May 31, 2000.

The three diving destinations, Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Stella Maris Resort on Long Island, and Walker's Cay Hotel and Marina on Walker,s Cay in the Abacos, have teamed up to form The Bahamas Triangle. By entering "The Bahamas Triangle website, www.BahamasDiveHolidays.com, contestants are given ten questions about each resort. The answers to the questions can be found in each resort's website. Links are positioned on the contest page.

There are three different sets of questions, three separate contests, three chances to win. The prizes are a three-day stay at each of the three resorts, including meals and diving.

Entry is strictly via Email. Although the contest is being backed up by a postcard mailing to all divers and dive shops in the State of Florida, anybody can enter and win.

The contest ends May 31, 2000. All entries must be in by midnight. Winners will be drawn from those who answered all questions correctly. "We focused on the State of Florida for the snail-mailing because Florida is a good market for the Bahamas Out Islands-particularly during the summer months, said Mona Birch, marketing director for Small Hope Bay Lodge. The Bahamas and Florida are geographically close-so it is easy for participants to take advantage of a three-day prize. But all the resorts agreed to offer a 10% discount on any extended stay, in order to accommodate potential winners who might have to travel further to reach us and want to extend they stay.

The winner will be announced live June 10, 2000 on Scuba Radio while broadcasting at the OceanFest 2000 Dive Expo, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida. Winners need not be present to win; winning names will be posted on the website.

For information, contact
Bahamas Triangle Web Site:
Website: www.BahamasDiveHolidays.com

Dateline: April 14, 2000
Andros Island, Bahamas:
Two More Birding Adventures Planned for Small Hope Bay Lodge

Ornithologist and one-time Andros resident Dr. Mike Baltz once again will return to Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island in the Bahamas, to offer his week-long Birding and Ecology Adventure. This is the third year in a row that Dr. Baltz brings his knowledge and experience of West Indian and Neotropical birds and the Andros ecology and environment to Small Hope Bay Lodge guests.

Two events are planned--October 14-21, 2000 and January 6-13, 2001. The weeklong event, formally titled "Birding, Mist Netting & Ecology Exploration," offers even fledgling birders and nature lovers a chance to learn about West Indian birds and the ecology of a tropical Atlantic island. The program is designed to give participants an experience of the complete ecology of Andros Island--including not just the bird life, but the land, the waters that surround it, and the people who live there. In addition to daily birding outings in search of Bahamian specialties and Neotropical migrants, the week will offer opportunities to see some of the famous Andros blue holes, take boat rides into the interior of the island, and to visit the settlement of Red Bays, home of the island's best basket weavers and wood carvers. A boat trip to the reef for snorkeling is also included. Free lessons will be given to first timers. In addition, there will ample opportunities to swim, snorkel from shore and SCUBA.

Highlighting the week will be the chance to participate in mist netting, whereby bird are caught in nets, giving participants a chance to hold the birds, view them up close, photograph them and help tag and release them for future research.

Participants in this past January's event recorded sightings of over 100 different species of birds, including the Bahama Woodstar, Bahama Yellowthroats, Cuban Emerald Hummingbirds, Great Lizard Cuckoos, Stripe-headed Tanangers, Banaquits and over a dozen species of migrant warblers.

In addition to birding, the week includes daily slide shows and lectures on bird life as well as topics relating to the island, its ecology and its social environment. Participants also will have the time to enjoy the natural isolation of Small Hope Bay Lodge, and avail themselves of the use of complementary bicycles, kayaks, a small sailboat, windsurfers, beachfront hot tub and snorkeling equipment. Complimentary introductory dive lessons are also available to anyone wanting to try the sport. Dr. Baltz is a former resident of Andros. He is married to an Androsian, and in addition to being an experienced ornithoolgist and conservationist, is a certified diver.

Cost for the seven-night package is $1250 per person, and includes accommodations, airport transfers, all meals and beverages, hotel taxes and service charges, plus daily birding and tour excursions and lectures.

For details about this trip, contact Dr. Baltz: BaltzME@missouri.edu
For reservations contact:
Small Hope Bay Lodge
telephone: 1-242-368-2014
FAX: 1-809-368-2015
Website: www.SmallHope.com
Email: SHBinfo@SmallHope.com

Dateline: November 1, 1999
Small Hope's Shark Observation Dives School Divers About Shark

    Small Hope Bay Lodge, has added a "Shark Observation Dive" to its dive schedule. Using the chumsicle method of feeding whereby sharks come in to feed on a frozen chum ball suspended about 30 feet below the surface, while divers get to watch from another 30 feet below, the dive offers an unparalleled chance to view these magnificent creatures up close.

    More than a dozen shark come in at a time to feed including Caribbean Reef Shark, Black Tip and Silkies. Always they are followed by schools of "crumb eaters," jacks, snapper, grunts, which add to the excitement. Divers are positioned on a sandy bottom, directly in front of a giant coral head. All activity, a 30 minute feeding session, takes place in front and above them. No one handles the shark in any way.

    "I have been diving nearly 30 years and I swore I would never go on a shark dive. I thought it was stupid and too circus-like. But I have changed my mind. It is really a unique opportunity to see these magnificent beasts," said one Small Hope diver. "It is not like feeding the bear in Yellowstone at all. It is more like putting out a salt lick when you are on an African safari."

    Small Hope combines the dive with an evening seminar on Shark for all its guests. Explains Jeff Birch, manager of Small Hope: "Dive operators in the Bahamas have been doing shark feeding dives for more than 20 years. George Frieze at Stella Maris was the first, and everybody said he was crazy. But he proved it could be done safely. So more operators began to offer it. We have watched, researched and studied it. Now we have an excellent Shark Observation program of our own."

    In the Bahamas Shark diving has had a positive impact on shark. Where once they were massacred by longliners, they are now perceived as creatures of value. They bring in tourist dollars. Consequently, longlining, which indiscriminately kills millions of shark a year, has been banned in the Bahamas.

    The dive, which is not available as part of the regular dive package, is priced at $85 per diver, $25 per snorkeler. The evening seminar is informative and free.

    Small Hope Bay Lodge is the oldest dive resort in the Bahamas. Opened in 1960 it has 20 cottages, all-inclusive rates, and a full service dive program on the Andros Barrier Reef, the third longest reef system in the world.

For information about Shark Observation, contact
Small Hope Bay Lodge
telephone: 1-242-368-2014
FAX: 1-809-368-2015
Website: www.SmallHope.com
Email: SHBinfo@SmallHope.com

Dateline: May 1, 1999
The family that runs Small Hope Bay Lodge

    The family that runs Small Hope Bay Lodge caters to families that visit with special activities and special rates (Andros Island)--For nearly forty years Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island has been a favorite holiday hide-away for vacationing families. One reason for this is that the Lodge is owned and operated by a family--the Birch family. At any given time one may meet three (and sometimes four) generations of Birch's on the premises.

    "Because I grew up here and my children grow up here, we are designed to accommodate kids. The Lodge has a games room, a plentitude of babysitters, and a special dinner seating with complimentary babysitting for the 11-and- under set that gives adults room to enjoy adult cocktail hour and dinner time, " says Jeff Birch, manager of Small Hope. "We also have some two-bedroom cottages for families, as well as complimentary crib and cot service."

    Small Hope Bay Lodge focuses on an outdoor environment for children--with plenty of space to run around . The environment is safe and natural--with almost a mile beach to explore. Guests enjoy complimentary use of kayaks, windsurfers, a small sailboat, and snorkel gear. Free introductory SCUBA lessons are available to anyone 12 year old and up.

    "Snorkeling and diving are great sports that families can enjoy together. One activity that is most popular with families is our Snorkel Safari up Fresh Creek to search for wild dolphin. Dolphin often swim in the inland waterway of Fresh Creek. Although they are wild--we don't feed them or train them in any way--they frequently let us snorkel with them. They are particularly playful and curious with children. To be able to swim and snorkel with dolphin is an unforgettable experience."

    Another reason for Small Hope's popularity with families is the special rates for children and teens. While the daily adult rate is $160 a night all-inclusive, children rates are just $50 a night all-inclusive, and the teen rate (12-17) is $90. Rate includes beachfront cottage accommodations, all meals and all beverages, hotel taxes and service charges, and Andros Town Airport transfers. Further more, during the summer month, June 1 to September 1, Small Hope Bay Lodge waives its two parent requirement for children's rates, which means single parents can enjoy a family holiday without having to worry about single surcharges.

For information about Andros and the Lodge, contact
Small Hope Bay Lodge
telephone: 1-242-368-2014
FAX: 1-809-368-2015
Website: www.SmallHope.com
Email: SHBinfo@SmallHope.com

Dateline: April 1, 1999
Single parents are in, single surcharges are out
at Small Hope Bay Lodge this summer

    Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas, welcomes single parent families and single travelers during the summer months. For single parents, Small Hope Bay Lodge waives the regular "two-adult requirement"for children's rates during the period June 1 through September 1. Single parents may take advantage of Small Hope's extremely attractive rates for their children and teens. All-inclusive rates during the summer months are $160 a night for adults, $50 a night for 2-11 year olds; and $90 a night for teens 12-17. There is no charge for babies under two years of age, and free crib service and cot is available.

    Small Hope also waives the single Surcharge for Single Travelers. Single travelers love Small Hope Bay Lodge for its friendly and easy-going atmosphere. During the summer months single travelers are made to feel even more welcome by the elimination of the "single surcharge." Single travelers booking into Small Hope Bay Lodge between June 1 and September 1 may enjoy a private double occupancy cottage for just half the double occupancy price. There is no single surcharge! Small Hope Bay Lodge, which opened in 1960, features twenty cottages and a central Lodge located directly on the beach. Rates include beachfront cottage accommodations; all meals and all beverages; airport transfers, hotel taxes and service, plus use of bikes, windsurfers, kayaks, hot tub, sailboat, and snorkel gear. Free introductory scuba lessons are also included. Full dive, snorkel and fishing programs are available.

For information about Andros and the Lodge, contact
Small Hope Bay Lodge
telephone: 1-242-368-2014
FAX: 1-809-368-2015
Website: www.SmallHope.com
Email: SHBinfo@SmallHope.com

Dateline: March 1, 1999
Nitrox 32 Airfills & Nitrox Certification now available

    Beginning April 18, 1999 Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island adds Nitrox 32 airfills and Nitrox Certification to its diving operations. Cost for the half-day certification course is $150; cost for Nitrox 32 airfills are $10 per tank, in addition to the cost of the dive.

    "More and more divers are requesting Nitrox," says Jeff Birch, manager of Small Hope Bay Lodge. "Older divers in particular recognize the safety factor of this mixed gas with scuba diving. "Small Hope has always been in the forefront of innovative diving. Moving into Nitrox is just a part of that," he adds.

    Small Hope Bay Lodge offers twenty cottages on the beach, all-inclusive rates, and diving on the 140 mile long Andros Barrier Reef, the third longest barrier reef in the world. The dive schedule features three dives a day, night dives twice a week, and a program of one-on-one custom-tailored dives. Wall diving and blue hole diving are specialties.

    Small Hope Bay Lodge opened in 1960 as the first dive-dedicated resort in the Bahamas. Its reputation is legendary, its ambience relaxed, and its rates all-inclusive. One- and two-bedroom cottages are available, and families with children are welcome.

For information about Andros and the Lodge, contact
Small Hope Bay Lodge
telephone: 1-242-368-2014
FAX: 1-809-368-2015
Website: www.SmallHope.com
Email: SHBinfo@SmallHope.com

For more information and/or reservations regarding any of the above special programs please do not hesitate to contact Small Hope Bay Lodge via Email: SHBinfo@SmallHope.com