Frequently Asked Questions
Here you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our all-inclusive resort on Andros Island. If we missed anything you’d like to know before your trip to Andros, feel free to call or email us at any time!
General
What should I bring on my vacation?
Anything you would typically pack for a beach vacation, plus a light sweater or windbreaker for breezy nights. Hair dryers, shower toiletries, and bug spray are other items that are great to bring along, as we do not provide those.
What do you mean by all-inclusive; are my drinks included too?
When we say all-inclusive, we mean it! All of your meals and drinks, including adult beverages, are included. Also included are the uses of kayaks, bicycles, paddleboards, and a free introductory scuba or snorkel lesson.
Can we bring our kids, and do you have a kid’s program?
Small Hope Bay Lodge is a family-friendly resort, so feel free to bring them along, but only if you’d like to. We have two-bedroom cottages, a game room, and a safe outdoor environment where they can run, swim, snorkel, fish, and play.
We offer complimentary babysitting for children 2-7 during dinner (6:00 pm – 8:45 pm) in the Game Room. There is a nominal fee for children under 2 since they need their own personal sitter. Your preteen children may also eat dinner in the Games Room if they would like to join in the fun.
Can I bring my pet?
Yes, Small Hope Bay Lodge in a pet-friendly resort on Andros Island. We welcome both cats and dogs with a one-time cleaning fee of $25. Please note that we oftentimes have another pet on-property and that we do not allow for pets to join us in the lodge or the dining patio during meal times.
What type of weather can I expect on Andros?
The northern Bahamas remains quite temperate year-round. The average summer temperature is 88° with occasional afternoon showers. The average winter weather can be breezy, with daytime temperatures dropping into the low 70s.
What about hurricanes?
Hurricane season for the western hemisphere runs from June 1 to November 30. Statistically for the Bahamas, August–October are the months to watch. Being in the tropical Atlantic where the temperatures are cooler, we tend to fare better than our Caribbean neighbors in regard to hurricanes. We are also closed during the entire month of September and October, which is considered peak hurricane season.
What kind of electricity do you use?
Same as North America: 110/120 volts.
What sort of wildlife is there on the island?
On Andros Island, we have hundreds of species of birds, wild boar, and iguanas. Beneath the sea, we have hard corals, soft corals, sponges, tropical fish, conch stingrays, and dolphins to name a few of the marine life.
Do you have bugs?
Yes—however, we are located on the windward side of the island with full exposure to the sea breezes, so our “bug problem” is minimal. We use an environmentally friendly spray (made from the extract of chrysanthemum flowers) daily to deter no-see-ums (sandflies) and mosquitoes. The best defense when the wind dies down is to wear long sleeves and/or pants at dusk and dawn when the bugs typically come out. Repellents like Cutter’s and Avon Skin So Soft work too, but if you are particularly sensitive to bugs, we recommend you bring a DEET repellent with you.
What kind of food do you serve?
We serve a full American-style breakfast, including eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh fruit, with a daily Bahamian special. Lunch and dinner are served buffet-style and include a daily soup, build-your-own salads, and main course. We go all out with dessert—because calories don’t count while you’re on vacation!
I’m a vegan/vegetarian, will that be a problem?
If you are vegan or vegetarian then you will enjoy our fresh fruit and salad bar, grilled veggies and daily grains. Please let us know of any special dietary needs in advance so that our staff can accommodate you.
Can I drink the tap water on Andros Island?
Absolutely! Andros has tons of fresh water that we ship to Nassau and the Abacos. Small Hope Bay Lodge has also put in a reverse osmosis system so that the drinking water at the bar and in your room is as good as any bottled water.
Are there any rental cars on the island?
Yes, there are a few. Usually, they are privately owned cars that someone is willing to rent for the day. The average rate is about $80 a day. More dependable transportation might be had by hiring a taxi to tour you around. The average touring rate is $30 an hour. Small Hope Bay Lodge also provides guided island tours for a fee. These tours can be tailored to your preference.
How much does it cost to rent a bicycle for a day?
It’s free! Bicycle rental is included in your all-inclusive daily rate.
Is there any nightlife on the island?
If you mean nightclubs or casinos, no. But you can stroll along the beach at night and take a dip in the hot tub under the stars. Sometimes we show dive videos, and other nights we hang out by the bar for a few hours after dinner.
Who owns the Bahamas?
The Bahamian people. We are an independent country and have been since 1973. We are part of the British Commonwealth (like Canada and Australia) and have a democratically elected Prime Minister and a parliament.
What kind of currency do you use in the Bahamas?
We use Bahamian dollars, which are similar to US dollars and can be used interchangeably. If you have US dollars, there is no need to change currency. Credit cards are accepted at Small Hope Bay Lodge but many small shops and restaurants on the island are not equipped to accept them.
What is a VAT fee?
Value Added Tax (VAT), is an indirect tax which is considered broadly based consumption tax charged on the value added to goods and services. The Bahamas’ VAT fee is 10%
How do I get to Andros Bahamas?
It’s easy! There are daily flights from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There are also charter flights and ferries. See our Getting to Andros page for detailed information.
How close is the nearest airport? Do you provide transportation to and from the airport?
The closest airport is only a ten-minute ride from Small Hope Bay Lodge. We do not provide transfers, however, there are always taxis waiting at the airport. The average taxi rate is $30 an hour.
Is there internet service at Small Hope Bay Lodge?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lounge and outside bar area. Our internet service stops during cocktail hour and dinner (6:30 to 8:30 pm) to encourage socializing.
Diving
Should I bring my own dive equipment?
It is entirely up to you. We include weights, a weight belt, and a tank in our dive prices, as well as dive lights on night dives. BCDs, regulators, computers, masks, fins, snorkels, and wetsuits are available for rent.
Do I need to bring my certification card if I am a certified diver?
Yes, please! It is relatively easy to look up certification cards for some dive organizations, but it is much easier if you bring your card along with you.
My companion doesn’t dive. What else is there for them to do?
They can snorkel from the shore, relax on the beach, go fishing, or choose a book from our library to read in a hammock. They could also bike to an inland blue hole, kayak, take a nature walk, learn to dive, or even join you on the boat.
What kind of diving do you have?
We have everything from shallow reefs to vertical walls, blue holes, shipwrecks, and shark observation experiences. Never been diving? We can teach you. We have all levels of instruction, ideal for beginner, intermediate, and advanced divers.
How close are your dive sites?
We are lucky to be located just minutes from the third-largest barrier reef in the world. Most of our sites are found within a ten-minute boat ride from the dock. Our furthest site is only 20 minutes from the lodge.
Can my kids dive? Can they go on the boat?
Children 10 and up are eligible to take our free Discover SCUBA course that will qualify them to dive with us. Junior Certification is available to children ages 10-14 for an extra fee. For 8-12-year-olds, we offer SASY equipment, which provides a surface SCUBA experience for kids. There is no charge for children to accompany their parents on the dive boat.
How long do I need to wait to fly after diving?
Using PADI and DAN (Divers Alert Network) guidelines, we recommend a minimum of 12 hours before flying for a single dive, and a minimum of 18 hours for repetitive or multi-day diving.
What is the water temperature? Do I need a wetsuit?
Between fall and spring, a wetsuit is recommended.
Fishing
What kind of fishing do you have?
World-class bonefishing as well as reef and deep-sea fishing. Andros is world-renowned for the best bonefishing.
What sort of fishing equipment do you have? What should I bring?
At Small Hope, we have all the fishing gear you will ever need. But if you would like to bring anything of your own—rods, flies, lures, etc.—feel free!
I am a spin-caster. Can I spin-cast for bonefish?
Absolutely! And if at any time you are interested in trying to fly-fish, our experienced guides will be happy to give you a few pointers.
Do you have fishing guides at the lodge?
We work closely with several local fishing guides. Our guides have been fishing the seas and flats for most of their lives. They are not part of the live-in staff, but they are always nearby and will take the time to come and chat about what has been biting and where.
What kinds of fish do you typically catch on DeepSea and Reef Fishing? What do you do with the catch?
It’s hard to say what will be biting from one day to the next but our fishing boats most often come back with barracuda, snapper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and grouper. If you are lucky you might catch a sailfish! And if you want to throw your catch on the grill for dinner, we can do that too.
What time of year is best for bonefishing?
The easiest answer is “all year round!” During the winter months (November through February) the waters are cooler and the larger bonefish come into the shallow waters more frequently. During the warmer months (March through October) there are plenty of large and small fish mingling together on the flats.
