Andros/Small Hope Bay

Anyone been to Andros/Small Hope Bay recently?
m

mike gray wrote:
> Anyone been to Andros/Small Hope Bay recently?
> m

- Not recently; went ten years ago, great place, very relaxed.

Harveyat8c43z0@aol.com wrote:
> mike gray wrote:
>
>>Anyone been to Andros/Small Hope Bay recently?
>>m
>
>
> - Not recently; went ten years ago, great place, very relaxed.
>
>
How was the diving?

m

>Anyone been to Andros/Small Hope Bay recently?

> How was the diving?

I've not stayed at Small Hope Bay, but I've wandered the property twice.
The last time was when the Blackbeard's Cruise we were on spent the night in
a harbor off Andros. We swam to shore and wandered around the area.

We were there shortly after a hurricane that did a fair amount of damage.
Decks and outside buildings, bars and the like, were in bad shape. The main
buildings, inside and out, seemed to be clean and in good shape. I'm sure
the outside structures have long since repaired, but also sure that any
hurricanes that have passed by since have left their mark on the area too.

Be warned, the bugs, no-see-ums in particular, were vicious. Take powerful
repellant if you go.

We dove all around Andros. What I remember most is the very health and
prolific plate coral. It's not as colorful as some types of coral, but it
formed impressive living structures with lots of nooks and crannies (sp?)
for things to hide and live in. I'm a big fan of high profile structures
and this area had plenty of that. It was, in fact, my favorite dive
location until I saw my first wall in the Caymans. As you might imagine,
someone that likes high profile structures, finds both the Caymans and
Cozumel very interesting.

Lee

Lee Bell wrote:
> >Anyone been to Andros/Small Hope Bay recently?
>
> > How was the diving?
>
> I've not stayed at Small Hope Bay, but I've wandered the property twice...

HW "Skip" Weldon has stayed there. I think he's posted a mini-review
on rec.scuba.locations awhile back, or just give him a shout.



-hh

"bullshark" wrote

>I would send them an email asking about their dive time/profile
> policies. I just read a 2004 review that mentioned an absurd 20 minute
> BT limit in force. I wouldn't have believed it but their "Specialty
> Dives" profiles tend to agree...I know that would ruin your day. I'm
> amazed to see they have Nitrox. I hope it works out and you go. I'd
> really like to have another close destination.

That really sucks, particularly since there's so much good shallow water
diving in the area.

> Did you know Spirit Air is flying to GC for 79 each way (FLL) ? There's
> a lot of good deals in Cayman and lot of good diving there if you know
> what to do. Cobalt Coast/Divetech all inclusive is actually *less* than
> SHB. Ocean Frontiers is also a place you would want to dive from. The
> Spirit Air rate is just too good to pass up, we're going to use it
> soon.

Excellent information. Better yet, I think I have an in at Spirit. I think
I'll be discussing this with Jayna later today.

Lee

>That really sucks

Only if it's true. Lets see what mike finds out.

>I think I have an in at Spirit

You don't need no steenking "in". Just buy the ticket:
http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.asp...dlightspecials

Spirit air also has Saturday-only jet service to Little San Salvador
(Riding Rock)