private charters flights. How To Get To Small Hope Bay Lodge - Andros Island, Bahamas. Getting to Andros Island, Bahamas is very easy. We may be slightly off the beaten path, but that's a big part of our appeal. Even though we're not in the center of a big tourist hub (thankfully!) we're really quite accessible. Getting here is just a quick one-hour flight from Fort Lauderdale or a 12-minute air hop from Nassau. If you're staying in Nassau on either end of your trip, you can even take a ferry to or from Andros, if you prefer. So, depending on where you're coming from, you can arrange to fly into Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) or Nassau International Airport (NAS), and take a connecting flight directly to Andros Town Airport (ASD). And there's no need to look for a taxi once you land on Andros - there are always taxis right there - and it's just a ten-minute drive from the airport (Andros Town airport is also known as Fresh Creek Airport) to Small Hope Bay (Click on Map to see larger image). 1. Via Ft. Lauderdale. Continental Connection Continental Connection, operated by Gulfstream, operates direct flights between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Andros Town (ASD) four days a week, subject to change. Flights leave Fort Lauderdale from the Continental concourse at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport main terminal. Flight Schedule (as of Summer, 2008). Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Andros Town (ASD). Monday Wednesday Friday Sunday (Service may be suspended temporarily each September for a few weeks). Outbound - Depart Fort Lauderdale early afternoon. Return - Depart Andros Town mid-afternoon. Please check with Continental Connections to confirm schedule times, at. or call reservations at (800) 231-0856. Charter Flights - Small Hope Bay Lodge has assisted customers for many years to get to Andros by helping with charter flights. From Fort Lauderdale International airport, we generally recommend Airflight www.airflightcharters.com. or (954) 359-0322. Alec Blackwell can also help arrange flights - you can reach him at (242) 357-2252. They generally use 7 or 9 seater aircrafts. Please call us at (800) 223-6961 or (242) 368-2013 or 2014, or email. Taxes Airport and Departure taxes totaling approximately $50 round-trip will be collected at the respective airports. Luggage limitations 45 lbs per person, soft bags only. Fisherman: no extra-large fishing rod cases (over 4 feet), as the planes cannot accomodate them. Location of Ft. Lauderdale International (FLL) Charter Departures Airflight leaves from the Fort Lauderdale Jet Center at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, FL. They are in Suite #103. If taking a taxi from Fort Lauderdale International Airport expect the cost to be about $8.00 as it is a short run (you should also expect the taxi driver to be less than pleased). Tell the taxi driver that you are going to Jet Center next to the US customs building (General Aviation West). The actual address for Airflight is 1100 Lee Wagener Blvd. Suite 103, Fort Lauderdale 33315. The AirFlight office is on the 1st floor of Jet Center. If lost, call AirFlight for directions (954) 359-0320. For any problems with the flight, please call us on the island (800) 223-6961. If driving take the exit off of I-95 to Griffin Road, West on Griffin Road to Anglers Ave (aka Ravenswood Road), go past Rustic Inn and turn right on Lee Wagener, go to the end turn right. Jet Center is the big pink building on the left. Jet Center has a long term parking lot that is $5.00 per day. The actual address for Airflight is 1100 Lee Wagener Blvd. Suite 103, Fort Lauderdale 33315. The AirFlight office is on the 1st floor of Jet Center. If lost, call AirFlight for directions (954) 359-0320. For any problems with the flight, please call us on the island (800) 223-6961. Jet Center has a restaurant called Aviatiors that is past the Airflight office and into the Customs building. When you return from Andros to Fort Lauderdale you will arrive at customs next to Jet Center. Although taxis are not always present at Jet Center/Customs they are readily available, just ask the desk to call you one. If you have a layover at Fort Lauderdale International Airport here are a few suggestions of things to do: If you have 1 hour and are hungry, try Aviators in the Customs Building next to Jet Center. If you have 2 hours and are hungry, try Lester's Diner in the AM, or Rustic Inn in the PM. You would need to take a taxi to either one, but they are both within a few miles. If you have about 4 hours to relax, you can visit Snyder Park on 4th Street near Lester's Diner. If you have more than 4 hours and want a more boutiquey type of experience, take a taxi over to Las Olas Boulevard. There are lots of nice shops and restaurants. From Fort Lauderale Executive Airport (FXE) we recommend Watermakers Air, please see www.watermakersair.com for more information. They fly almost daily and for advance bookings can fly either in the morning or the afternoon. offers two round-trip flights daily between Nassau and Andros Town (Fresh Creek) -- one flight in the early morning and one in the afternoon. Flying time is 12 minutes*. Their aircrafts are 19-passenger Metros, and the service is very reliable. Western Air has adult and children#x2019;s rates. For information on current flight schedules and fares, see www.westernairbahamas.com. or call (242) 377-2222. Western Air has a code share with Bahamasair. Bahamas Fast Ferries SeaLink has service 3 to 4 times per week leaving from Potter's Cay, Nassau. Cost is approximately $70 round trip for this 2 and 1/2 hour trip. It leaves at 8:00AM Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Nassau to Fresh Creek, Andros. It leaves Fresh Creek, Andros for Nassau at 12 noon on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and leaves at 4:30PM on Saturdays. Please call (242) 323-2166 for reservations. NOTE: For the Fast Ferry service it is strongly recommended that you contact them in advance to confirm departure times. * Additional airport and government taxes may apply. If you have a layover at Nassau Airport here are a few suggestions of things to do: If you have 2 hours and want to stay close to the airport, go visit Orange Hill, an out island style hotel overlooking the beach, or if after 11am, visit Traveller's Rest, a truly Bahamian restaurant run by Jeff Birch's mother, Joan Hanna, and step father, Duke Hanna. The food is great, the view of the ocean beautiful, and the Banana Daquiris fabulous, see http://www.the-bahamas-restaurants.com/travellersrest/index.html. Travel time is about 10 minutes to either place. The taxi fare should not be more than $12 each way. If you have 3 hours and want to see Cable Beach or gamble a bit, try the Wyndam Crystal Palace Casino (give luggage to bellman and go to the Seagrape restaraunt and then venture out from there). Androsia of Cable Beach also has a store in the mall between the Crystal Palace Casino and the Radisson Hotel. Travel time is about 20 minutes each way. If you have about 4 hours you can take a taxi to Bay Street, home of the Straw Market, lots of shops, and the Pirate Museum. Have the taxi drop you at the British Colonial Hilton, tip the bellman and give him your luggage. Travel time is a little over 30 minutes each way. If you have more than 4 hours and want to go over to Paradise Island, visit Atlantis, a Las Vegas style casino right on the beach with an aquatic theme. Make sure to visit the aquarium in the dig. Travel time is 45-60 minutes each way. Try to check-in your luggage at your connecting flight, if that is not possible you can always leave it with the bellman at any of the hotels mentioned. 3. Private Charter Flight Arrangements Private charter flight arrangements from either Nassau or Fort Laduderdale can be easily arranged. Three-, seven-, and nine-passenger aircraft are available. Call the Lodge for details, carriers, and charter prices. Charter flights should be arranged in time to lan...

Small Hope Bay FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). What kind of diving do you have? Should I bring my own equipment? My companion doesn't dive--what else is there for her/him to do? What kind of fishing do you have? How do I get to Andros? What is the best time of the year to go to Andros (weather)? What about Hurricanes? How hot does it get in the summer? Can we bring our children? Do you have an organized program for children? Can my kids dive? Can they go on the boat? I have a very young baby--will I be able to get pampers and fresh milk on the island? What kind of electricity do you use? What should I bring on my vacation? Can I drink the tap water? Is there any night life? I'm single. Will I have a good time? What kind of food do you serve? I'm a vegetarian--will that be a problem? Is there any place I can rent my own boat? Are there any rental cars on the island? Is there anything else to see on the island? Is there anything to buy on the island? Who owns the Bahamas? What kind of money do you use in the Bahamas? What is the water temperature? Do I need a wetsuit? What kind of diving do you have? All kinds, we have the third largest and one of the most unexplored barrier reefs in the world. We have everything from shallow reefs to vertical walls, blue holes and much more. Never been diving, let us teach you. We have all levels of instruction. Great for new divers, intermediate, and advanced divers. See our. Should I bring my own equipment? It is up to you. We include weights, weight belt, and tank in dive price, as well as dive lights on night dives. BCDs, regulators, computers, mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuits available for rent. My companion doesn't dive--what else is there for her/him to do? Snorkel--on the reef, from shore, with wild dolphin. Relax on the beach. Go fishing. Get a massage. Choose a book from our library and find a hammock. Hot tub. Bike to the Androsia Factory, or to an inland blue hole. Do some birding. Sail, Windsurf, Kayak. Take a nature walk. Join you on the boat (no charge for riders!) Or learn to dive (for free!). What kind of fishing do you have? World class Bonefishing as well as reef and deep sea fishing. See our. Do you have bugs? Of course--we are a tropical island. However, since we are located on the windward side of the island with full exposure to the sea breezes, our bug problem is minimal. The best defense when the wind dies down is a repellent--anything from Cutter's to Avon Skin-so-Soft works. Or just step inside until the breeze picks up again. For crawly bugs like palmetto bugs, we sprinkle Boric Acid Powder around the inside of the cottages to ward them off. It's effective and non-toxic to humans. How do I get to Andros? It's very easy... see our. HOW TO GET TO ANDROS. What is the best time of the year to go to Andros (weather)? The northern Bahamas remains quite temperate year-round--most of the days are like perfect spring and summer days. Winter weather sometimes can bring a blow from the north--which can make for choppy seas. Daytime temperatures can drop to the low 70s. Summer is the rainy season--usually marked by a short afternoon squall somewhere--not necessarily over us! Average summer temperature is 85, with long days and comfortable nights. For calmest waters, April through October is best. For temperature and rainfall information click here: courtesy of Intellicast.com (Fresh Creek, Andros is 26 nautical miles from Nassau). What about Hurricanes? Hurricane season for the western hemisphere is officially June 1 to December 1. However, statistically for the Bahamas, August, September, and October are the months to watch. Overall, being in the tropical Atlantic where the temperatures are cooler, we tend to fare better than our Caribbean neighbors with regard to hurricanes. Hurricane David hit Andros in 1979. Hurricane Floyd, which caused so much destruction to the Abacos in 1999, skimmed Andros--leaving mostly just a mess. Hurricane Michelle hit Andros in November 2001. How hot does it get in the summer? The northern Bahamas are quite temperate. The hottest we get is maybe 90 F. It feels cooler than that, though, because of the location of Small Hope, right on the beach and the constant trade breezes. Also, you are not surrounded by concrete like you are in the city. All rooms have ceiling and stand up fans and half of our rooms have air conditioning, but you rarely need it. Can we bring our children? Of course. Children are an important part of our lives here--we have a few of our own running about. We have two-bedroom cottages, a Games Room and, more importantly, a safe outdoor environment where they can run, swim, snorkel, play in the tidal pools and fish off the dock. AND we have great rates for kids. Do you have an organized program for children? No--but we have energetic baby-sitters. There is a modest charge for this service. Baby-sitting is complimentary for children 2-9 between the hours of 6 PM and 8:45 PM in the evening (there is a nominal fee for children under 2 since they need their own personal sitter), during which time children 9 and under enjoy dinner and after-dinner games in the Games Room. Your preteen children may also eat dinner in the Games Room, it is your choice. This keeps young children away from the bar area and gives adults a chance to enjoy evening adult time. Can my kids dive? Can they go on the boat? Children 10 years old 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 10-16 for an extra fee. We recommend that very young divers limit diving depths. For 8-12 year olds, we offer SASY equipment, which offers a surface SCUBA experience to kids. There is no charge for children to accompany their parents on the boat. I have a very young baby--will I be able to get pampers and fresh milk on the island? The stock in local stores is unreliable. It is best if you bring your own supplies. Or if you call us in advance, we will try to have them on the island for you. What kind of electricity do you use? Same as North America -- 110/120 volts. What should I bring on my vacation? Bathing suits, beach cover ups, shorts, cotton slacks, T-shirts, flip-flops. Sweater, sweatshirt, or windbreaker in the winter. If it doesn't fit under your airline seat, you probably don't need it. We have a small boutique that carries toiletries, logo items, and some island style clothes, and the Androsia Batik Factory is just a bike ride away. You should bring shampoo as we carry it in our boutique, but do not currently put it in the guest rooms. All rooms have beach towels, but you should bring your own blow dryers. Can I drink the tap water? Absolutely. Andros is in the fresh water business--we have tons of it and we ship our water 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 tap and in your room dispenser is as good or better than any bottled water. Is there any night life? If you mean nightclubs and casinos, no. But you CAN walk the beach at night, see great star shows, and skinny dip in the hot tub... Sometimes we have a slide show on reef ecology or dive videos. Sometimes we party hearty. On weekends, there are a few local discos in town. I'm single. Will I have a good time? Small Hope is a great place for singles because of the camaraderie that develops among the guests and staff. It's easy to make friends and easy to find space for yourself. Furthermore, we offer single travelers the option of sharing one of our two-bedroom cottages with another single traveler (you get private bedroom, share the bath)--thereby eliminating that nasty single surcharge. What kind of food do you serve? Breakfast is full American-style breakfast (eggs, bacon, hot cakes, fruit, etc.) or a Bahamian breakfast of chicken souse, boiled fish, steamed tuna, or corned beaf plus continental fare. Lunch consists of a hot dish (cu...

 Playground for children
 Facsimile services
 Games room
 Access to internet
 Ironing facilities
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Licensed bar
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Phone at reception
 Patio, summer terrace