Saba Travel Tips

Saba may be one of the last unexploited diving destinations in the world. This relatively unheard of location boast dozens of dive sites in Marine Protected Areas with outstanding diving conditions and personalized dive experience.

There are thirty mooring buoys around the park for the dive boats with some of the sites having additional buoys for larger boats such as the many private luxury yachts that visit the area as well as liveaboards from some of the near by islands.

In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to Saba:

Where to stay?

I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Saba as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.

Saba has four main villages, The Bottom which is Saba’s capital and home to the medical college, Windwardside where most of the tourist stay, St. John’s & Zion’s Hill. The original name of Zion’s gate and the name wthat most of the locals still use is “Hell’s Gate”. Seems like the church located there did not like the name and pressured the government to change it.

Saba has a small number of hotels, villas and cottages but they provide a range of cost to fit most budgets and lifestyle needs.

Activities and excursions in Saba

Saba as a tourist destination is best known for scuba diving. The rugged terrain and vast undeveloped area attracts many hikers. The island has a number of hiking trails and has outstanding views.  Unlike other Caribbean destinations, there are no tourist focused activities. Tourist take their meals and drinks in the same places as the locals. You will get a real introduction to life in the islands, not a tourist geared environment.

Best time to visit Saba

The temperatures in Saba are stable year round staying around 80 degrees. The high season is mid-December to mid-April, this is when the European and North American countries have there coldest months and residence often head to warmer climates.

Traveling during the hurricane season from the beginning of June until the end of November, risk the possibility you may encounter one of the storms.

Health and Safety

Given Saba’s small population of only about 2,000 people and the limited number of tourist the one hospital, A.M. Edwards Medical Center, is more than adequate for the islands needs. The medical center is well equipped for the treatment of cardiac emergencies, uncomplicated fractures, trauma and other emergency patients; severe trauma is stabilized and emergency transport to St. Maarten is arranged.

The crime rate in Saba is very low.

If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Saba, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Where is Saba located in the world?

Saba is one of the islands of the Lesser Antilles Archipelago. When the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved in 2010, Saba became a Special Municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands along with the islands of St. Eustatius and Bonaire. Saba is a tiny volcanic island of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi) sitting just 28 miles (50 kilometers) southwest of the island of St. Maarten. St. Eustatius and St Barts are slightly closer, however, it is St. Maarten that has the international connections.

How to get to Saba?

Most travelers to Saba make their international connections by way of St. Maarten. St. Maarten has extensive international connections. Between St. Maarteen and Saba, visitors arrive in two means air and sea. There are multiple flights a day between the two islands. The flights take only 12 minutes. The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport serves Saba and it is said to have the smallest runway of any international airport and said the most exciting landings. Aircraft are small normally 16 passengers in a de Havilland Twin Otter or 7 in an Britten-Norman Islander.

There are two ferry companies that provide service between St. Maarten and Saba. The Dawn II also called the Heineken boat, sails every Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays from Saba at 7 am for an hour and a half journey to St. Maarten. They return leaving St. Maarten at 4:30 pm. Free Heineken are served on-board. The Edge travels to Saba from St. Maarten on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing St. Maarten at 9:00 a.m. for the 1 hour 20 minute trip. The return trip from Saba departs at 3:30 p.m., arriving back on Sint Maarten at 5:00 p.m. the ferry has a reduce rate for a round trip on the same day.

Do I need a visa for Saba?

Depending on your Nationality you may need a Caribbean visa to visit Saba. This visa is valid in Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba). Citizens of the United States, Canada, European Union countries and other countries are able to enter on a visa waiver program. The Netherlands government website has the full details for the Caribbean visa.

Getting Around

The best way to get around is by taxi. While the island is very small it is an old volcano. So much of the area is very steep so walking more than a short distance can be a great workout.

If you are looking for a place where you are treated as a guest and not a bank account, this is the place for you.

If you are looking for a place where the local culture is alive and not replaced by a cookie cutter destination, this place is for you.

If you want scuba diving without the crowds or destroyed dive sites, this is definitely the place for you.

Saba Photos

Scuba diving

You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: Saba Diving