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Everything
in Saba is clean and sparkling, the streets are clean, the
houses all look like they have been recently painted with
 their
white siding, red roofs and green shutters. The smiles and
friendliness you get from the locals are genuine and on
an island with only 1000 inhabitants it is easy to make
friends quickly. You'll find that it takes less than a day
for some of the residents to greet you by name. Once our
taxi driver stopped to pet a cat sitting on a wall bordering
the narrow street.
Saba's diving reputation comes from its pinnacle dives.
The Eye of the Needle, for example, starts at 90 feet and
goes down and down, supporting a profusion of sea life both
on and around it. Sharks, turtles and other pelagics are
drawn to the area like magnets. But even the shallow dives
are terrific. Green Island, between 20 and 35 feet has bright,
colorful ledges and mini-walls, at 50 feet, there are 3
healthy green and pink black corals, 8' across.
Saba
Resorts & Packages
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Saba
Travel Information and Tips
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Getting
There
All travel to Saba connects in St. Maarten, typically
on WINAIR.
Several major airlines from North America, Europe
and South America carry daily flights into St. Maarten
(SXM). Special charter flights area also available
from major cities during the winter season..
Getting Around
If you choose not to walk or hike, transportation,
on and around the island, is easy on the ten miles
of concrete roads, secured to the mountainside with
hardy stone walls. Taxi drivers in modern vans can
be your guide for your trip, or you can rent a car
and explore on on your own. Dawn II travels between
Saba and Dock Maarten at Chesterfields Marina in Philipsburg,
Sint Maarten three times a week. Offering service
on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays departing from
Saba at 6:30 am and departing from Dock Maarten at
5:00 pm. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure.
please contact Saba C-Transport, N.V. for reservations
and information.
Location
Saba is located just to the East of St. Croix and
south of St. Martin.
Language and Culture
Everyone speaks English, although Dutch is the official
language
Because of Saba's precipitous terrain, settling was
difficult and left for the hardy and the adventurous.
Having been under English, French, Spanish and Dutch
rule for many years, peace came with the Dutch Crown
in 1816. The cultures of the variety of settlers are
now uniquely blended into a hard-working people. Their
history of farming, fishing and seamanship account
for their keen knowledge of their nature. Many locals
are well traveled and well educated; conversations
are easy and interesting. The Saba museums house many
artifacts and photographs, which tell the stories
of settling this remote island with its dramatic landscape.
Airport and Taxes
You must pay a $5 departure tax when leaving Saba
by plane for either St. Maarten or St. Eustatius,
or $22 when continuing on an international flight.
(Note: when flying home through St. Maarten from here,
list yourself as "in transit" and avoid
repaying the tax in St. Maarten, which is $20.) There's
no departure tax when you leave by boat.
Entry Requirements
Saba is a free port, there are no customs. A valid
passport, birth certificate or voter's registration
is needed to enter as well as a return or ongoing
ticket.
Climate
Daytime temperature on Saba averages 80°F., give
or take a few degrees. Easterly trade winds and the
mountain create ever-changing cloud movements. Winter
evenings often require a light sweater. Temperatures
will always be cooler on the top of Mt. Scenery.
Time
Atlantic Standard (Eastern Standard + 1 hour).
Currency/Credit Cards
US dollar, all major credit cards are accepted
Electricity
US Standard, 110 volts |
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