Short Description

Tiny Saba, also known as "The Rock" or "The Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean," is rugged and mountainous yet lush and verdant.

Destination Highlights

Mt. Scenery
Sister island to St. Maarten/St. Martin
Perfect for nature lovers

Local Weather

Temperature averages 80F. Average rainfall per year is 42 inches.

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Description

Tiny Saba, also known as "The Rock" or "The Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean," is rugged and mountainous yet lush and verdant. Mt. Scenery juts nearly 3,000 feet above the Caribbean Sea, is almost always capped with misty cloud cover and serves as the backdrop for all things on Saba. A sister island to nearby St. Maarten, Saba is the smallest of the Netherlands Antilles measuring 5 square miles and can be compared to no other island in the Caribbean for its precipices and virgin diving. The coral reefs are considered precious to Saban's and The Saba Marine Park sees to it that they are protected.

Saba has a few small hotels and less than a dozen restaurants. Visitors are captured instantly by its curious charm. Though Dutch, Saba changed flags a dozen times in its history. Saba, one solid mountain, has one road (called The Road) to its capital, The Bottom. Over a thousand stone steps (The Ladder) climb to the crest of Mt. Scenery and descend to Ladder Bay where divers take the plunge to 29 designated dive sites where gray sands cast eerie shadows on marine life. Outer Limits, a mountaintop shooting up from 2,800 feet of water, is spectacular. Hikers praise the trails and the island's all-around natural beauty. History buffs praise the quaint museum. Handicraft collectors like the intricate thread work called Saba lace.

The barely 1,600 plus residents of Saba, mostly of African and Welsh lineage, reside in one of the four small towns which dot the side of Mt. Scenery. Simple white cottages with red tile roofs and large porches permeate the villages, and all offer a few inns and hotels, some condo clusters and cottages to rent. Although, Saba is only a short 15-minute flight from St. Maarten, it's rough terrain and lack of beaches has insulated it from the rush of heavy tourism.

Saba appeals mainly to scuba divers, hikers and naturalists in search of peace and tranquility. Take a tour of the island by taxi, hike up Mount Scenery if you dare, go diving or snorkeling or just sit in the sun and enjoy the refreshing island breezes. You may also want to check out the Breadfruit Art Gallery which exhibits local artist's work with many works for sale. In late July, enjoy Saba's Carnival festival, a week long celebration of dancing, music, parades and competitions, offering visitors a taste of Saban culture, art and flair. It certainly is the most festive time of year when this sleepy little island seems to come alive.

Local Information

Electric Current: 110 volts. Official Language: Dutch officially, but most people speak English also. Currency: Netherlands Antilles guilder - U.S. dollars widely accepted. No ATM machines on the island. Driving: On the right with valid international driver's license. Local Transportation: Rental cars, scooters and taxis are the transportation of choice. Hitchhiking is safe and common. Taxi island tours are inexpensive.

Airport Information

Getting There: Connect through St. Maarten via ALM, American Airlines, BWIA, Continental, Northwest Airlines or U.S. Airways. Hop a Windward Express Airways(WINAIR) prop plane (15 minutes) or the Edge ferry service (1 hour) for the remainder of the journey. Please be advised that many destinations charge a departure fee. Generally, most airlines include this fee in the cost of your airline ticket. We recommend you contact the airline directly to review the details with the carrier. Airport: Saba has a short runway accommodating only small planes in good weather. Departure Tax: US$2 to other Netherland Antilles islands, US$5 for other destinations.

Entry Requirements

Effective December 31, 2006, the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality. This information should be used only as a guideline and non-U.S. citizens should contact the airline they are traveling on, or their local consulate regarding the specific entry requirements that apply to their nationality.