A few general Saba questions

[Kingpatzer]

The wife and I are on our way to Saba at the end of march, and we have a few questions to help us prepare -- plus will be more than willing to take in any general advice folks have to offer!

1) What's the water temp likely to be at the typical dive sites around the island? Given the strict 45# limit for luggage, we're not entirely sure how much thermal protection to bring.

2) For the same reason, what's the likely air temp?

3) I understand the dollar is very well accepted. How are they on credit cards? Should Will it be easier to just operate on cash?

4) My wife has arthritis in her knees. I understand the place is very vertical, any thoughts on how easy/hard it's going to be for her to get around? Should we expect to be pumping the pain meds at night?

5) What is hte local cuisine like? And what are typical food prices? We're not in an all inclusive (do they even exist there?) so we're going to be buying our meals.

6) We're not trinket collectors from trips, but we do like to grab a keepsake or two. If we're close to our luggage limit, should we plan on mailing stuff home, and if so how easy/hard is that to do from there?

7) Footwear recommendations?

8) General travel tips for this adventure?

9) Are there any "must not miss" dive or island sights?

Thanks!

 

[elbee]

My husband and I went to Saba last summer. We stayed at Julianna's and dove with Sea Saba. The diving was great, only time we had current was around the pinnacles. My husbands biggest complaint was that everything is uphill. Definitely wear comfortable shoes. I thought the food was pricey but good and credit cards are accepted. We walked everywhere taxis are expensive. We left our door to our room unlocked. Actually, I don't know if they ever gave us a key...very safe island! If you want a keepsake go to Jobeans glass shop. I brought 2 bags with me, my dive-bag and suitcase and had no problems. The landing and take off is quite interesting!
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

I'm not sure how your wife will do with bad knees but one of the most memorable parts of my trip to this beautiful idyllic island was a climb of Mt. Scenery. Your literally climb into the clouds. It was one of the most amazing experiences. Make sure you sit on the right hand side of the plane for the landing. I really thought we were gonna hit the wall!

 

[morecowbells]

I have only been to Saba once but it is such a magical place. For such a small island, the food was suprisingly good. Dining must do's: 1)The bbq night at the Swinging Doors. 2)Brigadoon is one of the higher priced restuarants, but not cost prohibitive. 3) Cab it to the short trail that leads you to the Rain Forest Cafe at The Eco Lodge. It is a short walk on a trail canopied by trees. It is not a steep grade.

When flying into Saba, find a seat on the right side of the plane(Looking at the pilot's back). This will assure you a stunning views as you prepare to land. Great photo ops! Walking around Saba does involve a lot of vertical walking. Scouts, Cottage Club, and Juliana's are located in areas where it is not too taxing when walking into windwawrdsivde.

 

[DeputyDan]

I am staying at the Cottage Club this May for my first trip - I will do a trip report!

 

[Manuel Sam]

1. I used to go in December and it was 78-80. I don't think it varies much throughout the year and I've never encountered thermoclines.
2. It's very tropical in Ft. Bay, where the dive shops and boats are - that means 80's. Up in windwardside, if you are staying there, it can get chilly at night - lo 70's is my guess, so a sweatshirt or sweater might come in handy.
3. Yes, credit cards are acepted but many establishments tack on a % fee - that on top of the foreign transaction fee that wil eventually appear on your bill (except Capital One). I'd ask first if you are averse to paying the fee.
4. Unfortunately, there are some serious inclines all over. Even in Windwardside, which is where most of the tourists stay at, the walk up from Juliana's to the main road in Windwarside is pretty steep over a distance of about maybe 200 feet. Walking up from Windwarside to Willard's (a fairly posh hotel in Windwardside) is not for the faint of heart and probably not a good idea after 2-3 dives. Scout's is about the only hotel in the center of Windwardside that is fairly level with respect to the main road.
5. I think that the recommendations already provided are excellent. There are other decent restaurants outside of Windwardside that might even arrange to have you picked up. I recall having a pretty decent meal also at The Cottage Club (a hotel in Windwardside but heading back towards the airport). For lunch, the In Too Deep restaurant that is next to (and part of) Saba Deep is pretty good - love their soups.
6. Saba is best known for Saba lace (can't get a heckuva lot lighter than that) and Saba Spice (a liquor). But you can't carry-on liquor anyway, unless you buy it at the airport, so......
7. Teva's are good as are thick-soled sneakers.
8. Unfortunately, all of non-diving things that I can think of require some fair amount of climbing - such as going up Mt. Scenery or visiting the tidepools area near the airport.
9. I love all of the pinnacle dives - and specially Third Encounter and Shark Shoals. The shallower ones - Diamond Rock and Man'o'War Shoals are also very good. East side dive sites are not often dived due to weather and sea conditions so if you get a chance to do those, that's great.

Have a great trip.

 

[catskill diver]

deputy dan,
could not find your trip report on saba ?!? Wife just agreed to a week there middle march. would love current info / input from you or anyone else. thx. cat

 

[billmosel]

Catskill, I did the CEXII in November and the currents in Saba at that time were extreme. You can check out my trip report here. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...an-explorer-ii-trip-report-11-27-12-04-a.html