Caribbean Explorer II and Land based Saba diving

[scubamickey]

I'm seriously considering doing the Caribbean Explorer II trip (Saba, Statia, St. Kitts) this coming June. I was looking at ending in St Maarten and then either taking the ferry or a flight to Saba for about 6 more days just on Saba.
Looking at staying at one of the cottages at Julianna's and diving with Sea Saba or staying at Scout's place and diving with Saba Dive.

Iwas wondering if anybody has been on the CEXII this year and what they thought of it. We just did the CEXI this June and it was excellent. No guided dives or silly rules. But I've heard that the CEXII has some dives that are guided and some rules requiring use of mooring lines to descend and ascend. I'm hoping it's just exaggerations or that it was only in the event of strong currents.

Thoughts on the dive operators are also welcome. I liked the fact that Saba Dive offers free Nitrox!

 

[tvictory]

IMO, Saba is best as a land-based dive destination. We've done land-based (Juliana's and Saba Deep) and live-aboard (CEX I, back in 2001). The problem is that the moorings on the best dive sites do not accomodate larger vessels, so you have to improvise to reach the signature dives from a live-aboard. Land-based is not perfect either, as you have to take a taxi each day to the dock and back. The system on Saba is that whichever taxi driver gets you first, he "owns" you for the duration of your stay, and he informs you of what time he will pick you up, etc. On the days when the ferry from St. Maarten comes, the taxi drivers all conduct island tours which are more lucrative than tending to the on-island guests, so the scheduling can be inconvenient. One good thing though, whatever restaurant you want to go to for dinner, your taxi will take you there and back for free.

 

[aquamarin]

Well I have a slightly different picture of things on Saba.......Which taxi driver(s) did you meet? We arrange taxi transport for our guests (I work for a dive op here) and yes, we tend to use the same 2 taxi drivers (and there aren't many btw) - but that does not mean they dictate anything: we give them the times and have so far never had any problems with the drivers doing island tours instead of taking care of our guests.

It is true of course that it takes 15 minutes to get to the harbour in the morning. Where I worked in Thailand it could be as long as 30 minutes; so I guess definition of inconvenience is individual and depends on what you are used to. At least, by the time you get to the harbour the boat is ready to leave and your gear is all set up - and the most frequently used dive sites are within 2-15 minutes boat ride away. So you do two dives and are back at 13:30 - or you do a third dive and are back around 15 (not all ops do third dives though)

Rules vary among the dive ops as well - so I'd ask about things like maximum dive time and being allowed to do buddy dives rather than following the guide, if that is what you want.....

I'll be happy to answer any questions......just pm me.......and I'll buy you a beer when you get here
Karin

 

[NTSilver]

Scubamickey
We are leaving for the CEXII this Saturday and I will post a full report when we return.
Nonie

 

[scubamickey]

Scubamickey
We are leaving for the CEXII this Saturday and I will post a full report when we return.
Nonie

That would be great! Thanks.
We are booking for next June and Have decided to stay an additional 8 nights on Saba and dive with Sea Saba. They will arrange with the CEXII to drop us off while we are in Saba (We're doing the St. Maarten to St. Kitts itinerary).

Have a fun and safe trip!

Irene

 

[aquamarin]

I look forward to diving with you then Irene, see you in June

Karin

 

[scubamickey]

I look forward to diving with you then Irene, see you in June

Karin

Yes! I remember you from the website because you learned to dive in Cuba and I'm Cuban--so your name stuck with me . Lynn is helping me arrange the details of my trip and before I've even left home I'm already singing the praises of Sea Saba. I can't wait to get there!
Look forward to diving with you as well.

 

[aquamarin]

You remember me? Blush

Lynn is really a gem that way. If you need any info or help in the meantime, just let us know....

Great dives again today with seahorses, turtles, barracudas and and and

Take care
Karin

 

[The Chairman]

I did this trip this past year, and it was AWESOME!

However, I wouldn't make the crossing TWICE. Just stay in Saba. The final day starts with a morning dive and then the long trip over. Make sure you have a drink in the Tropical for me!

 

[aquamarin]

Tsk tsk NetDoc, you wouldn't refer to Wim's famous mandatory banana rum, would you?? Mof I'll just go there tonight and have one for you

Karin