Saba, Netherlands Antilles, diving trip report, April 28-May 3, 2010

[Tim Ingersoll]

Nice report! Brought back some great memories. I will never forget the hike up Mount Scenery into the clouds. Not to be missed.

 

[shawrg]

Nice detailed and useful description of the above water action. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Alucard]

Thanks very much for this review - we are planning on Saba and diving with Sea Saba next year, so this definitely gives a good idea of what is there.

Much appreciated!

 

[Tjack]

A friend of mine just got back from diving Saba on a live aboard and had a similar experience to myself. They dove the Pinnacles once in heavy current, then spent most of their time diving Tent Reef. It seems that the best Saba diving is subject to strong currents, I wonder what time of year is best for diving the Pinnacles at Saba?

I also found an interesting comparison between the three Saba Dive shops posted by Exiledwasp.

Here is Exiedwasp's post.

"Saba without a doubt, there are three dive operations there so it depends what you prefer, Sea-Saba is the most commercailly oriented...everything is done for you but it does feel like it's a business...Saba Divers is a slightly smaller operation with a smallish boat but they have free nitrox...Saba Deep is slightly more advanced in that it does what it says in the tin, they dice deep (first dive 120-130' on the pinnacles) then the second dive 80-90'. I prefer the latter as the boat which has some nice indoor shelter and a head rarely carries more than 6 divers and Kelly, Bob and legendary Big Mike (dived with Cousteau, was diving Cayman Brac before electricity!) are just the best DM team you can find...as for sites, the Pinnacles are what Saba's known for and you will not be disappointed...Outer Limits is my personal favourite although if you get to dive the north wall of 3rd Encounter with Mike it is a heck of an experience...Man O'War is most DM's favourite and Diamond Rock (current permitting) is great too...as to the shallower dives, Tent Reef has incredible plant and fish diversity and impressive swim-throughs...my only other tip...go to Saba T's and have the pizza...better than I've ever had, and I live in NY"

Hope this is usefull,

 

[DeputyDan]

I disagree about the pizza - I found it to be below average.

The Red Snapper at Scout's Place on the other hand....... divine!

 

[Tjack]

I guess if you are hungry enough, anything can taste awesome. Diving will do that. Saba Treasures is a cool bar with good Pizza.

 

[jlbdiver]

Glad the trip was a good one. I just got back from a week each on Saba and Statia. Both great places to dive, been to Saba a number of times. My only problem is with Winair. The airline lost my Dive Caddy carryone dive bag with my new Dive Rite BC and some other gear totaling over $1000. All they will cover is $460 even when I provided receipts showing them the gear was new. Siting the Warsaw Conference limits their liability. What ever happened to taking care of a customer? A customer who had just filled 12 of their seats? No longer. So, be warned if you decide to go anywhere Winair flys.

 

[vailchef]

It seems like the price of diving has crept up considerably in the last few years. What ever happened to two tanks for $50? I did a Nitrox certification for $130 with Scott who was an excellent instruct

$50 for two dives? Hello, the 70's called.

I haven't done a dive in the last ten years that was 2 for $50, and I would say I have been to a lot of places.

Fuel, boats, insurance, etc. make it a tough go for the operators.

All that aside, I loved my experience with Scout's Place last year. Some amazing dives and a great place to stay.

 

[Tjack]

A quick search on the net reveals Dive prices are creeping up, but $100 a day is high. Here are some sample rates for two tank boat dives:

Gunters, Utila, Honduras $50
Pura Vida, Roatan, Honduras $60
Koh Tao, Thailand, $66
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, $69
DiveDiveDive, Nassau Bahamas, $80
Amoray, Key Largo, Florida, $80
Octopus, St. Martin $85

Multiple dives bring the price down, 10 dive at Gunters Utila will run $200.