dvguy
Guest
Earlier this month, I spent three days diving on the sites around Saba (SAY-ba) Island in the Lesser Antilles. I flew into St. Maarten and took the 15 minute flight on Win Air from St. Maarten to Saba. Actually, it was more like a takeoff and long final approach to Saba. The Win Air pilot stuck the plane on the tiny landing strip, taxied to the terminal, and we had arrived.
A lot of good reports have already been written about the island, the people, the nature trails, the hiking, the rain forest, the dining, and the diving there. Its all true. I stayed at Julianas hotel in Windwardside and scheduled three dives each day with Sea Saba. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The pace was exactly what you would expect on a small island in the Caribbean. Laid back; simple, easy going, no worries .. The temperature at night was perfect for sleeping with the windows open. Although, I dont think I slept I think I went into a coma each night. The sun arrived very early and bright, and the mixed sounds of wild birds, chickens, and goats (these roamed wild all over the island) were better than any alarm clock. The folks at Sea Saba coordinated closely with the folks at Julianas to get everyone from the hotel to the dive shop for last minute head counts and confirm that everyones needs were taken care of no worries then on to the dive boat. The shuttle (9-passenger van) would arrive at Julianas around nine to take us to the boat. The shuttle ride was an experience in itself .zipping along the mountain roads; the views are incredible. Make sure you have your camera ready at all times.
Sea Saba is a top-notch dive operation. Captains, dive masters, and crew, all deliver a well organized and professional diving experience. After the first days dives, all my gear was stowed on the boat and was setup and ready each morning when I arrived. The crew switched out my tanks between dives and everything was taken care of . no worries. Each day, there was no more that 8 or so divers on the boat, so there was plenty of room to move around, check gear, get off and back on the boat, and enjoy the amazing views of the island. There are no beaches, just shoreline, so the boat rides to the dive sites were very short. The dive sites were amazing. The reefs around Saba are protected by a marine park that was established in the early 1980s. Beautiful corals covering deep water pinnacles, teaming with marine life . Ok, enough Im starting to sound like an advertisement. You will just have to experience this place for yourself. Now, there was one diving experience at Saba that you wont find on many other dive sites, I dont care where you are. On one particular dive, the dive master motioned me over and pointed to the sand. I swam over and she stuck her hand into the sand, several inches deep, then motioned for me to do the same. I did. The sand, just a few inches below the surface, was hot! Heated by the geothermal energy far beneath the surface. Just a little reminder of how the island was formed.
Time was too short for me to enjoy all the nature trails and hiking on the island. My three days of diving were over. There was just enough time for me to do a little commando shopping on the fourth day I was there, and then shuffle off to the airport for my trek home. There is a reason this little island is called the unspoiled queen of the Caribbean. You just have to go there and experience it yourself.
A lot of good reports have already been written about the island, the people, the nature trails, the hiking, the rain forest, the dining, and the diving there. Its all true. I stayed at Julianas hotel in Windwardside and scheduled three dives each day with Sea Saba. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The pace was exactly what you would expect on a small island in the Caribbean. Laid back; simple, easy going, no worries .. The temperature at night was perfect for sleeping with the windows open. Although, I dont think I slept I think I went into a coma each night. The sun arrived very early and bright, and the mixed sounds of wild birds, chickens, and goats (these roamed wild all over the island) were better than any alarm clock. The folks at Sea Saba coordinated closely with the folks at Julianas to get everyone from the hotel to the dive shop for last minute head counts and confirm that everyones needs were taken care of no worries then on to the dive boat. The shuttle (9-passenger van) would arrive at Julianas around nine to take us to the boat. The shuttle ride was an experience in itself .zipping along the mountain roads; the views are incredible. Make sure you have your camera ready at all times.
Sea Saba is a top-notch dive operation. Captains, dive masters, and crew, all deliver a well organized and professional diving experience. After the first days dives, all my gear was stowed on the boat and was setup and ready each morning when I arrived. The crew switched out my tanks between dives and everything was taken care of . no worries. Each day, there was no more that 8 or so divers on the boat, so there was plenty of room to move around, check gear, get off and back on the boat, and enjoy the amazing views of the island. There are no beaches, just shoreline, so the boat rides to the dive sites were very short. The dive sites were amazing. The reefs around Saba are protected by a marine park that was established in the early 1980s. Beautiful corals covering deep water pinnacles, teaming with marine life . Ok, enough Im starting to sound like an advertisement. You will just have to experience this place for yourself. Now, there was one diving experience at Saba that you wont find on many other dive sites, I dont care where you are. On one particular dive, the dive master motioned me over and pointed to the sand. I swam over and she stuck her hand into the sand, several inches deep, then motioned for me to do the same. I did. The sand, just a few inches below the surface, was hot! Heated by the geothermal energy far beneath the surface. Just a little reminder of how the island was formed.
Time was too short for me to enjoy all the nature trails and hiking on the island. My three days of diving were over. There was just enough time for me to do a little commando shopping on the fourth day I was there, and then shuffle off to the airport for my trek home. There is a reason this little island is called the unspoiled queen of the Caribbean. You just have to go there and experience it yourself.
I am loading my pics to shutterfly and will post a link as soon as they are all loaded. 
