Saba, Dive the Unspoilt Queen

Saba plunges as steeply underwater as it rises from the sea. From shallow coral formations to extremely deep walls, Saba offers diving suitable for all levels. Previous volcanic eruptions have created spectacular formations and structures, and the flow of lava underwater and hot springs are the most striking evidence of Saba's volcanic origin. The reefs are teeming with schools of tropical fish and a vibrant reef, pinnacles, and walls!

You have to search long to find Saba on an atlas. This small nation, part of the Dutch Antilles, is a green dot in the Caribbean Sea. And it is green, in every shade, stretching more than 800 meters above sea level. Here you will find neither cruise ships, mass tourism, nor beautiful beaches. Instead, you will find a diving paradise that redefines hospitality. Saba's 1,900 residents are waiting for you to visit the island, also called "The Unspoilt Queen," a title well deserved.

The dive sites on the Atlantic side of Saba are more weather-dependent and do not have as many soft corals as on the Caribbean side. The reason for this is that this side is more dominated by lava formations and therefore has more hard corals, which provide food for nudibranchs and frogfish. Another advantage is that there is almost never any current on this side of Saba. But Saba is not just beautiful reefs, great depths, and endless abysses in the blue! Saba also offers excellent macro diving. Here you often find frogfish, eels, seahorses, and other small creatures. We usually do these dives as a possible third dive in the afternoon.

About the diving in Saba

• Spectacular Underwater Mountains: Saba is famous for its deep underwater mountains rising from the seabed. The most famous is "The Eye of the Needle," which peaks at 27 meters deep and is covered with colorful corals and sponges.
• Rich Marine Life: Divers can experience a variety of marine species, including Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, large groupers, turtles, and large schools of fish. During the winter season, you can even hear humpback whales singing underwater.
• Varied Dive Sites: Saba offers over 30 dive sites suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced divers. Popular sites include "Man O'War Shoal" with its twin peaks and "Third Encounter" with its horseshoe-shaped structure.
• Uncrowded: With only three dive boats operating daily, divers can enjoy pristine reefs without crowds.
• Protected Marine Environment: Saba National Marine Park, established in 1987, protects the marine environment around the entire island down to 60 meters deep.

Best Time for Diving: Saba offers excellent diving conditions year-round, but be aware that hurricane season from June to November can affect diving conditions.

Day 1: Arrival in St Maarten and onward to Saba

Arrival in St Maarten no later than 2:30 PM for the last flight to Saba (check times). Upon arrival in Saba, you will be met by a representative of our partner and taken to our hotel for your stay. (It is possible to choose from a wide range of different small hotels for your stay if you prefer a different accommodation than what is included in the package - for a full list, contact DYKKEBazaar).

Days 2 to 7: Diving in Saba

Not far from shore lies Saba's famous underwater mountains with names like "Third Encounter, Twilight Zone, and Outer Limits". "Mt Michel" and "Shark Shoal" rise from the depths and stop at 85 feet from the surface. It is common to encounter the usual reef sharks around Saba, but hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, and the rarer tiger sharks have also been observed. Saba has over 30 registered and mapped dives, less than 20 minutes from shore.

The dive sites on the Atlantic side of Saba are more weather-dependent and do not have as many soft corals as the Caribbean side. This is because this side is more dominated by lava formations and therefore has more hard corals, which provide good nourishment for nudibranchs and frogfish. Another advantage is that there is almost never any current on this side of Saba. But Saba is not just beautiful reefs, great depths, and endless blue abyss! Saba also has very good macro diving. Here you will often find frogfish, eels, seahorses, and other small creatures. We usually do these dives as an optional 3rd dive in the afternoon.

Day 8: Non-diving day

A final non-diving day for land-based activities or just relaxing with a well-deserved beer or Cuba Libre. For the energetic, you can try to climb Saba's highest point, Mt Scenery.

Day 9: Departure from Saba

Unfortunately, it's time to head home, and the return journey is the same as the outbound trip via St Maarten.

The trip can also be combined with diving in places like St Eustatius or Dominica. Ask us about possibilities for extending your stay.