Saba / Special Interests / Diving
Saba is one of the top dive destinations in the Caribbean with spectacular underwater landscapes, a rich marine life and a well-organised national park that protects the entire coastline from the high-water mark to a depth of 200ft (60m). There is diving to suit all abilities, including learners and snorkellers. There are very few wrecks to see (visit St Eustatius for that) and for many visitors the chief attraction is the magnificent underwater formations caused by volcanic activity, including lava flows, hot springs and pinnacles - rock towers that rise from the ocean floor to a depth of 100ft (30m) and come adorned with colourful corals, sponges and aquatic life. Tropical fish are present in abundance, and there is a good chance of seeing sharks and turtles.
Diving Tips
Due to the steepness of the coastline Saba offers no offshore diving. Three licensed dive operators offer trips departing from the harbour at Fort Bay. Saba is also visited by liveaboard vessels such as Caribbean Explorer II operating out of St Maarten and St Kitts [nb this is sold in UK by Regaldive]. Some hotels, such as Juliana's and Scout's Place in Windwardside, offer all-in dive packages that generally include accommodation, breakfast, a set number of dives, transportation and some equipment.
All dives include a mandatory $3 fee to help maintain the marine park and its facilities. For more information visit the offices of the Saba Conservation Foundation in Fort Bay (closed weekends) where you can buy souvenirs and a small book, Guide to the Saba Marine Park, that has detailed information on the island's reefs, fish and dive sites.
Note that the hyperbaric (decompression) chamber for the Saba Marine Park is currently out of action, although there is one at Saba University School of Medicine in the case of a severe emergency. The nearest alternative is on St Eustatius.
Dive Sites
Saba offers almost 30 dive sites that are all close to the shore. Most are on the sheltered west side of the island and just a five to 20 minute boat ride from Fort Bay. Maximum depths range from 35ft (10m) to 110ft (33m) - where you go will depend on sea conditions.
Some favourites are:
Shark Shoal
An isolated pinnacle west of Well's Bay where black-tip reef sharks and nurse sharks often congregate, along with flamboyant schools of grouper, snapper and jack.
Hot Springs
A shallow dive and snorkelling site with a rewarding mix of coral, fish and hot water vents in the sea floor caused by Saba's mild volcanic activity.
Third Encounter
Take a close look at the Eye of the Needle, a mighty pinnacle that rises up from the deep to 90ft (17m) in waters often teeming with grouper and triggerfish.
Dive Operators
We recommend:
Sea Saba, Windwardside.
A well-respected operator with two boats that generally take a maximum of ten passengers plus two crew. Nitrox available.
Saba Deep, Fort Bay.
Based in the harbour with two boats taking up to six or ten divers, Saba Deep's experienced staff offer a scheduled three dives a day plus night dives on request.
-
Saba Deep offices below Deep End
-
Sea Saba offices in Fort Bay
-
Take a trip with Sea Saba
-
One of three dive outfits on Saba
-
Dive Operators
-
Saba Deep Dive Center - Upgrade listing
HelpBased in the harbour with two boats taking up to six or ten divers.
PO Box, 22 Fort Bay Harbour, Saba, WI
-
Sea Saba Advanced Dive Center - Upgrade listing
HelpA well-respected operator with two boats that generally take a maximum of ten passengers plus two crew.
PO Box, 598 Windwardside, Saba, WI
-
Saba Divers - Claim the listing
HelpPO Box, 543 Windwardside, Saba, WI
Browse Diving on other islands
Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | Barbados | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada & Carriacou | Jamaica | Nevis | St Barthélemy | St Eustatius | St Kitts | St Lucia | St Martin/St Maarten | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Tobago | Trinidad
Or read our other island guides
Anguilla | Antigua | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | Bermuda | Bonaire | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Cuba | Curacao | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada and Carriacou | Guadeloupe | Haiti | Jamaica | Martinique | Montserrat | Nevis | Puerto Rico | Saba | St Barthélemy | St Eustatius | St Kitts | St Lucia | St Martin/St Maarten | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Tobago | Trinidad | Turks & Caicos Islands | US Virgin Islands
Looking for inspiration?
- Dine at Queen's Gardens in The Bottom
- Climb Mount Scenery, the highest point in the Netherlands
- Wonder at The Pinnacles dive sites
- Drive “The Impossible Road” from the airport to Fort Bay
- Try to win Sabaoke at Scout’s Place
