Diving Saba
Saba’s diving can be categorized into three dive types of dive sites: seamounts and pinnacles, fringing reefs, and true coral reefs. Off the west coast of Saba, the seabed drops quickly to 700 feet or more and would limit diving to the fringing reefs if it were not for an underwater mountain that rises to within 90 feet of the surface. Saba’s seamount has three peaks with a plateau joining them at 130 feet.
From the north west corner around to Fort Bay, Saba is fringed with coral encrusted rocks. In some areas, the coral has fused the rocks together so that the base substratum is no longer visible and it appears to be built entirely by coral. Saba’s marine life is healthy and varied and, because some of the sites require diving in the open ocean, the chances of seeing pelagic species are high.
Best time to dive
Saba is an island for all seasons. While the winter months between December and April are the most popular for the “snowbirds” escaping harsh winters, those same months generally bring cooler water and air temperatures, better underwater visibility and sometimes rougher surface conditions. The summer months bring less crowds, warmer water and air temperatures, slightly decreased underwater visibility due to plankton rich waters and calmer surface conditions. The varying underwater conditions ensure a steady stream of diverse seasonal marine life. Even the months of September through November, which are considered peak hurricane season, frequently bring very calm surface conditions as storms pass and generally ensure less crowded topside conditions.
Visibility
Expect visibility to reach 100 to 150 feet in winter and 60 to 100 feet in summer.
Water temperatures
During the winter months you’ll generally find water temperatures that range between 78 and 80 °F, whereas water temperature in the summer months reach a toasty 82 to 85 °F.
Weather and climate
Daytime temperature on Saba averages 80°F. Easterly trade winds and the mountain create ever changing cloud movements.
Language
Dutch and English
Passport/Visa requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens can enter with a valid passport or government-issued birth certificate. Citizens of all other nations need a valid passport. All travelers should have a round-trip or onward ticket.
Currency
NAfl (guilder) – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
110 volts, 50 Hz, U.S. standard
Capital
The Bottom
General information
Dubbed the ‘Unspoiled Queen,’ Saba has strikingly little tourism and is extremely laid back. Saba is located about 1225 miles southeast of Miami, Florida and 195 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. The island forms the westernmost corner of a triangle of islands including St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. Shaped a bit like a heart, Saba’s land area is small, but because of its topography of folding mountains the island is far more substantial. As the tip of an immense underwater mountain, the island juts out of the sea with no pause for lowlands or beaches. Saba’s central volcanic peak, Mt. Scenery, is 2,900 feet. There are no rivers or streams on the island. The leeward (western) side is dry with cacti and scrub, the windward (eastern) side has thicker vegetation and the mountainous interior is given over to lush jungle growth such as tall tree ferns, palms, and mahogany trees.
Map
Get a map of Saba from WorldAtlas.com.