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Vacation Activities and Attractions
Scuba Diving
Saba's diving reputation comes from its pinnacle dives. The Eye of the Needle, for example, starts at 90 feet and
goes down and down, supporting a profusion of sea life both on and around it. Sharks, turtles and other pelagics
are drawn to the area like magnets. But even the shallow dives are terrific. Green Island, between 20 and 35 feet
has bright, colorful ledges and mini-walls, at 50 feet, there are 3 healthy green and pink black corals, 8' across.
Saba can be enjoyed from local charter boats.
Expect visibility to reach 100 - 150 ft. in winter and 60 - 100 ft. in summer
Water temperatures from 77-84 F or 25-29 C.
Snorkeling
Well's Bay and the adjacent Torrens Point are popular spots, and there's even a marked underwater trail.
Swimming
Saba is not the place to go if you want to lay out on sandy beaches. The main swimming spot is Well's Bay at the
northwestern side of the island, which has a small, rocky beach. All the island hotels have swimming pools.
Hiking
Hiking is a "must do" when in Saba. Many trails are available, adequately marked and maintained for easy
trekking, though some require a guide. Everyone can easily hike over and into Saba's rain forest, tidepools, historic
ruins, and rich nature wonderland. Even a walk along Saba's winding road will lead you to a magical view, and a
memorable vacation.
Shopping
Enter into any of the shops within the villages and you'll find beautiful, delicate linen items with hand-drawn
threadwork designs. Artists find Saba a perfect inspiration for their work. many watercolours, photographs, jewelry
and books are displayed in two art galleries.
Your shopping trip is not complete until you visit the Windwardside's mini-mall. Its here you'll find take-home
souvenirs, tasty boutiques, dive shops, the tourist office, an art gallery, two restaurant/bars, a supermarket
and a bank. The Mini Mall is where you'll pick up take home memories of the beauty of Saba.
Restaurants
Each village has several small and individually unique restaurants. Most of them offer outdoor dining as well as
a friendly bar. There is a wide variety to choose from, American, European, Chinese, Italian, and that delicious
blend of Indonesian and West Indian Creole. Each restaurant becomes a gathering place for conversation anytime,
day or night. Weekends will always find an "island-wide party", that means everyone is invited. It may
also be disco music, steel band drums at poolside, or a barbeque at the bay under the stars.
Areas of Saba you should not miss:
Cove Bay - Bay & Beach with small swimming area.
Hell's Gate - Scenic and historic walking area. Visit the Holy Rosary Church, shop for Saba Lace and Saba Spice
(family recipes soaked in rum), or visit the Old Sulpher Mine Walk in Lower Hell's Gate which leads to bat caves
which can be explored.
The Bottom - A town sitting in a valley 820 ft above the sea. It is home to the Saba Medical University, the gubernatorial
mansion, Wesleyan Holiness Church and Ladder Bay.
Mount Scenery - The island's premier hike is to the top of Mt Scenery, a strenuous climb up a virtual nonstop run
of stairs (1064 in all) that ends at the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands at 3,000 ft. The clearly
marked trail begins at the side of the road a short walk west of the tourist office in Windwardside.
Saba Marine Park - The official location on the island where visitors can anchor their yachts and snorkel for a
small fee. This is also the area commercial dive boats visit.
Windwardside - 2nd largest town on Saba. Almost 2000 ft above the sea with an absolutely breathtaking view. Neat
gingerbread houses among narrow and winding roads. Also home to the Saba Tourist Office, Saba Museum and at the
village's northern end is the Church of St. Paul's Conversion.
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