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 pelagic 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.
Best Diving Months: Saba offers year-round diving
with seasonal differences in water temperature and surface conditions. Winter months bring cooler water temperatures
ranging from 77° to 80° Fahrenheit, whereas summer months yield a toasty 80° to 85 Fahrenheit. Nature itself insures
a variety of different marine activities and aquatic visitors throughout the year.
Water Temperature: 77F to 85F.
Air Temperature:Dry and sunny with a year-round average temperature
of 80°F- 85°F. Showers of short duration are frequent during November and December. Trade winds blow throughout the
year, even during hot summers.
Underwater Visibility: Averages 100 to 120 feet.
Official Name: Saba.
Unofficially known as the "Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean."
Location: Saba is a five square mile island in the northeastern Caribbean,
28 miles south of St. Maarten. Together with Statia, these three islands form the Windward Islands of the Dutch
Caribbean which is part of the Dutch kingdom. Saba is 165 miles (265km) east of Puerto Rico, 27 miles (44km) south
of St Maarten and 13 miles (21km) west of St Eustatius. Saba is the peak of a submerged extinct volcano. There are four
villages, until
recently connected only by thousands of steps cut from the rock. A road now links the airport with The Bottom, Saba's
capital city.
Known as the "Unspoiled Queen," Saba earns this reputation from her rich, tropical, natural, beauty. At 2864 feet above
sea level, a dense rain forest often peeks out from a light, cool cloud of moisture.
Getting There: All travel to Saba (SAB) connects in St. Maarten.
Several major airlines from North America, Europe and South America carry daily flights into St. Maarten (SXM).
Special charter flights are also available from major cities during the winter season.
By Air : St. Maarten to Saba Winair
By Air : Caribbean Carriers to St. Maarten
BWIA
Caribbean Star
LIAT
International Carriers to St. Maarten:
Air France
Air Transat
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
KLM
US Airways
By Boat - St. Maarten to Saba:
The Edge
Passport and Visa Requirements: A passport is preferred but U.S. and Canadian
citizens may use a proof of citizenship (e.g. certified, original birth certificate with a raised seal, or voters
registration card). All travelers must have a round-trip or onward ticket. Saba is a free port, there are no customs.
Residents of the following countries will need a visa to enter Saba: Albania, Bulgaria, Republic of China,
Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Countries of former Yugoslavia, except Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina.
Croatia, Former republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Kampuchea, North Korea, Rumania, Countries of former Soviet
Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
White Russia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, The Russian
Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. Vietnam,
Libya.
Yearly less than 25,000 tourists come to Saba, and those who do treat the island and her people with respect and
admiration. Even though the island has modern facilities and technology, their attitude is strongly conservative
towards their nature, development and industry. They love their island as much as you will.
Additional passport information: www.sabatourism.com/generalinfo.html#VISA
Airport Information: Juancho Yrausquin International airport (SAB) at Cove Bay. There are daily STOL turboprop flights to St
Eustatius and St Kitts (and thus the airport may be classified as 'international') and three times daily to St Maarten.
Getting Around: If you choose not to walk or hike, transportation, on and around
the island, secured to the mountainside with hardy stone walls. Taxi
drivers in modern vans can be your guide for your trip, or you can rent a car and explore on your own.
Language: The official language is Dutch but residents speak Papiamento,
a blend of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese. Spanish are widely spoken and everyone speaks English.
Population: 1,500 persons, of this number approximately 300 are medical students
and faculty.
Religions: Roman Catholic majority; also Anglican and Wesleyan.
Capital City: The Bottom
Land Area: 5 square miles (13 sq km)
Latitude/Longitude: 17 38N, 63 13W
Highest Point: Mt. Scenery 2864 ft. (873m)
Dress: Casual sportswear is appropriate dress anytime on Saba. Bathing suits are not appropriate within the villages. A light wrap may be needed in the evenings in the wintertime.
Government: Part of the Netherlands Antilles; dependency of the Netherlands.
Gained internal autonomy in 1954. Head of State: HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, represented locally by Governor
Jaime M Saleh. Head of Government: Prime Minister Miguel Arcangel Pourier since 1999. The Netherlands Antilles consist
of Curacao, Bonaire, St Maarten, St Eustatius and Saba. The capital of the island group is Willemstad, Curacao.
Electrical Current: The electrical current is 120 volts and 60 cycles AC and
compatible with American appliances. The majority of U.S. appliances will work, but some might overheat if used too
long. Divers are advised to check with their hotel before charging sensitive equipment.
Time: GMT-4. Atlantic Standard (Eastern Standard + 1 hour).
Credit Cards: All major credit cards accepted, but American Express less so.
Official Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) Exchange is about
1.80=$1.00US. Travelers cheques and US dollars are widely accepted.
Tax and Tipping: The government room tax of 5% is automatically added to your bill.
A service charge of 10% or 15% is added to your bill. For taxis and guides, tip at your own discretion.
Communications:
Telephone: Fully automatic system with good IDD. Country code: 599. Outgoing
international code: 00. Calls made through the operator are more expensive and include a 15% tax. IDD is available
from hotels and some phone booths.
Mobile telephone: Analogue networks operated by Windward Islands Cellular and digital analogue
network (system B) by East Caribbean Cellular system B (web site: www.eastcaribbeancellular.com ). Compatible with
most US handsets but not with GSM handsets. Roaming agreements exist. Handsets can be hired at the company offices
in The Bottom. GSM network has been in operation since 2001. Most US handsets can be used, and can be activated with
a temporary number before or after arrival on the island. Visitors can also register online with ECC.
Internet/E-mail: Main ISP is Unspoiled.com. There is currently one cybercafe on the island, on the
Windwardside.
Telegram: Services operated by Lands Radio Dienst and Antelecom.
Press: The Saba Herald is published monthly in English.
Current Time: Atomic clock.
Comprehensive list of over 380 time locations in order of country
name: www.worldtimeserver.com
Currency Converter: www.xe.com
Traveler's Health: www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm
