Introduction

Saba is the smallest island of the Netherlands Antilles, with a surface of only 13 km², and a population of 1500. Still, the highest point of Holland is found on this island, as Mount Scenery reaches 877 meters.

Saba is one of our favorite destination in the Caribbean. Fauna and flora are incredibly rich. And the island is simply beautiful. You will have plenty of opportunities to discover this small paradise by hiking along one of the numerous paths crossing through the island, many of them offering a great view. Other advantage, the island is extremely safe and local residents - most of them from European origins - are extremely friendly.

Travel facts

Diving type

Destination

easily accessible

bargain destination

Diving level & type

for beginners

for advanced divers

shore diving

liveaboard

Diving Characteristics

pelagics

lots of fish

lots of corals

interesting underwater scenery

Other activities

attractive natural spots

gastronomy

night life

beach

snorkeling

Diving Sites

• 

  50 / 50

  rating : 4.0

  depth : 24 m
  description :
  
  Over an hour of sheer delight, wandering through the labyrinths formed by the volcanic eruption. The larva spilled out into the sea, forming finger-like flows and descending to around 25 meters on the sandy bottom, covered with a multitude of potatoes. We saw a stingray, a turtle, moray eels, brown crabs with velvety carcasses and a comprehensive selection of reef fish. Coral is also in abundance. Big barrels and gorgonians forming a carpet of corals.
  
  
• 

  Tent Reef

  rating : 4.0

  depth : 22 m
  description :
  
  We descend to a plateau at 6 - 7 m. overlooking a small 5-metre wall ending on a sandy bottom at 25 m, where stingrays tend to hide. At the bottom of the wall, packed with coral and abundant reef fish, we find a multitude of patatoes, some of which intermingle to form arches and small valleys, inhabited by a particularly abundant fauna. We saw turtles, stonefish, lobsters and nudibranchs. The average depth of the dive is between 8 and 12 meters, and in fine weather, visibility is exceptional, so the dive can last well over sixty minutes. Truly one of the most beautiful dives in the Caribbean.
  
  
• 

  Ladder Labyrinth

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 16 m
  description :
  
  This site, located between Babylon and Hot Springs, is characterized by the same topography with a maximum depth of 22 m. We go around five fingers that look like elongated potatoes, gently sloping down from 7 meters where the boat is anchored. The fauna is composed, similarly to the other sites, of a multitude of reef fish. The corals are numerous and varied, with huge gorgonians and large barrels. A large turtle came to greet us at the end of the dive, further enhancing the experience.
  
  
• 

  Man O’War Shoal

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 22 m
  description :
  
  Located on the north-west of the island, half an hour by boat from the harbor. This site is located next to Diamond Rock, whose two peaks emerge from the water and can be seen from the west coast of Saba. These two pinnacles rise to a height of 6 metres and drop to a sheer drop of 25 metres. The proximity of the two pinnacles and the depth of the site make this dive extremely easy to navigate. You can easily circle the pinnacles twice in an hour, without ever risking of getting lost. The walls are lined with coral, with multiple niches sheltering an impressive number of reef fish, with schools of butterflyfish intermingling in harmonious, colorful ballets. We saw two reef sharks, a stingray, a filefish (quite rare), several green and spotted morays, a scorpionfish and a huge black barracuda on its way to a cleaning station. We also saw schools of lutjans, surgeonfish and squirrelfish.
  
  
• 

  Third Encounter

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 32 m
  description :
  
  Two pinnacles rising from the ocean floor to a depth of 30 m. Once on the bottom of the ocean, descending along the anchor rope, the dive can begin. The pinnacles are covered with coral, sponges and other invertebrates. An abundant fauna of large groupers, trevally and other surgeonfish seem to be attracted to the area. Two grey sharks have been spotted offshore. The dive does not exceed half an hour, due to a rule in force in this marine reserve which prohibits decompression dives.
  
  
• 

  Twilight

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 34 m
  description :
  
  Descend along the anchor line to 25 meters, then dive to 34 meters around two coral-encrusted pinnacles full of fish. The summit of one of the pinnacles is at around 20 m. and it has a maximum depth of around 70 m. Since the dive is spent essentially between 30 and 36 meters, the dive time is considerably reduced. Although the dive is short, it is nonetheless magnificent. The soft corals, especially the barrels, are numerous and large. We didn't see the white tips we'd been promised, though...
  
  
• 

  Babylon

  rating : 2.0

  depth : 38 m
  description :
  
  Located 15 minutes from the harbour and a hundred meters from the island's rocky shore. After a descent to around 15 m, half a dozen potatoes lay on a sandy slope going down to 36 m. Gorgonians, barrels and other soft and hard corals shelter reef fish. A nurse shark rested on the sand between two potatoes. Several jawfish, chests and a few nudibranchs.
  
  
• 

  Hot Springs

  rating : 2.0

  depth : 22 m
  description :
  
  Same topography as the previous one, but with a maximum depth of 25 m. On the ascent, visibility was very changeable, sometimes not exceeding 5 meters. This was due to poor weather conditions over the last four days, when 4-metre waves churned up the sea. Abundant coral and reef fauna. Saw a stingray nestling in the sand before moving close to the sandy bottom.
  
  
• 

  TE and Ran Wall

  rating : 2.0

  depth : 32 m
  description :
  
  10 minutes from the narbour. Diving at this site begins with a descent to 21 meters along the boat's mooring rope. We then descend further along a wall lined with soft and hard corals. The bottom is visible at a remote depth of around 8o meters. The entire dive takes place at a depth of 25 - 32 m. Once past the wall, you cross five sandy valleys, each bordered by rock walls sloping gently down to the bottom. Many corals with a large variety. There are numerous barrels, often over a metre high. We saw two small moray eels and nudibranchs. A school of catfish raking the sand. Very rich in reef fish...
  
  It is almost inevitable to go through a decompression stop if dive time exceeds 40 minutes.