Saba Sanctuary
Where we are diving
Rising straight up from the abyssal depths, this rugged, volcanic island is like a piece of the Pacific teleported to the Caribbean. With a quaint, European charm above the waterline and pristine diving below, Saba calls itself “The Unspoiled Queen.” Healthy reefs with incredible visibility and marine life-covered pinnacles are all protected by Saba Marine Park.
We will be diving with Sea Saba. This 5-star team knows the difference between a good dive trip and an extraordinary experience. Their professional and experienced crew strive to be the best dive guides you’ve ever had because your passion is their passion.
Trips like this sell out fast!
Registration closes soon!
Trip Leader
Frank Wells, Instructor Certifier
Frank has been diving since the 60s with dive experiences across the world. Certified as an instructor in 1975, he has the distinction of being a Course Director Emeritus with NAUI, an Instructor for the elite SSI Platinum Pro 5000, an SSI Instructor Certifier and a Level 10 diver. His knowledge, demeanor and expertise make him an excellent instructor and a great dive buddy.
Top 5 reasons you should travel with me to Saba!
1. Seamounts and pinnacles provide amazing opportunities to experience an abundance of marine life.
2. Numerous hiking opportunities. On Friday nights our hotel offers guided hikes around the island.
3. Welcoming and friendly island.
4. Amazing views. Our hotel is close to the Mount Scenery Stairs, which takes you to the highest point within the Dutch Kingdom.
5. Wonderful restaurants. Tropics Cafe is farm-to-table so you’re eating the freshest and most delicious ingredients possible.
Resort Details
Where we are staying
Juliana’s Hotel has the perfect location. Nestled in the lush hillside in the village of Windwardside, where the days are warm, the nights are refreshingly cool, the birds are chirping, and a gentle breeze flows through your room. Juliana’s hotel is just a minute’s walk from Saba’s finest restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, museums, and hiking trails. While strolling through the streets, you’ll acquire the true feeling of real island life … relaxed and laid-back!
The ocean-view rooms are spacious and decorated with tropical fabrics, plantation furniture and tiled flooring. These rooms have two full-size beds and are designed for maximum comfort and feature a private balcony with a hammock. Juliana’s Hotel even has personalized events every day of the week. From swimming at Cove Bay, to guided hiking tours, to indigo dying in their artist studio, you’ll never get bored on the island.
Learn more about the accommodations from Juliana’s Hotel page.
Trip Details
Price
Ground Only
Ocean View
- Double Diver: $2,540
- Double Non-Diver: $1,780
- Single Diver: $2,920
- Single Non-Diver: $2,170
Captain’s Suite
- Double Diver: $2,540
- Double Non-Diver: $1,780
- Single Diver: $2,920
- Single Non-Diver: $2,170
Deposit and payments
- 1st deposit: $500 due upon sign up
- 2nd deposit: $750 due February 1, 2023
- 3rd deposit: $750 due April 1, 2023
- Full balance: Due May 22, 2023
- Pre-trip meeting: June 25, 2023
Other info
- Prices are based upon double occupancy
- All payments are non-refundable
- Prices are subject to change due to events outside of our control
What’s included
- 7 nights at Juliana’s Hotel
- 11 dives
- Transfers
- Hopper flight
- Welcome drink
- Daily breakfast
- 5 group dinners at different restaurants (gratuity included for these meals)
- Trip t-shirt
What’s not included
- Airfare: Diventurs will assist
- Meals not stated as included
- Gratuity $10/tank for dive crew, $10 for room cleaning staff
- Nitrox ($59 upgrade)
- Dive insurance (required)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Recommended equipment
- SMB and Reel
- SeaLife Micro 3.0 camera
- Mesh bag
Recommended courses
- Nitrox
- Boat diving
- Fish ID
What prior travelers say
“If anyone is into diving or thinking about getting into diving, Diventures is the absolute best! They make learning and travel so enjoyable! Can’t wait for my next trip with Diventures!”
Trip Details
Water
Saba offers year-round diving with seasonal differences in water temperature and surface conditions. The water temperature varies between 26C and 28C (77F-84F). Visibility ranges from a minimum of 20m (60ft) to virtually unlimited. Swells and heavy rainfall may influence visibility, but typically it clears again very quickly.
Weather
Daytime temperature on Saba averages around 81°F. Easterly trade winds and the mountain create ever-changing cloud movements. Temperatures will always be cooler on the top of Mt. Scenery.
Electricity
Electricity on the islands is the US Standard, 110 volts. For American electronics, there is no need for a converter!
Courtesy & Dress
Casual sportswear is an appropriate dress anytime on Saba. Bathing suits are not appropriate within the villages. Being shirtless in any of Saba’s villages is actually against the law!
Language
Everyone speaks English, although Dutch is the official language.
Currency, Taxes & Tipping
Saba uses the US dollar. There are ATMs in Windwardside and the Bottom. Credit cards (including foreign cards) are accepted at larger establishments. Service charges are included on restaurant bills, so no further tipping is necessary. However, gratuity is not included at Tropics Cafe, so tipping will be necessary there. At hotels, a 10% to 15% service charge is generally at the discretion of the guest. Tipping taxi drivers and guides are at visitors’ discretion.
Getting to Saba
All travel to Saba happens through St. Maarten so a hopper flight is needed to get to the island. Only a twelve-minute flight, but what a twelve minutes they are! When boarding your Twin Otter or BN2 Islander at Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, you’ll certainly notice the difference in scale to many of the commercial airlines parked and landing around you. Only space for 16 passengers in a Twin Otter (7 in an islander) so you’ll get a real feeling that you and your fellow travelers are part of a team heading out on an expedition. On takeoff, you’ll soar gracefully upward banking hard right to swing around in the direction of Saba. Out over the turquoise sea, that sharp silhouette in the distance with clouds atop is your destination! The runway at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is only 400m in length and is reputed to be the shortest commercial airstrip in the world! You’ll get the real sense of landing on an aircraft carrier as you’ll see the waters of Cove Bay to the left and the Caribbean sea to the right of the runway. The approach is practically at a cliff, the rugged terrain of Saba blocks out the entire sky as you peer over the shoulders of your pilots. Then it’s a sharp bank left and a gentle touchdown. Landing on Saba is an art form and the Pilots of Winair & Windward Express are maestros, so enjoy it, remembering it will not be a problem!