Dubbed the "unspoiled queen" Saba is a five-square mile Caribbean island among the Lesser Antilles islands of the Caribbean Sea. It's part of a special municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has a population of about 1911 (January 2022). The four villages making up Saba are The Bottom (Saba's Capital), Windwardside, Saint John's, and Zion's Hill also called Hell's Gate. These villages are dotted with gingerbread-style houses nestled amidst the scenic rocky hills with lush vegetation. Though not a popular tourist destination compared to other Caribbean islands, Saba has plenty for visitors to see and explore.
Hiking
Saba has 20 hiking trails and some are easy to hike but others present different sets of challenges to hikers. These trails take from 20 to 3.5 hours for hikers to trek one way and have different access points. Hiking birders on these trails see some of the 87 bird species found in Saba. At 2877 feet Mount Scenery is Saba's dominant feature and the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom. Hikers on this trail encounter dense vegetation and see unique and rare plants like epiphytes. Atop Mount Scenery trails are three island viewpoints. Ruins, tide pools, and wildlife like the endemic Saban anole lizards, green iguanas, and red-bellied racer snakes are seen on these trails. Sturdy footwear, hiking clothes, and a walking stick when rainy are recommended to hikers. Hikers need to inform someone of their hiking plans for follow-up purposes in case something happens. Hikers needing guides can call Saba Conservation Foundation at +599 416 3295 to reserve one.
Diving
Saba has water spots suited for any diver's experience and audacity, like shallow patch reefs and seamounts created by past volcanic activity. Water temperatures allow for diving all year, but rains can inhibit visibility. Diving is permitted if visitors utilize Saba's licensed dive centers for guidance and safety purposes. Saba Marine Park where diving is done surrounds the entire island. Marine wildlife that divers see include the green and hawksbill turtles, Saba lobster, crabs, conch, fish species like pelagic, frog, and tropical, and colored fish species like wrasses and chromis. Divers at times encounter the hammerhead and whale sharks, manta and spotted eagle rays, and long snout seahorse. Sponge species like barrels, sea fans, gorgonian, chimneys, and elkhorn coral colonies are also seen during diving.
Museums
Saba has three museums that exhibit and preserve the history and culture of this unique, crime-free Dutch island. These are:
Saba Heritage Center
Located in the Windwardside village this center preserves and promotes Saba's cultural heritage. Weekly, the center plans camping trips, skeleton reconstructions, diggings, tree identification education, photography workshops, and an Indigo Shibori fabric dyeing techniques exhibition. Entry is free.
Major Osmar Simmons Museum
Located in the capital this museum in a two-story family house mimics the household of Major Simmons, a police officer who lived there, and for 40 years collected domestic and furniture artifacts, and 20th-century household tools. An entrance fee of $2 is charged, and opening times are posted on the door.
Harry L. Johnson Museum
This museum located in Windwardside Village was opened in 1970 as the first official museum for preserving Saba's heritage. It is in an original Saban cottage and is named after Harry Luke Johnson (1914-1972), an amateur artist and police officer whose paintings are exhibited there, among other relics like an organ harmonium, lanterns, teapot, pestle and mortar, cassava and fruit squeezer, an 1886 clock, 1880 Wedgwood earthenware, Edison Victrola phonograph, pressing irons, Saba's archeological excavations, nautical instruments and seamen's documents from the 20th century, plus books and articles on the island. Harry L. Johnson Museum opens on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm and Tuesday from 9 am to 12 noon when a cruise ship arrives. The entrance fee is $2.
Shopping
At Saba, there are different outlets where visitors can buy products, souvenirs, and gifts unique to the island. These include:
- Everyt’ings Store: This store sells traditional gifts and items and locally made items like Saba-themed souvenirs and t-shirts, Saba Lace, Saba Books, Saba Rum, and Saba Spice for visitors to take with them.
- JoBean Glass Art: Jo Bean Chambers owns this studio and creates glass jewelry crafted with silver and gold. Visitors also get glass art lessons for half or full day at a cost of $95 and $150 respectively.
- Kakona Saba: At this hub, 15 creators stock their products influenced by Saba's roots. At Kakona Saba visitors can buy locally made Saba spice and sauces, soap, hair oil, shampoo, sprays, bug repellents, candles, art pieces, Saba lace scarves, pillows, purses, bags, weaved baskets, carvings, and much more.
- Marie De Saba: At this outlet, handmade jewelry is made using locally sourced dry seeds, of canna lily, gray nicker, and the flamboyant tree.
Wine And Dine
Saba island is a vibrant gastronomic and imbibing destination and visitors are spoiled for choice. Among the places for visitors to wine and dine are:
- Chez Bubba Bistro: This bistro mostly serves seafood dishes like lobsters, shrimp and fish like tuna, beef, pork, and duck served with ingredients like potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers. There also are wine and gin and tonic tasting events that each cost $50.
- Bottom Bean Cafe: The island's only café, coffee house, and shop that serves breakfast and lunch. It has signature whole bean coffee and European dark roast espresso. Salads burgers, sandwiches, sushi wraps, pancakes, sauteed steaks, and others are served here too.
- Rendezvous at Ecolodge: At this eco-lodge visitors dine in the lush settings of Saba National Rainforest. Seafood, ribeye, pork, Cornish hen, tuna, mushroom, shrimp, and sushi are served here.
- Tropics Cafe: Ingredients prepared and served here are fresh from the cafe's farm. Lobsters, shrimps, fish, pasta, beef, bacon, vegan burger, plus sandwiches made from turkey, ham, bacon, and cheese are on the menu. Tipples and cocktails are also served at the Tipsy Goat Bar.
- Bizzy B Bakery: Mouth-watering sandwiches, bread, and pastries plus coffee and soup are served at this bakery in Windwardside. For less than $10 famished diners leave the bakery full.
Other culinary establishments at Saba Island worth wining and dining at are:
- Long Haul Grill
- Pop's Place
- Queen's Hotel, Bar and Kitchen
- Island Flavor
- Brigadoon Restaurant
- Lollipops Bar and Restaurant
- Dimples Lounge and Restaurant
- The Hideaway Bar and Restaurant
Visiting Saba
Visitors need a Netherlands Visa to go to Saba. To get to Saba one flies first to Sint Maarten island, and lands at Princess Juliana International Airport, where major world airlines fly to and from daily. From Sint Maarten take a ferry to Saba which takes about 100 minutes. Ferry services available at Sint Maarten are: