The Unspoiled Queen
March 20th, 2008Saba is a majestic island rising from the deep blue ocean with a power and presence that commands inquiry and curiosity. Topped by a lush and un-touched tropical rain forest, cool and constant winds atop keep her natives comfortable. She slowly fades to an arid rocky shore line. Formed by eons of lava, her flows continue well underwater providing a foundation for a varied and healthy reef system.
Saba is little known to most of the world even though she sits in plain site of many of the Caribbean’s most visited destinations. Those who venture to her do so purely by accident or by strict intent. All who tread her proud paths and singular road are overwhelmed by her purity, ocean vistas, and her friendly and open tribe of caretakers.
Topside:
Amazing scenic views, great food, nice people and so much more. No convenience missed, our stores have it all. There is lots to do for everyone, Glass blowing classes, French Cooking Classes, Water Color Painting Classes, Pottery Classes, Hiking many trails of varied difficulty and length. There are guided hikes too, very cool. The hiking is splendid…Oh yeah, of course, and DIVING! All but the diving activities can be arranged once you arrive, very little notice needed for planning. There is a beach, sort of…we have a transitional beach that comes and goes based on wind and swell, it gets bigger from now thru summer, the only road on the island ends directly at it too. Its neat, its red volcanic sand, soft too. Only one catch, it sits under a shear wall of boulders…which are known to fall occasionally…take your chances!
A great variety of topography and life. Pinacles, Sea mounds, geologic reefs, walls, muck diving, and biological patch reefs too. We see it all here from the smallest nudibranchs to whale sharks and humpback whales. We are the largest and highest quality operator in this area of the Caribbean. We have two 38′ Dive vessels, very comfortable and well appointed. Each boat always has 2-3 dive instructors on it, and 1-2 in the water on every dive. We evaluate all the divers and determine by their abilities where they can go and what they can do. We handle 80% of the diving on the island, and have been in operation for 23 years.
Where to stay:
There are many kinds of accommodations in every price range, what we don’t have is Hotels, and large all inclusive tourist meccas.
We have many cottages, estate homes, and inns. A great house with amazing views that can accommodate all of you is called Hummingbird house. It is the only one of its kind in the price range, with the quality of style, view, and proximity to Windwardside town, the main stay. Pick the date range that might be best suited and we can reserve it for you. If you want to see other options see the link to the map and sort it by hotels/ cottages etc. Or I can send you links to others too.
So getting here…
Keep in mind you want to fly into St. Martin (SXM) via USAir Non Stop on Sat or Sun. It’s the only way from CLT that can get you in in-time to make the connection without an overnight stay in SXM. Direct from PHI, Miami, Newark, and NYC too. You want to build in time for the transfer from USAir to Local Air. A 12 minute flight to Saba (SBA) via <www.fly-winair.com> So always choose the earliest too SXM. You can leave back any day on the USAir afternoon flights. It’s getting to Saba that’s tougher with flight coordination. There are two (2) ferrys, but coordinating flights and transfers are very difficut and they only run four days a week. Plus they are the same cost as the flights. The ferrys’ are rough, the crossing is 90 min to 2 hrs and are known as the “Vomit Comets” However be prepared…if you fly over (12min flight) winds could prevent landing and you could get stuck in St Martin for 1 night! Not usual but possible on occasion. I will help you with the exact arrangements to ensure the best experience. “I fly!”
http://www.sabatourism.com/sabafilm4.html)
http://www.julianas-hotel.com/english/windwardmap.htm
http://www.sabahomesforrent.com/
(There are many other great accomodations for any style, budget, and size of group.)
Troys Website
www.innerworldimages.com
Under Contruction
www.openwateradventures.com
