I know it's not about Bonaire but it's the same country sort of right?

Has anyone been to Saba? It seems a lot more expensive than Bonaire (at least what we paid) but much different as well. I'd be real interested in anyone's experiences.

Thank you.

I was there a couple of years ago. Airline cost was less than Bonaire, and the flight in is a real eye opener... the shortest commercial runway in the world (or so they claim and i would believe it as it looks about as long as a football field from the air). You can actually see Saba from St.Marten (it is that close)
The best diving is mainly pinnacle diving which is different, but Saba cannot hold a candle to the diving in Bonaire.
There are a couple of good dive operators and hotels there, some good restaurants but again nothing like Bonaire, and with fewer places to pick from the price is probably a little higher than some of the places in Bonaire.
The only plus might be getting there and back will not be as big a hastle as to/frm Bonaire.
(and no shore diving in Saba either - another negative)

Since the Saba University School of Medicine has been in operation, it seems that prices have been escalating. I do, however, think it is a great place. Any one try Statia? Tirvia...what was the first counttry to recognize the US flag?

Julie,,,we went to Saba two years ago..would recommend it highly....very hilly so expect a good calf work out...diving was good and people friendly...you have a sea level to altitude change which should be taken into consideration when diving...I am not a very good boat person and this trip was my worst for sea sickness...but still loved it believe it or not! We stayed at Captains Quarters which was very nice. No need to rent a car cause it is very curvy driving and it is best left up to the locals...the airport runway is very interesting....enjoy ...it is one of my favorite memories.

The only other Dutch islands I have been to are Aruba, Sint Maarten and Statia but I sailed by Saba. It is so conelike and has great diving but no beaches. Also, there is an alcholic drink there called Saba Spice that is to die for.

Annie
Cape Cod

Linda, I, and a few of our Bonaire Dive Club compatriots did Saba last May (2000). We like Bonaire because it's small, but Saba is REALLY small. And hilly and very lush (although there was a drought when we were there). And really quiet (and that's compared to Bonaire). Very nice people there, but in terms of diving, it ain't no Bonaire.

In Saba's favor (all regarding diving), it has much bigger fish (even of the same species we have on Bonaire), and the underground terrain is very different - walls, canyons, pinnacles, etc. - when compared with Bonaire's reef slopes.

Where Bonaire wins out is that Saba does not offer shore diving - dives must be done with a local dive operator. I would also consider the boat diving more advanced than Bonaire's (deeper in general). I also found the terrain very gray - it appears that there used to be an operational (and may again be) stone quarry in the area which dumps amazing amounts of gray powdered rock into the water. Some of what we saw could also have been related to Hurricane Lenny, which parked itself over St. Maarten and Saba for several days almost two years ago.

So, would we do Saba again? Maybe on a liveaboard, but not likely on land.

Jake

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

We're actually looking for someplace where we don't have to dive all the time. Don't hurt me, but although the diving in Bonaire was great, I otherwise found it a little too touristy for my liking.

I like the idea of different climate. What's with the grey? Pics I've seen look very lush....

Is deep the only way to see much diving at Saba? We'd also like to do some snorkling.

We may end out going back to Curacao since it seems to be the best snorkling we've found so far. (See the same stuff as diving at Bonaire.) And there's shore diving if we want to.

Where else has shore diving?

We did a liveaboard that dove Saba for several days but included Statia & St. Kitts. The diving was very deep and at that time (May) currents. As far as I could tell there is no snorkelling. We enjoy St. Maarten but if you thought Bonaire was touristy you probably would find it the same. BUT there is good snorkeling, apparently good diving (I think Cecil has been diving there), a great beaches.

Julie and Gail, the snorkeling in St. Martin was mediocre at best, the recent hurricanes have decimated the in-shore coral. The diving was good if you got off-shore in a boat and a little deep. And as Gail pointed out St. Martin very, very touristi and crowded. My wife and son did a day trip to St. Barts (while I dove), they were not overly impressed but did enjoy the trip and scenery. We did consider a day trip to Saba but did not have the time and money.

Julie, you could also consider Belize, great diving and snorkeling and not as developed (if you get out on the cayes). There's a trip report from my home page of a trip there last March. One of the things the ABC islands, Roatan and Belize have in common is that they are below the hurricane belt and get less damaging storms.

I had to reread the comments about Bonaire being too touristy and that you had to dive all the time. I can't believe that we have been lumped into that class. Bonaire has so much more than diving and snorkeling. Wind surfing, Kayakng, Mountain biking, sailing, swimming, hiking, nature tours, bird watching, just relaxing and contemplating the sunsets and the stars. Curacao while also laid back is much more touristy. I hope I do not offend anyone, but we are as far from "touristy" as any place can get.

Go, Michael!!!! We will stand with you on this one. Carole

michael, i also agree, Bonaire has so much to offer and although there are tourists there, (i like to be one of as much as possible,) it is relaxed, and seems like home away from home, not a big tourist spot with only diving to do. barry and i love the countryside, the people, the weather, and everything else about bonaire which of course does include the diving.

Julie,

'Too touristy' is a personal value judgement. If you prefer a place yet quieter than Bonaire, so be it.

As you have found, the denizens here are fiercely loyal and personally find Bonaire quiet enough. Michael doesn't know better--he's from NYC. Jake lived in southern NH, which is almost like being in Boston. If he was from 'up north' he might be more sympathetic. For me, Bonaire is fine but it surely isn't down Maine off season.

So, go for your thing!!

Way to go Michael and Nicely put Glen! I love Bonaire because I don't think it is touristy and you can't beat the friendlyness of the people!!!

BTW Glenn, I am not from NYC but from Burlington, Ct. population under 1000? Small enugh, eh?

Small enough that it took two maps to find it, out there in the western, mountain wilderness. Yeekers, with an airport yet!!

Small town boy just thirsting for the big city??? 'You can't keep them down on the farm after they've seen NYC'???

It wasn't that bad. Did I ever tell you about living in Mombassa?