Visit the underrated Saba Island.
Hello loves, hope all is well and you’re staying safe. So, you’re reading my blog because you’re thinking if Saba Island is worth the visit? Well let me tell you, IT IS! Hope my adventures in this gorgeous island convinces you to travel there. Let’s get started.
Saba is a Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles chain, is a special municipality of the Netherlands, according to google. It’s 28 miles southwest from Saint Martin, 12 minute flight and a 90 minute ferry ride away. It measures about 13 square kilometers. It has a dormant volcano named Mount Scenery, which I will mention later ;). It’s home to a variety of sea creatures such as dolphins, sharks, and turtles and it’s known for amazing diving. Saba has 4 beautiful main villages that will take your breath away. Perfect place to explore!
To be completely honest, I had never heard of this beautiful Caribbean island until we visited Saint Martin. My husband and I went for 2 weeks to enjoy all the pristine beaches, when one beautiful evening, we were basking in the colorful sunset right by our hotel. All of a sudden, we noticed an island in the distance. We decided to google map it, and we discovered the gorgeous Island of Saba. We did our research and spontaneously made plans to visit for a day. Is it worth it to just go for a day though? It was for us because we didn’t have much time left in our vacation and we enjoyed it to the max; however, if you do have the privilege of time to stay there longer, I highly recommend you do. It will give you all the remote and small town feels.
Well, here is some information you need to know before you go!
TRANSPORTATION
There are 2 ways to get to Saba Island.
Flying
It’s a 12 minute flight from Saint Martin Princess Juliana International Airport to Saba Juancho E Yrausquin Airport. One small teensy little detail about the airport of Saba… it’s known to be the shortest commercial landing strip in the world. It measures 400 meters or 1,312 feet. If you’re feeling brave, this would be the fastest way to travel to Saba. Check out photos of the landing strip here.
Ferry Ride
This is the way we went. We took a The Edge ferry from Simpson Bay Police Station to Saba. We had to check in 1 hour before departure time. It took approximately 90 minutes to get there and 90 minutes to get back. If you take the ferry, please plan in advance due to the fact that they only have ferries leaving Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Check out their website for schedules, prices and reservations. The Edge Ferry
REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
Vaccination Card of Proof of PCR Negative Test.
If you don’t have your COVID vaccinations, you will need to show proof of a 72hr PCR Negative Test before arrival.
ST Martin Entry Form (EHAS)
All one way and overnight passengers will need to be approved. Here’s the Saba Entry Form you will need to fill out the day before you leave.
Wear your mask
Face masks must be worn on board at all times.
Check out their website for more information: The Edge Ferry
TIP!
The boat ride from Saint Martin to Saba was a bit choppy. So please, if you get sea sick like my husband does, make sure you take some Dramamine before you depart or else the ride will not be pleasant at all.
We arrived at at the dock of Saba Island at about 10:30am and there were van taxis waiting for us. We asked them to take us directly to the famous Mount Scenery hiking trail. Since we only had a few hours to enjoy the beautiful island, we started the hike right away.
MOUNT SCENERY TRAIL
Miles: 2.1 miles out and back (3.3 Kilometers)
Location: 17°37'43.4"N 63°14'00.0"W
Elevation gain: 1,719 ft
Level: Hard
Wow! Just wow! Don’t let the 2.1 miles roundtrip fool you. If you notice the elevation gain, you will understand why it’s a hard hike. But don’t be intimidated, we are not your pro hikers, we are normal people, if we were able to hike this trail, you will too. :) I highly recommend you take some good shoes to hike in because it will get muddy and slippery. You will definitely get some tropical rainy weather up there.
Located in the city of Windwardside, this trail will not disappoint. The super sweet van driver dropped us off right at the entrance of the trail and picked up as well. As soon as we started the trail, it was all uphill from there. Not going to lie, it was strenuous but it offered some rest areas with benches to catch our breath. It also provides some rails in case you slip or need some help in the steeper parts of the trail. It also has 12 trail markers so you don’t get lost. But trust me, you will not get lost since the trail is really well maintained with concrete steps and all. I do recommend that if you have bad knees like I do, take trekking poles. My biggest mistake was not taking some and I had to deal, yes deal, with knee pain on the way down. Not fun let me tell you.
Anyway, the way up did take our breath away, literally and emotionally, because there was so much to see and point out. We saw bananas, citrus fruits, guavas, chickens, goats, iguanas, crabs (we have no idea how they got up there) and so much more. Our favorite thing we spotted was a cacao tree. It had 3 cacaos but they weren’t ready for picking, they were still green. We were super excited because it was our first time seeing cacao. Momentous moment for us hehe.
Saba is known as a cloud forest. As the good Summit.org states, its "Tropical montane cloud forests are a rare type of evergreen mountain forest found in tropical areas, where local climatic conditions cause cloud and mist to be regularly in contact with the forest vegetation. These forests support ecosystems of distinctive floristic and structural form and contain a disproportionately large number of the world’s endemic and threatened species." Well said right?
When you get to the peak of the volcano, yes the hike is to the peak of a volcano, you will arrive and witness some epic views you will not believe your eyes, there is when you will realize that steep hike was totally worth it. There are 2 ways to see 2 different views. One is to the right by the huge antenna. If you keep walking forward, you will arrive at a huge rock with a trail marker stating you have arrived. At this spot you need to stop, take in the view and of course, take some amazing photos. Thanks to God we arrived at a perfect time when the clouds had just dissipated. I hope you get clear skies when you get there, if not, remember that Saba’s weather changes as much as I change my outfits to go out to dinner tehehe. Wait it out and maybe you will be blessed by some clear skies.
Make sure you make your way back to the fork and go explore the left trail. It will take you up some wooden stairs to the tippy top of the volcano where you will get an even more panoramic view of the island. It’s a sight you will remember forever.
I wish we had more time in Saba Island, but we made the most of it with the time we had. We were able to hike at a good pace, enjoy the views up there in Mount Scenery and even enjoyed some local food right by the entrance of the trail. If you’re still trying to make up your mind and you love hiking/diving, this is your sign to book your ferry or flight and visit the majestic Saba Island. It will not disappoint, trust me.
Hope you embrace and enjoy everything Saba Island has to offer.
Love you all and happy travels!
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