Ruth

I am trying to plan a vaca for my 40th birthday next year. I am very taken by Saba (I love the idea of peace and quiet, not too touristy, and I love hiking/nature), but Statia is similarly attractive -- plus it has beaches. Does anyone have an opinion on whether it's feasible to plan a 7-10 day trip that would include St. Maarten (beginning or end of trip, probably), Saba and Statia? Any info on any of the islands would also be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Barbara

you could absolutely do that. Saba and Statia are easy day trips from St. maarten. you could fly over and fly back in the same day if you want. Of the 2 islands, Saba is much more desirable than Statia.It is definitely worth seeing..very charming. I would advise staying over one night in Saba.. climb the mountain. from Saba you could probably go to Statia for the day and then come back to St.maarten. I do not belieive there is much to see in Statia. it is very rural. The Quill, which is an extinct volcano , is interesting and some people climb down into it. There also are some historical sites in Statia, I believe.. it would defintiely be quiet and laid back. rather than Statia though,I would advise a day or overnight trip from st maarten to Anguilla..it is very quiet and peaceful. spend the day at a beach there. Anguilla has the msot beautiful beaches of all. there is regular ferry service between Anguilla and St. Maarten

DMN

Hi Ruth-I can only comment on Anguilla. yes it has drop dead beaches,the ferry from Marigot runs approx. every 30-40 minutes,try to spend a night or 2 to get the real flavor of the island.You can get good info from BOB Greens website-newsletter-www.news.ai make sure you go to hotel ai and explore the hotels all different price range some expensive,and other terrfic ones on the beach for a lot less money. <BR>Hope this helps!

Ruth

Thanks so much for your replies! DMN, I will check out the web site you mention. I had considered Anguilla, as well. <BR> <BR>The only thing is that I was thinking of doing it the opposite of the way Barbara and DMN envisioned it; I would like to make the primary stay Saba, Statia, and/or Anguilla, and only spend a night or two in St. Maarten. I am actually trying to avoid the more built-up, touristy areas and go someplace that has the climate and beauty of the Caribbean and the attraction of nature and quiet and peacefulness, as opposed to crowded beaches and nightclubs, which I can certainly get more than enough of at home. Can a trip be done this way? I guess what I'm asking is how feasible it is to travel among the islands mentioned, and to solicit any information about the lesser-visited islands. Again, thanks!

Howard

Hello Ruth <BR> <BR>I would pick Saba - one of my favorite places in the world, over Statia. The overall atmosphere in Saba is a lot nicer. It is very easy to get around between the three islands. Windward Islabd Airways (Winair) makes about 5 flights daily between the islands, going in a triangular route, starting and enidng in St. Martin. Each leg takes only about 15 minutes. <BR>You could easily spend about 6 nights in Saba, one in Statia and one in St. Martin. I think the only advantages for Statia over Saba are the beaches as you mention - however they are not very good ones, and several interesting historic sights, which you can easily see in a day on Statia. <BR> <BR>Let me know if you need any more details.

DMN

Hi Ruth-You have received excellent info. We usually fly into St. Martin and then take the ferry to Anguilla. <BR>Yes St. Martin is a busy island and is the gateway to StBarts,Amguilla,Saba etc. <BR>Anguilla is a flat,scrub island,it has beautiful beaches,great little restarants,its fun to exlore all its beaches and easy to get around. We go back year after year as we love this island and itp people. <BR>Have fun planning your trip!

Ruth

Thanks again for the advice. I found Winair's web site but they had no specific destination info...however, today I heard back from an agent who deals with them, so I should be able to get some real planning underway. Howard, I like your itinerary - a day in each other island...I appreciate all the input.

Nyna

Ruth,<BR><BR>I live on Statia and would be glad to give you any specific info you are interested in. Just drop me an email.

patty

I purchased my winair tickets via for a similar itinerary. Here is the winair website for purchasing tickets in north america: www.islandhoppingexperts.com. Caribbean Connections Plus handles the tickets for Winair out of US. My tickes can be exchanged with no penalties. See fly-winair.com for scheduling information.

Diana_Vasco

Hi
A very good friend just landed on statia for a temporary work project.
He says he hasnt been able even to buy a local mobil sim card as there is no markets around... could you give a tip or advise on this. He is almost unreacgable and the time difference doesnt help our internet comunication...
Thanks a lot.
Rgds