Diving & Snorkeling in Saba

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Diving & Snorkeling

Saba is one of the world's premier scuba-diving destinations. Visibility is extraordinary, and dive sites are alive with corals and other sea creatures. Within 1/2 mi (¾ km) of shore, sea walls drop to depths of more than 1,000 feet. The Saba National Marine Park, which includes shoals, reefs, and seawalls alive with corals and other sea creatures, is dedicated to preserving its marine life.

Divers have a pick of 28 sites, including Third Encounter, a top-rated pinnacle dive (usually to about 110 feet) for advanced divers, with plentiful fish and spectacular coral; Man of War Shoals, another hot pinnacle dive (70 feet), with outstanding fish and coral varieties; and Ladder Labyrinth, a formation of ridges and alleys (down to 80 feet), where likely sightings include grouper, sea turtles, and sharks.

Snorkelers need not feel left out: the marine park has several marked spots where reefs or rocks sit in shallow water. Among these sites is Torrens Point on the northwest side of the island. Waterproof maps are available from the marine park, the Saba Conservation Foundation, or dive shops.

Expect to pay about $50 for a one-tank dive, around $90 for a two-tank dive. Here are some dive operators that can help get you started. Owned by German divers, Saba Divers (Windwardside. 599/416-2740. www.sabadivers.com) offers multilingual instruction, making this a great option for anyone interested in meeting international divers or in practicing their language skills. It's the only outfit on the island that allows its customers to dive Nitrox for free. Sea Saba (Windwardside. 599/416-2246. www.seasaba.com) will take up to 10 divers out on one of two 40-foot boats; each excursion is accompanied by at least two dive instructors. The staff is both knowledgeable and jovial, making a day on the boat an illuminating and enjoyable experience for any diver. If you're looking for a more intimate dive experience, try Saba Deep (Fort Bay. 599/416-3347. 599/416-3497. www.sabadeep.com), which tends to take out smaller groups. The company offers PADI- and/or NAUI-certified instructors.

Every October since 2003, local dive operator Lynn Costenaro, of Sea Saba, orchestrates an event that has become an international attraction. Sea and Learn (599/416-2246. www.seaandlearn.org) is when pharmacologists, biologists, and other nature experts from all over the world descend on Saba to give presentations, lead field trips, and show off research projects, all of which are designed to increase environmental awareness. Past events have included monitoring undersea octopus checkpoints and studying the medicinal value of indigenous plants. There are even special events for kids. And best of all, it's free. You can sign up online.