For people who've been to Saba
 

A couple of questions:

How long does the average traveller spend on Saba, apart from those who only make it a day trip?

What country do most travellers to Saba come from?

I live about 11 miles away and find that a lot of people day trip to Saba, unless they are into diving and ecotourism. Those that are into nature or are divers probably spend 4-7 days on average.

Most of Saba's tourism comes from the US and western Europe from what I've seen. Mostly Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland.

I'm curious why you ask?

I've never been to the Caribbean on account of not really loving beaches. This island sounds totally intriguing. I've just returned from Costa Rica and loved most of it, but not its beaches. Saba sounds like a great place for travellers like me.

If you are into ecotourism in a lovely, quiet atmosphere, then I would highly suggest Saba. There aren't any beaches there, and the island also does not have any high rise hotels, casinos, or other typical Caribbean island features.

You should check out their official website. I don't have the link for it at the moment, but I'm sure a quick search will bring it up.

Good luck! Saba is my favorite island in this area.

Statia-I assume you live on Statia. My wife, daughter and I are planning a day trip there next month from AXA. I would greatly appreciate some suggestions as to how best to spend 6 hours on the island i.e. where to eat lunch, rent a car, short hiking trail etc. We went to Saba 2 years ago.

Hi nonstop. If you are here on a daytrip, I would honestly not suggest renting a car, but if you wish to you can rent from an agency located right across from the airport.

On the other hand, my suggestion would be to take an island tour with one of the cab drivers who are at the airport on flight arrivals. I honestly cannot suggest one since I have never taken a tour myself. I do know that I've heard some pretty good things about the gentleman who drives the red van since he's quite knowledgable on the history of the island. A tour probably wouldn't take more than an hour and a half.

You could also spend your time hiking the Quill, for which you can obtain a personal guide and/or info at the tourist office located at Fort Oranje.

I can also suggest a visit to the museum in town, perhaps a historical walking tour if it can be arranged, as well as seeing the fort.

There is great snorkeling along the Old City Wall in the bay on the Caribbean side. You can always rent gear from Golden Rock Dive Center and they can point you in the right direction for some wonderful underwater views a short distance from the beach.

I would have lunch at The Old Gin House seaside restaurant, or perhaps The Blue Bead, which is located near the harbor. Both specialize in French cuisine, but also serve some American and Creole fare.

Spend some time walking around both upper and lower town, for which you can use the slave path to go between the two. Make sure your legs are in shape for the uphill portion, however!

Have you checked out the offical St. Eustatius Tourist website? It gives quite a bit of great information. If you can't find the link, let me know.

I'd also be glad to offer any other suggestions if I can. What date are you going to be here?

Statia: yes, I have read every page on the Statia tourism web site. Just curious, but why do you suggest we not rent a car? I had e-mailed the tourism bureau and they told me the roads were more like anguilla than they were Saba. I was thinking with a car it might make it easier to stop and hike the quill if desired then explore the fort then go eat. I did not know if the town can easily be covered on foot. I assume it can. Right now, we plan to go over to Statia on Tuesday, July 6. I have been checking the WinAir website and it looks like connections are good from AXA on Tuesdays. However, I spoke with WinAir today and they said a 15 min. connection in SXM is not a legal connection. But, their web site will allow me to book it all the way through AXA to Statia so I am just going to do it. We landed in Statia 2 years ago on our way to SABA.

nonstop, it sounds like you've definitely done your research. So, yes, it might be a good idea for you to rent a car. Just keep in mind there are a number of "one way" streets on the island, which most tourists drive the wrong way on. So, keep an eye out for the typical European "do not enter" signs (red circle with a horizontal white line thru it).

The roads on Statia are nothing like those on Saba, but I suggested taking a tour because many people come here and rent a car, not having any idea where the sights are to be seen so they miss out on a lot. But, if you've researched, then you will know what you want to see and where to go. It might be helpful to stop off at the tourist office first thing in order to pick up some maps of the island and Quill, along with other historical and tourist info.

Although I haven't been up to the Quill in awhile, I understand that STENAPA has the trails really well marked now. So, you should be able to do some hiking on your own. Just be sure to go earlier in the day because it will be very hot mid-day during that time of year. I'm sure I don't have to tell you to bring along plenty of water, as well.

The main areas of town on Statia are very easily walkable, and very compact. However, as I said, you can take the slave path between upper and lower town, but won't need to do this if you have a car.

Be sure to confirm your WinAir reservation for Statia once you arrive Anguilla. I haven't had the nerve to make an online booking with WinAir yet since their online reservation system is relatively new. If you've been in this area before, I'm sure you are aware how quirky and changeable WinAir flights can be. So, just be sure to confirm with WinAir before you travel here. I've had my flight times and connections change two days before departure before.

July 6, huh? That's my husband's birthday. Perhaps I might run into you at some point during your day here. At any rate, enjoy your stay and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. You can email me directly at [email protected].

I forgot to add that you might want to reserve your car before you arrive. If there isn't car rental info on the tourism website, let me know and I can give you some info.

Since you both have experience on Saba, you can tell me things about the island that I'm not likely to read in any guidebook?

Thanks.

What do you specifically want to know, Mona?

I can offer up that Windwardside is the best location to stay in if you want to have convenience to many things.

It's not advisable to rent a car there since driving is rather hazardous.

I can suggest some great restaurants, depending on price range and cuisine preferences.

I can give you the name of a wonderful island tour guide, as well as a nice little spa to pamper yourself.

Anything specific you are looking for?

Statia,

I'm interested in the tourism industry on the island itself, frankly. Wondering if Saba could support another small inn and whether enough visitors come in to make it worthwhile.

Thanks.

Mona, I quite honestly don't think I can answer your question. Perhaps the Saba Tourist Board could be of more help.

I don't have actual figures of Saba tourism in order to make any sort of assumption when it comes to how profitable opening a business on Saba might be. After all, I'm only a tourist there myself.

Statia, I'd like details about the Spa please. Thanks.

Hi Mathieu,

The spa is "Saba Day Spa, owned and managed by a wonderful lady named Sally. She trained in the US and is very knowledgable in her field. Her husband is an American expat who runs a dive shop on the island.

The spa is very small and she typically works on only one client at a time, but now that she has a massage therapist who assists her, my husband and I have been able to get a facial and massage simultaneously.

She is located next door to the Swinging Doors Saloon in the center of Windwardside, very near Big Rock Market. If you'd like to reach her, her email address is [email protected], if I'm not mistaken. Tell her that her good friends on Statia sent you.

Her treatments include everything from small to extravagant facials, massages, mud wraps, salt scrubs and everything in between. We've also found her prices to be comparable to most spas in the US. We always try to fit in a treatment or two when we spend a long weeekend on the island, and can highly recommend a little pampering from Sally to anyone who has the time while visiting Saba. It's a very relaxing little place.

Thanks Statia. It sounds wonderful.
I do dive (and my 2 past excursions to Saba from SXM have been so related and therefore brief), but my current lady love only sometimes travels with me because she doesn't share my sense of adventure travel (or sport or sun destinations)... So perhaps this will give her the incentive to accompany me to Saba the next time we're in the Caribbean and have herself pampered while I sink into the big blue, and later spend more time on the island. I'll be sure to contact Sally. Thanks again.

No problem, Mathieu. Also, keep in mind for a future trip that Statia has great diving, as well.

Your lady love might also enjoy a taxi tour of Saba. If that interests you, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I will give you the contact info of our friend who does such over there.