Saba = go/skip?

[Jana]

dear sailors... we'll be heading soon on our cruise from Antigua to St Martin. we are considering a stop @ Saba... Would you recommend this little detour or not? is it worth visiting?
thank you in advance for your comments!
jana

[Hud3]

Saba is somewhat unique--very different from the other islands. Dutch heritage that hasn't been diluted by tourism and development.

Good snorkeling and great diving there. Rolly anchorage on moorings in an open roadstead. We took a taxi up to Windwardside, one of the three towns. Very quaint with whitewashed houses with green shutters and orange tile roofs. You can hike there, up to the peak if you like.

We've visited Saba three times, and would go again.

[neilsty]

Was there two nights ago. Had 40 kts on one of the 4 balls by the dock. Went round to the back side on one of the other balls for the night, somewhat protected but still windy. Next morning went back to one of the balls outside the dock. Winds down to 20 but still too rolly to get on dinghy safely so gave up. Was there last year it is worth the stop BUT only when the weather cooperates. It is a ver rolly anchorage

[Summitfun]

Great diving, a nice hike to the top of the island, & locally made "Saba Spice" rum!

[west coaster]

We did Antigua to St Martin in 2009 one-way with Horizon.

The stop at Saba was the most memorable stop of an extremely memorable trip. Took a taxi tour of the island. Had lunch at windwardside, i think, with an amazing view. even everyday things like the road, the airport, the port are amazing there just because they seem so improbable.

we took one of the balls around the back (northwest - Well's Bay or Ladder bay) - there were only a couple of other boats there. the dinghy ride into fort bay was interesting with the swells, but straightforward. i wouldnt want to do it in bad conditions.

We wouldnt have stopped there in northerly swells or in really high winds, i think, but i'm really really glad we stopped there and under the same conditions (which were average trade wind conditions for late march, when we went, prob 20 kt winds and 6-9 foot swells from the east), i would not hesitate to do it again, and maybe go for a hike the next time.

i think this time of year northerly swells may be more likely, though, in which case i might give it a miss or try to anchor at Fort Bay instead of the mooring ball field.

what a beautiful island.

[NahanniV]

Interesting Island, not touristy at all, good snorkeling.

The main mooring area is a long way from the port, and as stated above, you may have to wait for the weather to co-operate.

Montserrat, Nevis, St.Kitts, Statia and Saba are all very laid back without as much tourism as other islands.

[Jana]

Thank you all for your replies!

[gamayun]

I've not sailed there, but have visited and dived. It's worth it. Talk to my friends, Michelle and Todd Plaia at Culebra Divers, about things to do.