"Saba: The Unspoiled Queen" a Saba Travel Page by kucha

If you're looking for a unique experience on an island where 50 tourists is a busy week, hiking and relaxing are considered things to do and there's world class diving, read on!

Saba proudly declares itself "The Unspoiled Queen" referring to her unspoiled nature and inhabitants. The best way to describe this unique island with only 1,400 people is according to what it does NOT have: Saba has no crime, no high rises, no traffic or traffic lights, no pesty insects, no crowds, no fast food restaurants, no casinos, no cruise ships and -- most of all -- no beaches!

This dormant volcano was attractive to travelers from long ago! Indeed, Christopher Columbus sighted her in 1493; the Spaniards ruled her for 150 years and the British, French and Dutch played tug-of-war with her from the 17th century until Holland finally took possession of her in 1816.

A tiny, isolated island forming the inner arch of the Lesser Antilles, Saba is one of the northern-most islands formed five million years ago by tips of volcanoes, separating the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.

European colonists aside, receiving more than 100 cm of annual rainfall, Arawak and Carib Indians were lured to Saba as a source for fresh water and rich volcanic soil. An archeological team is now working on a site known as Plum Site. This archeological site is significant as it proves occupation on Saba during "preceramic times" or 3300 BP! According to the archeologists, Plum Site is the oldest site known in the Lesser Antilles and therefore very significant!

In 1987, a marine park was established with permanent moorings, regulations of use and maintenance and a strong conservation attitude. At that time there were still few divers visiting Saba. The result is controlled diver impact and undamaged reef life, a powerful appreciation by locals and divers together of this pristine environment.

Saba's Marine Park has received several honors and remains the only park of its kind in the worlds to be completely self-sufficient in its operation. The nearshore environs offer some very interesting and extremely varied diving, while the offshore dives will leave you absolutely speechless.

The park is situated around the entire island. Keeping in mind that Saba is a dormant volcano that rises steeply from the ocean, divers will see depths of a 1000 feet and over only half a mile from shore!

And speaking of depths, for those concerned about safety, a six-man hyperbaric facility is located at Saba's Fort Bay Harbor only 10-15 minutes from most dive sites.