"Saba - The Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean" Top 5 Page for this destination Saba by MikeAtSea

Saba Travel Guide: 58 reviews and 114 photos

Saba - The Unspoiled the Queen of the Caribbean

Covering all of three square miles, Saba’s central peaks soar 3,000 feet in the air, giving the island distinction as the highest place in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Nearly vertical red, pink and brown cliffs serve as Saba’s spectacular welcome mat,” and homes seem to be teeter impossibly on their edges.
Take a taxi if you don’t want to walk. Otherwise, you will have to climb the 90 steps from tiny Fort Bay Harbor to the Bottom. Consider this “easy.” The old landing at aptly-named Ladder Bay faced visitors with a climb of 800 steep ladder-like steps after they waded ashore in waist-deep water! Remarkable tales recall amazing feats, such as the tribulations involved in carrying a full-size piano up those 800 steps!
The island’s two main villages are The Bottom and Windwardside. A steep mountain trail was the only link between the two. When Dutch engineers declared a road “impossible,” hearty Sabans answered “we’ll see about that!” Native son Joseph Hassel, born in 1906, enrolled in a correspondence road-building class and within a few years, he and his neighbors had installed their own road – by hand! The industrious people also built a landing strip by hand after being told it couldn’t be done (to be sure, landing at Saba is not for the “feint of heart!”).

The Bottom - the capital of Saba

The permanent population numbers less than 1,500. There are no fine beaches, but Saba’s fine diving sites are a big enough draw for those who want to admire the best of the unspoiled Caribbean. The island is spotless and villages filled with whitewashed, red roofed, gingerbread cottages seem to be lifted from the pages of an old fairy tale. Some of the streets are cobbled, but the only “security” that is needed is low stone walls at the roadside – there is. Facilities for those with physical challenges are well done – especially considering the small population – and an accredited medical school operates on the island.

Last visit to Saba: Feb 2011
Intro Written Feb 7, 2011
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Reviews (6)

Saba Lace Shopping (1)

Saba lace is a unique needlecraft painstakingly created by the industrious women in Saba. Saba lace, also known as... more travel advice

Saba Medical University Things to Do (3)

Yes there is a medical university on the island, bringing around 400 additional residents to the island. The Saba... more travel advice

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport Transportation (1)

In 1963 the island built a 400 metre landing strip for easier trips to the island using aircraft: Juancho E. Yrausquin... more travel advice

The Road Things to Do (3)

There is one road, aptly called "The Road". Its construction was masterminded by Josephus Lambert Hassell who, despite... more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (1)
Hike Mt. Scenery

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Comments (2)

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riorich55 Jul 11, 2011 at 3:32 PM

My wife and I spent a day here on our honeymoon 35 years ago. Landing atbthe airport was interesting. Took some pictures (very faded). Actually met Joseph Hassell and have a picture of me with him.
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SLLiew Mar 14, 2011 at 8:43 AM

Thanks again for your postcard from Saba. SL :)