Explore Saba Island: The ‘Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean’ with a Vanishing Beach

Saba also has epic diving and the world’s shortest commercial runway.

If you’ve never heard of Saba, you’re not alone. Relatively few travelers know about this five-square-mile island with a population under 2,000. However, once you know, you go. Here’s how to plan the perfect visit to Saba, including the best times to visit, where to stay, and what to do during your stay.

Things to Know Before You Go

A municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Saba doesn’t feature large resorts, casinos, fast-food franchises, or duty-free shopping malls. Consequently, there are no concrete high-rises on this island, which bills itself as the “Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean.” Charming white wooden cottages with forest-green shutters and red-tin roofs enhance Saba’s scenic hills. Saba is also unique, being the tip of a now-dormant underwater volcano, with no beaches except for the tiny black-sand “disappearing beach” at Well’s Bay, visible only from June through October. Therefore, a stay here isn’t geared toward everyday sun- and sand-seeking visitors, but rather attracts adventurous travelers (about 9,000 annually in pre-pandemic years) who come primarily to hike, dive, or relax.

Best Time to Visit Saba (and How to Get There)

Saba is a fantastic destination any time of year. However, be aware that if you visit during the Caribbean’s high season (December through April), airfares and hotel rates will be heightened. Arriving by air from St. Maarten offers a thrilling 13-minute flight, ending at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, which boasts the shortest commercial runway in the world. If flying isn’t ideal for you, consider taking the Makana Ferry, which operates from Bobby’s Marina on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, alongside the Edge service from Simpson Bay.

Where to Stay on Saba

With only three resort-style hotels—Queen’s Hotel, Bar, & Kitchen, Juliana’s Hotel, and Saba Arawak Hotel—and a few cottages and bed-and-breakfasts, accommodation on Saba is limited to around 120 rooms. Therefore, planning your stay early is crucial; however, the limited capacity ensures that the island retains its peaceful ambiance. Additionally, Saba makes for an easy day trip from St. Maarten, so consider ferry service options, including a package with lunch and an island tour, as a way to experience Saba firsthand.

Best Things to Do on Saba

If you’re a hiker or diver, Saba is your destination. The island rises sharply from the sea and is adorned with both easy and challenging hiking trails. The most notable trail leads to Mount Scenery, the highest point on the island and in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands, standing at 2,910 feet. Furthermore, Saba’s unique geography provides excellent diving opportunities, complete with reefs, seamounts, and underwater lava formations just offshore. (Note that shore diving isn’t permitted on Saba.) The Pinnacles—thin spires that rise from the sea floor—are popular diving locations, with one known as the Eye of the Needle peaking 90 feet below the surface. In conclusion, Saba is a tranquil haven to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.

What to Buy on Saba

When shopping on Saba, steer clear of typical souvenirs like T-shirts and shot glasses. Instead, be on the lookout for Saba Spice, a distinctive dark rum infused with cinnamon bark, fennel seed, and cloves, made only here, serving as an excellent pre- or post-dinner indulgence. Additionally, lace handkerchiefs and accessories, crafted using a traditional drawn thread work technique for over a century, provide thoughtful and unique souvenirs that reflect the island’s charm.