Saba is a five square mile island in the northeastern Caribbean, 28 miles south of Sint Maarten. Together with Statia, these three islands form the Windward Islands of the Dutch Caribbean which is part of the Dutch kingdom. At 2,864 feet above sea level, a dense rain forest often peeks out from a light, cool cloud of moisture.
Saba Marine Park: In 1987 a marine park was established with permanent moorings, regulations of use and maintenance, and a strong conservation attitude. The result is controlled diver impact and undamaged reef life, a powerful appreciation by locals and divers together of this pristine environment. * So complimented by this tremendous effort, the Dutch Navy donated a four person recompression chamber.
SeaSaba Dive Center: Scuba diving is only possible under the guidance of a local dive operator and due to the steep coastal zone, shore diving is virtually impossible. All diving is done safely from a boat. On September 24, 1999, in the morning we did 1 dive / 1 tank only.
Dive site: TENT REEF AND WALLS
Tent Reef bar has been partly in the surf zone and partly exposed during previous lower sea levels. The top of the bar is flattened due to abrasion when it was in the surf zone, and a steep escarpment was formed during a slightly lower sea level when waves pounded the ridge and huge chunks of rock were broken off.
Mooring: eyebolt/90 feet. The current is variable. This dive site is - within view of the harbour - an intriguing geological structure, and abundant fish life, a rich, colourful invertebrate fauna. Schools of blue tangs, big eyes and juvenile barracuda frequent theses areas. The dark volcanic sand around these sites is home to many interesting critters including stingrays, turtles, flying gurnards, goatfish, barracuda, industrious sand tile fish and jawfish. The walls of the rock serve as a base for many varieties of anemones and sponges.
Tips: There we were limited to only one dive because we kept spare time to visit the volcanic island by bus in the afternoon. Great time!
