Instant Reader Report
on Sea Saba / Juliana's in
Saba / [N/A] on
2003/05
by
Ezra Lunde , New York, USA
Report Number 030520140637288

 Yucatan, Bonaire, Tortola, Grand Cayman 

Dive Conditions

Recommended that both air and EANx 32 divers not exceed 110-120' maximum
depth.  Strongly enforced Saba marine park rules - no touching, harassing,
collecting, etc.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Sea Saba is a premiere operator.  I made most of my arrangements with Lynn
Costenaro, one of the shop's proprietors, and she coordinated everything
beautifully.  This included 8 nights at Juliana's, PADI enriched air
course, 12 boat dives, transfers, dinner reservations, and even a day trip
to Sint Maarten.  I flew Continental from Newark to Sint Maarten SXM, then
took Winair across to Statia and finally Saba.  I arrived in Saba by late
afternoon with no hassles.  I was greeted at the airport, checked into my
room and doing classwork for the nitrox course within 45 minutes.  The
next morning on the boat I analyzed the oxygen contents of my tank,
"strapped it on" and dropped into the blue.  Now that's a
tightly run dive operation.  I found the diving in Saba ranges from
average to spectacular - the pinnacle dives being the highlight of every
morning.  "Third Encounter", in particular, provided huge
yellowmouth and nassau groupers, fleets of creole wrasse, blue chromis and
black durgeon, white-spotted filefish, big snapper and reef sharks.  This
is not to mention the diverse array of sponge and coral.  "Man o' War
Shoals" and "Diamond Rock," two of the shallower pinnacles,
were charged with the same life and electricity as the deeper sites.  Very
good diving, and the Nitrox made it even better.  Sea Saba definitely has
the best boats of the available operators, with plenty of cover from sun
and room to roam about.  Topside Saba is just as satisfying.  As there are
no beaches or super-resorts most tourists give it a wide berth, or just
don't know about it at all ... and that's just fine.  Restaurants are
generally good and night life is very mellow to non-existant.  First time
visitors should find accomodations in Windwardside because of its
proximity to everything:  food, film, cigarettes, bar, dive shop, bank,
trailheads, etc.  Besides it's a charming village with little red-roofed
cottages and windy paths (streets?).  The room at Juliana's was great, and
nicer than it looks on the website.  All in, Saba has definitely raised my
standards.  Beautiful island, nice locals, great diving.  Go! 

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