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Dive Review of Sea Saba/Cat's Eye Cottage in
Saba

Sea Saba/Cat's Eye Cottage, May, 2004,

by James Fisher, TX, USA . Report 1055.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Saba, NA. Absolutely fantastic diving and a great place to relax and unwind. Diving is spectacular, near pristine reefs thanks to the early establishment of the Marine Park Reserve. The Pinnacle dives are awesome (Shark Shoals, Third Encounter/Eye Of The Needle are notable) and the sealife is friendly. Frequent encounters with turtles produced dramatic eye to eye contact and a swim along dive buddy too. Tent Wall, Tent Reef and Tent Deep are not to be missed dive sites. Sea Saba is the primary dive operation on the island (there are 3 total) with by far the largest boats (2-38 footers). Sea Saba is a professionally run operation with knowledgable divemasters, crew and staff. John and Lynn strive to meet all your wishes and needs. The SeaSaba Website is the best online source of information I could find about Saba (www.seasaba.com. Very detailed information about the Island, diving, lodging, restaurants and more. The divemaster we enjoyed most was Leda, but all are fantastic and knowledgable about the area. Overall rating of SeaSaba's dive operation, 9 1/2 on a scale of 1-10.
We stayed at the Cat's Eye Cottage and found this newly rebuilt Sabian cottage fantastic. Everything is new and modern. Wake up in the morning to a cloud rolling through the cottage. Only thing I would change is the couch (it was bought for looks and not comfort). Cat's Eye is located overlooking the village of Windwardside and has a spectacular mountainside view. Only complaint (other than the couch) is the hike up the hill or mountain. This was not disclosed to us before hand and is a GOOD hike up to it. If you are not in decent physical shape, stay elsewhere. Overall rating of Cat's Eye Cottage, 9 on a scale of 1-10
Restaurant establishments are few with a somewhat limited selection. With few exceptions, service is slow at best (Island Time we where told)and in one case, ridiculously slow. Brigadoon was highly recomended, but was closed the entire 10 days we where there. Owners where off the island we where told. Y2K has good food and is a nice place, service was good, no complaints. Scouts Place was good as well, great menu selection and a nice place, service was ok/good, no complaints. Tropics Cafe has pretty darn good food, but I think they grow everything after you order it and near have to beg for a second drink of anything (coffee, tea, beer), these folks don't get in a hurry for anything I saw. After 2 breakfasts and a lunch, each lasting 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours, I had enjoyed all this place I could stand. The Gate House has fantastic food and wine with a great view, but, after 2 1/2 hours I was SOOOOO ready to leave this place. The Swinging Doors is a great place. Eddie and Pat are two of the most wonderful people you could ever hope to meet. Small corner saloon and restaurant with plenty of friendly locals. In our book, the best entertainment, food and drink on the Island. Tuesdays and Fridays are chicken and rib nights (umm, umm good) and Sunday is Steak night (the old Island man can cook a ribeye now). Eddie will give a colorful commentary most all evening long and Pat will tell you how much of that you can edit. Fantastic place, great food, great service and two people we will never forget. Eddie and Pat could give the other places lessons is service (course Eddie would probably say that too). Because of the Swinging Doors the restaurant rating gets a 9 on a scale of 1-10.
Depending on what you are looking for, Saba is a great escape from our hectic lifestyles. If you want a laid back place with lots of peace and quite, pristine diving, friendly people and a place to relax, this is it. If you are looking for nightlife, beaches, crowds, casinos, cruise ships and shopping malls, then this place ain't for you. In our book, Saba rates a 10 and we will be back.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, cloudy Seas choppy, surge, noCurrents
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 120 foot depth limit, Marine Park Rules enforced.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments Fresh water tank on the boat and that is about it. No film processing on the island.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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