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Dive Review of Sea Saba/Juliana's in
Saba

Sea Saba/Juliana's, May, 2003,

by Ezra Lunde, New York, USA . Report 477.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments 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!

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Yucatan, Bonaire, Tortola, Grand Cayman
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas surge
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 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.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots 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 N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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