Cities
The Bottom
The capital of the island is inhabited by about 400 residents and is not “on the ground” but at an altitude of 250 m.
This is where the government and administration of Saba sit. Most of the buildings are in the typical Saba style, flat white wooden houses with some a chimney and red roofs, plus
the Saba University School of Medicine.
Fort Bay
Fort Bay is the main port for cargo ships and ferries and the only petrol station on the island.
Windwardside
In the city center of the small town there are beautiful, typical island cottages, many of which are still in their original condition.
Most of the hotels and restaurants can be found in Windwardside.
Some sights on Saba
Sacred Heart Church in The Bottom
In The Bottom is the Sacred Heart Church with original wall paintings by local artist Heelen Cornet
Saba Artisan Foundation in The Bottom
The Saba Artisan Foundation, which sells the famous Saba lace and other handicrafts, is located in The Bottom.
Major Osmar Ralph Simmons Museum in The Bottom
The Major Osmar Ralph Simmons Museum in The Bottom exhibits everyday objects from the island’s history.
Harry L. Johnson Museum in Windwardside
The Harry L. Johnson Museum houses artifacts from the pre-Columbian era in a 160 year old cottage. The island’s history is also brought closer to the visitor through magazine articles, historical household items and letters from residents from the 18th century. A particular pride of the museum is a letter from George Bush Sr. thanking a Mr. and Mrs. Steward for their support in the first Gulf War.
The Road
Due to the rocky subsoil and the steep slopes, building a road was long considered impossible. But Josephus Lambert Hassell began – despite all the concerns of various engineers – building a road in 1938.
After five years, the first section – from Fort Bay to The Botton – was completed. And in 1951 the Windwardside to St. Johns road opened.
Driving this road takes a lot of skill – so the corners at Windwardside are not easy to negotiate.
Tent Bay
Here you can still find the remains of the first settlement on the island, founded in 1640 by immigrants from Europe.
Stone
Steps to Ladder Bay From The Bottom, 800 steps carved into the rock lead to Ladder Bay. Until the second half of the 20th century, these stairs were the only way to enter the island. All incoming and outgoing goods also had to be transported this way.
Saba National Marine Park and Saba Bank
Just off the coast of Saba lies this dramatic underwater world with shallows, steep slopes and numerous coral reefs. In 1987 the Marine Park was established, which created regulations for the use, conservation and strict guidelines. The result is limited dives to keep the coral reef undamaged. Sabas Marine Park has received numerous awards.
The Saba Bank has one of the most diverse marine underwater worlds in the Caribbean. An expedition in 2006 found more than 200 different species of fish, including two previously unknown species.
Mount Scenery
The ascent of the volcano is probably the most popular hiking route on the island. The path leads from Windwardside over 1,064 concrete steps to the summit. The volcano is covered in rainforest with huge elephant ear ferns, mountain palms and mahogany trees.
Diving
Saba is known for its almost untouched and diverse diving grounds, which can usually only be reached by boat.
Saba deep dive center
Tony and cheri waterfield
PObox 22
Fort bay
Telephone: 011-599-416-3347
Fax: 011-599-416-3397
Email: [email protected]
Saba Divers and Scout’s Place Dive-Hotel
P.O. Box 543
Windwardside
Tel.: + 599- 416-2740
Fax: + 599- 416-2741
Email: [email protected]
Sea Saba Dive Center
PO Box 598
Windwardside
Saba
Tel.: + 599-416-2246
Fax: + 599- 416-2362
Email: [email protected]
Holidays and events
Note
Saba is the smallest Dutch island in the Caribbean. The island used to be an important base for pirates, who attacked and often conquered the gold-laden ships of the Spaniards from here.
Nowadays salt is still extracted here. Although the island is part of the Netherlands, English is spoken mainly here – not least because of the large number of Scots and Irish who have immigrated.
Also worth mentioning is the airfield located on a rocky plateau, which is around 400 m long and has an extremely short runway.
Public holidays
There are a number of public holidays that do not have a fixed date, but are based on the location of Easter. Easter takes place on the first Sunday that follows the first full moon after the beginning of spring. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which ends on Holy Saturday, is 46 days before Holy Saturday. The date for Pentecost is then 50 days after Easter. The Corpus Christi festival is celebrated on the 2nd Thursday after Pentecost.
| Date | Type of holiday |
| January 1 | New Year |
| March April | Easter holidays (Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday) |
| April, 30 | Coronation day and birthday of the queen. Various ceremonies are held in honor of the queen |
| 1st of May | Labor Day, Labor Day |
| August | Carnival Monday Large parades, music and banquets all over the island. Parades in black and red costumes |
| October | “Sea and Learn” the entire month is dedicated to preserving the environment |
| beginning of December | Saba day and weekend. For a weekend, the entire island is celebrated with a variety of activities. |
| December 26th and 26 | Christmas |