Saba from St. Kitts
Saba
Saba
Saba
Saba
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Overview
Saba consists
largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery and is called the “unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean”.
It’s a paradise for hikers and divers. Saba has no high rises, no traffic
lights, no crowds, no crime, no fast food restaurants, no casinos, no cruise
ships. Unfortunately no beaches as well. Only about 25,000 people visit
the small island each year. Most tourists come for hiking, climbing and scuba
diving. The island is especially known for its ecotourism.
As the
island is part of the Netherlands, Dutch is the official language, but English
is the principal language spoken on the island. Since 2011, the U.S. dollar is
the official currency, replacing the Netherlands Antillean guilder.
Saba,
including the islet of Green Island, became the smallest special municipality
within the country of the Netherlands after the dissolution of the Netherlands
Antilles in 2010. The 887 m high (2,910 ft) Mount Scenery is the highest
point within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Saba is ideal for the traveler looking for a secluded haven, in peaceful and friendly surroundings.
Diving
About 150
species of fish have been found in Saba’s waters. The waters around Saba were
designated as the Saba National Marine Park in 1987 with permanent moorings,
regulations of use and maintenance and a strong conservation attitude. A main
draw for divers are the pinnacle dive sites, where magma pushed through the sea
floor to create underwater towers of volcanic rock that start at about 91 m
(300 feet) down and rise to about 26 m (85 feet) beneath the surface.
Airport
Only small
planes and helicopters can land on Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. The pilots have to be specially trained. The
400-metre (1,300 ft) landing strip is reputed to be the shortest commercial
runway in the world. Only Winair has consistent flights from Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius
on DHC-6
Twin Otter. Landing is dangerous
because of the airport's location in relation to the island. There is a high risk that airplanes shoot over the
runway and fall into the ocean.
to be continued soon...
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Saba
Saba
Saba
Saba
Saba
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