Visit the Saba Marine Park website www.sabapark.com which is also the site for the Saba Conservation Foundation, the umbrella organization for both above and below protection of Saba's natural resources.  

Sea Saba's website:  www.seasaba.com has both a dive site map and specific site descriptions--you'll see there's quite a variety.  And now their latest edition: Nature News even gives you current unusual underwater sightings.

Use my bookmarks for information from the Saba Marine Park's brochure.

Park Facts

Dive Site Map

Beth's Favorite Dive Sites

Visitor and Hyperbaric Facilities

PARK FACTS

Saba is a dormant volcano that rises steeply from the ocean. Depths of 1000 ft. and over are found within half a mile from shore. The near shore environs offer some very interesting and extremely varied diving, while the offshore dives will leave you absolutely speechless. The park has designated zones and moorings fro diving and the mooring of recreational yachts.

HISTORY
The Saba Marine Park (SMP) was formally established in 1987 through the "Marine Environment Ordinance Saba" with the objective to preserve and manage Saba's marine resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, in perpetuity. The project was funded by World Wildlife Fund-Netherlands, the Prince Bernard Fund, and the Dutch and Saban Governments.

LOCATION
The park is situated around the entire island and includes the waters and seabed from the high-water mark down to a depth of 200 ft., as well as offshore seamounts. A zoning system is applied to get the best possible compromise between different uses of the marine environment. Four zones are distinguished.

 

Beth's Favorite Dive Sites of Saba

I have found the divemasters on Saba to be highly professional and most accommodating.  Most often their dive site choice is based on conditions and divers on the boat--but it never hurts to make a request.  Some information on my favorites:

 

Green Island (DEPTH: 50-60 feet)

This is a weather-permitting dive, but when the waves cooperate, circling the island rewards divers with a stunning number of gorgonia, a wall covered with encrusting coralline algae and chubs galore. Keep an eye out for schools of jacks and moulo. SKILL LEVEL: All

Torren's Point (DEPTH: 10-40 feet)

This shallow site is a great shallow dive with interesting small critters and juvenile fish.  Dive shops also use this protected cove for surface intervals and great snorkeling.  25-foot shallows of elkhorn coral, knobby brain coral, a tunnel and a sleeping nurse shark or two. Barracuda often chase mobs of blue tang. SKILL LEVEL: All

Hole in the Corner (DEPTH: 50 feet)

This is a popular shallow dive on the windward side when conditions permit. You'll get a good look at branching corals, especially elkhorn, as well as pastel hued brain and star corals, some carpeted with golden disk algae. White-spotted filefish, coneys, graysbys and red hinds flash their moody colors as you approach. SKILL LEVEL: All

Hot Springs (DEPTH: 25-40 feet)

One of Saba's shallowest dives, and also one of its most interesting. Hot water bubbling from the sea floor will keep you toasty as you tour boulders encrusted with green sea squirts, towers of star coral, and schools of tang and doctorfish. Hawksbill turtles are also common here. SKILL LEVEL: All

Diamond Rock (DEPTH: 30-80 feet)

This is actually Saba's trickiest dive due to changing currents.  You'll find divemasters will tend to do it with divers they have been diving with and in good conditions.  But its the current that makes this site so prolific!  From tiny gobies to jacks and even sharks, it is possible to see every type of Caribbean reef fish and critter.  Be looking in the sand for  the bizarre flying gunards. SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced

Tent Reef Wall (DEPTH: 60-80 feet)

This site features lava and sand flowing down to a ledge at 50 feet that gives way to a steep escarpment. Green turtles often rest in the sand, below walls that are encrusted with exotic species like pipes-of-pan sponge and pillow stinking sponge. The tropicals are thick here, as are grunts, snappers, and schoolmasters. SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced

Babylon (DEPTH: 60-80 feet)

Babylon's deep ridges and extensive overhangs are home to great schools of snappers, grunts, and durgons. The hot spring here is evidence of the great forces still seething beneath the surface where crabs now scurry and a jewfish named King Solomon sometimes holds court. SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced

Shark Shoal (DEPTH: 100-120 feet)

Shark Shoal was named by fisherman who caught sharks here before the days of scuba. This pinnacle does not provide a "guaranteed" shark dive, but darn close to it. Even without the big boys, tube and encrusting sponges, dramatic overhangs, deep water gorgonia, and hordes of snappers and jacks make for an inspiring photographic backdrop. SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced

Twilight Zone (DEPTH: 90-110 feet)

Twilight Zone is one of 5 pinnacles. Along the peak's steep walls, the number of orange elephant ear sponges could cause you to burn a roll of film. Save a few shots for the tiger groupers, trumpet fish, reef sharks, and a school of jacks that will swim over from a nearby pinnacle to check you out. SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced

Third Encounter (DEPTH: 110 feet)

Third Encounter is an underwater mountain with a coral plateau at 100 feet. Walls plunge to the edge of visibility.  With good conditions, your guide can take you to The Eye of the Needle, undoubtedly one of Saba's underwater highlights.  This unique volcanic formation is abundant with fish and sponge growth.  One diver remarks, "What else can you do after this dive but die and go to heaven?" SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced