|
Why Sea Saba?
|
|
|
|
|
|
News
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why Saba?
|
|
|
and
even more...
home
click for your Saba fix...
|
Saba’s volcanic origins have
blessed her waters with spectacular formations and structural diversity.
From shallow patch reefs to deep water seamounts, Saba offers interesting
diving at each depth and for every diver's experience level. The Saba
Marine Park ("SMP") was established in 1987. One of the few self-sustaining
marine parks worldwide, it’s important to note that it was not
established to help repair a damaged environment and ecosystem, but rather
to safeguard and ensure the continued quality of an extraordinary
resource.
Diving Overview
Dive Sites From A-Z
Altitude Concerns? History of SMP Nature
News
More u/w photos on Saba
Images & Beyond
What
should you expect to see?
"Recent Sightings" area of our Nature
News page is updated weekly.
Saba offers year-round diving with
seasonal differences in water temperature and surface conditions. Winter
months bring cooler water temperatures ranging from 77° to 80°
Fahrenheit, whereas summer months yield a toasty 80° to 85 Fahrenheit.
Nature itself insures a variety of different marine activities and aquatic
visitors throughout the year. The Saba Marine Park now boasts 28 permanently
moored dive sites, and additional moorings have re-introduced
some sites that had not been frequented since the park’s original
mooring installation. Check out our clickable dive
site map for more information on each site. There are now multiple moorings at some of the sites
giving us more flexibility for accommodating your requests. The Saba Marine Park is zoned
for various recreational and commercial uses. The yachting
community will be pleased to note there are more overnight (yellow)
moorings in place in both the Wells Bay area as well as the Fort Bay area;
however, newly introduced legislation now dictates that all visiting
yachts must register and dive with one of Saba's local dive operations.
Our small size, 5.1 square miles,
and circular shape don't provide us with large leeward side, but
nevertheless, allows us to dive almost any day of the year even with less
than perfect weather. Your experienced
crew will take you to the best dive site for the day’s conditions and
match your diving ability to the selection. With the variety of diving
that is offered, plan at least a few days of diving to enjoy a real
sampling of the Saba Marine Park's diversity. To learn more about
the origins of Saba's reefs and what to expect to see at different dive
areas, join us for "Making the Most of
Your Saba Experience". This casual and fun photographic
presentation is given every Monday night in a 'happy hour' environment at
The Brigadoon restaurant.
 The famous
Pinnacles...Not far offshore, Saba’s famous
pinnacles and seamounts, Third Encounter, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and
Shark Shoals rise dramatically from the depths to within 85 feet of the
surface. These depths have protected them from any natural storm damage and,
of course anchors, so the size and abundance of large sea fans and sponges
put the pinnacles at world class status even without the added bonus of reef
creatures and fish. The structures themselves are not to be missed with the
most unique being The Eye of the Needle, just off in the deep blue from
Third Encounter. It’s common to encounter schools of tropical fish, jacks,
groupers or even members of Saba's robust shark population. White tips,
black tips, reef and bull sharks are regularly observed cruising these
waters. Lucky divers may get to swim with a humpback whale, manta ray,
hammerhead or whale shark. Although these dive sites are virtually
bottomless, they can be safely enjoyed with 100 to 120 foot dive profiles,
well within the limits of recreational diving.
Man O’ War Shoals and Diamond Rock
are also classified as pinnacles but have sandy bottoms at between 70 and 80
feet. Although pelagics are not as common at these shallower pinnacles, more
bottom time let’s you absorb and explore the many nooks and crannies that
are home to every imaginable species. The currents, that sometimes prevent
diving these sites, yield plankton rich waters for the inhabitants
that line the cylinder style walls of these two pinnacles. Schools of blue
tangs, big eyes and juvenile barracuda frequent these areas. The dark
volcanic sand around these sites is home to many interesting critters
including flying gurnards, batfish, industrious sand tile fish and jawfish.
If you were limited to only one dive on Saba, either of these sites would be
the best example of the healthy reefs and abundance of marine life that the
waters of the Saba Marine Park offer. In addition, each of these sites
offers the opportunity for increased bottom time when conducted as a
multi-level profile with long slow spirals upward around these minor
seamounts.
 Shallow easy
dives or snorkel sites...Well’s Bay and Torrens Point are the
most protected waters of Saba during normal weather conditions. Great for
snorkeling or shallow dives, large boulders, caves and swim throughs present
interesting underwater structures. A series of patch reefs leading away from
the shoreline host many juvenile species and a variety of eels. Morays eels,
sharptail eels, goldspotted eels and the less common spotted snake eel
that conceals the majority of its long body in the sand are all to be found
here.
 Ladder Bay...Traveling in a westerly direction down
our leeward coast brings you to that area referred to by Sabans as The
Ladder. Perched precariously on a steep cliffside are the original steps
used by islanders to access Saba. The original custom house remains. Prior
to the building of the Fort Bay harbor, goods were brought to the island by
landing long boats on the rocky shoreline with stout and hearty Sabans
carrying the goods by foot up the nearly vertical stairway before reaching
the road leading to the village of The Bottom. As such, dive sites off
this shore are referred to as Ladder Bay: Custom House, Porites Point,
Babylon, Ladder Labyrinth and Hot Springs. Volcanic lava flow has created a
natural labyrinth of spur and groove formations. If you still question Saba’s
volcanic origins, you can place your hands into the sulfur stained
sand and feel the warmth of this now dormant volcanic island. Nurse sharks,
turtles, mated whitespotted filefish and even the occasional tarpon are some
of the larger animals you may meet face-to-face on the leeward coast. The
sea grass on the perimeter of the reef provides sustenance for Saba's
healthy sea turtle population, and you may even see a rare spotted eagle ray
or seahorses. Ladder Bay is also one of our favorite areas for night dives.
 Tent Bay...Less than five minutes from Fort Bay, our only harbor, Tent Bay
offers spectacular diving at Tent Reef Deep, a small but interesting reef. Dives at the
vertical Tent Reef Wall can be conducted as a shallow dive, a deeper multi-level dive or
as an exhilarating drift dive. The sandy top of the wall is home to hundreds of garden
eels, razor fish and southern stingrays. A three dimensional mural of colorful mollusks,
large barrel and drooping sponges are guaranteed on this dive with the schools of sergeant
majors, queen angelfish, french angelfish, frogfish and of course, Buddha, the resident
barracuda who likes to hang out with divers and is naturally curious. The swim through at
Tent Reef is a treat day or night with yellow cup corals, black coral, a family of black
margates, and spiny lobsters. The resident dog snappers have learned to follow night
divers and attempt to hunt prey with the assistance of your dive lights. Tent Reef is a
favorite for night dives with frequent octopus sitings and a chance to see a blue
manytooth conger.
 Windwardside
dive sites...More dependent on weather conditions are our
Windwardside sites:
Greer Gut, Giles Quarter, Big Rock Market, Hole in the Corner, David's
Dropoff (new dive site in '99!) Core Gut and Green Island.
The majority of Saba’s diving offers volcanic coral encrusted boulders with only
Greer Gut and Giles Quarter Deep Reef being true coral reefs. The white sand bottoms in
these areas give them a different look and feel from the leewardside sites, and serious
fish watchers will note different species of reef fish and critters than seen in other
areas of the Saba Marine Park. The exposure to the Atlantic side lends itself less to soft
corals but yield grand hard coral structures: elkhorn forests, large plate and mushroom
shaped star corals, and brain corals set the background for nudibranch, frogfish and
seasonal juvenile activity. It’s rare to have current on this side of the island and
visibility tends to be exceptional.
And finally...ask about our special Muck
Dive--just another
Sea Saba Difference.
The Saba Marine Park
offers 29 permanently moored dive sites that are all reached with 5 to
20 minute boat rides from our Fort Bay base of operations. So hop aboard
the Giant Stride or Sea Dragon and take a virtual dive of the Saba
Marine Park by clicking on any of the diver down flags above to learn
more about each dive site. At the end of your virtual dive, drop into
our Windwardside office
and let us know how your dives were, and where we can handle your
land-based needs.
| Mooring Depth: 95 feet |
Maximum Depth: 110 feet |
| Newly established in 1999
and discovered by Michel Cleveau, formerly of Sea Saba, this site is located
south of the main plateau where two pinnacles rise to within 100 and
120 feet of the surface. The higher peak supports a dramatic vertical wall on one
side with a gentler slope connecting it to the shallower peak. Look for
pelagics, specifically "Barnacle Bill", a large
hawksbill turtle, or enjoy a wealth macro photography opportunities that
this site presents.
|
| Mooring Depth: 95 feet |
Maximum Depth: 110 feet |
| Located at the eastern end of the
horseshoe shaped seamount, this dive can be conducted completely
on top of the plateau or with a short trip out into the deep blue to the tip of the
"Eye of the Needle" rises majestically up from the deep to 90
feet. It's common to encounter large Blacktip Sharks and Yellowtail Snappers along the edge of the outcrops where
the plankton rich water reaches the plateau and schools of shallow reef fish abound. |
| Mooring Depth: 95 feet |
Maximum Depth: 110 feet |
| Starting your dive at 110
feet the reef sharply plummets with dramatic drop offs. A series of rocky outcrops with shallower peaks at
80 feet provide more bottom time and excellent opportunities for seeing Nassau or Yellowfin Groupers or
circling Reef Sharks while beneath the overhangs sandy areas are home to
the more docile Nurse Sharks. |
| Mooring Depth: 90 feet |
Maximum Depth: 110 feet |
| Swimming northeast towards the tip of this narrow ridge prepare yourself for
a dramatic vertical drop off. Enjoy schools of Chromis and Creole Wrasse
along with hunting Blackjacks and mature Hawksbill Turtles. |
| Mooring Depth: 90 feet |
Maximum Depth: 120 feet |
| An aptly named small isolated pinnacle about half a mile east of Well's Bay with one main
pinnacle at 90 feet saddled to a second set of outcrops at 120
feet that rise from 300 foot sea bed. This site offers
spectacular fish life, dramatic sponge formations and excellent up-close shark encounters. |
| We are hopeful this site located between Diamond
Rock and Shark Shoals will be "re-commssioned" in the
spring of 2003...stay tuned! |
| Mooring Depth: 80 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| Saba's famous landmark sits on a flat, sandy bottom at
80 feet. Circumnavigation near the bottom provides excellent opportunities to see Southern Stingrays and Flying Gurnards in the sand. A
trip through the canyon on the northeast side allows you to
multi-level this dive with an upward spiral while watching for a sharks,
schools of Horse Eye Jacks and marveling at the fish life this
jewel attracts. |
| Mooring Depth: 20 feet |
Maximum Depth: 70 feet |
| Just east of Diamond Rock,
this similarly steep rock structure lies in the sandy bottom at 70 feet with twin peaks rising to 15 and 20 feet of the surface.
A multi-level dive profile works best here by circumnavigating
the base and slowly spiraling upwards between the two peaks in
figure eight fashion. A final safety stop at the top maximizes
your bottom time while enjoying the show below. This site offers
some of the most diverse and luxuriant marine life and fauna in
the Saba Marine Park ranging from Black Coral and hoards
Sergeant Majors to industrious Sand Tile Fish. |
| This site has not had a mooring on it since 1989
but may be "re-commissioned" in Spring 2003.
However, if you and your buddy are good with your air consumption,
ask the Sea Saba crew when an afternoon dive is headed to Torens
Point...follow the patch reefs as they continue to go slightly
deeper from the normal 35' (10m) at Torens Point and treat
yourself to a seldom dived area. Schools of grunts and
roaming turtles are common. Keep your eyes peeled for the
normally nocturnal spotted snake eel--only his large head will be
sticking out of the sand. |
| Mooring Depth: 20 feet |
Maximum Depth: 50 feet |
| Referred to as Saba's nursery, all things are possible at this calm and
protected dive site that also offers fabulous snorkeling. You can do your entire dive
in less than 25' of water exploring the small caves while poking about the huge
boulders in the area just north of the point. Keep your eyes open for
everything from juvenile Spotted Drums to Spotted Snake Eels and
even an Octopus... day or night! |
| Mooring Depth: 30 feet |
Maximum Depth: 35 feet |
| This site is more commonly referred to as "big
boat mooring at Torens Point". There are 3 moorings in
this area to accommodate snorkelers, surface intervals for dive
boats and student training. Like Torens Point this site can
be underestimated. We've just about seen it all here--from
regular squid and seahorse sightings to even mantas.
|
| Mooring Depth: 60 feet |
Maximum Depth: 110
feet |
| This site is a great alternative to an
off-shore pinnacle, a bit deeper than other sites in Ladder Bay,
but a gradual sloping reef. This stand-alone reef is
covered colorful corals and long Devil's Sea Whips that
dangle over the sandy areas where you can find Southern stingrays
and furry sea cucumbers. |
| Mooring Depth: 50 feet |
Maximum Depth: 75 feet |
| Large encrusted boulders that over time have developed into a continuous reef
structure with sandy alleys characterize this dive site. Large fields of
Club Finger Coral along with the many ledges and small crevices provide the perfect
hideouts for Spiny Lobster and an abundance of smaller reef fish. |
| Mooring Depth: 47 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| Dramatic ledges host the Deepwater Sea Fans
that are found as you head seaward from the mooring. Cross over several lava flows and sand chutes, returning to the
mooring and head towards shore where the coral encrusted boulders become larger and more
numerous. Opportunities to see Hawksbill Turtles, large Barracuda, Nurse
Sharks and Morays are the norm at this site. |
| Mooring Depth: 42 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| The labyrinth of 10 foot coral and rock ridges just seaward of the mooring
provide numerous nooks and crannies for shrimp, crab and
lobsters while making it clear how this site was named. Heading
east the labyrinth gives way to a more organized system of lava flows and
sand chutes. Look for healthy populations of Filefish, and French
Grunts and Spanish Grunts. Don't overlook the many sandy alleyways
that offer a close-up look at Yellowhead Jawfish. Since
Summer '99, a pair of seahorses
found here--don't forget the camera! |
| Mooring Depth: 40 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| So named because of the hot water springs coming through vents in the sea
floor, this dive site is proof positive that Saba's volcano is
merely dormant not extinct as suggested elsewhere. Pick a dive
here! Head seaward from the mooring and then south over a series of coral
heads separated by a sandy bottom. A huge anchor (one of several at this
dive site) is a good point to turn inshore and back to the mooring.
Alternatively, head seaward and then north for a shallower version among the
coral encrusted boulders before heading back to the mooring. Especially
interesting are the large colonies of Garden Eels in the sand and numerous schools of French
Grunts that you'll find here. Want to know more about Hot
Springs? Sea Saba invited a world renowned Hot Springs
expert last year--read
about this natural phenomena and more... |
| Mooring Depth: 70 feet |
Maximum Depth: 100 feet |
| A series of coral outcrops at the edge of a sandy slope and a vertical
drop-off provide a varied multi-level wall dive. The mooring pin at the edge
of the wall is the drop-off point to your recommended maximum depth of
100 feet. Head north along the wall and then return to the mooring over the tops of the
coral outcrops at 60 feet. Look for several big, old anchors in the coral along
with large Southern Stingrays in the sand. |
| Mooring Depth: 23 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| A dramatic multilevel wall dive with rich color and looming overhangs.
Heading out along the wall at 80 feet and back along an overhang ledge at
50 feet provides a close look at the myriad of colorful encrusting sponge species.
Queen Angelfish and large Barracuda in the shadows make this a heads up,
as well as thumbs up, dive. |
| Mooring Depth: 43 feet |
Maximum Depth: 65 feet |
| A mini-wall, huge boulders and a dramatic swim thru provide a unique
combination of qualities at one of Saba's most popular dive sites. From the
mooring, head easterly on the outside of the boulders to a sand slope where
Garden Eels and Southern Stingrays are seen. Then swim to the base of the mini-wall slowly
through the boulders and the archway. Large silver margates and
pairs of Grey Angels are always looming in the archway. Keep a sharp eye out
for Hawksbill Turtles, Scorpionfish and Nurse sharks in this dive
that offers unlimited possibilities. |
| Mooring Depth: 70 feet |
Maximum Depth: 120 feet |
| A deep patch reef at the end of the Tent Reef system. This small,
steep-sided reef is often combined with a visit to the Tent reef dive site.
Schools of Yellowtail Snapper and large Margates can be found on the deeper
parts of the reef. |
| Mooring Depth: 60 feet |
Maximum Depth: 70 feet |
| A horseshoe shape of small coral islands separated by sand channels and sand
flats provides overhangs with a large Spiny Lobster population along with schools
of Goatfish, large Barracuda, Conch and Mahogany Snappers. |
| 22.
|
Giles
Quarter Deep
|
|
| In 1999 and 2000, SMP Director David Kooistra
installed new moorings and reintroduced a few moorings to sites
that had been without moorings for a number of
years of non-use. In this re-introduction, some moorings
were moved from their original areas thereby changing the known
locations to divers who have frequented Saba before this
time. We have kept the map in its original form but there is
no longer a Giles Quarter Deep mooring pin; the reef, of course
remains. |
| Mooring Depth: 60 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| A sandy area with patch reef; large
boulders in shallows towards shore. This site was named for
the huge boulders which are found close to the shore. Unlike
the big boulder outside The Big Rock (super) Market in
Windwardside, these rocks provide the background for those silly
trumpet fish who think they can't be seen with the blue
tangs. The deeper patch reef found to the northeast of the
mooring pin, is the shelter for cowering file fish and large spiny
lobsters. |
| Mooring Depth: 70 feet |
Maximum Depth: 80 feet |
| Patch reef system with little change in
depth. The white sand that surrounds this patchy coral reef
seems to illuminate the colorful reef dwellers as well as provide
the grassy sea bed favored by shellfish for passing Spotted Eagle
Rays. Rarer chain morays have also been identified here. |
| Mooring Depth: 40 feet |
Maximum Depth: 75 feet |
| A series of large coral encrusted boulders
lead to a sand bottom at 75 feet where a variety of hard and soft coral structures are the background for the
schools of Blue Tang and Chubs that inhabit this dive site. Alleviate the
eyestrain caused by looking for the ever-elusive Nudibranchs found here by taking a
peek into the blue for rare Manta Ray sightings. |
| Mooring Depth: 40 feet |
Maximum Depth: 120 feet |
| Saba's newest dive site
offers many possible profiles from the shallow
cascading boulders, which mirror the shoreline to the near vertical precarious chunks of
granite, which plunge to the sand bottom at 120 feet. Blacktip Sharks,
Bottlenose Dolphins and Queen Angels have paraded past the colorful gorgonians that grace this exciting new site
named after the Saba Marine Park's Director, David Kooistra.. |
| Mooring Depth: 40 feet |
Maximum Depth: 90 feet |
| Peer through the looking glass at the mushroom shaped Honeycomb Plate
Corals and Sunray Lettuce Corals that create this majestic seascape. A northerly
route yields a deeper wall dive with Tiger Groupers and paired Black
Jacks as frequent loiterers. A southerly route traverses a steep slope where
Queen Angels and Hawksbill Turtles are usually found. |
|
Mooring Depth: 40 feet |
Maximum Depth: 100 feet |
| Newly established in 1999
after being discovered by medical students at their Cove Bay
campus,
a short surface swim to the northern side of the cove drops you to a vertical wall
covered in red and yellow soft corals with far-reaching Devil's Sea Whips.
Large Green Moray Eels and the Midnight Parrotfish are commonly spotted
here. |
|
Mooring Depth: 25 feet |
Maximum Depth: 65 feet |
| A counter-clockwise navigation of this small island
pinnacle unveils a grove of
gorgonians and a small colony of both Bushy and Feather Black Coral. Schools
of Bermuda Chubs are strongly represented along with Parrotfish and
Queen Angels on the backside of the island. |
One of the more
frequently asked questions divers have about Saba concerns the
risks associated with diving, flying and hiking. For a number
of years now, divers have been flying to Saba from St. Maarten,
conducting two dives and returning to St. Maarten the same day
without any know cases of decompression sickness resulting
directly from the short 12 minute Winair flight. This is due
in part to the fact that the flight doesn't exceed an altitude
of 2500 feet (and frequently much less) as well as its short
duration. However, as you remember from your introductory
scuba course, there is an increased risk associated with
flying after diving. In particular, if you are planning to
depart on an international flight from St. Maarten, you should
adhere strictly to the guidelines of your certifying agency
and allow sufficient time for off-gassing.
At the same time, one of
the more popular topside activities on Saba is hiking up Mount
Scenery or setting off on one of the other hiking trails that
are maintained by the Saba Conservation Foundation. As for
flying, you may remember that rigorous exercise, either
immediately before or after diving, may increase your
susceptibility to decompression sickness. Again, our
recommendation is conservatism when hiking Saba's trails or
simply meandering around Saba's steep hillsides. In
particular, when climbing Mount Scenery we recommend that you
only do so after you have sufficiently off-gassed and it is
safe for you to fly according to your certifying agencies
guidelines.
And what about the
altitude of your hotel or cottage on Saba? In 1990, Divers
Alert Network ("DAN") brought 15 divers to dive
with Sea Saba and conduct Doppler studies to answer this
specific question. The results showed no difference in
the divers propensity to bubble formation whether at the Fort
Bay Harbor or back at their Windwardside locations. Click
here for the full DAN report.
Just the same, there are
other factors that may influence your susceptibility to
decompression sickness. In the interests of diving safety ,
we'll defer to someone having greater familiarity and
expertise with the subject, Michael N. Emmerman. Mike has
prepared the following advisory which you'll find in your Sea
Saba welcoming packet upon arrival. Please take the time to
read it to ensure a safe, pleasant and happy trip. Remember,
there's only one place you don't want to visit on Saba except
on the tour, and that's the Saba Marine Park's Hyperbaric
Chamber.
"The risks
associated with going to altitude are well know to most
divers; what follows here may be less obvious. Current
protocols indicate that divers should avoid aggressive
exercise before or after diving. The key to this problem is
the term aggressive. What may be aggressive
for one person, might only be a warm-up to someone
else. The discussion that follows should be thoroughly
understood by divers wishing to climb Mt. Scenery (elevation
3000 feet) before or after diving."
"Our goal as divers
is to avoid increasing our metabolic rate, and to avoid
increased circulatory stress. If these factors were elevated
prior to diving, it is thought that the diver would increase
his or her uptake of nitrogen during the dive because the
circulatory system would be working harder. If these factors
were elevated after diving, it is thought that the normal
process of off-gassing nitrogen could be dangerously
accelerated, and possibly lead to decompression illness. The
physical fitness and health habits of the diver will dictate
how much the metabolic rate and circulatory stress is
increased during a given activity. The diver's physical
fitness and health habits will also dictate the after-exercise
recovery period (time needed to bring the metabolic rate back
to normal)."
"As for divers
visiting Saba, and wishing to climb Mt. Scenery, the
determining factors should include: 1) the extent of alcohol
consumption for several days prior to climbing Mt. Scenery
(contributing to bio-chemical imbalances and dehydration); 2)
the extent of smoking prior, during and after climbing
(contributing to impaired gas exchange in lung tissues); 3)
the degree of physical fitness (contributing to stress,
fatigue and dehydration); and 4) the surface intervals after
diving (determining tissue tension and critical
off-gassing)."
"Almost all
authorities in diving medicine would agree that it is not
advisable for any diver to dive after drinking alcohol,
smoking cigarettes (or anything else), and partying all night.
Climbing Mt. Scenery would add additional risks to this
problematic personal profile. A diver who wishes to climb Mt.
Scenery after diving should evaluate his or her own
personal health habits and make an honest judgement of the
potential risks. Some divers will be able to drink alcohol,
smoke, party and dive, and experience no ill effects. Some
will suffer severe decompression illness or other diving
related injuries. Some will just deny symptoms. Each of us has
a responsibility to our fellow divers, and to ourselves, to
limit our risks of diving related injuries."
~~just another reason to dive
nitrox and reduce your risks~~
Prepared in the interest of diver
safety by
Michael N. Emmerman
Research Coordinator
Diving and Water Rescue Committee
National Association For Search and Rescue (NASAR)
-and-
Research Director, Lifeguard Systems, Inc.
Like
all gems, Saba's demeanor belies her birth: violent geophysical upheavals
were her attendants. Eons later, her emerald forests, punctuated by
the ruby roofs of her trim cottages, are ringed by her sapphire blue seas. For
centuries, only local fisherman and sailors knew Saba's waters. It
wasn't until 1981 that American businessmen Del Bunker and Wilson McQueen
brought scuba cylinders to Saba. From the first dive it was obvious
that Saba offered something truly special. A dive show was
established. Dive
tourism began slowly. In the early days, most of the visitors came
for a one-day visit from St. Maarten. But as word of Saba's
underwater riches spread, the number of tourists increased. The
pioneering dives shops (a second had been established) had already reached
a mutual understanding with local fishermen to avoid fishing on the
favored diving reefs. For their part, the shops had begun practicing
some environmental procedures to protect the reefs before any damage
occurred by establishing moorings made from blocks or large abandoned
anchors. These developments did not go unnoticed by the Saban
government. After all, in 1981, sister Antillean island Bonaire had
officially designated her marine park. (The concept of a marine park
often strikes non-divers as odd. No parking lots, roller coasters or
hot dog stands here! A marine park is a specific area in which
regulations and zoning have been established to protect and enhance marine
resources. Today, there are many marine parks and they have become
an industry standard.
Marine
biologist Tom van t'Hof, who had been a key player in the development of
the Bonaire Marine Park, was hired to conduct an official survey.
His report was submitted in 1983 and approved by the government in early
1984. The Prince Bernard Fund and the
World Wildlife Fund provided
initial funding. Although the park was not officially declared
until 1987, much was accomplished in the interim period, including
drilling permanent moorings, establishing mapping, purchasing a truck and
a boat, as well as publishing education literature. In addition to
the two dive shops, a live aboard also began to pay regular visits.
By 1987, two additional live boards were issued licenses. Diving
became another sparkling facet of the Saban jewel.
Although
Saba's underwater attractions include spectacular (and shallower) reefs
and walls, it is for her pinnacles that she has acquired a reputation as a
"must go destination" among seasoned divers. The pinnacles
are actually the summits of underwater mountains, beginning at around 85
feet and extending to the abyss. They are awesomely impressive, not
only to divers, but apparently also to the larger fish and pelagics that
are frequent visitors. Saba's
Marine Park is different. The design of the park and its zoning were
a collaborative effort between the dive shops, the government and Sabans,
including her fishermen. Unlike other marine parks that were founded
after diving tourism was already having an impact on the underwater
environment, Saba's reefs were protected before any damage occurred.
Her reefs are pristine. Annual scientific surveys indicate that fish
density, variety and size are increasing and the growing number of shark
sightings hears this out--see our Nature News page for regular
updates. The
next level of recognition and safety was reached when Dr. John
"Jack" Buchanan coordinated with the Dutch Navy and the Saban
government to bring a hyperbaric chamber to Saba. Saba's chamber is
now the official sport diving chamber for a territory ranging from Puerto
Rico to Barbados. It is owned and operated by the Saba Marine Park
but is closely allied with The Saba School of
Medicine. A hyperbaric master's program provides "call
teams", medical students and local volunteers, to treat diving
accidents and conduct research in to treating barotraumas and
wounds. As
the "second child", Saba benefited from experience gained from
the development of the Bonaire park. Both parks have received
numerous environmental awards and have been the subject of many
studies. Saba's park was actually the first to be fully self-funding
through user fees and donations. The fees are used to maintain facilities
and to support a staff of three professionals. The Netherlands
Antilles governments have enthusiastically embraced the marine park
concept. Saba now
boasts three land-based dive shops and is visited year-round by one
live-aboard and seasonally by another. This year, the Saba
Conservation Foundation, with grand funding from the Dutch government, is
producing seven brochures to assist visitors. From the history of
the park, guidelines for visiting yachts, to hiking maps, these
informative brochures are available at the Saba Tourist Office, the Trail
Shop or the new Visitor's Center for the Saba Marine Park at the Fort Bay
Harbor.
This page last updated on
11/22/2007
from our Windwardside office.
|
