Now these guys have their priorities in order!

Samuel & Friends, 1st Semester 2008

Knowing they wanted to learn to dive while on Saba and also that the study schedule was only going to get worse, the new class of 2008 had the right idea.  Before the start of the semester, "Samuel and friends" as they became known to us, came to the Sea Saba shop @ Lambee's Place to sign up.  With our new "fast track" system for med students only, the group completed the majority of the academic portion of the course on their own time. In just two Saturdays, they are now PADI Open Water certified divers, possessing an international license which allows them to dive anywhere (within their recommended limits)--in Saba, and all over the world.

We overheard some of Samuel's group gushing about the dives on the boat and getting excited about their next trips: 

"Experience of a lifetime, seriously."...Samuel Hui.

"Professional, 'get friendly' instructors"...Chintan Shah.

"The teachers were amazing.  Very friendly and always helpful.  I am excited to get back in."   Chintak Patel

Not Just a Big Old Fish

What are those fins I see at the surface? If you frequent the Fort Bay Harbor, you have probably already noticed some pretty big fish right around the 'big pier'. But these dorsal fins don't belong to who you might think. These prehistoric fish called Tarpon have a unique biological feature that has kept them around  for 125 million years.  Read more below in our monthly Creature Feature.

Spotlight On: Tent Reef

Katherine "Kat" DeStefano

Lots of folks come to Saba because they've heard about the Pinnacle dives and their dramatic and amazing topography. But you don't have to go all the way out to the pinnacles to have a spectacular dive on Saba.  Literally right in our backyard just outside of Fort Bay sits Tent Bay, where you can find some of the most diverse and mutable dive sites around the island. 

Tent Reef began as a bar that was formed by volcanic activity and was exposed by much lower sea levels than what we have on Saba  - fifteen to twenty feet lower! Falling in the surge zone left the area susceptible to erosion and heavy waves broke parts of the bar off creating a sheer wall, while wave action filled in the area between the bar and the island, forming the structure we see today. Tent Bar extends from Tedran Reef to Tent Deep, and right in the middle is Tent Reef, one of the most popular dive sites on Saba. A vertical wall abutted by large boulders -- which we assume to originally have been part of the Tent Bar structure -- forms an intriguing alley way that is lined with vibrantly colored sponges and a wide variety of species of fish and invertebrates. 

If we didn't know any better we might think that Mother Nature designed this area specifically as a dive site. You couldn't ask for a more perfect set up. Swim away from the island and you'll find a sea garden abounding with sponges and soft corals in about 50 feet. Out in the sand you'll find fields of garden eels that shy away back into the sand as you get closer. Come in towards to shore and visit the playground of boulders and swim-throughs next to the wall that epitomizes Tent Reef. In some areas, the wall becomes more of an overhang, providing a sheltered ledge for hundreds of fairy basslets, grunts, and snappers, and just before you approach the mooring is a swim through often frequented by a pair of exceptionally large Grey Angelfish. End your dive at the top of the wall, conveniently placed in about 18 feet of water, deep enough to keep you out of any surge, but shallow enough for a nice long safety stop with thousands of distractions. Keep your eyes peeled for Saddled Blennies darting about and Flamingo Tongues grazing on sea fans and gorgonians. 

Despite its somewhat sordid and "broken" past, Tent Reef is one of our favorite places to spend time. On any given day you'll find at least one of our boats tied up to the mooring at Tent, so if you haven't seen this piece of Saba's geological history, we highly recommend it -- it's not one to be missed. 

Advance Divers in the Making

Stay tuned for a full recap of the PADI Advanced Open Water Course started in early February,  For now, here's what Anila and Tristan can say...

"The instructors were patient and attentive; I felt at ease and thoroughly enjoyed my certification experience".  Anila Mathai

"An advanced diving course with Sea Saba has been very exciting and fun.  Thanks."  Tristan Snider.

Meet Fred & Kelly

Fred Bower and Kelly Hellyer hail from Ottawa Canada...but they are not exactly at the defrosting stage.  This dynamic couple arrived on Saba in early December but have been living in the Caribbean for a number of years, most recently in the British Virgin Islands.  In Canada, they used to own their own dive shop where they regularly dove the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.  After a few years of dry suits and Canadian short summers, they realized they were meant to be in warmer waters.  You can find both Fred and Kelly at the helms of our vessels as well as teaching and leading dives.  Hook up on a dive with Keen-Eyed Kelly to specifically spot small critters, her favorites being blennies.  You may even find Fred on the boat as a tourist--on his day off, he will often grab his video equipment and jump in the water.  Capturing the movements and undulations of sea creatures remains Fred's passion, even after thousands of dives.  Fred was even a rodeo star at one point in his life -- we're working on how we can put that talent to work at Sea Saba.

Meet the Sea Saba Crew page of our website provides a full (professional and fun) bio of all the players that make up the proud Sea Saba Team. 

Click, Click, Click!

Photo techniques used on land can be used underwater 

Ok, you found a new love in your life, diving.  And you want your friends back home to be even more jealous that you're living on a Caribbean island, right?  As you can only dive a day or two per week at most, how do you become better at underwater images?  Practice macro shots with your digital camera (or even cell phone) on land.  Start with composition.  Assuming you have a "Point & Shoot" camera, most digital cameras have many options and settings to enhance the quality of your images.  Take your next 10 minute break at school and walk beyond the parking lot.  A simple leaf, flower or insect is a perfect subject.  Get close to the subject and shoot from an 'up angle'.  This may require laying on the ground or at least getting on your knee for better results.  Now, explore the macro and flash settings on your camera.  Normally an auto flash setting will be best for macro.  Change the camera angle and even try vertical and horizontal formats -- sometimes a simple camera rotation can make an "ok" photograph look fantastic. Follow these simple rules and you'll be amazed at the results. Rule #1, get as close to your subject as possible*.  Rule #2, click, click, click.  Take a lot of photos and experiment as you go along taking (mental) notes of what is working and what is not. 

These same concepts are utilized for underwater photography. Our rental P&S cameras are capable of still images and even video.  The first few times out, you'll get best results starting with macro photography and then can progress to more complicated lighting situations of wide angle with more practice. Want to learn more? Take Sea Saba's Digital Underwater Photography Class either alone or as part of your advanced class.   

*Sea Saba adheres to a policy of renting cameras only to divers who possess good buoyancy skills.  The Peak Performance Buoyancy course promises to make you look 'like a natural'.

Every Monday @ 5:30 p.m.

Whether you're a student, short term visitor, or resident, everyone enjoys our popular weekly presentation.  If you have friends or family visiting, we promise their trip will be enhanced by learning more about the island.  The 45-minute show is given at The Brigadoon restaurant in Windwardside in a relaxed 'happy hour environment' every Monday evening at 5:30.  Learn more about Saba's history starting as far back as its volcanic origins, then come up to date and learn about how and why the Saba marine park is a success. We'll also talk about the bizarre and unusual sea creatures seen in our waters.  Come early to order your favorite "Kitchen Sink", Mud Slide or a cold beer.  The show is open to the public and free of charge.  Dinner reservations should be made in advance on this popular evening.

The Grey Suits @ 3rd Encounter

The first days of February have had unprecedented underwater sightings.  This past week has been all about sharks at our deep water pinnacles.  Seeing one shark is an every day occurrence.  This photo was taken from a video clip made by Chizzilala Productions while filming for the Saba Tourism promotional DVD.  Divers said 12 or 13 sharks were at Third Encounter dive site.  For more than 15 minutes, 8 divers and Sea Saba instructor Vivi Pimentel were mesmerized as the sharks banged in to the coral, obviously  attracted to some prey.  Of course, our divers did not get too close but the sharks were not bothered by the audience.  Check out our regular updates of unusual sightings on the Nature News page of our website.  Watch for next month's Creature Feature on Saba's sharks and why you should love them, not fear them!