Congratulations on planning to visit Saba, you’ll be on your way to experiencing the Caribbean in a unique way.
When it comes to how to get to Saba, there are some additional things you need to consider beyond the obvious “Boat or plane” dilemma.
I’ve travelled to Saba using both methods of transportation and in this post I’ll let you know what to expect so you can choose which one works best based on your time, budget, flexibility, and physical condition.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through those links I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you (zero, nada). To check the full disclaimer, click here.
This is how to travel to Saba
Table of Contents
Fly to Saba
The flights to Saba island depart from the Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten.
The only commercial airline that flies to Saba is Winair (Windward Islands Airways), a regional airline.
The regular schedule (which may vary) offers three flights a day: at 7:05AM, around mid morning (hours vary), and at 5PM.
The plane is a De Havilland Twin Otter, a small aircraft. When I say small, this is what I’m talking about:
Why does it look like a toy?
Because the Saba airport runway length is only 400 metres (1,312 feet). The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) has the shortest commercial runway in the world, which adds an element of excitement to the trip.
We took off from Sint Maarten and a few minutes later (total flight time is between 12 to 15 minutes) we saw the first view of Saba through the open cockpit.
Beyond a sea of pulls and levers, toggle switches, gauges and buttons, the iconic conical shape of the cloud-crowned island breaks the horizon.
Shortly after, the plane was facing the tiny runway and we could see up close the steep slopes of Saba.
Let’s say that towards the last seconds, the hills feels a little bit too close.
As soon as the wheels touch the runway the plane slows down immediately leaving what looked like plenty of landing strip ahead.
Phew! We were happy to say that we survived landing in what is listed as one of the world’s most dangerous airports.
Not because of maintenance issues or a bad record, but because the runway is so short that it leaves little to no room for error. You can see how close the planes get to the end of the runway before take off.
However, it helps to know that the pilots undergo rigorous specialized training to fly to Saba and they make it look easy. Hence, it feels more fun than dangerous.
If you want to have a good view of what I described, make sure you’re among the firsts to board so you can sit on the right side of the plane, right behind the cockpit. There’s no assigned seats.
And talking about seats, since the aircraft is so small, seating is limited. If you end up choosing to fly to Saba, don’t wait till the last minute to buy your tickets, especially on a Friday afternoon. This leaves less room for spontaneous, last minute travel, unless you rent one of the private charters or helicopters available.
Be aware of limitations regarding luggage, which are listed on the airline website.
Saba’s airport is tiny and with less than 20 passengers you should clear immigration in a breeze.
When leaving Saba bring with you US$10 to pay for the airport departure fee. There are no ATMs at the airport.
If this sounds like too much “excitement” for you (it’s also the most expensive way to get to Saba), you can take a boat. But that can have its own challenges too, which I will discuss next.
Take the Edge Ferry to Saba
The Edge is a catamaran that travels between Sint Maarten and Saba, with capacity for 47 or 62 passengers, depending on the vessel, and with restrooms on board. It’s how we traveled to and from Saba the first time we visited.
The Edge ferry schedule includes two trips per week: Tuesday at 9AM and Friday at 9AM.
You must check in at 8AM inside the Simpson Bay Police station, located at Simpson Bay Road and Airport Road (confirm the location when making the reservation).
The ferry ride from St. Maarten to Saba is 90 minutes. You’ll arrive at 10:30AM and depart Saba at 3:30PM, dropping you in Sint Maarten at 5PM.
It’s quite a scenic ride, especially towards the end when you admire the imposing sight of Saba and approach its breathtaking cliffs.
However, there are a couple of things you need to know before booking your trip.
- If seas are rough your trip may be canceled. According to the operator policies you’ll be booked on the next trip or your ticket will be refunded. If you’re already on Saba and you can’t return by boat you may need to stay overnight or hurry up to secure one of the precious 19 seats in the next flight.
- It may be an easy ride or you may be in for the bumpier ride of your life.
- On our way to Saba we were lucky to have good weather and it was a pleasant ride, enjoying some complimentary drinks on the way. But two months later, on our way out, the high winds produced massive waves that caused the boat to rise and fall most of the trip, to the point that we could hear the engine shutting off when reaching the peak of the waves.
Between feeling like we were thrown up and down like a cat playing with a skinny mouse and hearing people emptying their stomachs in the barf bags I’m not sure what was worse.
- If you’re pregnant, if you have serious back problems, or if you get seasick easily, flying may be a better option for you.
Booking your Edge Ferry Ride to Saba
Ready for an adventure?
You have different options regarding the Edge ferry.
If you want to take a day trip to Saba the best option is to book your round trip and choose a package as an add-on which includes lunch and a taxi that will pick you up from the port and drive you back at departure time.
It also includes either a quick tour around the island, or the option of being dropped off at Windwardside so you can hike up to Mount Scenery on your own, or scuba diving with Sea Saba.
Book your day trip to Saba from St Maarten here.
If you have enough time I recommend you stay more than one day to enjoy what Saba has to offer, including its wonderful hiking trails.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, ask for a one-way transfer.
One-way tickets are also available.
Take the Makana Ferry to Saba
The Makana Ferry is the most recent way to get to Saba, and it’s the only one that travels direct to and from other islands other than Sint Maarten.
The catamaran fast ferry, with capacity for 150 passengers, offers trips between Saba, Sint Maarten, St Eustatius (Statia), and St. Kitts & Nevis, departing several days a week.
Things You Need to Know
- As you read above regarding the Edge ferry, you may have a smooth ride or an extremely bumpy one.
- If the sea gets too rough the trip will be canceled. It helps to have some flexibility in your plans as you may not find a flight right away and you may need to spend an extra night where you are and pay for the night you didn’t use in your destination.
This may be the same or more than what you saved by taking the boat instead of flying.
- If you’re boarding or disembarking in Sint Maarten bring a hat, sunblock and plenty of water. The boarding area is in Bobby’s Marina, in Philipsburg. You’ll be standing on a concrete dock under the sun for one hour, or more if there’s a delay.
You can check fares and schedules on the Makana Ferry website.
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Saba?
Yes, you need a valid passport to visit Saba. Nationals of the United States, Canada, and several other countries don’t need a tourist visa for a 90-day stay. Check this page to find out if you need a visa as well as other entry requirements.
Booking a Taxi on Saba
Unless your accommodation offers a pick-up service or you book a day trip that includes a taxi ride you’ll need one whether you arrive at the airport or the port. There are no buses on Saba and you won’t want to walk the long, steep uphill road leading to the villages.
You can wing it and hope there’s one available when you clear immigration, but taking into consideration that there’s only about a dozen taxis you may want to book it in advance.
The Saba Tourist Bureau offers assistance with booking taxis. You can also see the contact info of the drivers and the rates here.
What is your preference for coming to the shores of the beautiful island of Saba? Each one has its pros and cons, but either will bring you to an unforgettable destination.
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ
BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
