saba travel guide
DESCRIPTION
Saba Escapade Caribbean Travel GuideTRANSCRIPT
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T à Lorna…o Lorna…
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March 29th Good FridayApril 12th Easter MondayApril 30th Queen’s BirthdayMay 1st Labor day
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May 8th Ascension DayDec. 25th ChristmasDec. 26th Boxing Day1st week-end in December Saba DaysCarnival Last week in July(Saba summertime festival)
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NameNom
AnguillaAntiguaDominicaGuadeloupeNevisSabaSt BarthsStatiaSt KittsSt MartinSint Maarten
AreaSuperficie
91 km2
280 km2
790 km2
1779 km2
93 km2
13 km2
25 km2
21 km2
180 km2
43 km2
32 km2
CurrencyDevise$ EC$ EC$ EC€
$ ECNAF / $US€ / $US
NAF / $US$ EC
€ / $USNAF / $US
LanguageLangueEnglishEnglishEnglishFrenchEnglish
English/DutchFrench
English/DutchEnglishFrench
English/Dutch
MillimetresCentimetresMetres
Kilometres
Sq. mm / mmSq cm / cm2
Sq. m / m2
HectaresSq. kilometres
Cu. cm / cm3
Litres
Cu. mètres / m3
MiligramsGramsKilograms
°C 34 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
°F 93,2 91,4 89,6 87,8 86,2 84,2 82,4 80,6 78,8 77,2 75,2 73,4 71,6 69,8
0,03937 inches0,3937 inches
39,3701 inches3,2808 feet
1,0936 yards0,54681 fathoms
0,6237 miles (land)0,53961 miles (UK sea)
0,53996 miles int. nautical
0,00155 sq. inches0,1550 sq. inches10,7639 sq. feet
1, 19599 sq. yards2,47105 acres
0,3861 sq. miles
0,06102 cu. inches61,024 cu. inches0,0353 cu. feet2,1134 US pints1,7598 UK pints
0,2642 US gallons35,3147 cu. feet
1,30795 cu. yards264,172 US gallons219,969 UK gallons
6,11026 UK bulk barrels
0,01543 grains0,03527 ounces, avoirdupoids
0,03215 ounces, troy35,274 ounces, avoirdupoids
32,151 ounces, troy2,204462 ounces, avoirdupoids
Islands information…
Unités de mesure métriques…
Informations sur nos îles…
Length…
Superficie…Area…
Volumes…Capacity…
Poids…Weight…
Temperature…Température…
From Antigua to Montserrat 20 min.
Flights to Montserrat are via AnguillaFor our complete flight schedule, our fares, charger rates, cargo ratesand more information about us, visit our web site at: www.fly-winair.com
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Transfer tax: 4% on sale of realestate. There is no land tax eitheron non-commercial capital gain, oron share transfers. No taxes Onproperty or on gifts and estates.On St Maarten, there are nocustoms duties. A tax levied ondelivery of goods and servicesrendered was created in theNetherlands Antilles on January 1st,1997. Its rate since January 1st
1998 is 2%. It is levied on deliveryof goods and services rendered.
Individuals: For individuals anincome tax has been establishedafter large reduction andaccording to a progressive tariff byinstallments. The total income taxcan reach 60%, on the basiscomputed however, on the overallworld incomes.To settle down, a residency permitis easier to obtain than a workpermit, since governmental politics
promote the world marker for thelocal Antillean. The residencypermit is generally granted within aperiod of six months to theindividuals who can supply proofthat they can support themselves.In this case, to be an owner of adwelling house on St Maarten, oran old age pensioner whose sourceis outside of the NetherlandsAntilles, are favorable criteria.
Legal entities: Corporate taxincluding taxable capital gain,varies generally between 36,8 and43,47% on the taxed basis`. If thecompany is on shore, the overallworld incomes with someexceptions is taxable. If it is offshore, the tax is limited to certainsources of WestIndian incomes.Off shore companies: Investmentholding or patents, internationalfinance or IBC if they are taxed,have the advantage of a low rate.
Impôts : 4% sur les ventes de biensimmobiliers. Il n’y a pas d’impôtsur le foncier, ni sur les plus-valuesnon-commerciales immobilières ousur cessions d’actions. Pasd’impôts sur le patrimoine, ni dedroits sur les donations etsuccessions.A Sint-Maarten, il n’existe pas dedroits de douane. Une taxe estprélevée sur la livraison desmarchandises et les servicesrendus a été instaurée dans lesAntilles Néerlandaises le 1er janvier1997. Son taux depuis le 1er janvier1998. est de 2%. Elle est prélevéesur la livraison des marchandises etles services rendus.Personnes physiques : Pour elles,l’impôt sur le revenu est établiaprès de larges déductions etselon un barème progressif partranche, l’impôt total peutatteindre 60% de la base calculéeretenant toutefois l’ensemble desrevenus mondiaux.Pour s’installer, un permis deséjour seul est beaucoup plusfacile à obtenir que le permis detravail car la politiquegouvernementale favorise lemarché du travail pour les antillais
locaux. Le permis de séjour estgénéralement accordé dans undélai de six mois aux personnespouvant fournir notamment lapreuve qu’elles peuvent prendreen charge leur coût de la vie. Dansce cas être propriétaire d’unemaison d’habitation à Sint-Maartenou d’une retraite provenant del’étranger sont des critèresfavorables.Personnes morales : L’impôt surles bénéfices y compris les plusvalues taxables, varie généralemententre 36,8 et 43,7% de la baseimposée.Lorsque la société est résidente,c’est l’ensemble des revenusmondiaux sous réserve dequelques exceptions qui estimposable. Lorsqu’elle est non-résidente, l’imposition est limitéeà certaines sources de revenusantillais.Les sociétés off shore : Sociétéholding de placements ou debrevets, société de financeinternationale ou de commerceinternational, lorsqu’elles sontimposées bénéficient d’un tauxfaible égal à 1/10ème du tauxnormal.
FLIGHTS / VOLS
92456
2365
5 /week - semaine
DESTINATIONS
AnguillaAntiguaMontserratNevisSabaSt BarthsStatiaSt KittsTortola
FLIGHT TIMES / HORAIRES(from/de St Maarten)
10 min.40 min.39 min.35 min.15 min.10 min.20 min.30 min.39 min.
Les Destinations de laWinair…WinairDestinations…
Antilles Néerlandaises…Netherlands Antilles…
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Heleen Cornet - 1990
The Montagne Cloud Forest coversabout 8 ha (20 acres) with thedominant tree being the (1)Mountain Mahogany. (2)Epiphphytes grow on trunks,branches and leaves of other plants.(3) Orchids are among the mostcommon epiphytes present. Theyhave special structures that allowthem to absorb water quickly whenavailable. Other epiphytes include(4) Liverworts, (5) Bromeliads, (6)Mosses and (7) Ferns. In addition,(8) Mountain cabbage or palm andseveral species of shrubs including(9) Wild plantain, (10) Tree ferns andMountain manna are very common.At present the low cover and heightof the trees a result of severe
disturbances by hurricanes. Justbelow the top, but still high on themountain, are Mountain palms anddifferent species of Tree ferns. (11)Elephant ears and Wild plantaintrees are abundant. Lower down onthe slopes, the fairly tall vegetationusually shows no distinctionbetween the tree and shrub layers.The average cover and number ofspecies are considerably less thanthat of the vegetation higher on Mt.Scenery. Redwood and (12)Mountain fuchsia are wild treespecies that grow in this zone.Cactus species including the (13)prickly pear cactus and (14) Seagrape trees with edible purple fruitscan also be found.
Hibiscus found in gardens, towild flowers and orchids in therainforest. The (19) Wild begoniaand (20) Wild raspberry are alsocommon along the rain foresttrails.
Reptiles and AmphibiansThe island’s small lizards seenalong footpaths from sea levelup to the top of Mt. Scenery area species of (21) Anoles lizardfound only on Saba. The colourdifferences between males andfemales are unique. The malehas black leopard spots anddisplays an orange-yellow dewlap
during courtship, while the femalesare smaller and usually a drab olivecolour. The non-poisonous andharmless (22) Racer snake is acommon encounter along the trailsand roadsides. Although it tipicallydisappears quickly into a nearbybush, it will sometimes remainundistributed waiting to stalk preyand you can approach it quiteclosely. The species is only found onSaba and St. Eustatius.
Large Iguana lizards are alsosometimes seen along the roadsand most often on a hike to OldBooby Hill. (23) The Coquee is atiny tree frog that is more oftenheard than seen.
After sunset, the sounds of the treefrogs blend harmoniously with thedistinctive noises of crickets.
Grassy meadows with scatteredshrubs are mainly found on thelowest southern and easternslopes of Saba. This small patchof meadows to the northeast ofthe old sulphur mine differs fromthe other meadows of thisspecies-composition. The grassBotriochloa pertusa is the mostabundant. Shrubs such asMarron and Baye withe arefound scattered in this zone.Steep cliffs surround the islandof Saba and are mostly barenslope: partly rubble and partlyrocky. The steep terrain, sheerbluffs dropping almost straightdown to the ocean’s edgeprevents the formation of
mangrove swamps or theestablishment of much shorezone vegetation.
Sabas’s plant life is a mixture ofspecies brought in by the earlycolonists and native species.
Introduced species includeMango, Avocado, (15) Sourlemon and other fruit trees thatnow grow wild. Saba’s nationalf lower, (16) the Black-EyedSusan, is a native of South Africaprobably brought in by Dutchcolonists and is commonly foundalong the trails. The wide varietyof flowering plants range fromprolific (17) Oleander and (18)
BirdsSaba is home to about sixtyspecies of birdies, many of whichare sea birds. Bridled terns, Sootyterns, and Brown noddies breedevery year in late spring on GreenIsland, a small Cay just off thenorth coast. Red-billed andWhite-tailed tropic birds nest inthe holes and crevices of the highcliffs while Frigate birds andBrown boobies soar near thecoast.Saba’s diverse vegetative zonesprovide habitat for a wide varietyof land birds.
Five species of doves andpigeonslive on the island andseveral others have been knownto visit. The small Commonground dove can be found at thedry lower elevations whereas thesecretative Bridled quail dovefrequents the higher wet forest.Red-tailed hawks can be seen onthe lowerslopes while Thrashers,Hummingbirds, and Bananaquits can be found at higherelevations. The (24) Pearly-eyedthrasher is one of the mostcommon birds seen both in thevillages and in the forests.
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D. Mt. Scenery StairwayHiking time: 1 1/2 hours one-wayDifficulty:DifficultThe stairway to the top of Mt.Scenery begins just west of the trailShop in Windwarside. Appropriatefootwear is necessary as the steps areoften slippery.Highlights: Secondary rain forest,fascinating changes in vegetationalong the way, abundant bird life andspectacular views of neighbouringislands.
E. Sandy Cruz TrailHiking time: 2 hours one-wayDifficulty:ModerateThe trail extends from Upper HellsGate to Troy Hill.Highlights: Secondary rain forest,abundant bird life and spectacularviews.
F. Sulphur Mine TrackHiking time: 40 minutes one-wayDifficulty;ModerateFrom the Winwardside, as you pass
the church at Hell’s Gate, make asharp left at the second road toyour left (which leads to The GateHouse Hotel). The trail begins atthe end of the road. An unpavedpath goes past a wooden house toyour left and connects with theoriginal path, which leads acrossthe hillside forwards another housebefore turning steeply downhill. Atthe trail junction, follow the signand continue down to your right.Once you reach grassy areaoverlooking the sea, a shortscramble down the sulphurdeposit will lead you to the mineentrance. Exploring the mine ispossible, but flashlights areessential. Temperatures andhumidity inside the mine are high.Enter at your own risk.Highlights: Views of Green Island,the Pirate Cliffs above the airport,and the steeply eroded NorthCoast. Se bird watching isexceptionnally rewarding in thisarea.
A. The LadderHiking time: 40 minutes one-wayDifficulty:ModerateThe stairway begins near TheBottom, a short distance past thehospital. From the lookout at TheGap, continue downa teep roadthrough a residentialarea. TheLadder begins where the steps veeroff to the left. The Ladder was useduntil the 1970s to bring up cargofrom Ladder Bay to The Bottom.Highlights:Views of coastal bluffs, oldCustom’s House, and ocean vistas.
B. Crispeen TrackHiking time: 30 minutes toCrispeen, one hour to Rendezvousfrom The Bottom.Difficulty:ModerateThe Crispeen Track begins a shortdistance past the dormitory in TheBottom and is well marked. Followthe signs to either Bud’s MountainTrail or the Bottom Hill Trail. The trailto rendezvous begins above the lasthouse on the left. The trail continuesinto pasture land and on to thejunction with the Mt. Scenery Trail.Access to Crispeen Track from Mt.Scenery/Windwardside is viaRendezvous trail.Highlights: Views of The Bottomand secondary rain forest.
C. Maskehorne Hill TrailHiking time: 10 minutes one-wayDifficulty:ModerateLook for the trailhead signboard onyour left as you head up to Mt.Scenery from Windwardside. Theroute passes through landscapewith lush vegetation thick withElephant ears and climbs past tallboulders.Highlights: Views of Windwarside.
G. Flat PointHiking time: 15 minutes one-wayDifficulty:ModerateA road just before the airportbuilding goes down to Cove Bayand Flat Point. At the bottom ofthe road, walk out to the bluffoverlooking the ocean. There is notrail as such.Highlights: Tide-pools and views ofthe remains of the sugarcaneboiling house.
H. Spring Bay TrailHiking time: 2-3 hours one-wayDifficulty:Moderate-StrenuousFrom English Quarter, walk downthe road to the right of theAgricultural Station. At the end ofthis oad, the trail stars on your left.Continue down the path to OldBooby Hill and further down toSpring Bay. Take enough water anduse sun block.Highlights: Spectacular views ofthe ocean, the airport, and theisland.
I. North Coast TrailHiking time: 4 hours one-wayDifficulty: Extreme - must beaccompanied by a guideAccess the North Coast Trail fromthe main trailhead in Lower Hell’sGate. This trail continues beyondthe boundaries of the SabaNational Park to mary’s Point andWells Bay. Only guided hikes areallowed beyond the All Too Farjunction.Highlights: Spectacular views ofthe ocean, ruins of Mary’s Point.
J. All Too Far TrailHiking time: 1 1/2 hoursDifficulty:ModerateFrom the Windwardside: beginat Mt Scenery trail, followCrispeen Track to Rendezvous.At junction take right turn andfollow path to Troy Hill. May alsobegin trail at Queens GardenHotel.Highlights: Secondary rainforestand views of The Bottom.
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L. Bud’s Mountain TrailHiking time: 1/2 hoursDifficulty:ModerateFrom Windwardside: begin MtScenery trail and follow the trail toCrispeen Track.Take right at Rendezvous junctionand then next right a little further on.Highlights: Views ofWindwardside, St. Johns andsecondary rainforest.
For your safety :Hiking and other strenuousactivities in extreme heat can behazardous. Pace yourself and restoften!
Carry plenty of drinking water withyou. The heat of the tropical sunforce you to increase considerablyyour normal fluid intake!Protect yourself against sunburn orsunstroke by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and high-strengthsun-block lotion!
Sturdy walking, running or tennisshoes are sufficient for the trails.However, hiking boots will providean additional level of comfort andsecurity on the more strenuoustrails!
As you gain elevation and enter therainforest, the temperature maydrop markedly. You may want tobring alonga light jacket or anorak!
Trails can frequently be slippery,especially in the rainforest. A hikingstick can provide an extra level ofconfidence and can be rented orpurchased at the Trail Shop!
A. The LadderDurée : 40 minutes (aller)Difficulté : ModéréeeL'escalier commence dans leBottom, un peu après l'hôpital.Depuis la table d’orientation à TheGap longer la route au travers duquartier résidentiel. The Laddercommence quand les marchesvirent à gauche. The Ladder a étéutilisée jusqu’en 1970 pourremonter les marchandises decargo de Ladder Bay au Bottom.
B. Crispeen TrackDurée : 30 minutes jusqu’à
Crispeen, 1 heure jusqu’àRendezvous depuis The Bottom.Difficulté : ModéréeLe sentier de Crispeen commencepeu après le dortoir au Bottom etest très bien indiqué. Suivez lespanneaux d’indications pour lesentier Bud’s Mountain ou pour lesentier “Bottom Hill”. Le sentierpour Rendezvous commence audessus de la dernière maison sur lagauche. Le chemin continue ensuiteau travers de pâturages et croise lajonction pour le Mt Scenery.A découvrir : Vues sur le Bottom etforêt tropicale.
C. Maskehorne Hill TrailDurée : 10 minutes (aller)Difficulté : ModéréeCherchez le panneau trailhead survotre gauche au pied du MtScenery à Windwardside. Vousdécouvrirez une végétationluxuriante.A découvrir : les Vues de Windwarside.
D. Mt. SceneryDurée : 1 1/2 heure (aller)Difficulté :DifficileL'escalier allant au sommet du Mt.Scenery commence juste à l'ouestdu Magasin Trail shop àWindwarside. Des chaussuresappropriées sont nécessaires car lesmarches peuvent être glissantes.A découvrir : forêt tropicalehumide, changements fascinants devégétation le long de la voie, vied'oiseaux abondante et vuesspectaculaires sur les îles voisines.
E. Sandy CruzDurée : 2 heures 1/2 (aller)Difficulté : ModéréeeLe sentier part de Upper Hells Gateet se termine à Troy Hill.A découvrir : forêt tropicale, vied’oiseaux abondante et vuesspectaculaires.
F. Mine de souffreDurée : 40 minutes (aller)Difficulté : ModéréeeDu Winwardside, quand vouspassez l'église de Hells Gate,prenez la 2ème route à gauche (quimène à l'Hôtel Gate House). Lesentier commence à la fin de laroute. Un chemin non pavé passedevant une maison en bois sur
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votre gauche et se connecteavec un autre chemin quitraverse la colline. A la jonctiondu sentier, suivez le panneau etcontinuez en bas sur votredroite. Une fois que vousatteignez une zone herbeusedonnant sur la mer, prenez ladescente qui vous mène lamine de souffre. La mine peutêtre explorée, mais les lampestorches sont de rigueur.Attention, la température àl’intérieur sont très haute.Entrezà votre risque propre.A découvrir : vues de GreenIsland, des Pirate Cliffs au dessusde l’aéroport et de la côte nord.
G. Flat PointDurée : 15 minutes (aller)Difficulté : ModéréeeUne route juste avant l'aéroportdescendez à Cove Bay et FlatPoint. Au bout de la route, allezvers la falaise surplombant lamer. Il n’y a pas de réel sentier.A découvrir : piscine naturelleet les restes d’une plantationde canne à sucre.
H. Spring Bay TrailDurée : 2 heures 1/2 (aller)Difficulté : ModéréeDepuis le English Quarter,descendez la route à droite dela Station Agricole. À la fin decet route, le sentier sera survotre gauche. Continuezjusqu'en bas du chemin jusqu'àBooby Hill et plus loin jusqu'àSpring Bay. Prenez assez d'eauet utilisez une lotion solaire.A découvrir : les vuesspectaculaires de l'océan,l'aéroport et l'île.
I. North Coast TrailDurée : 4 heures (aller)Difficulté : Extreme. Guideindispensable.Accéder le sentier de la côtenord depuis le sentier principalde Hell's Gate. Ce sentiercontinues au-delà des frontièresdu Parc national Saba de Mary'spoint et Wells Bay. A découvrir : les vues spectaculairesde l'océan, les ruines du Mary's Point.
J. All Too Far TrailDurée : 1heure 30 min.Difficulté : ModéréeDe Windwardside, commencezau sentier du Mt Scenery,suivez la Piste de Crispeen àRendezvous. À la jonctionprenez à droite et suivez lechemin pour Troy Hill. Vouspouvez également commencerà l'hôtel Queens Garden.A découvrir : forêt tropicalehumide et vues du Bottom.
L. Bud’s MountainDurée : 30 min.Difficulté : ModéréeDe Windwarside, commencezau sentier du Mt Scenery,.Prenez à droite à la jonction deRendezvous et ensuite encore àdroite un peu plus loin.A découvrir : les vues deWindwardside, St. Johns et forêttropicale.
Pour votre sécurité :Les randonnées et autresactivités difficiles à destempératures élevées peuventêtre hasardeuses.Reposez-vous souvent etemmenez beaucoup d’eauavec vous.
Waterlily/Nenuphare
Alamanda/Alamanda
Anthurium/Anthurium Red hibiscus/Hibiscus rouge Coral vine/Liane corail
Cannaceae/Canna
Bougainvillea/Bougainvillier
African tulip tree/Tulipier Water Yacinth/Jacynthe d’eau Croton/Croton
Wild plaintain/Balisier des Caraïbes
Pink hibiscus/Hibiscus roseHoney plant/Herbe à miel
Lobster claw/Heliconia Black Eyed Susan/”Susane aux yeux noirs”
Datura/Datura
Orchid/Orchidée Frangipani/Frangipanier
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Grenade/Grenade
Passion fruit/Fruit de la passion Coconut tree/Cocotier
Indian fig OpuntiaFigue de Barbarie Papaya/Papaye
Corossol/Corossol
Tamarin tree/Tamarin
Banana/Banane Cape gooseberry/Cage d’amour
Local Aprikot/Abricot paysCustard apple/Pomme cannelle
Pineapple/Ananas bouteille Carambola/Carambole
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Rock beauty/Suédois
Pudding wife/Paroquette
Smooth trunkfishCoffre rond
Graysby/Grive
Rockhind/Grand Gueule noir
Yellowfin grouperCapitaine à ailes
jaunes
Redband parrotfishCacabelli blanc
Blackbar soldierfishRouge Mombin
Nurse Shark/Requin nourrice
Chain moray/Murene à gueule pavée
Squirrelfish/Rouge brule
French AngelfishPortugais noir
Longjaw squirrelfishRouge blanc
Spotted trunkfishCoffre Zinga
Whitespotted filefishBourse jaune
Male interminal phaseMâle en phase terminale
Spotted GoatfishBarbarin Rouge
Bermuda ChubSarde à petite gueule
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The most unique structure not to bemissed is the Eye-of-the-Needle, apinaccle that rises up to 17m (90ft)just off in the deep blue waters fromThird encounter.
From Torrens Point to Diamond RockThe large spires at Wells Bay andTorrens Point form a protected covean ideal location for snorkelling orshallow diving. Underwater cavesand tunnel are interesting structuresto explore and the diver canencounter many aquatic life forms.Schools of Blue tangs, Goatfish, andParrot fish are characteristic in thisarea.
Man’O War Shoals and DiamondRock appear to be submerged andsemi-submerged extensions ofTorrens Point headland. They do notexceed depths of 25 (80ft), allowingfor more bottom time to explore therich waters and enjoy themagnificent fish life that abounds.Schools of Black-durgons andBarracudas swarm around themooring lines while Black-tip sharksmerge into the blue. Sting rays hoverover the grey sandy bottom. Wallsand rocks are covered with colourfulsponges, smaller corals and Sea fans.
Caution is advised while divingaround Diamond Rock because ofstrong currents. While this site maypresent challenging diving conditions,it also attracts abundant fish life.
The Ladder Bay areaThe original steps that Sabans usedto access the island is known as TheLadder. Prior o the building of theFort Bay Harbour, goods werebrought by boat to the rocky shoreof the leeward coast. Sabans carriedthe cargo by foot up the nearlyvertical stairway to the village. Divingin this area unveils Saba’s volcanicorigins. A natural labyrinth of grooveformations and protrusionsdeveloped as a result of lava flow. Ifyou bury your hand in the sandwhere it is yellow/brown colour, thetemperature differences of the seafloor become quite evident.Large boulders and grey sanddominate the area and the mostcommon species of coral are Starcoral, Brain coral and Gorgonian.Curious Barracudas may approachdivers very closely.
Tent Reef AreaJust west of the ort Bay harbour isanother unusual geological structureknown as Tent Reef. It is an extendedrock ledge that starts at only 4 m(13ft) deep but becomesprogressively deeper as you headnorthwest.The edge is deeply undercut at somepoints, providing shelter to largesnappers. It turns into a sheer wallthat gradually becomes garmented
and appears as a series of steep coraloutcroppings separated by deepsand channels. Tubular sponges,Elephant ear sponge and Black coraldominate the steep wall.Tent Reef is also a favourite site fornight dives with frequent octopus,sleeping turtles Spiny sightings.
East side divingDiving on this ide of the islanddepends on suitable weather.However, visibility tends to beexceptional when the weather iscalm. Most of Saba’s diving offersviews of coral encrusted boulders ofvolcanic origin, but only Greer Gutand Giles Quarter are true coralreefs (i.e. made out of limestone).Diverse species of reef fish andother marine life along with thewhite sand covering the sea floorprovide a very different divingexperience compared to Saba’sother sites. Exposure to the Atlanticside yields the development of hardcoral structures more often than softcoral.Close to shore, well-developedElkhorn coral formations occuralthough the risk exists of periodicdestruction by wave action andstorms. The coral branches arefragile, but they ten to recoverquickly due to high growth rates.
In 1990, the Saba National MarinePark became the only marine park inthe world to manage its ownhyperbaric facility. It was donated tothe island by the Royal Dutch Navyand is the official hyperbaric facility inthe region to treat diving relatedinjuries. The four person chamberfeatures a double lock system andfull monitoring and is located at FortBay.A hyperbaric team consists of asupervisor, driver, administrator andseries of tenders, under the directionof a hyperbaric physician. SabaHyperbaric teams are on a 24 hourcall schedule to handle divingemergencies.Any revenue generated from thetreatment is put into a separate funddedicated to the improvement andmaintenance of the facility.
The island’s commercial divingbusiness, which started in the early1980’s introduced scuba enthusiaststo the wealth of Saba’s underwaterworld. The establishment of the SabaNational Marine Park several yearslater assured the health of theundersea environment and thus thesustainability of dive tourismeconomy.
Saba plunges below the sea assteeply as it rises above it. Fromshallow patch reefs to deepunderwater seamounts, Saba offersdive sites suitable for every diver’slevel of experience.
Past volcanic activity has createdspectacular formations andstructures. Underwater lava flowsand hot springs are the most obviousevidence of Sabas volcanic origins.
Diving
The reefs are populated with schoolsof tropical fish and healthy coral.Sheer close-to-shore walls arecovered with sponges of all sizes,and the heavily encrusted deep-water seamounts attract pelagiccreatures that are not normally seenby divers. Unusual and excitingsightings are always possible inSaba’s waters including frequentshark encounters.
Saba offers year-round diving withseasonal differences in watertemperature and surface conditions.The approximate water temperaturevaries between 26°C and 28°C (77°F-84°F). Visibility ranges from aminimum of 20m (60ft) but can bevirtually unlimited. Poor weatherconditions and heavily rainfall mayinfluence visibility, but it typicallyimproves again very quickly in Saba.Due to the steep coastal zone, shorediving is virtually impossible.Therefore, all diving is done safelyfrom a boat with one of Saba’slicensed dive centres.Their expertise contributes to a safeconvenient, and informative divingexperience. Fortunately, Saba’sdramatic coastline naturally limitscoastal development. Pressure onmarine resources has always beenmodest even as the islandpopulation has increased withoutrunoff or sewer problems. Thequality of the marine environment,strong coral communities, and richand varied fish life continue to lurediver to Saba’s unspoiled waters.
Tiger grouperThe grouper is an excellent indicatorspecies for fishing impact; the larger
they are, the less pressure fromfishing exists. In Saba, groupers areoften found in the deep waters andtiger grouper are the most commonspecies sighted.
Grey reef sharkSharks have been feared andexploited for centuries, but as leaderof the food chain it is important thatwe understand their role in marineecosystems. Shark encounters occurfrequently in Saba, especially aroundThe Pinnacles.Nurse sharks and Black Tip sharks arethe most common species, but GreyReef sharks, Bull shark andHammerhead sharks can also beseen.
Hawksbill turtleSea populations are decliningthroughout the Caribbean. Domesticand international laws have beenestablished to protect theseendangered species. In Saba,Hawksbill and Green turtles are themost common. The turtles find goodfeeding grounds around the island.Ths SMP minimizes impact on seagrass beds, the Green turtles’favourite food, by requesting yachtsto utilize moorings or anchor indeeper waters only.
Long snout seahorseSeahorse sightings are considered tobe an incredible find among divers.The presence of this unique seacreature is not only a great touristattraction, but it also signals thehealth of the ecosystem, coral reef,and supporting seabed. The twospecies found in Saba are the Longsnout seahorse and Lined seahorse.
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A ne pas manquer, le pinacle"Eye-of-the-Needle" qui montejusqu'à 17m (90ft).
De Torrens Point à DiamondRockWells Bay et Torrens Pointforment une crique protégée, unemplacement idéal pour laplongée avec masque et tuba oula plongée peu profonde. Descavernes sous-marines et letunnel sont des structuresintéressantes.Man’O War Shoals et DiamondRock n'excèdent pas 25 m (80ft)de profondeur. Les murs et desroches sont couverts d'épongescolorées et de coraux.
La plongée dans ce secteur dévoileles origines volcaniques de Saba.Attention aux courants assez fort.
Ladder BayCette zone révèle les originesvolcaniques de Saba. Unlabyrinthe naturel formé par lescoulées de lave. Si vous passervotre main sous le sable, vousressentirez une différence trèsnette de température. Grandsrochers et sable gris dominent cesecteur et l'espèce la pluscommune de corail est le Starcoral, le Brain coral et leGorgonian. Les barracudas y sonttrès présents et s'approchentsouvent des plongeurs.
Tent ReefA l'Ouest de Fort Bay se trouveune structure géologique connuesous le nom de Tent Reef, quicommence à 4m de profondeur,mais qui devient de plus en plusprofonde et découvrant descavités où se logent diverspoissons. Au cours de cetteplongée, vous découvrirez touteune gamme de coraux, deséponges tubulaires, des éponges"Oreille d'Éléphant".
Tent Reef est le site privilégiépour les plongées de nuitpendant lesquelles on remarquesouvent la présence de poulpeset de tortues.
La plongée côté Est La plongée de ce côté de l'îledépend du temps. La visibilité estexceptionnelle par temps calme. Lafaune y est très diversifiée et rendce site très différent. Près du rivage,le corail Elkorn est très développé,mais est dépendant de l'action desvagues et d’éventuelles tempêtes.
En 1990, le Saba National MarinePark est devenu le seul parc marindans le monde doté d'unéquipement hyperbare suite à unedonation du Royal Navyland (NL)afin de traiter les blessures dues àune plongée. L'équipe hyperbareest active 24 heures sur 24 en casd'urgence.
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