Saba Divers and Scout's Place - About Saba - Diving

Diving
Dive into the Saba Marine Park. A fascinating underwater world provides fantastic diving expeditions. You will experience the unforgettable crystal clear, warm and almost current-free water. The Park has been protected since 1987 and offers 30 untouched, buoy-designated diving spots, 15 to 120 feet deep. All the moored dive sites are reached by boat, 5 to 20 minutes from the harbor at Fort Bay.

Our boats "Blue Star" and "Big Blue" will take you there. So you know what to expect when you arrive at the Saba dive sites, here is a short description of each site within the park. If you want further information, please have a look in the Saba Marine Park Guide. We have some copies for you in our office. Feel free to ask for one.

Roll over the numbers to identify the dive sites and depths, click to find out more!

No1: Third Encounter	Third Encounter and "Eye of the needle" is one of three dive sites on the underwater plateau in front of the island, about half a mile west of Ladder Bay. Usually dived from the plateau towards the pinnacle (a must on Saba) which rises from about 200 feet / 60 m to within 90 feet / 27 m of the surface. You will be overwhelmed by this untouched rock, which is full of giant sponges and all kinds of colorful corals. While diving towards the "needle" it appears slowly out of the "big blue" (that's where our dive boat has got its name from). An amazing event and doubtless one of the breathtaking dive sites around the island. On our way back we can either go to the right or left to end our dive on one of the ridges which are close to the mooring line. Most dives you can expect to see nurse sharks sleeping under the rocks and black tip sharks patrolling the area. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:95 feet/28 m Boat Ride:Approx.:20 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No2:Twilight Zone	Twighlight Zone, as well, is one of the great dives sites on Saba. Going down the mooring line you reach the pinnacle at about 95ft / 28 m. From there we swim around the pinnacle, passing big groupers and jacks. Upon reaching the other side we will find a wall dropping off to the bottom of the ocean. The possibility to see nurse and black tip sharks here is quite high. Also the macro life on the wall and the plateau is amazing. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:95 feet/28 m Boat Ride:Approx.:20 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No3:Outer Limits	Starting from the mooring line you have several options. A dramatic drop off on one side of the pinnacle and a wall to the left. Continuing our dive we can follow the plateau and see many of Saba's fantastic aquatic marine life. In cracks and little holes we can find black or gold spotted moray eels, shrimps and many other little inhabitants of the reef. Passing sharks are common at this fine dive site. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:95 feet/28 m Boat Ride:Approx.:20 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No4:Mt. Michel	"Mount Michel" rises out of the blue sea like a part of the volcano crater. This recently opened dive site adds another beautiful "pinnacle" to the four already well known. A dramatic drop off offers you all you want to here. Often we see sharks and large groups of fish, moray eels, invertibrea and dramatic scenery. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:100 feet/30 m Boat Ride:Approx.:20 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:115 feet/35 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No5:Shark Shoals	This is actually one of our favorite dive sites! Going down the mooring line there is a good chance to see sharks patrolling or even hunting. The top of the pinnacle is covered with a few huge giant sponges. Under one of them is a hole where you often find some big crabs or lobsters. The current side of the pinnacle provides us with large schools of fish and sometimes we see turtles and huge groupers at their cleaning station. The Drop off on almost each side offers you a view down to the bottom of the ocean at about 300 ft / 90 m. Beautiful overhangs and inlets where you can look for many of Saba's aquatic marine life. I have seen lots of Fire worms and big Barracudas around this area. Behind the main pinnacle there is a second, with a valley in between. As we follow the dive towards the second pinnacle, who's peek is at 120 feet/37 m, we have the full panorama of the main pinnacle and it is always a good idea to look towards the surface because maybe you will see sharks cruising above you. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:90 feet/27 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:120 feet/37 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No6:Diamond Bank	temporarily no mooring available Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:110 feet/29 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No7:Diamond Rock	This is the "Rock" you want to dive! Coming out of the sea it is a beautiful scenic spot and a great place to take pictures. Covered with guano it looks like a diamond in the bright sunlight. Around the rock is sandy bottom. From the mooring line you dive toward the rock and it appears out of the blue in its full majesty. On the sandy ground you can find stingrays and the rock offers hundreds of interesting views and spots to look at. Whether it's the rocky ground around it or the walls. The rock is full of surprises and many divers want to dive this incredible spot more than once. On the backside there is a huge boulder behind the main rock which rises from the bottom, at 80 feet/24 m to within 30 feet/10 m, to the surface. This boulder creates a nice valley where you can dive through. Most dives you will see nurse sharks, big barracudas, turtles, and large schools of fish, like the yellow fin tuna and Horse eye Jacks. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:80 feet/24 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:80 feet/24 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No8:Man-of-War Shoals	Close to Diamond Rock this dive site is easy to dive and it looks like a precious clean garden. Another jewel of Saba's Marine Park. Easy diving with lots of fun. You can dive around the two big rocks that sit on the sandy ground. In between is a little canyon with some great looking crevices where reef fish and nurse sharks can hide. Around the rocks we often see nurse sharks, barracudas, many types of reef fish and stingrays. The coral life is amazing and we are sure that you will want to dive there again. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels (depending on conditions) Mooring Depth:15 feet/5 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:72 feet/22 m Snorkeling:Yes (depending upon conditions) Click here to return to map!
No9:Otto Limits	temporarily no mooring available Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:7 feet/3 m Boat Ride:Approx.:12 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:50 feet/15 m Snorkeling:Yes Click here to return to map!
No10:Torrens Point	From the boat you can see the sandy patches and rocks at this easy and beautiful site. This is a good snorkel and dive area. Many turtles are around Torrens Point and while you dive slowly around the area you may see seahorses and many juvenile fishes beneath the rocks. From 15 ft / 5 m to about 50 ft / 15 m it offers many various tours throughout a labyrinth of big boulders and small caves. For our snorklers and divers it's always great fun. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:25 feet/8 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:55 feet/16 m Snorkeling:Yes (snorkel trail) Click here to return to map!
No11:Well's Bay Point	temporarily no mooring available Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:15 feet/5 m Boat Ride:Approx.:10 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:40 feet/13 m Snorkeling:Yes Click here to return to map!
No12:Ladder Bay Deep	Description to come... Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:65 feet/20 m Boat Ride:Approx.:8 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:90 feet/27 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No13:Lou's Ladder	Description to come... Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:50 feet/15 m Boat Ride:Approx.:8 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:75 feet/23 m Snorkeling:Yes Click here to return to map!
No14:Babylon	Right under the mooring at about 50 ft / 15 m there is a large overhang with small caves underneath. You may encounter lobster and large fish cruising around and many dive tours can be done at Babylon. Diving towards the open sea the tour will bring you down to approx. 80 ft / 25 m. The lava is overgrown with all kind of corals. Schools of blue tang come to eat at the reef and many other reef inhabitants can be seen in holes and on top of the reef. Towards the island the reef becomes even rockier and with luck you will see turtles and nurse sharks as well as black durgons and arrow crabs. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:45 feet/14 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:105 feet/32 m Snorkeling:Yes (towards shore) Click here to return to map!
No 15:Ladder Labyrinth	A large sandy area around the mooring offers a spectacular start to your dive. As of now we know of four seahorses living in this area. On the sand you will see some yellow patches. Sticking your hand into these will gives you a warm sensation due to the volcanic history of the island. Lava fingers heading down to the open water are interrupted by sand channels. All over, there are many things to see, and like in a labyrinth there are lava fingers and sand patches mixed with gorgeous underwater life. We have seen many huge crabs, small Peterson shrimps, lobsters and a lot more. Shallower areas closer to the island make a good spot to end your dive. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:80 feet/25 m Snorkeling:Yes Click here to return to map!
No16:Hot Springs	A huge green moray eel lives here and a yellow spotted seahorse. Some sand patches will offer you the chance to feel the warm sand underneath and a slow trip through this area will surprise you with tremendous macro life. Small shrimps, cleaning stations and many coral encrusted boulders can be discovered. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:80 feet/25 m Snorkeling:Yes Click here to return to map!
No17:Tedran Reef/Wall	At the edge of the reef are many encrusted boulders and old anchors overgrown with marinelife. A great wall dive is waiting for you! The wall drops deeper than 130 ft / 40 m. Lots of varied marine life inhabit this site and if you bring a light you can see the bright colors of the different types of corals. You will be surprised what this dive site has to offer. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:70 feet/22 m Boat Ride:Approx.:10 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No18:Tent Reef Wall	The whole tent reef area provides us with a great variety of fish and reef creatures even though its close to the harbor. We can start the dive to our right or left side. Descending along the wall we have a beautiful view down to the bottom and we saw a group of Dolphins passing by one time. On the top of the reef we can spend our safety stop by watching all kind of reef fish and maybe a turtle feeding or playing around. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:15 feet/5 m Boat Ride:Approx.:8 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:Yes (depending upon conditions) Click here to return to map!
No19:Tent Reef	Most of our divers liked to dive more than once Tent Reef. It offers many different dives and sometimes we do our night dive at this pretty place. A little wall with lots of big coral encrusted boulders in front, nice overhangs and canyons to swim through. The top of the reef is nice and pretty as well so this dive provides you with all kind of possibilities. Groups of fish, a patrolling black tip, turtles, fighting nurse sharks, squid, octopus and a large sandy area covered with garden eels. Tent Reef is always a good place for pleasant surprises. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels (depending upon conditions) Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:8 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:Yes (depending upon conditions) Click here to return to map!
No20:Tent Reef Deep	Tent Reef Deep gives us a good possibility to approach Tent Reef from a different side. The dive starts deeper and leads us to a rocky area down on the mooring line. Nice corals and huge sponges as well as large groups of Sergeant Mayor can be seen around this dive site. Looking into all the crevices may surprise you, with Lobsters, Arrow Crabs and Cleaning Shrimps, or maybe a hidden Nurse Shark. Recommended Certification Level:Advanced Mooring Depth:80 feet/22 m Boat Ride:Approx.:5 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No21:Greer Gut	First time we dived Greer Gut we were surprised at just what this dive site has to offer. Beautiful coral encrusted rocks laying in the sandy ground around the mooring line. Huge lobsters live there, hidden stingrays covered with sand and all kinds of reef fish hanging around. This is another good dive site to discover through your camera lens. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels (depending upon conditions) Mooring Depth:60 feet/18 m Boat Ride:Approx.:5 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:75 feet/23 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No22:Giles Quarter Deep Reef	temporarily no mooring available Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:80 feet/24 m Boat Ride:Approx.:5 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:80 feet/33 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No23: Big Rock Market	Soft corals are all over this site. For beginners it is hard to remember where the boat is because there are only a few small landmarks, and you have to know them. But nevertheless, Big Rock Market is a beautiful dive site. Towards land we find big boulders sitting in the sand. Nurse Sharks underneath the rocks and Turtles cruising by, are common here. Going a bit deeper you have the chance to see lots of really BIG lobsters, sometimes up to 5 or 6 crowded under one small overhang. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:70 feet/21 m Snorkeling:Yes (depending upon conditions) Click here to return to map!
No24:Giles Quarter Shallow	temporarily no mooring available Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:27 feet/8 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:30 feet/9 m Snorkeling:Yes (in calm weather) Click here to return to map!
No25: Hole In The Corner	The rocky area around the mooring line is fun to explore. Like a labyrinth of rocks it offers you many different tours and you will see most of Saba's incredible underwater creatures. Nurse sharks, Blue Tang and Turtles are a common sight. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:90 feet/27 m Snorkeling:Yes (in calm weather) Click here to return to map!
No26: David's Drop-Off	Close to Hole in the Corner, David's Drop Off continues to the left side. David Kooistra, the current Director of the Saba Marine Park discovered this dive site last year. Lots of big boulders eventually guide us to the deeper areas of this site. Many reef fish and macro life are present, as well as passing sharks. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:45 feet/14 m Boat Ride:Approx.:15 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:90 feet/27 m Snorkeling:No Click here to return to map!
No27: Core Gut	Dramatic high walls around Core Gut Bay gives you the impression how small we are. Completely different from all other dive sites on Saba it offers a variety of options. Shallow dives around the big rocks close to the mooring line or deeper, following the channels in-between the rocks. At 30 m we saw a huge green moray eel and further to the left there is a beautiful wall filled with fire worms and nudi branches. A good spot for macro photographers. This is the spot where we have seen five manta rays at one time! Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:Yes Click here to return to map!
No28: Cove Bay	This dive site is close to the airport. It is normally too rough to go to, but it is worth it when you dive the great wall here. Varied types of corals on the wall and a different view of the island as well. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:25 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:Yes (in calm weather) Click here to return to map!
No29: Green Island	From the "sulpher mine trail" you can see the beautiful reef from the top. The airplanes use Green Island (which isn't green at all) as a land mark to land at the airport. Underwater are many Elkhorn and soft corals surrounded by big boulders. The island itself provides a nice trip around the reef. Little caves, big holes and cracks in the wall make this dive very interesting, at Saba's furthest dive site. Recommended Certification Level:All Levels (depending upon conditions) Mooring Depth:40 feet/12 m Boat Ride:Approx.:40 minutes Recommended Maximum Depth:110 feet/33 m Snorkeling:Yes (in calm weather) Click here to return to map!

If you have any diving experiences at any of Saba's Dive Sites, get in touch! We'll enter your info and name in our map so we can give a real "visitors eye view" of Saba's Diving!