How To Get to Saba [2024 Caribbean Travel Expert Guide]
The tiny island of Saba has no natural beaches and no oversized all-inclusive resorts, truly bucking the stereotype of what many travelers consider to be the idealized Caribbean vacation. However, after visiting every major Caribbean vacation destination, I count Saba among the most unique and appealing islands to visit.
Wondering how to get to Saba – the adventure-packed destination fit for divers, hikers, and those looking to sink into the ultimate off-the-grid getaway? Read along for our up-to-date guide on how to visit Saba, with the tips you’ll need whether you’re planning on visiting the island for a day trip or spending a week in this untouched paradise.
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Despite its proximity to other Caribbean islands like St. Maarten, Anguilla, and St. Eustatius (also known as Statia), Saba feels a world away. In many ways, it is. With just over 2,000 permanent residents on the island, there are only a few ways to reach this tiny but precious destination, known as the “Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean.
How to Get to Saba
- Fly from St. Maarten to Saba
- Take a Ferry from Neighboring Islands to Saba
The majority of locals and the vast majority of visitors arrive in Saba via the multiple daily Winair flights that connect Saba with nearby St. Maarten. Not only is this the fastest way to arrive in Saba, but it happens to be a fascinating way to experience the island – one of the best things to do in Saba, we’d argue!
You may want to be open to considering other ways to visit Saba if you’re island hopping in the region, but for most travelers flying from St. Maarten is how to get to Saba with convenience in mind.
Read More: 15 Best Things To Do in Saba
Flying to Saba
Flying to Saba from St. Maarten is by far the easiest and most convenient way to get to Saba. Winair is the only airline serving the island and is a small, St. Maarten-based outfit that connects a few of the smaller islands in the region, including St. Barts, Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Statia, as well as the southern Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
Winair flights to and from Saba connect the island with St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of the island. This is the only flight path serving Saba! If you’re looking to travel directly between Saba and another nearby island, you’ll either have to have a ferry or connect through St. Maarten.
Where To Stay in Saba
- Arawak Hotel ($$)
- Juliana’s Hotel ($$ – $$$)
- The Cottage Club ($$ – $$$)
Booking Flights to Saba
It’s easy to book flights from Princess Juliana International Airport directly to Saba on the Winair website. Flights run three to four times a day and on a fixed schedule, with flights spread out between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, making it easy to find a flight that works.
Fares tend to range from around $50 USD during special fare deals and day trip offers to up to $150 each way, depending on the season during which you’re traveling and the time of your flight. We recommend booking well in advance to get your ideal flight time and fare.
Travel Expert Tips
I’d almost universally recommend flying to Saba from St. Maarten rather than taking a ferry to Saba. Though ferries offer more flexibility in terms of timing, the Saba to St. Maarten flight is less than fifteen minutes, and passing through the airport is a breeze. You’ll save travel time and avoid potentially rough seas.
Day Trip Flight Fares to Saba
If you’re only interested in traveling to Saba for the day, you can find more affordable day trip fares to Saba on Winair, which usually cost $79 round trip. We recommend sticking around on Saba for at least one night – though two or three are better! – to enjoy all the island has to offer. However, if you’re traveling on a budget or have a shorter itinerary, this can be a great option for your visit.
Arriving in Saba
Don’t forget that landing on the world’s shortest commercial runway is all part of the fun! For many visitors, flying in such a small aircraft will be a totally new experience, making it instantly one of the most memorable parts of visiting the island. The stunning head-on view of the island you’ll get from over the pilot’s shoulder is one you’ll never forget. It sounds scary, but these pilots receive frequent training and practice on this exact route – there’s never been an accident.
Travel Essential
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Ferries to Saba
If you’d rather skip the tiny Winair airplane onto the world’s shortest commercial runway, you have only one other option for how to get to Saba: taking the ferry. The Makana Ferry Service offers trips from Saba to the islands of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius (Statia), St. Kitts, and Anguilla.
As of publishing, this is the most up-to-date ferry schedule available between Saba and the surrounding islands, as offered by Makana. Round-trip tickets range anywhere from $49 – $106 USD as of publishing and can be purchased one-way or round-trip.
| Saba – St. Maarten (75 minutes) | DEPARTURE |
| Monday | 11:20 AM |
| Tuesday | 8:20 AM |
| Saturday | 8:40 AM |
| Sunday | 8:40 AM |
| Saba – St. Eustatius (45 minutes) | DEPARTURE |
| Monday | 11:20 AM |
| Thursday | 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 PM |
| Saba – St. Kitts (125 minutes) | DEPARTURE |
| Monday | 11:20 AM |
| Friday | 3:00 PM |
| Saba – Anguilla (175 minutes) | DEPARTURE |
| Saturday | 8:40 AM |
| Sunday | 8:40 AM |
Booking Ferries to Saba
Booking ferries to and from Saba is easy to do online, via the Makana Ferry Services website. You’ll only need your basic biographical information, such as your passport number, to reserve your spot and a credit card to pay for your fare. You can also head to the Saba Tourism Board’s office in Windwardside should you need help completing the transaction.
Travel Expert Tips
Make sure to check online before planning your trip around the ferry schedule. While ferries are reliable, weather changes or staffing can sometimes result in scheduling changes that you’ll want to be aware of before you embark.
Why To Take the Ferry To Saba
While there’s a certain appeal to being able to “island hop” in the Caribbean, we always recommend travelers choose flights over ferries when it comes to deciding how to get to Saba. It’s simply the easier and more convenient option in most cases and generally is no more expensive than taking the ferry.
However, should taking the ferry to Saba be the right option for you, especially if you want to save the hassle of having to make a stopover in St. Maarten should you be coming from another island, you’re in for a treat. Just as the arrival to Saba via plane is a memorable sight, so is the arrival via boat. There are simply no bad views of this lushly forested mountain popping out of the Caribbean!
Read More: 15 Best Things To Do in Saba