15 Best Things To Do in Saba – Dutch Caribbean [2024]

If you’re planning a getaway to Saba, pat yourself on the back: you’ve discovered one of the few under-the-radar islands still left in the Caribbean. Get ready for what will be an unforgettable trip to Saba.

Though this island of just 2000 permanent residents prides itself on its sleepy, community-centric feel, there is what feels like an unending array of adventurous things to do in Saba, including some of the best snorkeling, diving, and hiking in the Caribbean. Read on for our insider’s guide to Saba, including the best ways to spend your days enjoying the island that is known as the Caribbean’s “unspoiled queen.”

Best Things To Do in Saba

Saba is both sleepy and wildly adventurous, depending on your definitions of both fun and adventure. With less than 1600 adult residents of the island and just a handful of visitors at any given time (there are less than 150 hotel rooms on the entire island), it might seem like there isn’t much to do here from a quick glance. However, look a bit deeper, and you’ll so many fascinating things to do in Saba; these are our top recommendations ~

The island is mostly visited by the supremely adventurous, those who come here to seek out what is some of the best hiking and diving in the region. However, it’s also a haven for those looking to truly disconnect. There are no chain restaurants or hotels here, and that’s part of what makes it special – just a handful of local spots that scream laidback Caribbean life like nowhere else in the region.

My most meaningful memory of Saba is being invited into a local’s home for beers at sunset; within half an hour, I had a new Saban family and the kind of connection that every solo traveler dreams of. Read on for more tips about how to best enjoy Saba.

Hike Mount Scenery

Mount Scenery is more than just the highest point on Saba; it’s the highest point in the kingdom of the Netherlands! Covered in the jungle, this dormant volcano towers at 2977 feet and is a challenging three-and-a-half-hour trek made manageable even for the physically fit beginner with its well-marked route and mostly concrete path. The views all the way up are breathtaking.

The only way to hike Mount Scenery, in my opinion, is accompanied by James Johnson, also known as Crocodile James. This 73-year-old ninth-generation Saban is the descendant of pirates (seriously!) and built most of Saba’s 20+ trails with his bare hands. He dedicates his life to maintaining the trails and knows every tree, rock, and viewpoint on the island, making his input truly invaluable. Schedule a trek with him at the island’s Trail Shop.

Connect with the Locals at Events & Celebrations

For an island with just over 2,000 permanent residents, there is always something to see, do, and experience in Saba. Truly, the Saba Tourism Board keeps the island on its toes with a series of events, themed calendars celebrating different facets of the island’s history, culture, and nature, and much more.

My visit just happened to coincide with the annual Rum & Lobster Fest, which included bar crawls, special menus at every restaurant, an arts & crafts fair, and a fun run on the island’s famous landing strip. However, there’s something every single month to celebrate in Saba.

Make sure to check out the Saba Tourism Board’s website for updates on the events happening on the island – it’s a frequently updated resource that will help you decide when to visit and what to do during your stay.

Go Snorkeling or Diving

Saba’s dramatic and steep profile, extending proudly from the sea, is just as impressive below the waves as it is above them. Towering peaks, deep canyons, and coral-coated walls and drop-offs make Saba, though tiny, one of the most revered destinations for diving in the Caribbean.

There’s just one dive shot on the island, Sea Saba, located in the heart of Windwardside. Make sure to stop by – or, better, contact the shop in advance – to book a number of diving excursions or even get an initial or advanced PADI certification while you’re on the island.

Sample Saba Spice

Saba’s other most well-known product is Saba Spice. This local drink mixes rum with a rich, flavorful slurry of local spices like fennel as well as vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves, and is an island pride; every local family has their own jealously-guarded recipe.

If you’re really looking for a unique experience with Saba Spice, organize a personalized tasting with the owner of Unspoiled Queen, one of the island’s most prodigious Saba Spice producers. This long-time expat has a number of different rum mixtures made from local herbs, fruits, and spices. She offers group rum tastings of 12 different rums every Sunday at Tropic’s Cafe – I highly recommend them!

Visit Saba’s Four Towns

Saba’s 2,000+ residents are clustered into just four small villages connected by just a singular road (called, no joke, “The Road”), so if you’re on the island for any more than two or three days, you’re bound to experience them all!

• Windwardside: The busiest and liveliest village in Saba, Windwardside is where we recommend most visitors stay while on the island. A charming and walkable town center, quaint accommodations, two grocery stores, and a smattering of cafes, bars, and restaurants make this the easiest place to base yourself on the island.
• The Bottom: The Bottom is the administrative heart of Saba. Here you’ll find a few good restaurants and cheaper, more local accommodations. Divers will benefit from their proximity to the harbor, and the nightlife scene here is lively by Saba standards, due to the island’s medical school students living nearby.
• Hell’s Gate / Zion’s Hill: A mostly residential area of the island, you’ll pass through it on your way to and from the airport. Its cliffside location along the Sandy Cruise Trail makes for stunning views.
• St. Johns: A tiny residential village located between The Bottom and Windwardside. There isn’t much here other than homes, though the views across the sea are some of the best on the island.

Learn to Make Saba Lace

Saba is known for having a strong tradition of producing lace, an intricate art passed down through generations of women on the island. The best way to learn more about Saba Lace is to head to Lambee’s Place in Windwardside on Thursdays between 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM for the weekly sewing circle where local women gather to catch up with each other and work on their latest projects – visitors are welcome!

If your itinerary doesn’t have you on the island on a Thursday, stop by the Tourism Board offices in Windwardside to see if they can connect you with any of the local women who can give tutorials and let you give the art form a try for yourself. Or, check out the wares at Handmade on Saba – this tiny shop is stocked with local products like Saba lace. It is located in Breadline Plaza in Windwardside, directly next to Bizzy B’s cafe.

Hike Mas Cahones

If the Mount Scenery hike sounds a little too involved for your liking, a fantastic alternative is the Mas Cahones hike. From the viewpoint of Mas Cahones, you’ll see Windwardside stretched out below you and the glittering Caribbean Sea, with neighboring Caribbean islands like St. Maarten and St. Kitts in the distance if the weather is favorable.

Mas Cahones is a minor peak in Saba accessible from the same trailhead as Mount Scenery, though it’s just a 15-20 minute hike to reach its viewpoint, making for a 35-45 minute hike round trip. Mas Cahones shouldn’t be underestimated – there are steep steps through the jungle to reach it! – but it is doable even for beginners.

Try Making Glass

The artists who call Saba home don’t just limit their talents to Saba Spice and Saba Lace. Local maker Jobean opens her glassblowing and bead-making workshop to visitors to learn about this unique art form with half-day hands-on workshops. You’ll get the opportunity to learn from the master herself and create some handmade beads to take home and transform into a treasured piece of jewelry.

Swing by the shop to make an appointment or check at the Tourism Board’s office if you need more information or assistance with booking. Even if you’re not interested in the experience, make sure to stop by to shop her wares. They make a perfect, one-of-a-kind souvenir from Saba, just make sure to pack them carefully!

Visit the Harry L. Johnson Museum

I’ll admit that I’m not much of a museum-goer when I travel, but this is one museum well worth a visit. Stepping inside the four-room, Harry L. Johnson Museum feels just like visiting a private Saban home. In fact, it is – the property was lived in until the 1970s, when it was transformed into a space meant for preserving local history and culture.

The caretaker of the property is the granddaughter of Harry L. Johnson and will regale you with endless stories of her family and the rich community and tradition of the island while walking you through the historic photos and age-old antiques that fill the space. The museum is located on a stunning and tranquil hillside in Windwardside and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Go Island-Hopping

Island hopping in the Caribbean is much less common than you might think among visitors and locals alike, even despite a growing number of ferries and more affordable flights that are starting to crisscross the region.

However, it’s possible in Saba! Makana Ferry Services offers ferries to and from Saba and a number of different island destinations in the region, including Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius (Statia), and St. Kitts. Ferries leave frequently, are generally more affordable than flights, and take anywhere from 45 minutes to less than three hours.

Prefer your island hopping by plane? Winair offers flights between Saba and a growing number of Caribbean islands like Anguilla, St. Barts, Antigua, and more, recently adding flight routes to St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Vincent – you’ll just have to change planes in St. Maarten first.

Read More: How to Get to Saba: 2 Easy Ways to Travel

Relax at Saba’s Only Beach

If the only Caribbean vacation you could conceive of is spent by the beach, Saba is definitely not the island for you. Most of the island’s coastline is jagged, and though it’s gorgeous, it’s certainly not the beachy shore you’d picture on a Caribbean island.

However, there are a few “beaches” worth visiting on the island if you just can’t think of not getting in the water. Located just around the corner from the airport, Cove Beach is a manmade protected cove with surprisingly impressive snorkeling and a stretch of sand where you’ll find locals barbecuing on the weekends. Well’s Bay, on the west side of the island, is another “beach,” though its sand is sometimes completely obscured by the waves. Swim with caution!

Visit the Tide Pools

Despite Saba’s lack of true beaches, those who are yearning for a dip in the sea have another alternative among the island’s rocky, craggy shore. Head down the road that twists behind the airport, and you’ll find a small, marked path winding over the rocks that leads to Saba’s tide pools. These natural pools along the shores are heated by the sun and offer a respite from the sun, though the 25-minute walk to get there requires good walking shoes and a steady footing.

Just as swimmers at Saba’s “beaches” should take caution, visitors to the tide pools should be careful as well. Sometimes on ways when the sea is choppy, the waves can break in quite forcefully and seemingly out of nowhere.

Partake in Sea & Learn Events

Despite its tiny size, Saba has its own local non-profit organization called Sea & Learn, dedicated to “preserving and protecting [Saba’s] natural environment and cultural heritage by empowering the stakeholders of today and the activists of tomorrow.”

Its mission is a mouthful, but Sea & Learn provides an incredible array of events that make getting to know the island truly memorable, including free, expert-led talks, hikes, and guided experiences to help locals and visitors learn about the island’s cultural and natural riches. Its month-long program of events happens every year in October, but it offers periodic events throughout the year, well worth investigating before your trip.

Watch the Airplane Come In

The plane ride from St. Maarten to Saba is itself a memorable part of any trip to the island, but watching these tiny jets barrel towards the minuscule runway from one of the island’s many viewpoints is another highlight of a visit.

The best place to do it is poolside from The Cottage Club, which is hands down the nicest hotel on the island. Its 10 independent cottages are complete with cool and cozy Caribbean furnishings, and each has a private balcony with an ocean (and airport runway!) view, plus a kitchen and living space. It’s our top recommendation for the best place to stay in Saba.

Watch the Sunrise – or, Go Stargazing

Saba feels perfectly designed for watching a sunrise. With its peaks and valleys offering an ocean vista from what feels like every window, you’ll probably be able to take in a Saban sunrise from your hotel room. Set the alarm a little earlier than you normally would in Saba – there’s nothing like spotting the sun crest above the Caribbean Sea!

If you can’t wake up in time to catch the sunrise, at least spend a few moments before bed gazing up at the stars. The island is so low density when it comes to population and is surrounded by such dark seas that you’re bound to see far more stars here than you do at home or almost any place else.