Saba - Facts

Saba FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: Pre-register with SailClear. See Clearance for full details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: Visas are not required by nationals from a number of countries. Most visitors are allowed to stay for up to 90 days. See Immigration for more details.
Where can I enter? There is one Port of Entry, which is Fort Bay (Fort Baii). See Clearance for additional details.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? Harbour fees are $20-$40 (US) depending on tonnage. There is a $10 (US) per person departure tax and nightly fees for the Marine Park. See Fees for more details.
What security concerns should I know about? Saba is a very safe island. Use the normal Caribbean precautions. See Security for more information.

Saba Facts for Sailors

• Saba is now part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands and was originally settled by small groups of Dutch, Scottish and English people, together with a few from Africa.
• This small Caribbean island lies about 25nm NW of Statia.
• An extinct volcano, only 2 miles (3 km) in diameter, Saba rises sheer out of the sea up to 3084 ft (940 m).
• Saba is unique in that its entire coast is a protected marine park. There are no beaches, but the underwater scenery is remarkable.
• A permanent mooring buoy system has been placed within the Saba National Marine Park for specific users and there are strict anchoring rules.
• There are two designated anchorage zones within the Saba National Marine Park: one between Ladder Bay and Wells Bay (west side) and one in front of the Fort Bay Harbour (east side).
• Clearance formalities have to be completed first at Fort Bay, which offers better protection in strong NE winds, while the other anchorage is more sheltered in SE winds.
• It is strongly recommended to only come ashore at Fort Bay harbor, as attempting to land at Well's Bay, Ladder Bay or Cove Bay can be treacherous in certain seas.
• The construction of the airport, the road to the harbour in Fort Bay, and later a pier, has brought in tourism on a small scale.
• The official currency on Saba is the US Dollar. For more info see General Info - Money.
• It is advisable to self-sufficient when visiting Saba as getting ashore is not always easy. See Yachting Essentials for more information.