Explore: Saba - Formalities
Clearance
COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
All yachts should proceed to Fort Bay for clearance. Contact the Harbour Master at Fort Bay on Channels 16 or 11. Once contact has been made safely moor the boat.
See Fort Bay Clearance for possible mooring options.
In bad weather, it may be necessary to carry on to the more protected anchoring area on the NW side of the island, between Ladder Bay and Well’s Bay, where several moorings (yellow with blue stripe) have been laid for visiting yachts. Make sure you get a taxi telephone number, so you can get back to Fort Bay from there for clearance.
General Process:
Clear with Customs and Immigration, then check in/out with the harbour master. If Customs and Immigration are not available, then the HM deals with all formalities. Customs and Immigration are located in the ground floor of the Harbor Office.
The Harbour Office is open 0600-1800 Monday to Saturday.
Clearing in and out at the same time is possible, even if you are staying a few days.
Yachts must also clear in with the Marine Park at the office in Fort Bay.
Due to the number of forms to be completed (with multiple copies),
clearance can take a surprisingly long time. It speeds things up to have
the forms ready. Find links to downloadable forms here.
See https://www.sabaport.com/visiting-yachts for the latest information.
Last updated: May 2021
Immigration
Full details on tourist visits to Saba can be found at https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/immigration-naturalisation/tourist-stay
A valid passport is required by all visitors. Passports (or a copy) should be carried at all times.
Although Saba is now a municipality of the Netherlands, it is not part of the European Union nor included in the Schengen Agreement Area.
Nationals from a large number of countries do not require a visa to enter Saba. For example, visitors from the United States and European Union countries do not need a visa. It depends on your nationality and length of stay.
Most visitors are permitted a stay of 90 days. Dutch and US citizens are permitted to stay for up to 6 months in any 12 month period without a visa.
Where and How to Apply for a Visa
Find out about the Caribbean Visa for Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten at the Kingdom of the Netherlands official website.
A visa (if required) must be obtained prior to arrival. Find a consulate or embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands near you at http://www.government.nl/issues/embassies-consulates-and-other-representations/contents.
Last updated: May 2021
Customs
This is no longer a duty-free port.
All firearms must be declared to Customs.
For a list of restricted goods see https://www.sabaport.com/customs
Last updated: May 2021
BioSecurity
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail [email protected] if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: **OPEN**
Yachting Protocols:
May 2022
- 1 May, 2022, all entry travel restrictions were lifted.
- No pre-travel testing, EHAS form or post-arrival testing is required anymore.
Our thanks to Saba Harbor Master, Public Health Saba and Saba Tourist Bureau for information throughout the Pandemic.
Resources:
- https://www.rijksdienstcn.com/covid-19
- http://www.sabatourism.com/travel-requirements
- https://www.sabaport.com
Reports:
History:
- 1 May, 2021: Saba opened its borders with pre-arrival testing, an EHAS entry form,
- 1 May, 2022: Saba removed all entry protocols unless coming from St. Martin or Statia.
Health
There is a hospital in The Bottom, but it does not treat complex cases so medical insurance is vital. There is also a hyperbaric chamber on the island for divers.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
Vaccinations for tubercolosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.
Food and Water Concerns:
All water on the island is distilled from sea water so it’s safe to drink.
Take care consuming reef fish, including barracuda, grouper and red snapper, as they may contain ciguatera.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
In 2016 there were reported cases of the Zika virus on Saba. Because of the risks to pregnancy, travelers should consult the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.
Emergency Numbers:
See Emergencies.
Last updated: May 2021
Documents
Fees
There is a Marine Park fee of $3 per person per week for mooring maintenance, plus $1/per person per night for nature management.
There is a visa fee of 35 euro.
The harbour fee depends on the tonnage of the vessel (prices subject to change):
0 – 40 US$ 20
40 – 60 US$ 40
60 – 80 US$ 60
80 – 100 US$ 80
100+ US$ 100
Departure Tax: An Airport and Harbour departure tax fee of $10.00 is payable when departing Saba. There are no ATM’s at the airport and harbour.
Last updated February 2018.
Restrictions
All the waters around Saba were made a national marine park in 1987 and anchoring is restricted to sandy areas where the coral will not be damaged. Spearfishing and the taking of coral or shells are prohibited. Marine Park officials patrol the anchorages and welcome yachts.
A fee is charged for the maintenance of the underwater park.
The moorings in the Park are 45cm (18in) float balls with a blue reflective band and are colour-coded to indicate the varied user groups. White and red moorings are for licensed diving vessels only. Yellow moorings are specifically for use by visiting yachts up to 18m (59ft). They cannot be reserved and are on a first-come, first served basis. Vessels are allowed to occupy these moorings for up to seven (7) days.
Local Customs
Bathing suits should not be worn within the villages and actually going shirtless is illegal.
Pets
Pets older than three months may be admitted on presentation of an up-to-date declaration of health issued by your vet and an up-to-date vaccination record (in particular for rabies vaccination).