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Dive Review of Sea Saba/Juianna's in
Saba

Sea Saba/Juianna's: "Deep Dives the norm on Saba", Nov, 2014,

by Michael Griffith, SC, US ( 1 report). Report 7925.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 2 stars
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Expected difficulties getting there, WinAir's reputation not good, but we had no problems. I was told dive sites were beautiful, featuring pinnacles. What I wasn't told was that most were deep dives and currents could be strong.
Now I am an experienced diver, but not particularly strong and as capable as I used to be (I am 73). I am accustomed to gentle dives, with little current and excellent visibility and varied marine life at 35 to 75 feet or so: think Bonaire, Little Cayman, even Beqaa Lagoon..
Our first dive was to a pinnacle starting at 92 feet. We hovered around 100-105 feet for at most 20 minutes. Not much exciting to see. Second and third dives of the day were at variable depths, but marine life interesting at 35-60 feet. Next day first dive was to a pinnacle which arose from the surface to 70 feet or so, and bottomed out at 100 feet. DM told us we MUST follow him as we circumnavigated it, as currents were usually strong. He was right. Visibility was poor (30ft) as we traversed the 30 yards from boat to rock, and as we came around the back side, current picked up significantly. The 10 divers went into a holding mode, waiting for DM to ask us for air in our tanks as he told us he'd do in order to decide when to return to the boat, but he was not to be found. All of us scattered and came back to the boat from many directions. I was tired and very low on air and required some assistance to get back.
Now not all of the divers were as bothered as I. Stronger swimmers with good stamina can handle these situations, but you should be aware of what you will encounter at Saba.
In general, there was a dearth of coral, but many sponges. Marine life was very similar to usual things one sees in the Caribbean. A shark and a turtle now and then; some small creatures: flamingo tongues, cleaner shrimp, arrow crabs; the usual colorful fish: butterfly, parrot, sergeant majors, angels, black durgons, blue tangs, etc
Julianna's served good hot bfast. Took own sandwiches to boat for lunch.Cottage was OK, bedrooms clean, comfortable. Kitchen not so clean if one wanted to cook (don't)
Websites Sea Saba   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Bonaire, Little Cayman, Ras Muhammad, Fiji (Beqaa Lagoon). Providenciales, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea
Closest Airport Saba Getting There From US to St. Martin (Dutch side); WinAir to Saba, 15 minute flight

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy, currents
Water Temp 81-83°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-60 Ft/ 9-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 100+ on first dive; 70 or less 2nd 3rd dives.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Small water tank on boat; not adequate for large rigs
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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