High Plains Scuba - Statia and Saba Combo

Arrive at the airport and meet your driver for transfers through the beautiful island to your resort. It’s time to check in and enjoy your stay!

After breakfast, spend the next few days exploring the beautiful sites and all that await you underwater.

St. Eustatius' many different ecosystems means you are diving in a variety of environments. From pinnacles, walls, canyons, wrecks and reefs formed on ancient lava flows, no two dives are ever the same in Statia's marine park.  Almost all of the 36 official sites are moored to save the reef from anchorage. Divers often love to drift from one site to the other to find all the true hidden treasures.

If you aren't diving, perhaps snorkel the remnants of 400-year-old warehouses back when the island was at the height of trade.

Or take hike up the extinct volcano - the Quill and descend into its lush crater filled with a lush forest. Located in the national park, during your hike you will encounter different vegetation zones, as well as possibly spot some endangered animals like the Lesser Antillean Iguana, native to only a few Caribbean islands. 

St. Eustatius is steeped in history and as you walk around, you find evidence of its rich past everywhere. The ruins of the oceanfront warehouses are all over, while the fort, which is of great historical significance looks like it was built just yesterday. As you explore, it is not unusual to find pieces of pottery and clay pipes - just make sure you don't trip over an old cannon! History buffs can immerse themselves further with a guided tour or a visit to the museum.

Or simply relax and do nothing at all!

After breakfast, we transfer to the ferry dock and bid farewell to Statia.

A quick one-hour ferry ride and you will arrive on the breathtaking island of Saba.

The transfer is an experience it's self as you wind along "the road that couldn't be built" which provides incredible views.

For the next few days, settle into a relaxed routine as you begin your day taking in the glorious views while you enjoy breakfast at Tropics Cafe onsite.

Dive or snorkel on one of over 30 moored sites in the marine park. Saba’s volcanic origins have blessed her waters with spectacular formations and structural diversity. Enjoy year-round diving with seasonal differences in water temperature and surface conditions.

From shallow patch reefs to deepwater seamounts, Saba offers interesting diving at different depth and for every diver's experience and comfort level.  

Depending on experience and conditions, more often than not you will likely experience some of Saba's more dramatic underwater features: Not far offshore, Saba’s famous pinnacles and seamounts rise dramatically from the depths to within 85 feet of the surface. The structures themselves are not to be missed! The most unique being The Needle, just off in the blue from Third Encounter. It’s common to encounter schools of fish, jacks, groupers or even some of Saba's robust shark population at the pinnacles. Caribbean Reef and Nurse sharks are the most common to see but there are a few sightings each year of Hammerheads, Bull and Tiger sharks. Although these dive sites are virtually bottomless, they can be safely enjoyed well within the limits of recreational diving. Nitrox is a must when doing these dives!

Man O’ War Shoals, Diamond Rock and Green Island are also classified as pinnacles but have sandy bottoms at between 70 and 80 feet.  Schools of blue tangs, big eye jacks and barracuda frequent these areas. The dark volcanic sand around these sites is also home to many interesting critters including flying gurnards, batfish, industrious sand tile fish and jawfish.

When you are not on or in the water, consider a wander down "Main Street" in Windwardside to visit an art studio or to do a little shopping in one of the curio shops. There are also wine tastings, gin & tonic tastings, and cooking classes available in one of Saba's many fabulous restaurants.

Outdoor enthusiast and nature lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to hiking. Most of Saba's hiking trails are the original footpaths used for hundreds of years before The Road was created.  Imagine the life of the local islanders as you travel from one village to the next. Saba offers a variety of hiking and nature trails over diverse terrains from tide pools up to Saba's cloud forest: Mt. Scenery. The trails are continuously maintained by the Saba Conservation Foundation. All trails can be done on your own but are greatly enhanced with one of the park's guides.  

Birders will appreciate scheduling a tour that takes you from sea to summit to encounter endemic bridled quail dove, brown trembler, grass quit, hummingbirds, and the largest population of red-billed tropicbirds on the planet. 

Sadly, our epic adventure has come to an end. 

After breakfast, take in the views of the Unspoiled Queen one last time as you transfer to the airport to begin the journey home.