Saba at Juliana's (Great for Couples) — 8 Days
Saba, Dutch Caribbean • 8 days / 7 nights (July 11–18, 2026)
Overview
There's a reason Saba is called the "Unspoiled Queen" of the Caribbean. Rising steeply from the sea in dramatic green cliffs, this five-square-mile volcanic gem is unlike anywhere else in the region — no cruise ships, no crowds, no beaches, just mountain air, rainforest trails, and pristine diving in waters protected for over three decades. With BlueBound Travel, you'll explore both the depths of Saba Marine Park and the peaks of Mount Scenery on this 8-day trip that blends world-class diving with mountaintop serenity. You'll stay at Juliana's Hotel, perched above the sea in the village of Windwardside — peaceful, personal, and surrounded by gardens, hummingbirds, and endless ocean views. Diving here is done entirely by boat, since Saba has no shore diving, which means every dive takes you into untouched reef systems, deep-sea pinnacles, and currents alive with life. Sites like Third Encounter and Man o' War Shoals offer towering underwater landscapes and pelagic surprises, while Tent Reef Wall reveals coral fans, frogfish, and stunning drop-offs just minutes from shore. When the diving ends by midday, the adventure is just beginning, with gentle hikes, local cuisine, sunset cocktails, and quiet time in a place that feels beautifully disconnected from the world.
A typical day starts as you wake up with the clouds brushing the mountaintop outside your veranda. After a fresh homemade breakfast at Tropics Café, you hop into a truck for the scenic 20-minute drive down to the harbor for your boat dives — perhaps Third Encounter, a deep pinnacle teeming with life where reef sharks cruise the edges and schools of jacks shimmer above the open blue, followed by a surface near Man o' War Shoals with its brilliant sponges and swirling currents. By early afternoon you're back in Windwardside, free to walk to the Saba Trail Shop, hike the Mount Scenery trail through ancient, mist-rolled trees, or simply stay poolside with a cold drink and let the quiet of the island sink in. Dinner might be a group night at Chez Bubba, with grilled lionfish and Caribbean spice, or something simpler at Swinging Doors, where the beer is cold and the laughter carries across the patio.
At BlueBound, the guides don't just organize trips — they lead them. Each adventure is curated for comfort, connection, and conservation, with experienced guides handling logistics, ensuring dive safety, assisting with gear, and creating a welcoming, supportive atmosphere, while partnering with local businesses that share BlueBound's values. Highlights of the destination itself include the Charles Brown, a 327-foot cable-laying vessel sunk as an artificial reef in 2003 and one of the island's most popular dives; year-round diving with water temperatures between 26–28°C (77–84°F); crystal-clear waters with visibility up to 150 feet; striking volcanic underwater structures and seamounts; and hiking that's just as striking as the diving.
The trip includes 7 nights in a room of your choosing (first come, first served), daily breakfast at Tropics Café, 11 scheduled dives (including resort-to-diving transfer), 5 days of two-tank dives, one afternoon with a boxed lunch, Marine Park fees, and hotel taxes — plus free wine hour from 4–5pm at the Tipsy Goat (except Mondays), complimentary internet access (1 device per person), and daily maid service. Not included: round-trip air to Saba, equipment rental, diving or travel insurance (note: DAN or other diving insurance is mandatory to participate), any expenses of a personal nature, and tips for the divemaster, boat crew, and hotel staff (a standard tip when diving from a boat is $10 per dive — $5 for the divemaster and $5 for the captain).
Location: Saba, a volcanic island in the Dutch Caribbean, reached via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights, departing July 11–18, 2026.
Activity Type: A diving-focused trip well-suited for couples, with 10 scheduled dives (across 5 days of two-tank boat dives) plus topside hiking and exploring. A minimum of an Open Water certification is required; some sites are better suited to divers with Advanced Open Water certification or experience in deeper currents, though guides choose sites based on the group's comfort level. Non-divers are welcome and will find plenty to enjoy in the hiking, photography, and culture. Trips are limited to 12–16 guests accompanied by one or more BlueBound guides. Some hikes and dive entries may involve moderate exertion, with stairs and inclines common on this mountainous island, so good mobility is recommended.
Accommodation: Juliana's Hotel, a boutique-style hillside hotel in Windwardside with unique rooms and cottages, nestled in the rainforest with sweeping ocean views, walking distance to shops, restaurants, and trails. Room types vary and are assigned by booking order, confirmed separately. Included amenities are daily breakfast at Tropics Café, free wine hour from 4–5pm at the Tipsy Goat (except Mondays), complimentary internet access (1 device per person), and daily maid service.
Pricing:
- Adult: $2,750 per person
- Non-Diver: $2,000 per person
Itineraries
Day 1 — Arrival in Sint Maarten & Journey to Saba
Your journey begins as you land at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten, a vibrant Caribbean hub. From here, two routes lead to Saba, and each is an adventure of its own. By air, board the world's shortest commercial flight (just 12 minutes!) on Winair and touch down on Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, a dramatic airstrip carved into the cliffside offering a thrilling, scenic landing you won't forget. By sea, hop aboard The Edge ferry, gliding across the open Caribbean — the ride can be bumpy, but the reward is landing at a tiny port beneath towering emerald peaks that rise straight from the sea. Once on Saba, you'll ascend into the clouds along winding mountain roads to the charming village of Windwardside, where Juliana's Hotel awaits — nestled high in the rainforest with sweeping views of the sea below, a peaceful sanctuary where time slows down. Check in to your room (assigned by booking order; room types vary and will be confirmed separately). Spend the afternoon relaxing on your private terrace, wandering through the lush gardens, or sipping a welcome drink at Tropics Café. Evening suggestion: ease into island time with dinner at Tropics, where the mountain air mixes with the scent of grilled lionfish and herbs from the garden. Breakfast included.
Days 2–6 — Diving Saba's Marine Park & Exploring the Mountain
Each morning begins with fresh coffee, tropical fruit, and a homemade breakfast overlooking the sea, followed by a trip to the harbor for your 2-tank boat dives in the protected waters of Saba Marine Park. With no shore diving on Saba, every dive is a boat dive, and every site is untouched. Sample dive sites include Third Encounter (pinnacles rising from the deep blue, home to reef sharks, schools of fish, and swirling pelagics), Man o' War Shoals (bursting with color, sponges, and swirling currents), and Tent Reef Wall (steep drop-offs, coral fans, and hidden critters). Afternoons are free to explore Saba's quiet charm and unmatched views, with light topside adventures woven in throughout the week: the Mount Scenery Trail, a guided or self-paced hike through rainforest trails leading to the highest point in the Netherlands, misty, lush, and magical; Windwardside wandering through art galleries and local shops, meeting the warm Sabans known for their hospitality; the Saba Trail Shop & Museum, to learn about the island's history and pick up a hand-sewn Saba Lace keepsake; and sunset cocktails on the terrace or poolside, surrounded by banana trees and ocean air. Evening dining suggestions include Chez Bubba Bistro (elegant and intimate, perfect for a couples' night out), Brigadoon (island-fresh ingredients in a cozy cottage atmosphere), and Swinging Doors (local flair and friendly vibes, great for a casual evening). Group dinner reservations will be made most evenings at favorite local restaurants — you're welcome to join or enjoy a private evening on your own. Whether diving, hiking, or simply gazing off your veranda into the clouds, every day feels like a new kind of adventure. Breakfast included.
Day 7 — Your Day, Your Pace
Sleep in or rise with the sunrise over the hills. This is your free day to relax or revisit a favorite moment from the week. Book a massage, read by the pool, or journal your trip with a rum punch in hand. Visit the Harry L. Johnson Museum or join a local cooking class. Or simply take one last hike through the ferns and flowers of the Cloud Forest. Gather with the group in the evening for a farewell dinner under the stars. Breakfast included.
Day 8 — Departure
After breakfast, descend the mountain roads one last time for your flight or ferry back to Sint Maarten. Whether you came for the diving, the peace, or the hidden magic of this volcanic jewel, you'll leave knowing why so many say: "Once you've been to Saba, you always come back." Breakfast included.
Includes
- 7 Nights Room of your choosing (first come first served)
- Daily Breakfast
- 11 scheduled dives (includes resort to diving transfer)
- 5 day two tank dives
- 1 afternoon with a boxed lunch
- Marine Park fee
- Hotel Taxes
Excludes
- Round Trip Air to Saba
- Equipment Rental
- Diving or Travel insurance (Note: DAN (or other) diving insurance in mandatory for participating)
- Any expenses of personal nature
- Tips for Divemaster, boat crew, and hotel staff (a standard tip when diving from a boat is $10 per dive - $5 for the divemaster and $5 for the captain.
FAQs
How many people are in the group?
This trip is intentionally kept small — limited to 12–16 guests, accompanied by one or more BlueBound guides who provide personal attention and help keep the group cohesive throughout the week.
What airport do I fly into?
You'll fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on Sint Maarten. From there, you have two options for getting to Saba: a 12-minute flight on Winair, or a 90-minute ferry ride. BlueBound will help you book whichever transfer suits you best.
What dive certification is required?
A minimum of an Open Water certification is required to dive on this trip. Some of Saba's sites are better suited for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or experience handling deeper currents, but rest assured the guides select sites based on the comfort level of the group as a whole.
What's included in the dive package?
The dive package includes 10 scheduled boat dives spread across 5 days. Since Saba has no shore diving, every dive is boat-based and professionally guided. If you need to rent dive gear, it's available at the dive shop, but you'll want to give advance notice.
What's Juliana's Hotel like?
Juliana's is a boutique-style hillside hotel made up of unique rooms and cottages. It's quiet and locally owned, tucked into Windwardside within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and rainforest trails. Room types vary, and yours will be confirmed individually based on your booking order.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout the trip. Group dinner reservations will be arranged most evenings at some of Saba's top restaurants, and you're free to join in or go explore on your own. Lunches aren't included, but you can grab one at Tropics or other cafés around Windwardside.
Can non-divers join this trip?
Yes — this trip works well for non-divers too, especially those who love nature, hiking, photography, and culture. Saba's mountain charm and slower pace mean there's plenty to enjoy above the surface, not just below it.
Are there fitness requirements?
Some hikes and dive entries call for moderate exertion. The trails are well-maintained, but since Saba is a mountainous island, you'll encounter stairs and inclines fairly often, so good mobility is recommended.
OUR GALLERY
PRICE:
Adult: $2,750
Non-Diver: $2,000
Travelers' Reviews
This was my first scuba diving trip and….WOW! The trip was organized and well planned. All the details were taken care of, so I really felt comfortable focusing on the diving. Interacting with an incredible group of people at the pool in the evenings was an unexpected bonus. I would highly recommend a BlueBound dive trip and I’m excited for my own future BlueBound dive trip!
This was an exciting and well organized dive trip. Communication was great, the diving experience was excellent, and we always felt that our best interests and safety were a priority.
Another amazing trip with amazing people! I trust them with all of the details of each trip and with the safety of my loved ones. I just finished my 7th dive trip with them and I will never travel with another dive group!!!
Palau was always our drea and this trip made it real. Everything was planned good so we didn’t worry about anything. The dives were amazing, but also the people. We didn’t know anybody, but very fast it felt like we were with friends. We ate together, laughed together, it felt like family. This trip stayed in our heart, not only for the diving but how it made us feel.
I joined this trip on my own and was a little nervous at first, but that disappeared on day one. The group was welcoming, the diving was organized, and everything felt easy and relaxed. We dived incredible sites every day and still had time to enjoy the island. It never felt like a tour – more like a trip with friends. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
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