What the Saba crossing asks of you
Makana sails from St. Maarten to Saba on selected days. Check the departure and return before planning the road transfer from Fort Bay.
By Camille Gumbs ·
Saba has a small airport and ferry links to nearby islands. Makana's sailing days vary, so the ferry takes more date planning than a daily service would.
The shape of the week
Makana sails between Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, and Fort Bay on Saba's south coast. It publishes departures on selected days rather than daily. Some published sailings may be suspended for the season, so check the operator's schedule for both directions on your chosen date before planning a day trip.
Because the operator publishes days rather than a daily service, we treat a Saba crossing as a request rather than an instant booking. The operations desk confirms the operating day, the fare and the baggage allowance with the operator before anything is charged. That is slower than a checkout button and it is the honest way to sell a service that can be cancelled for weather.
A passenger’s account
Sue, writing for Sue Travels, describes her Makana crossing to Saba from St. Kitts via Sint Eustatius, rather than from St. Maarten. She recalls spray crossing the catamaran's open deck in Atlantic swell and the cliffs around the ferry arrival. Her taxi then climbed the winding road toward Windwardside. That is one traveler's experience on a different sailing, not a forecast of sea conditions on your date.
What Fort Bay is, and is not
Fort Bay is a working harbour. The road toward The Bottom and Windwardside climbs steeply from the coast. Arrange the onward ride before arrival if anyone in the party is uneasy on winding mountain roads.
Saba has no conventional resort beaches. It does have a marine park, diving, and walking trails including the climb up Mount Scenery. Plan the crossing around those activities and the road transfer, rather than assuming a beach stop beside the ferry terminal.
Before you book the crossing
Check the operating day and the return before choosing a day trip. If the return sailing does not fit your plans, arrange an overnight stay before committing to the outward crossing.
Sea conditions decide the rest. The channel is open water and the crossing is exposed; a sailing can move or be cancelled on the day. Anyone who knows they are a poor sailor should consider the aircraft instead and check its baggage limits before booking.
The destination guide lists the published departure days, plus the request form. Confirm the intended dates and current operator schedule before committing to a connection.