morecowbells
Contributor
I think Yakivet did an awesome job providing a summary of both Destinations. I have been to both places and would return to either in a heartbeat.
Bonaire comes out ahead as a divers destination. No issues with currents, rare hurricanes, although expensive to fly to, $ are saved by the abundance of shore diving sites. The ultimate in diving convenience. Lodging options cover a wide range from bucolic to luxurious. Topside it is arid, lacking the lush feel of other Caribbean destinations. There is a lot of discussion about crime on the island. We were careful and followed the precautions and had no issues. It was an easy island to drive and navigate. Although groceries are more expensive than what I am accustomed to, it was not cost prohibitive. The selection and variety of items was impressive.
Saba is a special place. Lush, rugged and incredibly charming. It is so different and surreal from any other place that I have visited. I did not see any slums or impoverished areas. I was an awe over the charming cottages and gardens. The people were always friendly and helpful. For such a small island, the selection and quality of the restaurants is nothing short of amazing. As mentioned in previous replies, the issue of crime is practically non-existent. We always slept with our windows open. It is a wonderful place to hike and wonder around. We did not rent a car, which I did not regret. We took a cab to and from the airport, plus the dive shop provided a shuttle each day to the marina. I remember while I was unpacking I was wondering WTH I would do spending an entire week on this tiny island. I was never bored or antsy to leave. Afternoon strolls and reading a book while on the cottage deck(occasionally with a mojito) kept me a happy camper. Coral was healthy and I felt the marine life was somewhat larger but not as abundant as Bonaire. We did not do the pinnacle dives. At the time of our trip, I had only 15 logged dives. One boat headed out to the pinnacles, the other involved a first dive of about 60-80 feet and a second of 50-60 feet. No issues with currents, however the ocean was much rougher than Bonaire or Curacao. While not a big deal to many people, I have a difficult time in many Caribbean destinations encountering all the poor stray and malnourished dogs. Not an issue in Saba. We did not have any issues flying Winair from St. Maarten to Saba. Although I have read of many delays, cancellations etc. The flight into and out of the island are quite the experience. Intense, but also a great deal of fun. I think my husband hit the nail on the head when he said that if Saba had Beaches, we couldn't afford it.
Now that I have made the decision as clear as mud, here are some pics from Saba
Bonaire comes out ahead as a divers destination. No issues with currents, rare hurricanes, although expensive to fly to, $ are saved by the abundance of shore diving sites. The ultimate in diving convenience. Lodging options cover a wide range from bucolic to luxurious. Topside it is arid, lacking the lush feel of other Caribbean destinations. There is a lot of discussion about crime on the island. We were careful and followed the precautions and had no issues. It was an easy island to drive and navigate. Although groceries are more expensive than what I am accustomed to, it was not cost prohibitive. The selection and variety of items was impressive.
Saba is a special place. Lush, rugged and incredibly charming. It is so different and surreal from any other place that I have visited. I did not see any slums or impoverished areas. I was an awe over the charming cottages and gardens. The people were always friendly and helpful. For such a small island, the selection and quality of the restaurants is nothing short of amazing. As mentioned in previous replies, the issue of crime is practically non-existent. We always slept with our windows open. It is a wonderful place to hike and wonder around. We did not rent a car, which I did not regret. We took a cab to and from the airport, plus the dive shop provided a shuttle each day to the marina. I remember while I was unpacking I was wondering WTH I would do spending an entire week on this tiny island. I was never bored or antsy to leave. Afternoon strolls and reading a book while on the cottage deck(occasionally with a mojito) kept me a happy camper. Coral was healthy and I felt the marine life was somewhat larger but not as abundant as Bonaire. We did not do the pinnacle dives. At the time of our trip, I had only 15 logged dives. One boat headed out to the pinnacles, the other involved a first dive of about 60-80 feet and a second of 50-60 feet. No issues with currents, however the ocean was much rougher than Bonaire or Curacao. While not a big deal to many people, I have a difficult time in many Caribbean destinations encountering all the poor stray and malnourished dogs. Not an issue in Saba. We did not have any issues flying Winair from St. Maarten to Saba. Although I have read of many delays, cancellations etc. The flight into and out of the island are quite the experience. Intense, but also a great deal of fun. I think my husband hit the nail on the head when he said that if Saba had Beaches, we couldn't afford it.
Now that I have made the decision as clear as mud, here are some pics from Saba
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