Scuba diving in

St Kitts and Nevis, Saba and St Eustatius

Although comprising three distinct destinations, St Kitts and Nevis, St Eustatius, and Saba stand side-by-side forming a roughly diagonal line within the northern section of the Leeward Islands. St Kitts is by far the largest island within this small chain, followed closely by its national companion, Nevis. These two islands are dominated by central volcanic peaks covered in dense rainforest, with the 1,152-metre tall Mount Liamuiga marking the highest point in the Leeward Islands.

Around 12-kilometres northwest of St Kitts is the island of St Eustatius, often affectionately known simply as Statia. Well known for its fascinating, albeit rather dark past, this small island is said to feature more colonial-period history per kilometre than almost anywhere else in the world – both above and below the water. Like its neighbouring islands, Statia is characterised by a looming volcanic crown. And, inside the crater, a verdant rainforest abounds with rare birds and plant life.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘unspoiled queen of the Caribbean’ Saba is a small, well-preserved island located another 25-kilometres northwest of St Eustatius. Perched at the tip of the aptly named Mt Scenery volcano, this island’s dramatic terrain is arguably its biggest allure, with stunning hills reaching high into the sky and steep rocky cliffs tumbling into the sea. In fact, Sabah’s shadowy silhouette is so dramatic, it is sometimes said to have been the muse for Skull Island.

St Kitts’ international airport receives direct flights from Miami, New York, Toronto, as well as connections from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, and more. From St Kitts, it is a 45-minute ferry journey to the island of Nevis. As part of the Dutch Caribbean, St Eustatius is serviced by several flights a day from Sint Maarten, which in turn receives direct flights from the Netherlands, France, and various cities on the east coast of the USA, including Miami, New York, and Boston. Sint Maarten is also the only island offering flights to Saba, which is home to the world’s shortest commercial runway, at just 400-metres in length. Flights last around 15-minutes and operate at least twice a day from Monday to Saturday. Ferry services also operate between each of these islands, offering an arguably more relaxing alternative mode of transport.

While St Kitts features a scenic railway route around the island, public transport isn’t really an option in these destinations. Thankfully though, the size of these islands means walking or cycling are often viable options for getting around, while taxis and car rentals are available for longer journeys.

Despite being the biggest and busiest islands in this group, St Kitts and Nevis have managed to retain much of their original charm. And, while the bustling capital of Basseterre welcomes several cruise ships each week, there’s still plenty of peaceful natural settings to be found – from the extensive southern beaches and rocky Atlantic coast to the ever-expanding rainforest. Highly-rated restaurants have popped up all over this blossoming destination, meaning you’re never far from a memorable meal, and Port Zante is awash with shops, boutiques, and galleries. Nevis welcomes marginally fewer visitors than St Kitts, but holds much of the same appeal. If you’re looking for maximum seclusion during your trip to St Kitts and Nevis, the latter island is almost certainly your best bet.

Once the busiest port in the Caribbean, St Eustatius now sees a lot less of the frantic development seen elsewhere in the region. Instead, this destination embraces its cultural roots and exudes authenticity as a result – providing an irresistible taste of what the Caribbean once was. Resorts, hotels and homestays on Statia are largely concentrated around the town of Oranjestad, with a few additional options scattered around the edge of the southern national park.

With just 2,000 people spread over 13 square-kilometres, Saba is the least-populated territory in the Americas – making it ideal for those who like to escape. This small island promises big adventures in a stunning natural setting, far from the mass tourism of other Caribbean destinations. But, bear in mind that due to its steep cliffs, there are virtually no permanent beaches anywhere on the island. A small yet diverse selection of intimate accommodation options can be found on Saba, ranging from self-catering cottages to local homestays and a luxury resort.

The tropical Caribbean climate means that St Kitts and Nevis, Saba, and St Eustatius offer great scuba diving all year round. But, there are some seasonal changes in the weather that are worth bearing in mind.

As with many tropical destinations, the two main seasons are dictated by the amount of rain. In St Kitts and Nevis, Saba, and St Eustatius, the dry season runs from December to March, with average temperatures of around 28°C and 26°C on land and in the water respectively. The wet season runs from June to November, bringing a higher chance of downpours, but the diving is rarely affected. Temperatures also peak during the wet season, averaging around 32°C on land and 29°C in the water.

Keep in mind that hurricanes are possible between June and November, with the possibility peaking towards the end of the season. Hurricanes rarely interfere with the diving in this region, though strong winds can occasionally cause choppy conditions and reduced visibility. 

The islands of St Kitts and Nevis are completely encircled by a designated marine park which extends several kilometres out to sea. On land, the Central Forest Reserve National Park covers around 25% of St Kitts, playing host to an array of bromeliads, orchids and other exotic flowers. Unlike elsewhere in the world, the rainforest here is actually expanding rather than shrinking, helped greatly by the reduction of sugarcane fields and restrictions that prevent development beyond a specific elevation.

On St Eustatius, visitors are encouraged to learn about the island’s fascinating natural and historical attractions throughout the three protected areas; Statia National Marine Park, the Quill/Boven National Park and the Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden. The Statia National Marine Park was created in 1996, protecting the entire coastline. And, while some 60 or so dive sites have been documented, strict rules allow access to just 35 and a maximum of one boat per site, minimising any impact of dive tourism on marine life.

Created in 1987, Saba’s extensive marine park circles the entire island and extends from the surface to a depth of 60-metres. The total area is approximately 1300 hectares. It remains one of the few self-sustaining marine parks anywhere in the world, with revenue raised through visitor fees, souvenir sales, and donations.