The Bottom City
Capital and main town of Saba Island
Saba’s tiny capital attracts hikers bound for Mount Scenery, divers exploring nearby coral walls, and anyone who wants plantation‑era buildings, narrow streets and rum‑and‑fish in tiny waterfront eateries.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
The Bottom at a Glance#
Costs: $120-250 per day - higher costs due to remoteness and island imports.
Safety: Very safe - extremely low crime; very safe and community‑oriented.
Best Time: December-April - dry season months are best for hiking and diving visibility.
Why Visit The Bottom?#
As the administrative heart of Saba, The Bottom offers a compact taste of Caribbean island life with easy access to dramatic nature. Hike nearby Mount Scenery for panoramic views, then discover Saba Marine Park’s coral reefs and world-class diving just offshore. The Bottom’s small town center, historic courthouse and local eateries showcase Saban hospitality and island-grown flavors. Quiet trails and community events give a relaxed counterpoint to the marine attractions.
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in The Bottom#
The Bottom Bucket List#
Saba Historical Centre - Browse exhibits at the Saba Historical Centre detailing island life and maritime history.
Fort Bay - Arrive at Fort Bay, watch fishermen, and use the pier for local boat trips.
The Bottom town square - Explore The Bottom’s small shops, the courthouse area, and neighborhood streets on foot.
Mount Scenery hike - Hike Mount Scenery from The Bottom to reach the Netherlands’ highest point through cloud forest.
Ladder Bay trail - Take the Ladder Bay trail for steep coastal steps, secluded coves, and quiet viewpoints.
Local dive operators - Connect with small dive operators offering Saba Marine Park trips and guided snorkeling.
Mount Scenery - Hike Mount Scenery from The Bottom for a rainforest ascent to the island’s highest point.
Windwardside village - Visit Windwardside for craft shops, local cafés, and panoramic ridge views.
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit The Bottom#
Visit The Bottom (Saba) in the dry season (December-April) for the sunniest, least humid conditions and best hiking. The island is warm year-round, but hurricane season (Aug-Oct) raises risks.
December - April
24-29°C (75-84°F)
Sunniest, least humid months-perfect for hiking the short but steep trails and snorkeling off quiet coves.
May - November
25-30°C (77-86°F)
Hotter and more humid with frequent brief downpours; island is lusher and less crowded but some days are wet.
June - November (peak Aug - Oct)
26-30°C (79-86°F)
Higher risk of storms and rough seas-travel plans can be disrupted, so watch forecasts and buy flexible tickets.
The Bottom's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1208 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 20° - 26° | 23° | 98 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 5.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.1h |
| February | Excellent | 19° - 26° | 23° | 60 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 5.1 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.5h |
| March | Ideal | 20° - 26° | 23° | 51 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 5.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 21° - 27° | 24° | 69 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 4.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Excellent | 22° - 28° | 25° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.8h |
| June | Excellent | 22° - 28° | 25° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.0h |
| July | Excellent | 23° - 28° | 25° | 88 mm | some cloud | 78% | 5.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| August | Excellent | 23° - 29° | 26° | 123 mm | some cloud | 78% | 5.2 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.6h |
| September | Excellent | 22° - 29° | 26° | 141 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Excellent | 22° - 29° | 25° | 133 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Very Good | 21° - 28° | 24° | 155 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Excellent | 20° - 27° | 24° | 105 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 4.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.0h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to The Bottom#
The Bottom is reached almost exclusively by air via Saba’s tiny Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB), with most international arrivals connecting through Sint Maarten (SXM) and taking a short inter-island flight. On-island transport is informal-taxis and rental vehicles are the norm.
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB): Saba’s small airport sits at the top of the island and is the main air gateway. Scheduled flights (primarily Winair) operate from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on Sint Maarten and occasionally from other nearby islands; flight time from SXM is about 10-15 minutes. From SAB the town of The Bottom is a short taxi ride or a walk depending on where you stay.
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM): SXM is the nearest major international airport; most visitors fly into SXM and take a short inter-island hop to Saba. Book the inter-island flight in advance as aircraft are small and seats limited.
Train: There is no rail service on Saba.
Bus: Saba has no public bus network. Local transport consists of taxis, rental jeeps/4x4s and walking; transfers from SAB airport to The Bottom are usually by taxi (a very short ride) or on foot if luggage is light.
How to Get Around The Bottom#
Getting to The Bottom means flying into Saba (SAB) via short connections from Sint Maarten; once on the island rely on taxis or a rented jeep for most travel, and on foot for exploring the town.
- Inter-island flight (Winair and local carriers) (USD 70-150 one-way (typical range)) - Scheduled small-aircraft flights connect Saba with Sint Maarten (SXM) and sometimes other nearby islands. Flights are short (around 10-15 minutes) but seat-limited-book early, especially in peak season. Baggage restrictions are strict due to small aircraft.
- Taxi (a few USD per short trip) - Taxis are the primary on-island public transport, especially for transfers from the airport to The Bottom and for trips to remote villages. Expect short fares for intra-island rides; agree a price or use metered fares where available.
- Rental jeep / 4x4 (USD 60+/day (approx.)) - Renting a jeep or small 4x4 is popular for visitors who want to explore the island’s steep, narrow roads and reach remote viewpoints. Book in advance in high season-vehicle availability is limited.
- Charter boat - There is no regular ferry service; private charters can be arranged from neighbouring islands for larger groups or special transfers. Charter availability and prices vary seasonally; confirm in advance.
- Walking - The Bottom and nearby settlements are compact and best explored on foot. Trails and paved streets can be steep-good footwear is recommended.
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Nightlife in The Bottom#
Nightlife is very limited: expect social evenings at hotels, occasional live music or community events, and quiet streets after sundown. There are no club scenes or late-night districts.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
Shopping in The Bottom#
Shopping options are minimal - a few convenience stores, small suppliers and local craft sellers meet basic needs. For a wider range of items, visitors bring supplies from larger islands or order ahead.