How to Get to Saba: 2 Options But One is Way More Exciting!

First, you’ll need to fly into St. Maarten. It’s about 28 miles from Saba and the main hub most travelers use to reach the island.

From there, you can take The Edge ferry. This high-speed boat departs from the Simpson Bay Police Dock, located about 10 minutes from the airport, so the transfer is quick and straightforward once you land.

Tickets are booked through Aqua Mania, the company that operates the ferry.

The ferry ride takes about 90 minutes and drops you at Fort Bay Harbor in Saba.

Now, I feel obligated to be honest here.

The waters can get choppy, especially during the Christmas winds, which typically run from November through April. I’ve heard more than a few people refer to this ride as the “vomit comet,” which tells you everything you need to know.

If you’re prone to seasickness, plan accordingly.

The ferry operates twice a week. It departs from St. Maarten at 9 am on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The return ferry from Saba leaves at 3:30 pm, also on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Technically, you can visit Saba as a day trip.

But personally, I would strongly suggest staying a few nights. Between the dramatic hikes and some of the best diving in the Caribbean, this island deserves more than a quick in-and-out.

As for cost, the one-way ferry fare is $75 per adult. A same-day round trip costs $100 per adult.

There’s also another ferry option that launched on December 1, 2021.

The Makana Ferry runs between St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, and Saba. It’s operated by Blues & Blues Ltd, a company that’s been providing ferry service in the region for over 30 years, so they’re not new to these waters.

The ferry runs on select days and at specific times, so you’ll definitely want to check the current schedule in advance before planning your connection.

In St. Maarten, boarding takes place at Bobby’s Marina. In Saba, it arrives at Fort Bay.

Rates are $95 one-way or $155 round-trip, per adult.

For option number two, you’ll still fly into St. Maarten first.

But instead of hopping on a potentially bumpy 90-minute ferry ride, you take a 12-minute flight to Saba and land on one of the shortest commercial runways in the world.

And when I say short, I mean short. It’s only 1,312 feet long!

Way more exciting, in my opinion.

Getting to Saba by air was a total no-brainer for us. My husband didn’t even hesitate. A tiny plane landing on a postage stamp of a runway? We were in.

Winair operates 2 to 3 daily flights between St. Maarten and Saba. We flew into St. Maarten with American Airlines, arrived in the early afternoon, and then caught the 5 pm Winair flight to Saba just as the sun was starting to dip lower in the sky.

That 12-minute flight ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.

The views of the turquoise water and Saba’s steep, dramatic cliffs rising straight out of the sea were incredible. And when the pilot lines up with that famously short runway, you definitely feel your heart rate tick up a notch.

It’s quick, a little adrenaline-filled, and far more memorable than a long ferry ride. For us, flying was hands down the better way to arrive.

The plane is tiny.

It only holds 19 passengers plus 2 pilots. I highly recommend choosing the seats right behind the pilots.

You see everything. The approach. The cliffs. That very short strip of runway coming into view.

It immediately reminded us of the little bush planes we took in Tanzania during our safari and of island-hopping in the Seychelles on a Twin Otter.

Same intimate vibe, same adrenaline rush, same feeling of “okay, this is part of the adventure.”

As you fly in, the first thing you notice are the towering green mountains rising up on the right-hand side. It honestly reminded me of the Napali Coast in Kauai, those dramatic cliffs that look like they were carved straight out of the ocean.

And then you see it.

This tiny strip of runway ahead of you.

As you approach, it looks almost impossibly short. The pilot touches down and performs a very firm, very intentional short stop just before the runway ends, which quite literally sits at the edge of a cliff dropping steeply into the sea.

It’s a nail-biter. I completely understand why Forbes once ranked it among the “17 Scariest Airport Landings in the World.”

What made me feel better is what I learned afterward. Only highly skilled pilots are allowed to fly into Saba, and they have to complete special training specific to this airport before operating the route.

And despite the drama of the landing, Saba actually has an exceptional safety record.

We paid around $220 per person for a round-trip ticket. A round-trip ferry ticket runs about $150 if you’re not doing same-day.

For us, that extra $70 was absolutely worth it. The time saved, the views, the adrenaline, and the sheer uniqueness of the landing made it one of the most memorable arrivals we’ve ever had.

Saba still feels wonderfully under the radar, but I don’t think that will last forever. It’s only a matter of time before more travelers catch on to this tiny Caribbean gem.

And when you go, don’t rush it.

You really need at least a few days to experience what the island has to offer. We snorkeled with sea turtles and hiked one of the most beautiful trails on the island, surrounded by lush greenery and sweeping ocean views.

If you’re planning your itinerary, I put together a full guide to the best things to do in Saba so you don’t miss the highlights.

It’s the kind of place where you stay active all day and fall asleep completely content.

But remember, part of the adventure is getting there.

Take the plane. Trust me.

Then you’ll have full bragging rights that you landed on the shortest commercial runway in the world.

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Have you done the thrilling plane ride to Saba?

Let me know in the comments below!