After a dry few years, we are anxious to explore more of the Caribbean not yet visited. We are looking at St. Maarten, but a relative suggested skipping and heading straight to Saba for some R&R. Would like opinions on preferred areas for first time visitors to stay on St. Maarten as well as Saba. Looking for adventure, snorkeling, diving, hiking, but a quite place to stay at night! Not into huge crowds, love little bars and local food joints. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Sounds like Saba is right for you.

It's a great Diving destination.

To ME, Saba would be TOO quiet, for more than a day or two, but everyone is different. I also don't dive.

If you choose St Martin, the French side would suit you. Saba is lovely, but no swimming beaches.

Sounds like you'll need to book a few weeks to get that all in. There's scuba shop on Airport road (St. Martin), lovely people that run it! Here's the link: http://www.thescubashop.net/?fbclid=IwAR3MDzL2u0A-2H5VVZfefPQkfOcP6DvKYZCV-JihhXVR-y7CRGDpQXFQCTM

tff,

We have vacationed on SXM for almost fifty years annually but we have stepped off the beaten path to check out many of the other islands.

The differences between Saba and St. Maarten are monumental. If you really want to chill Saba is the place to go. We stayed three or four nights at Queen’s Garden Inn and it was wonderful. But too quiet for words if you didn’t want to seriously chill. I think I read three books while there. No major active hotels but incredible diving and hiking and a photographers dream. And as already stated, no beaches to speak of but QGI does have a nice pool.

As to which side on SXM, we prefer the Dutch side but that’s us. Plenty to do if you want to and great places to chill if that’s your choice. Check out Mary’s Boon and our personal favorite, Beachside Villas. Both are small properties and on the beach. BSV has a lovely pool that doesn’t get used much and plenty of chaises around the pool.o

You have received sound advice from others. You will likely catch a main flight into SXM and then a quick, short hop to Saba. I've know many scuba enthusiasts that only know Sint Maarten as a stopover to Saba. Casinos, incredible gourmet, cuisine, white sandy beaches, Caribbean shopping, that's Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin. Quiet, good diving experience, local small food bar/restaurants, hiking, that's Saba. We are returning to our long time (35+ years SXM) vacation love later this year.