The Potential of Whale Watching in the Caribbean: 1999+

Saba
Population: 1,500.
Land area: 13 sq km.
Tourist arrivals by air: 10,556 (-7.9% on prev. yr.)
Tourist arrivals by cruise ship: None.
Total Tourist Expenditures: See St. Maarten.
Tourism Budget: Not reported.
GDP at factor cost: Not reported.
1994 figures on whale watching: Nil.
1998 figures on whale watching: Nil.
Whale-watching ports (current or potential): Limited information.
Land-based viewing sites: Limited information.
Whale-watching potential: Minimal to moderate.
(Figures above are latest figures for 1997, except as noted.)
The smallest of all the Dutch Antilles at 5 square miles (13 sq km), Saba has low
key tourism on a rocky volcanic island and is one of the world's top scuba diving
destinations. In 1997, Saba received 10,600 visitors, up 7.9% on the previous year. Saba's
waters have been protected in a model marine reserve since 1987 and are largely unspoilt
and treasured by divers. According to Tom Van't Hof, who has worked to help set up and
manage the marine reserve, the diving boats report occasional sightings of various tropical
dolphins and sometimes humpbacks in late winter. There are some marine nature and
sightseeing cruises offered out of Fort Hill on Fort Bay, from the southwestern shore of
Saba. These tours could include dolphins, although dedicated tours based on dolphin or
whale tourism from Saba do not seem possible at present.
St. Eustatius
Population: 1,960.
Land area: 27 sq km.
Tourist arrivals by air: 8,533 (-3.7% on prev. yr.)
Tourist arrivals by cruise ship: None.
Total Tourist Expenditures: See St. Maarten.
Tourism Budget: Not reported.
GDP at factor cost: Not reported.
1994 figures on whale watching: Nil.
1998 figures on whale watching: Nil.
Whale-watching ports (current or potential): Limited information.
Land-based viewing sites: Limited information.
Whale-watching potential: Minimal.
(Figures above are latest figures for 1997, except as noted.)
Popularly called Statia, Sint Eustatius is a tiny 8-square-mile (21 sq km) volcanic
island located SE of Saba, between Saba and St. Kitts and Nevis. The usual gateway is
through St. Maarten, 38 miles (61 km) to the north. Statia is even more tranquil and off the
beaten track than Saba, and with a less developed tourism infrastructure. In 1997, Statia
received 8,500 tourists, up 3.7% on the previous year. Like Saba, Statia also has excellent
diving though it is focused toward the offshore wrecks. As of 1998, the local government
began setting up mooring buoys to establish a national marine park, following Saba's
example. As with St. Maarten and Saba, cetacean surveys would be needed first before
such tourism could be considered.
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