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From Saba’s volcanic pinnacles and walls to the wrecks and macro life of St. Kitts, discover which side of this one-of-a-kind Caribbean Explorer II itinerary might become your favorite.
Ask a group of divers coming off Caribbean Explorer II which island they preferred, and you may start a debate.
Saba tends to win over divers who love dramatic underwater landscapes: volcanic pinnacles rising from deep water, walls disappearing into the blue, and dive sites where the structure itself is part of the adventure. St. Kitts hooks divers for other reasons. Slow down and there’s another world to find among its finger reefs, wrecks and varied terrain, with frogfish, seahorses and other macro life sharing the water with turtles, rays and schooling fish.
They sit surprisingly close together. Underwater, they can feel worlds apart.
That’s exactly what makes this itinerary aboard Caribbean Explorer II so much fun. As the only liveaboard diving Saba and St. Kitts, the vessel sails one-way itineraries between St. Maarten and St. Kitts starting at either end, giving guests a full week to settle in, unpack once and discover both. With up to five dives a day, including night dives when conditions allow, there’s plenty of time to find out which island wins you over.
So, Saba vs St. Kitts diving?
You’ll Love Saba If You Dive for the Drama
Saba doesn’t ease you into its underwater landscape.
This tiny volcanic island rises steeply from the Caribbean, and that geology continues beneath the surface. Divers descend alongside walls, swim around dramatic rock formations and circle pinnacles that climb from deeper water toward the sunlight.
Sites such as Diamond Rock, Tent Reef and the Eye of the Needle make Saba especially fun for divers who appreciate underwater topography. You may find yourself looking out into the blue one moment and back toward a wall covered in sponges, corals and reef life the next.
Wide-angle photographers have plenty to work with. Divers who have logged countless Caribbean reef dives may find Saba’s volcanic structures a welcome surprise. Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, turtles and spotted eagle rays may add to the show, while smaller creatures give you plenty of reasons to look closer.
All Saba’s diving takes place within Saba Marine Park, which has protected the waters surrounding the island since 1987. That same respect for the places we dive is carried aboard Caribbean Explorer II through Explorer Ventures Fleet’s Dive Green® environmental management program and Green Fins conservation practices.
You’ll Love St. Kitts If You Like to Look Closer
Then Caribbean Explorer II moves on, and the personality of the diving changes.
St. Kitts brings finger reefs, wrecks and dive sites are where slowing down often pays off. This is where the diver who spent Saba staring out into the blue may suddenly have their nose inches from the reef looking for a frogfish.
Seahorses, frogfish, eels, lobsters and other small reef residents give macro photographers plenty to search for, while turtles, sting rays, schooling fish and nurse sharks keep things interesting beyond the reef.
The Corinthian and River Taw add wreck dives to the mix, bringing structure, history and marine life together. Night dives change things again, when familiar sites take on a completely different personality after dark.
One Caribbean Explorer II guest singled out the crew’s ability to find macro subjects, noting that the captain often joined dives and was particularly good at spotting subjects for photographers. Another guest, Scott R. summed up the diving as abundant “sea life and interesting structure.”
That combination gets at what makes the itinerary work so well. You aren’t spending a week looking for variations of the same dive.
Saba asks you to look out. St. Kitts asks you to look closer.
Wide Angle or Macro? Pack Both.
Underwater photographers may want to pack both lenses.
Saba gives wide-angle photographers plenty to work with: pinnacles, walls, volcanic formations and bigger scenes. St. Kitts can send you in the opposite direction, hunting for tiny subjects or working the details of a wreck.
Caribbean Explorer II is set up to support a week of underwater adventures, with experienced dive professionals, detailed site briefings and dedicated camera space and charging facilities for underwater photographers.
Sometimes the best part is coming back aboard and discovering that while you were photographing a frogfish, someone else was watching an eagle ray cruise past.
What Caribbean Explorer II Guests Say
The diving may be what brings guests aboard, but when recent Caribbean Explorer II guests describe their trips, they talk just as much about what happens between the dives: the crew, the food, the ease of getting in and out of the water, and the small touches that become part of the week.
“The warm towels and hot chocolate after each night dive were a wonderful touch.”
— James C., verified Caribbean Explorer II guest, April 2026
James also praised the knowledgeable divemasters, the layout of the vessel and how easily divers could gear up and get into the water. It’s a small detail until you’re doing multiple dives a day. Then a dive deck that flows well and a crew that keeps everything moving can make a very big difference.
The crew comes up repeatedly in guest feedback.
“The crew were exceptional and made all the guests comfortable and cared for.”
— Amanda R., verified Caribbean Explorer II guest, June 2026
Guests have plenty to say about life above the water, too. Reviews regularly mention the meals, clean and comfortable accommodations, knowledgeable briefings and the personalities of the people running the trip. One recent guest took the time to recognize crew members individually, describing the dive guides as knowledgeable and professional, the captain and crew as friendly and approachable, and the food as “five star.”
For guest Nicole B., the trip review extended ashore too. She praised the food and knowledgeable divemasters and recommended the land excursions for guests wanting to learn more about Saba and St. Kitts, writing that “the people we met are unforgettable.”
Sometimes a guest sums up an entire week in just a few words:
“10/10, would dive again!”
— Tony B., verified Caribbean Explorer II guest, January 2026
That’s the part of a liveaboard trip that’s hard to capture on a dive site list. You spend a lot of time together over the course of a week. Surface intervals become conversations, dinner is where everyone compares what they found that day, and by the end of the trip, the crew and other divers have become a big part of the story.
Saba and St. Kitts may provide two very different sides of Caribbean diving. Caribbean Explorer II is what brings the whole week together.
Two Islands Above the Water, Too
The contrast continues when you take off your fins. Optional land excursions give guests the chance to see the islands beyond their dive sites. Saba is tiny, steep and unmistakably volcanic, with winding roads and mountain scenery packed into just five square miles.
St. Kitts has its own character, with historic sites such as Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and local stops including Caribelle Batik.
For divers who want a little more than diving in their liveaboard week, there’s plenty to see ashore.
You don’t just dive two islands. You get to know them.
So, Saba or St. Kitts?
Here’s the quick answer:
| If you love… | You may fall for… |
| Dramatic underwater topography | Saba |
| Pinnacles and walls | Saba |
| Wide-angle photography | Saba |
| Macro hunting | St. Kitts |
| Wreck diving | St. Kitts |
| Frogfish and seahorses | St. Kitts |
| Hiking and panoramic views | Saba |
| Tiny towns and volcanic mountains | Saba |
| Souvenir shopping | St. Kitts |
| Historic and cultural stops | St. Kitts |
| Getting to know the islands between dives | Both |
| A little of everything | Good thing you’re diving both |
If you want sharks, turtles, rays, schooling fish, night dives and as much variety as possible, the answer gets considerably harder.
That’s the point.
Caribbean Explorer II doesn’t ask you to choose. One week brings together two very different sides of Caribbean diving, an experienced crew and plenty of time above and below the surface to discover your favorite.
Some guests leave talking about Saba. Others can’t stop talking about St. Kitts.
Which one will you love most? Fortunately, you get a week to decide.
Book your next dive trip
Whether one destination stood out or you’re grabbing a deal, the next step is simple — start the conversation. Our team can help you compare itineraries, choose the right vessel, and find dates that fit your schedule and experience level.
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Saba vs St. Kitts Diving FAQ
Is Saba or St. Kitts better for scuba diving?
It depends on what you enjoy underwater. Saba is known for dramatic volcanic topography, pinnacles, walls and wide-angle scenery, while St. Kitts offers wrecks, finger reefs and opportunities to find macro life such as frogfish and seahorses. Caribbean Explorer II combines both in one itinerary.
Can you dive both Saba and St. Kitts on one liveaboard trip?
Yes. Caribbean Explorer II is the only liveaboard diving both Saba and St. Kitts, sailing one-way itineraries between St. Maarten and St. Kitts with diving around both islands. You can start your trip at either end.
How many dives can you do aboard Caribbean Explorer II?
Caribbean Explorer II offers up to five dives a day (up to 27 over the trip), including night dives when conditions allow. Dive schedules vary according to weather, conditions and itinerary.
Is Saba and St. Kitts good for underwater photography?
Yes. Saba’s walls, pinnacles and volcanic formations offer wide-angle opportunities, while St. Kitts is particularly rewarding for macro subjects, wrecks and smaller reef life. Caribbean Explorer II also provides dedicated camera space and charging facilities.
What marine life can divers see around Saba and St. Kitts?
Divers may encounter Caribbean reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, schooling fish, eels, lobsters and a variety of reef life. St. Kitts is also known for smaller subjects such as frogfish and seahorses. Wildlife encounters vary and are never guaranteed.
How does Caribbean Explorer II support sustainable diving?
Sustainability is built into operations aboard Caribbean Explorer II through Explorer Ventures Fleet’s Dive Green® environmental management program and participation in Green Fins. Practices focus on reducing the environmental impact of liveaboard operations, supporting responsible diving and wildlife interactions, and helping guests understand how to protect the marine environments they visit. This is especially relevant around Saba, where much of the diving takes place within the protected waters of Saba Marine Park.
