ICS Saba: The Windwardside Lifeline for Shipping, Car Rentals & Everything In Between
Since 1999, this pint-sized business hub has quietly been the island's answer to 'where do I get that done?'
Why Go
Saba is famously the 'Unspoiled Queen' of the Caribbean, but that unspoiled charm comes with a catch: no big-box stores, no FedEx counter, no chain car rental at the airport. Island Communication Services, tucked into the postcard village of Windwardside, is the workaround. It's the place divers use to ship a spare regulator home, expats use to receive their Amazon packages via a Miami address, and short-stay visitors use to rent a car, print a boarding pass, or figure out how to get a bulky souvenir off the rock. Owner-run since 1999, it's less a 'shop' and more the island's unofficial concierge, courier, and copy center rolled into one.
The Experience
Walking in feels like stepping into a small-town post office crossed with a travel agency. The front counter handles mailbox pickups and shipping quotes, while a back corner hums with a printer spitting out flyers, laminated documents, or a last-minute dive briefing. Staff know just about everyone on the island by name, so expect the transaction to pause while a local ducks in to grab a package or ask about a UPS quote. The pace is Saban-slow in the best way ??? nobody's rushing you, but things get done. If you're staying longer than a week, you'll likely end up here at least once, whether it's to rent a car through their Morgan Car Rental arm, ship a case of Saba Spice rum back to the States, or send a birthday card that actually arrives on time.
What to Try
For most travelers, the three services worth knowing are: (1) Morgan Car Rental ??? their in-house rental fleet, handy because Saba has very few rental outfits and demand spikes around dive-boat schedules; (2) Ezzyship ??? a no-subscription courier route from Miami with 5-day delivery at $4.25/lb, perfect if you forgot a piece of dive gear or need a prescription forwarded; (3) Cargo & customs brokerage ??? if you bought art at a Windwardside gallery or a hand-carved souvenir too big for a suitcase, they'll palletize and clear it. Long-term visitors or second-home owners should ask about the $75 six-month Miami mailbox ??? it's how half the island gets anything shipped.
Insider Tip
If you need a car for a Saba visit, email ICS *before* you fly in ??? the island only has a couple of rental operators and Morgan's small fleet books out fast when a cruise tender or a dive group hits the same week. Also: bring cash or a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, and don't show up Friday afternoon expecting a lengthy shipping consultation ??? they close at 1pm sharp on Fridays and are shut all weekend.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Windwardside village, Saba, Dutch Caribbean (walking distance from the main square, restaurants, and dive shops). Hours: Mon???Thu 9:00am???4:30pm, Fri 9:00am???1:00pm, closed Sat & Sun. Contact: +599 416-2881, WhatsApp +599 416-1264, US line (305) 521-3006, info@icssaba.com. Payment: cash and card accepted. Languages: English and Dutch. No reservations needed for walk-in services; car rental and mailbox setup are best arranged in advance by email.
Pair It With
- Bizzy B Bakery — Two minutes on foot from ICS ??? grab a fresh cinnamon roll or savory pastry while you wait for your car rental paperwork or shipping quote.
- Angelina's Saba by OwAiChie — Right in Windwardside village, an easy lunch or coffee stop to bookend a morning errand run at ICS.
- Amonhana — A relaxed Windwardside sit-down option when your ICS visit turns into a whole afternoon of village pottering.
- Barney's Ground trailhead — After the practical stuff is handled, walk off the errand-day energy on one of Saba's classic short hikes just outside the village.