Saba C-Transport: Your Gateway to The Unspoiled Queen
The family-run ferry and yacht agency that quietly runs the show between Saba and the wider Caribbean.
Why Go
Getting to Saba isn't like anywhere else. There are no cruise ships, no glossy terminals, no fleets of taxis fighting for fares at the dock. Instead, there's a small blue-and-white ferry called the Makana slicing across the channel from St. Maarten, and a family-run agency in Windwardside that has been quietly connecting this five-square-mile volcanic island to the rest of the world since 2005.
The Experience
Saba C-Transport, N.V. is the kind of operation you only fully appreciate once you've used it. From their unassuming office on Carrot Street in Windwardside — tucked above S.E.S., NV and across from the legendary Swinging Doors bar — the team coordinates the Makana passenger ferry between Fort Bay and St. Maarten, handles cargo on the Mutty's Pride, and acts as agents for visiting yachts, mega-yachts, and small cruise ships. Walk in and you'll typically be greeted by staff who know every captain, every customs officer, and every guesthouse owner on the island by first name. Booking the ferry here feels less like a transaction and more like being handed the keys to Saba: they'll suggest where to stay, which trail to hike first, whether the sea will be kind tomorrow, and who to call if it isn't. For yacht crews, they arrange anchorage clearance, dive charters, island tours, and provisioning — the whole concierge stack — with the calm efficiency of people who've done this a thousand times.
What to Try
Book a round-trip ticket on the Makana ferry rather than flying both ways — the 90-minute crossing from St. Maarten gives you a proper sense of arriving at 'The Unspoiled Queen' as she rises out of the sea. If you're on a private vessel, use their full yacht-agent package: clearance, hiking guides, and dive-shop introductions bundled together. And drop into the Windwardside office in person at least once; the walk-in advice on trails, weather windows, and dinner reservations is worth the detour.
Insider Tip
The office is closed Wednesdays and Sundays, and Saturday hours end at noon — so if you're arriving on a weekend, lock in your ferry seat and any island logistics by Friday morning. Locals also know that the Makana can occasionally reschedule if the channel is rough; message the +599-416-2299 WhatsApp number rather than relying on email for same-day changes, and you'll usually get an answer within minutes.
The Practical Stuff
Address: 1A Carrot Street, Windwardside, Saba (above S.E.S., NV, across from Swinging Doors). Windwardside office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00 am–4:00 pm; Sat 9:00 am–12:00 pm; closed Wed and Sun. A second office at Fort Bay opens around ferry arrivals and departures. Contact: +599-416-2299 (office and WhatsApp), +1-607-846-7222 (US direct), info@sabaferry.com. Payment for tickets and services can be arranged in advance; bring a passport for ferry travel between Saba and St. Maarten.
Pair It With
- Brigadoon Guide — A short walk from the office, this Windwardside institution is where returning ferry passengers traditionally decompress over lobster and a rum punch.
- Swinging Doors Guide — Literally across the street — grab a beer here while you wait for staff to finalize your ferry or yacht paperwork.
- Bizzy B Bakery — Ideal pre-ferry stop for fresh pastries and coffee to take on the Makana crossing back to St. Maarten.
- Amonhana Guide — A relaxed Windwardside spot to celebrate arriving on-island after the ferry ride in.
