Flat Point Tide Pools

17°38′38″N 63°13′6″W / 17.64389°N 63.21833°W / 17.64389; -63.21833

Waves crashing and filling the Flat Point Tide Pools

The Flat Point Tide Pools (or Saba Tide Pools) are located on the coast of Saba, in the Dutch Caribbean. They are located on the Flat Point peninsula Lower Hell's Gate. These tide pools feature large lava rock formations filled with colorful saltwater pools.[1] The site was formed during volcanic activity about 5,000 years ago.[2] A large lava flow went down the northeast side of the island into the ocean, forming the Flat Point peninsula as it cooled.[3] Today the Flat Point Tide Pools are home to diverse marine life, and are a popular hiking location.[1] The site is accessible via the Flat Point Trail below Saba's airport.

Water filling the Flat Point Tide Pools, with Spring Bay and Booby Hill in the distance

Hiking

The tide pools are a popular hiking location,[4][5][6] and can be reached by the Flat Point Trail.[7][8] The trail access is located on road going from Saba's airport to Cove Bay.[8] The trail passes by the ruins of an indigo boiling house, that was part of a 17th-18th century sugar and indigo plantation (referred to as "Flat Point Plantation" by archeologists).[8][9] The hike is about 15-25 minutes each way.[7][10]

Wildlife

Main article: Flat_Point § Nature

The tide pools are home to including small fish, sea urchins, crabs, and sea flora.[11][10][12] Off the coast are protected coral reefs that are part of the Saba National Marine Park. Birdwatchers can see numerous bird species in the Flat Point area, including the Common Ground Dove, the Brown Noddy, the Least Sandpiper, and the White-tailed Tropicbird.

Safety

Rip currents can occur in the Flat Point tide pools, especially from November to April.[13] The Saba Conservation Foundation advises hikers visiting the tide pools to be cautious and alert, and to stay safely distanced from the surf.[13] Additionally, the volcanic rocks are jagged and can be sharp.[14][15]

  • Flat Point Tide Pools, with St. Eustatius in the distance
    Flat Point Tide Pools, with St. Eustatius in the distance
  • Volcanic rocks of the tide pools, with Old Booby Hill beyond
    Volcanic rocks of the tide pools, with Old Booby Hill beyond
  • Tide pool surrounded by volcanic rock formations
    Tide pool surrounded by volcanic rock formations

References

  1. ^ a b "Les Fruits De Mer » Blog Archive » Extreme Shallow Snorkeling at the Saba Tide Pools". Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  2. ^ "Biological Inventory of Saba" (PDF). www.sabapark.org. Carmabi Foundation.
  3. ^ "Global Volcanism Program: Saba (General Information tab)". Smithsonian Institution | Global Volcanism Program. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  4. ^ "On This Caribbean Island, It Doesn't Take Long to Feel Local". The New York Times. July 11, 2016.
  5. ^ O'Marra, Flash Parker with Chelsea. "Saba: A Caribbean island fit for a king". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  6. ^ "5 reasons why Saba is the perfect day-trip destination | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  7. ^ a b "Hiking | Saba Tourism". 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  8. ^ a b c "The Nature of Saba [brochure]" (PDF). www.sabatourism.com. Saba Conservation Foundation.
  9. ^ Espersen, Ryan (2019-01-01). "A Site Report of Flat Point, Saba, Dutch Caribbean: A Ceramic-Age Amerindian Site and Early Colonial Sugar and Indigo Plantation". Zemi Cultural Heritage Services Site Reports.
  10. ^ a b "Hiking on Saba | Sea Saba Dive Center". seasaba. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  11. ^ "Hiking | Saba Tourism". 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  12. ^ Werner, Laurie. "Ultimate Caribbean Seclusion: The Under The Radar, Newly Reopened Island Of Saba". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  13. ^ a b "Flat Point Tide Pool Advisory" (PDF). www.sabapark.org. Saba Conservation Foundation.
  14. ^ Allen, Casey D. (2017-07-19). Landscapes and Landforms of the Lesser Antilles. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-55787-8.
  15. ^ "The Tide Pools - Saba". ArrivalGuides.com. 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2024-01-12.

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