"There's tons of color and, of course, because they are out in this blue oasis of water and then all of the sudden you've got formations, it attracts corals and sponges which, of course, attract the smaller fish, which of course attract bigger and bigger fish," said Lynn Costernaro, who owns the Sea Saba Dive Center, during a presentation to divers who were visiting the island in May.
The sponges, both in their variety and size, are one of the most noticeable features of the Saba Marine Park. Giant barrel sponges almost as big as some divers tower over the seascape, which is thick with striking red, purple, orange and yellow sponges.
Sea turtles and stingrays are regularly spotted. Reef sharks can be seen on patrol. Spiny lobsters, crabs and moray eels hide in small openings in the corals.
One of the park's most thrilling dives, called Third Encounter, is on top of an underwater mountain.
The top, which is about 100 feet deep, is covered in coral and sponges with deep, dark blue drop-offs along its sides. Soon after getting there, a dive guide will start moving off into the deep blue, seemingly toward nothing.
A few heart-pounding moments after hovering over the blue abyss, a narrow towering spire suddenly comes into view -- again covered with colorful growth.
The first known divers in Saba waters did not come until 1982. The Dutch government decided to create a marine park not long after, before much diving had started.
