Wanderlust World Wanderlust World When it comes to "smallest Caribbean island," the answer depends on how you define "island" (inhabited vs. uninhabited, sovereign vs. territory). But if you're looking for the smallest inhabited island with a permanent population and functioning government, the standout answer is Saba.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | 13 km² (5 sq mi) |
| Population | ~1,900 (2023 est.) |
| Status | Special municipality of the Netherlands (part of the Caribbean Netherlands) |
| Capital | The Bottom |
| Highest Point | Mount Scenery (887 m / 2,910 ft) – highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Nickname | "The Unspoiled Queen" |
| Island | Area | Population | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saba | 13 km² | ~1,900 | Dutch municipality | Smallest inhabited, self-governing Caribbean island |
| Sint Eustatius (Statia) | 21 km² | ~3,200 | Dutch municipality | Saba's neighbor, slightly larger |
| Montserrat | 102 km² | ~4,600 | UK Overseas Territory | Larger, but half uninhabitable due to volcano |
| Anguilla | 91 km² | ~16,000 | UK Overseas Territory | More developed tourism |
| Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts) | 25 km² | ~11,000 | French collectivity | Luxury tourism, smaller than Saba? No, larger area. |
| Petite Terre (Guadeloupe) | ~10 km² | 0 (uninhabited) | Nature reserve | Uninhabited—so not "smallest inhabited" |
| Navassa Island | 5.4 km² | 0 | US unincorporated territory (disputed) | Uninhabited, no fresh water |
Flights connect via St. Maarten (SXM) on Winair (12 min) or ferry from St. Maarten (90 min, rough seas common). Accommodations are small inns and guesthouses—book well ahead. Bring cash (USD widely accepted, official currency is USD). No ATMs in some villages.
Saba isn't for everyone. But if your Caribbean dream involves cloud forests, world-class diving, zero cruise ships, and a population smaller than many high schools, the "Unspoiled Queen" might be your perfect 5 square miles.