The bay sits on the west side of the island, directly under a set of 800 steps hand carved into the rocks locally known as "The Ladder".

[2][3] Until the construction of Saba's first pier in the 1970s, Ladder Bay was a primary point of entry for supplies to the island.

[9][10] But more recently, archeologists have found 17th-century ceramics above Ladder Bay, suggesting the area may have been occupied during early years of European settlement.

[23] It is a heritage trail that includes ruins of an open cistern, stone walls of a farm, and a cavern.

[19] At Babylon, Ladder Labyrinth, and 50/50, divers can place their hands on hot, sulfur-colored sand, resulting from the active status of Saba's volcano.

[30][26][27][29] The bay is home to a variety of fish, including Burrfish, Chromis, Filefish, Glassy Sweepers, Horse-eye Jacks, Lancer Dragonets, Lizardfish, Peacock Flounders, Pikeblennies, Schoolmasters, Spotted Drums, Tarpons, Yellowfin Groupers, and Yellowhead Jawfish, as well as Nurse Sharks and Reef sharks.

[18][32][33] Passengers of moored boats are advised to enter the island via through Fort Bay Harbor for safety reasons.

[18][34] Additionally, passengers from arriving yachts are required to go to Fort Bay to clear Customs and Immigration, as well as to check in and out with the Saba's Harbor Master.

[34] In March 2017, a French-owned boat broke free of its mooring, and became stranded on the rocks in Ladder Bay.