Let’s Discover the Most Unrecognized Caribbean Island of Sint Eustatius

Locals call it Statia, while only a few know that is was the most demanding seaport in past. This little Caribbean island was not known to me at all even despite its historic fame until one of my friend told me about it. Like me, there are many people who still do not even know that such an island do exists. All thanks to my friend who told me take a tour of this island this time.

As a glorious past, this island was once the bustling center in the 18th century for trading precious supplies among Europe, Africa, and the New World. A deep harbor, this island holds a few best sites for scuba sport on the Caribbean.

Prime Attractions

• Oranjestad:
  This is the only town on the island offering enchanting ramshacks. Perched on a sea cliff facing a beach and the calm dock, there were some 200 vessels offshore in the 18th century. Explore the terraced Fort Oranje on the cliffs with dotted ancient cannons that was erected in 1636 A.D. and later renovated to admire the U.S. bicentennial celebration in 1976 A.D.
• The Quill:
  This is a breathtaking site for the adventurers, which is the 610 m volcanic shaft of a dead volcano. Ascending 5 km south of Oranjestad on the highway, an archaic rainforest dwells in the basin. Descend until its depths that belong to the first official National Park of the Netherlands Antilles involving the White Wall, a limestone creation on the volcanic south, and the Boven area of five hills in the north of the island. Wardens can guide through your excursion and through the well-preserved 10 trails in the Quill at the cost of $10 including 3-to-4-hour hike. Preparations take place at the Visitors Center close to the harbor at the Gallows Bay opened from Monday to Thursday – 8 am to 5 pm and on Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm.
• Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden, Upper Company:
  If you want to have the most delicious picnic lunch, this is precisely the ideal place on the Atlantic side of Quill. The garden is the home of the flora and fauna of Statia on its 52 lush acres. You can hire a warden (Monday to Friday in the morning) to have a guided tour of the gardens for donation of $5. This visit takes 1.5 hours that include the Sensory Garden, Palm Garden, Lookout Garden, and a bird trail.
• St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum, Upper Town:
  Also known as the Donker House dedicated to its former occupant, Simon Donker; this refers to the 18th century house and museum built in a garden of 20th century wing. Here, you can see the collections regarding the sugar refining, shipping, and commerce, a section of the pre-Columbian period, colonial archaeological artifacts, and two wonderful rooms with 18th century antiques. Do also glimpse at a huge chunk of needlework exhibiting native flowers done by American Catherine Mary Williams. The museum’s timings are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to noon with an admission fee of $3 for adults and $1 for children.
• Orange Beach:
  This is also renowned as the Smoke Alley Beach on the Caribbean side. Located off the Lower Town, this is a small volcanic beach on the southwest coast where waters soak the beige or black sands and nicely welcomes a leisurely swim. The beach is completely in solitude and therefore, yours until the late afternoon after which the natives throng for roam and swim. While being in the underwater journey, explore the sunken leftovers of an 18th century man-of-war, walls of warehouses, and taverns along with the shipwrecks below the surface of Oranje Bay over 200 years ago.
• Crooks Castle Beach:
  Located on the Caribbean side to the south of Oranjestad, this is the best site for snorkeling due to suitable waters of pillar coral. You can rent a snorkeling gear from any dive shop. This beach is also famous for its blue-glass beads for the beachcombers.
• Dive Statia:
  This refers to a PADI center situated on the Fishermen’s Beach in Lower Town. It hosts admiring professional staff of different experiences that can take you to the ship leftovers, coral reefs, and more. Get some basic instructions or go for a certification course of $450. There are also tank boat dives that cost $40 for one dive and $75 for two. Equipment takes $15 per day and night dives with snorkel trips are on offer here.
• Corre Corre Bay:
  Located on the southeast Atlantic side, this holds a stretch of dark golden sand. Worth a visit, the beach is accessible within 30 minutes down the Mountain Road.
• Lynch Bay Beach:
  Located at two turns north of the Corre Corre beach, this has an expanse of light brown sand and is like a refuge for those coming from the wilds of the Atlantic. Because the coast is rough and tides are not to be believed at all, swimming is not at all the activity of this beach, but sunbathing is.
• Lynch Plantation Museum:
  Located at the Lynch Bay, this museum requires a pre-call to arrange for the visit. Here, you can explore the life prior to a century on this island via its antiques, farming equipments, images, and old Bibles. Even today, the inhabitants refer to this place as the Berkel Family Plantation where Ismael Berkel will take a kind effort to explore this from each angle. There is no fee, but donations are welcomed any time.

Best Time to Visit

December to April

Accommodations

• Golden Era Hotel
• King’s Well Resort
• The Old Gin House