The Best of St. Eustatius – St. Eustatius is an island area and the second smallest island belonging to the Dutch Caribbean. It is part of the Windward Islands and continues up to Saba and St. Maarten. Statia is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. St. Eustatius is the southernmost island of the Windward Islands, and has a total area of about 9.2 square miles.
St Eustatius, or “The Caribbean’s Hidden Treasure” is the jewel of the Caribbean. St Eustatius, Statia as it is commonly known, has dazzling reefs that are teeming with marine life, rusting ship wrecks vestiges of the Lower Town, part of the capital of Oranjestad, what is largely submerged. More than 100 sunken trading ships off the shores of Statia make this a diving mecca. However there are things to do above the water too: visitors can take a half-day hike to the 2,000 foot Quill National Park, a classically shaped volcano with a forest-filled crater.
Statia is 18 minutes by air from St. Maarten, and primarily a day-trip destination. Those who linger can appreciate the unspoiled island, its history, and its peacefulness. Think of this tiny Dutch Caribbean island for quiet times, strolls through history, and awesome diving and hiking. While many of its neighbors are pursuing the tourist business big-time, Statia is an island out of time, and that’s its charm. To learn more about all the beautiful beaches on the island of St Eustatius, visit here. Now view our St Eustatius Travel Guide to help plan your next St Eustatius vacation!
Historical Blue Glass Beads
Historical Blue Glass BeadsA remarkable story is that of the blue beads, Statia’s local currency in the 17th century. The famous Dutch West India Company used these beads to trade in tobacco, cotton, rum, and slaves. To this very day, the beads reappear whenever a fierce storm stirs up the sand on the bottom of the sea and around the island. According to the legend you don’t find blue beads but the beads find you, and if you’re found, you will return to St. Eustatius again and again. Blue beads are the only artifacts that are allowed to leave the island.
St. Eustatius Weather – Best Time to Visit St. Eustatius
St Eustatius is a humid tropical island, with temperatures averaging 80°F throughout the year. There is little variation in the seasons, but temperatures never exceed 85°F. The most popular time to visit St Eustatius is during the dry season between December and April. Hotel prices do not fluctuate, so those vacationing between December and April, will find St Eustatius offers good value for money when other islands in the region tend to double their rates. Accommodations can get booked up towards the end of July when people flock to the island to celebrate the annual carnival, so booking a hotel well in advance is recommended during this time.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in St. Eustatius
The Quill/Boven National Park
The Quill/Boven National ParkSituated on the south side of the island, The Quill/Boven National Park is home to a volcano named the Quill. Protected as a national park, The Quill stands at 2,000 ft. and you can explore the crater inside.
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Try Some Water Sports
Try Some Water SportsGo windsurfing or water skiing; these and other water sports are well catered for on the island. Enjoy the island’s superb scuba diving opportunities. Many wrecks filled with marine life lie on the black sand amid coral reefs and near the submerged old port off Oranjestad. Dive centers offer complete courses and equipment rental.
Wander Around the Old Town
Wander Around the Old TownTake a stroll around the restored Old Town. A highly recommended visit is to the Miriam Schmidt Botanical Garden. It opens from sunrise to sunset and tours are available during weekday mornings and also by special arrangement.
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Hike the Mazinga Trail
Hike the Mazinga TrailStaying in The Quill/Boven National Park you can also get on the Mazinga Trail through the lush interior. The Trail has an abundance of plant life such as giant fern trees, wild balsam, begonias, and 17 different kinds of beautiful orchids including some rare species. There is also plenty of wildlife to include butterflies, exotic birds, iguanas and land crabs.
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Fort Oranje
Fort OranjeCatch glimpses of the island’s past by wandering about the colonial houses and visiting For Oranje, which was built by the French in 1629 and still has intact cannons. Other sites worth a visit here is Fort Amsterdam, or going underwater to see the bay’s sunken Dutch sea walls.
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Snorkel Around St. Eustatius
Snorkel Around St. EustatiusTake advantage of the warm and clear water and coral displays by going snorkeling. Perfect for beginners or old hands, there are plenty of dive walls, reefs and shipwreck sites. Preserving the marine life is St. Eustatius Marine Park that has specially contained dive sites.
Head to the Unspoiled Beaches
Head to the Unspoiled BeachesRelax on many beautiful an d unspoiled beaches with unusual layers of black and tan sand. The three beaches are each different in character. Oranje Bay is good for swimming but doesn’t have much in the way of sand, while Zeelandia Beach and Lynch Beach are good for sunbathing. Be aware that none have lifeguards.
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Best St. Eustatius Restaurants
Blue Bead Bar & Restaurant $11 – 30
This delightful little blue-and-yellow restaurant, a favorite with locals, is the perfect place to have lunch after scuba diving or to watch the sunset. It is one of those places where everyone talks to everyone. There are always daily specials; the menu includes pizza, burgers, seafood, and Italian and French food. But it’s closed between lunch and dinner (2–6). Telephone: 599-319-2873 Web: Blue Beard Bar & Restaurant.
Ocean View Terrace $11 – 30
In the courtyard overlooking Fort Oranje, this is a favorite of those who like to watch the sunset. It hasn’t changed over the years. Owner Lauris Redan serves sandwiches and burgers for lunch and a variety of local dishes—baked snapper with shrimp sauce, spicy chicken, tenderloin steak—at dinner. Try the local conch. As at many Statia restaurants, payment is cash only. Telephone: 599-318-2934 Web: Ocean View Terrace.
Franky’s Bar & Restaurant $11 – 30
There isn’t much more to this nondescript place than a bar, some tables, and a patio. But its goat dishes have made it well known. Every Saturday there is a barbecue and a DJ. The barbecue is a great deal—ribs, chicken, potatoes, satay rice, vegetables, and salad—all for $13. Telephone: 599-318-4948 Web: Franky’s Bar & Restaurant.
Golden Era Hotel Restaurant $11 – 30
West Indian, creole, and local fish specialties are on the menu at this waterfront terrace restaurant, where the sound of the Caribbean is always playing in the background. Telephone: 599-318-2445 Web: Golden Era Hotel Restaurant.
The Old Gin House $11 – 30
This bistro in the Old Gin House hotel serves a well-prepared selection of rotisserie chicken, grilled fish, lobster, steak, and pastas. The historic dining room borders a flower-filled courtyard, and dining even extends across the street to the relaxed, umbrella-shaded patio on the waterfront. Mango bavaroise and key lime crepes are specialty desserts. Telephone: 599-318-2319 Web: The Old Gin House.
Best St. Eustatius Nightlife
Cool Corner Bar & Restaurant
The island’s oldest bar, this tiny but lively after-work and weekend hangout is across from the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum. You’ll find the cheapest prices for booze on the island and you’re guaranteed to make some new friends here. Foreigners who’ve lived on Statia leave their car number plates on the walls of this place before returning home. Telephone: 599-318-2523 Web: Cool Corner Bar & Restaurant.
Blue Bead Bar & Restaurant
This delightful little blue-and-yellow restaurant, a favorite with locals, is the perfect place to have lunch after scuba diving or to watch the sunset. It is one of those places where everyone talks to everyone. There are always daily specials; the menu includes pizza, burgers, seafood, and Italian and French food. But it’s closed between lunch and dinner (2–6). Telephone: 599-319-2873 Web: Blue Beard Bar & Restaurant.
Franky’s Bar & Restaurant
There isn’t much more to this nondescript place than a bar, some tables, and a patio. But its goat dishes have made it well known. Every Saturday there is a barbecue and a DJ. The barbecue is a great deal—ribs, chicken, potatoes, satay rice, vegetables, and salad—all for $13. Telephone: 599-318-4948 Telephone: Franky’s Bar & Restaurant.
Ocean View Terrace
Get the best sunset views in town. The menu lists everything from cheese burgers to a wide range of seafood dishes and carnivores will be pleased to know that this is the best place on the island to order a juicy slab of grilled Angus beef. On Fridays the place gets crowded with crooners who come for the weekly karaoke parties. Telephone: 599-318-2934 Web: Ocean View Terrace
The Old Gin House
Imagine if the 250 year old wall of the old Mooshay bay public house could speak… Inside the cozy bar the ambiance is overwhelming. You feel the richness of a history unsurpassed. Enjoy the classic cocktails or endeavor on the newer creations of the skilled bar staff. Look through the old books of Statia and talk to the locals and you will soon feel a blanket of warmth and happiness descent on you. Telephone: 599-318-2319 Web: The Old Gin House.
St. Eustatius Hotels & Accommodations
Beautiful looking island! That said, I expect nothing less for islands in the Caribbean area. It’s also awesome that the islands don’t ever get too hot or too cold, so no matter when you visit, it’s excellent. (Well, if you can handle humidity, obviously). I’d be interested in scuba-diving along the Lower Town Beach and see the sunken houses! That would be amazing! Thanks for the article!
You are very welcome Jade. I am glad you enjoyed your visit to Beach Travel Destinations.
Wow! So much amazing information about St Eustatius.. As someone looking to plan a honeymoon I found this info very helpful and SOOO informative. Thanks!
Great Olivia, I am glad it is going to help you with your honeymoon planning! Thanks for reading St Eustatius Travel!
St Eustatius looks like a beautiful place! I actually have a good friend who visited here. She had such a great time, she keeps telling me I need to go. Perfect timing to find this post on St Eustatius. Great information and I hope that I will be able to get there sometime in the new year. Thank you again!
Your friend is right Angie, it is definitely a great place to go in the Caribbean. Off the beaten path, less crowded, yet so amazing. I hope you can make it there as planned. Thank you for visit St Eustatius Travel.
This is why I love your site, I hear and see about places I never knew existed. This looks like the perfect place to go exploring and to get away from it all. We love to travel to the Caribbean too and I’m definitely going to explore this gem of an island more. Beaches are great and I absolutely love that, but exploring and nature is also my kind of thing.
You will definitely find it all on St Eustatius Linda. Thank you so much for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com and if you every have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
This place looks like paradise. What a beautiful Island St Eustatius is. I love how you are telling a story about island and all the fun things you can do once you get there
and I like the story of the blue beads and how they find you. When I am ready for the blue beads to come find me, I will be visiting here again, because you have all the information I need to take a beautiful vacation to St Eustatius in the Caribbean. You have saved me a lot of time! Thanks!
You are so welcome Alesia. I am glad you enjoyed reading about St Eustatius Travel. Yes, may the blue beads find you when you are there. It is a fascinating story, and it would be so cool to actually have some of those!
Finally I have found a website with all the information that I was looking for.
I was really desperate in finding an article about St Eustatius.
I found everything I needed to know about this subject.
Thanks for your valuable information!
You are very welcome Emanuel! Glad you found my site useful. St Eustatius is a great place for sure! Thanks for visiting!
Great article on St Eustatius, very informative and enticing! It certainly seems like a paradise for divers!
My question, you mention the “classically shaped volcano”, has this ever been an active volcano?What is the current status of this volcano?
Sometimes the way my luck goes it will probably erupt when I am there! LOL 🙂
I really don’t believe you have to worry about The Quill erupting 🙂 The Quill has been active since its birth; but the last known eruption, as determined by carbon dating, occurred between 1,755 and 1,635 years before present. That was a long, long time ago and it is not filled with a forest of trees. And yes, it is most definitely a paradise for divers! Thanks for reading St Eustatius Travel!
This place looks AMAZING!! I’ve never heard of it and now I want to book a trip. It’s always great to unplug from the hustle and bustle of modern world. Every since I vacationed in Kauai, Hawaii; I now appreciate the beauty of less commercialized vacation destinations. St Eustatius looks like the perfect destination to relax and recharge. I’m super interested in Lower Town Beach. I am glad I found this information as you have made my planning much easier! Thank you for sharing!
It is amazing! You will really enjoy, and be able to relax and unwind in St Eustatius. When you are ready to book, please let me know, as I know I can help you get the best deals! Thanks for visiting St Eustatius Travel.
I’ve visited your website a couple times now and am stunned each and every time. The detail is fantastic and the recommendations are top notch! St Eustatius is a place I have been looking at visiting, because a good friend of mine has been there and told me that I “have” to go.
The best part is you covered a lot of places, so there are many options to choose from.
I’ve already shared this with some of my friends who are looking to take a vacation soon. My friend who as been there says your recommendations are spot on!
Thank you again,
Eric
Great, I am glad you have enjoyed visiting my site, and you will be amazed by the beauty of St Eustatius. I am envious. Please let me know if I can help you with your travel plans in any way. Enjoy the St Eustatius beaches!
Great article! I’ve always had an interest in visiting the Caribbean, and you have made me want to go now! This sounds absolutely stunning. What really helped sway me was that you even went into detail regarding average temperatures. I don’t like hot weather (I know, crazy, right?). When I think of the Caribbean, I think “Tropics. Hot. No thanks!” But temps ranging from high 60’s to around 90? That’s more than tolerable, that’s amazing! I think I’ll bookmark this post for future reference. Thanks for such an in depth look.
You are so welcome, and yes, the weather is really tolerable and not super hot in most of the Caribbean Islands really. Yes, St Eustatius is stunning with a lot to offer besides just their beautiful beaches. I am glad you enjoyed reading! Thanks for visiting Nathan.
Its one of my dream holidays to go to the Caribbean but there are so many gorgeous places to visit, what makes St Eustatius stand out more than other places?
It is definitely going to be the marine life in the reef. The diving is world class here, and many go to St Eustatius just for diving and the reef. It’s a diver’s paradise for sure. Thanks for reading about St Eustatius Travel!
This is beautiful. I have been on your site before and you always take me away. I keep dreaming of which place I want to plan a vacation too, and you make that decision very tough! I will have to start saving and planning now for St Eustatius, it looks amazing! I always wanted to try scuba diving. This is definitely something and somewhere that I am going to make a reality for my next beach vacation. The videos and all the information, all paints a pictures and just calls my name to visit! I love it!
Yes, Ronnie that is my intention….to entice people to visit all of these wonderful places including St Eustatius! I want to share my passion for the beach, and the Caribbean with everyone looking for such a wonderful vacation destination. Thank you so much for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com
Oh my word. This looks absolutely amazing. I have been considering a Caribbean vacation and this definitely has me excited thinking it may be a place to visit one day.
Great info and very informative also. Looking at the original pic I would never have guessed there could possibly be so much going on.
It has definitely made my bucket list. I am ready to pack my bags and head to St. Eustatius! Glad I ran across your site. Gonna be hard actually, to just decide on St Eustatius, or one of your many other great destinations you talk about!
I am glad I enticed you Jean with my St Eustatius Travel post 🙂 There really are so many great places in the Caribbean you can visit, and St Eustatius is probably one of those islands that belong at the top of anyone’s bucket list.