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> Destinations > St. Eustatius (Statia)
Affectionately called "Statia", is a fascinating, pristine little island, so unexplored, and undiscovered, that you'll want to keep it a secret.
The beauty of this tiny island defies description. It is located in the Dutch Caribbean, completely off the crowded and beaten track.
If you are looking for the glitz and the glamour, the nightlife, casinos, beaches, cruise ships, and shopping etc, St. Eustatius is absolutely not the place, but if you are looking for an island that is rich in history, a wonderful hiking experience, exotic historical sites of the seventeen century, world class diving, kayaking, bird watching, snorkeling over the ruins and walls of the seventeen and eighteen century, warm peaceful and relaxing, then undoubtedly, St.Eustatius is just the place to unwind.
Be sure you visit our prestigious and authentic and award winning museum, one of the finest in the Caribbean. St.Eustatius was also awarded for being one of the best hideaways in the world.
History
St.Eustatius was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. During its hey day in the seventeenth and eighteenth century, St.Eustatius was known as the "Golden Rock" and the international trade center for the western hemisphere.
Throughout the swaggering colonial era that followed, the island changed hands 22 times between the French, Dutch and the English, and remained Dutch from 1816 until present. The island of St.Eustatius is remarkably steeped in history.
 Unknown by many Americans, St.Eustatius was the first foreign power to recognize the independence of the United States of America known as the "First Salute" on the 16th of November 1776. The Andrew Doria sailed from Boston Naval Yard on the 23rd of October 1776 and arrived in St.Eustatius with a copy of the Declaration of Independence for Governor Johannes de Graaff of St.Eustatius on the 16th of November 1776.
Consider this once bustling island with over 3000 ships per year between the period of 1742 to 1800. St. Eustatius is now one of the few remaining quiet, undisturbed, unhurried, peaceful and unspoiled Caribbean havens.
Today, St.Eustatius is a striking contrast to"The Golden Rock" 250 years ago. St.Eustatius is currently known as the "Caribbean's Hidden Treasure" or, the "Historical Gem of the Caribbean".
Population
The island is 5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide and the population comprises approximately 3183 people. One will experience St. Eustatius as a destination where time and crime stand still, where you can walk the streets anytime, anywhere, any place, where everything is in walking or jugging distance. This speaks volume for the island as one of the Caribbean's most genuinely friendly people. Statia's population is made up of mainly people of black African descent with a very pleasant nature and a natural zeal for work.
 Life on STATIA is like taking a step back in time, without traffic jams, traffic lights, or long lines at the airport. Visitors will immediately feel the warmth as they too are greeted as lifelong acquaintances. This old fashioned hospitality is hard to find. It's what keeps people coming back time after time.
Today people of more than 22 nationalities live in harmony on this serene and peaceful Dutch island.
Accommodation
Accommodation on the island is a lovely combination of the old gingerbread houses, the antique seventeenth century old Cotton Gin Mill of the Old Gin House Hotel, combined also with the regular locally designed hotels in an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation.
Climate & Nature
The climate is usually a bit dry and sunny. There is a light constant northeasterly trade wind with a temperature of 74 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 27 degrees Celsius. The trade winds brings a cool breeze and sufficient moisture to keep the island sufficiently cool. Rainfall is usually between the months of August, September December, March and April.
St.Eustatius is home to a perfectly formed extinct volcano known as the "Quill", a hiker's paradise. It rises to a cone of approximately 2000 feet. This lush tropical rain forest has attracted hundreds of visitors to the island. You can make your descent into the crater a depth of 275 meters above sea level. Be sure you visit the Miriam Schmidt Botanical Garden.
Diving
Diving in St.Eustatius is not overrun or impacted by divers, it is absolutely virgin world class diving.
There are an estimated 200 shipwrecks resulting from hurricanes, fires, war and poor maintenance. For the novice and the experienced diver, there are deep dives and shallow dives ranging from a depth of 10 meters to 30 meters.
Explore over 30 well marked dive sites featuring pristine coral reef, shipwrecks, anchors, walls, drop offs, volcanic pinnacles, and rich in marine life, a very diverse ecosystem. Blue Beads manufactured in The Netherlands in the 1660s are unique gems found on Statia.
The Marine Park of St.Eustatius was established in 1996 with the objective of conserving and managing the marine resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and future generations.
The Marine Park extends from the shore to 30 meters depth contour, encompassing the entire coast and covering 27.5 km. Within the Park are two actively managed Reserves in which no fishing or anchoring is allowed to protect the pristine coral reef. The Reserves were set up to conserve marine biodiversity, protect fish stocks and promote sustainable tourism. St.Eustatius is truly a divers paradise (courtesy of the Marine Park St.Eustatius).
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