Statia provides beautiful scenes for divers underwater.
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1. STRANGERS IN THE MUCK
Muck diving doesn’t just refer to Indonesia. In St. Eustatius, aka Statia, you can find flying gurnards, seahorses and a host of other critters warranting a magnifying glass.
2. BLUE BEADS
It’s rare that divers are allowed to take souvenirs, but Statia’s position along 17th-century trading routes resulted in loads of valuable blue glass beads that can still be found on dive sites and several beaches.
3. ONE SERIOUSLY BIG ARTIFICIAL REEF
The Charles L. Brown, aka Charlie Brown, offers pristine visibility, allowing access to the 320-foot-long former cable-laying ship.
4. AND EVEN MORE WRECKS
This former shipping trading post boasts tons of wrecks, including the 170-foot Chien Tong, home to green moray eels and walls of coral.
5. RAINFOREST SUMMITS
You’ll want to take the time to trek the Quill; summiting this volcano takes 50 minutes. From the initial overlook, explore the jungle of Boven National Park in search of animal encounters, including Antillean iguanas and hummingbirds.
St. Eustatius
Sport Diver Illustration
6. BLACK-SAND MAGIC
It figures that an island with muck diving would also have a black-sand beach. It’s called Zeelandia, and it stretches 2 miles on the Atlantic coast. But with an undertow, it’s better for picture taking than swimming. For a dip, try Lynch Bay Beach, known for shallow, calm waters.
statiatourism.com
7. HISTORY UNDERFOOT
Walk the quaint cobblestone streets of the capital city Oranjestad and you’ll happen upon shards of ancient bottles or pottery. The island is so strewn with past-era mementos that guides from St. Eustatius Historical Foundation stay busy — guiding walks and informing guests of the origins of the seemingly unlimited finds that tend to turn up underfoot.
8. A BOUNTY TO SNORKEL
The gradually sloping reef is close enough to shore that a quick swim can land you in the presence of Caribbean reef octopuses, trumpetfish and peacock flounder. Plus, a pair of cannons lie just yards from Golden Rock Dive Center.
St. Eustatius is covered in lush landscapes both above and below the surface.
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9. INTERNATIONAL CROWD
Statia draws a largely European crowd, influencing the music, food and wine. Don’t expect Top 40 and cheeseburgers. Instead, it’s all about lounge music, standout cheeses and rosé wine.
10. OLD CARIBBEAN CHARM
With little development and no high-rises or chains, most divers stay at the Old Gin House, an intimate getaway and former distillery furnished with plantation-style mahogany and antiques.
oldginhouse.com
Divers Guide to St. Eustatius
Average water temp: Summer averages 86°F; winter is 79°F
What to wear: Full or shorty 3 mm in summer; full 5 mm in winter » Average viz 60 to 100 feet
When to go: Year-round, with occasional closings in September due to hurricane season
More info: sportdiver.com/st-eustatius