Statia

The friendly name of St Eustatius N. A.

Statia is how the island of St Eustatius is affectionately called. This a laid back sleepy island that is part of the Netherlands Antilles together with the neighboring islands of St Maarten and Saba; and Curacao and Bonaire on the other side of the Caribbean.

Spectacular aerial view of the island

Magic SBI

All travel is mainly from/to St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). To this airport arrive airlines from Europe, North America, Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean Islands

on a regular basis.

Winair Windward Islands Airways offer more than 5 flights a day from St Maarten to Franklin Delano Roosevelt airport in Statia (EUX)

Scuba Diving on Statia

The island is surrounded by many dive sites that attract divers from all over the world. The Statia marine park makes sure that the coral reefs and the whole marine life is protected for future generations. More than 100 sunken trading ships off the shores of Statia make this a Scuba Diving Mecca.

Hiking

Nature lovers will have the best of times on the island. The Quill a 1950 ft extinct volcano provides de visitors with n array of tropical vegetation of flowers and plants and may species of birds. Orchids, fruit trees and ferns thrive in this unique environment. The rainforest has specially designed trails that provide with awe inspiring views of the neighboring islands of St Maarten, Saba, Nevis and St Kitts.

Impressive views from all corners of the island

Beaches

The beaches are not crowded and allow space to sunbathing, Snorkeling and scuba diving. The sands are beige and black on certain beaches and golden beige on the others. On the Caribbean side lies Crooks Castle Beach popular with snorkelers and the Atlantic coast lies a great beach called Corre Corre Bay that can be reached after a 30 minute hike.

Statia is still a Caribbean kept secret. The island has an interesting past worth commenting about. The capital of Oranjestad was one an important trading hub of slaves coming from Africa as well as all kind of commodities like sugar and cotton arriving from Europe and the Far East. At that point Oranjestad was the richest port on the region with about 18,000 inhabitants. The decline started in 1776 when the tiny nation recognized the independence of the United States of America, bringing the wrath of England upon them.

Today the island hosts about 3,000 inhabitants. They come from 20 different origins and nationalities bringing each one of them their contribution to the island’s culture.

Carnival and Culture

During the year nightlife is almost nonexistent in Statia. The evenings are spent dining and listening to music, but when July comes the sleepy island wakes up to 10 days of Carnival full with competitions, music, parades and dancing.

Fort Oranje

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In Oranjestad you may visit Fort Oranje, which was built by the French in 1629; the Dutch Reformed Church a tall tower offering a view of the city. Also important to visit is the St Eustatius Historical Museum filled with relics from Pre-Colombian period as well as the colonial times. Remember that Statia changed hands from English to French to Dutch many time in History.

Dining

Due to the “melange” of cultures from so many countries you can find here all kind of Caribbean Cuisine with influence from as far as India, the Fart East, French and European in general. The restaurants are informal and low key.

University of Sint Eustatius

The University of Sint Eustatius, School of Medicine invites you to discover your future and fulfillment of a dream to practice as a medical doctor.

Committing oneself to study medicine at a foreign medical school in a remote Caribbean locale presents special challenges, particularly to those considering a change in career. Nevertheless, for those bearing strong character and intellect with the intense desire to provide service to those in need, the experience is educationally, socially, and professionally enriching.

To those seeking such enrichments, the University of Sint Eustatius bids you welcome.

Aerial view of the capital city of Oranjestad

I recommend the following hotels for your stay on the island

Kings Well Statia

This is a small resort featuring a spectacular view of Oranje Bay and only a minute walk to the beach. It is operated more as a semi-private villa, catering to our hotel guests exclusively for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served to our hotel guests and the public from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

There is an "honor bar" available to our guests and the pool and spa are reserved for guests only. Each room has its own fridge and cable TV as well as balcony.

Some rooms are also air conditioned, although it's seldom needed. Animal lovers are especially welcome at Kings Well.

Golden Era Hotel

Small, comfortable two-story hotel located 1/2 mile from the beach. Nestled at the edge of the sea on the site of an 18th century merchant warehouse, this hotel is located in one building with comfortable, not deluxe accommodations. After two decades, it still remains number one in service. This is a 20 room hotel located in a peaceful setting on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Have a drink at the sea side bar or by the pool-side. Relax in comfort with air-conditioned rooms, Cable TV, Telephones, refrigerators, Daily Maid Service and a Balcony.

The Old Gin House

Imagine Caribbean life in the 17th Century. Tall ships anchoring in Gallows Bay bringing out and loading all kinds of cargo brought in from throughout the West Indies and the New World, like rum, spices, cotton, indigo, silver and gold.

Merchant's bustling and hassling in the narrow street of Lower Town amidst the warehouses that were built from cobblestones and lime. Imagine the Planters in their houses overlooking the sugar and tobacco fields on the upper town and sipping chilled gin in the late afternoon.

A visit to Statia is an experience you will always treasure.

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