St Eustatius

Why St Eustatius is special
St Eustatius (you-stay'-shush) is a tiny, laid-back island that pleases divers and hikers.

Tourism
Infrastructure
Don't expect much in dining, nightlife, and accommodations and you won't be disappointed. And the capital city Oranjestad isn't much to write home about either. Diving and hiking are the stars.

Top 2 activites

• Diving
  There is much to explore underwater, including many sunken shipwrecks sitting in clear water. And you can visit the ruins of a seawall that sank two centuries ago.
  
• Hiking
  Statia has many trails, some leading around, up, and into the dormant volcano nicknamed Quill (see next item).

Quill volcano cone
This 600-meter (2,000-foot) high mount is the island's geographical focus. Hiking into the crater is thrilling. It teems with tropical rainforest growth.

Fort Orange
This fortress was built in the early 1600s and restored in the late 1900s. It overlooks Oranjestad Bay.

More St Eustatius tips & insights
Popular nickname
Most islanders and knowing visitors use the abbreviated name Statia (stay'-shuh).

Daytrippers
Statia changed hands 22 times among the Dutch, British, Spanish and French.

Rich history
Many come by sea or air from the nearby island of St Martin/St Maarten.

• During one of the Dutch periods
  Statia was an important port that trans-shipped arms to the American colonists (much to the displeasure of the British).
  
• Population
  At that time, the population was estimated at 12,000, several times larger than today's count.

Archeological sites
Statia has hundreds, most dating back to pre-Columbian times.

Language
Dutch is the island's official language but English is widely used.

Location Map