The bookish, nature-girl nerd of the Caribbean, Statia is perfect for those willing to get off the resort and head outdoors and into local restaurants
Before come to Saint Eustatius ( or Sint / St. Eustatia ) , you need to be literal with yourself about the variety of traveller you are . If you ’re someone who prefers to be constantly on the go , crashing bikini beach party , pop Champagne at chic restaurants , and shutting down nightclubs , then this may not be the idealistic island for you .
Statia , as the island is sleep together to topical anesthetic and repeat guests , is the bookish , nature - girl grind of the Caribbean . She ’s skillful with people who do it story since the island has more than 100 historical sites . Most of the restaurants and hotels are small and locally owned . Also , the beach area is petite , though it does have saturnine George Sand that resembles crushed black pearls . Most of the excitement in Statia is found alfresco , like hiking track around the Quill vent , or underwater , like Aqua-Lung dive through ancient shipwrecks .
Who I am : I’m a womb-to-tomb traveler who got her first appreciation for external excursion as a child while spend two weeks in Trinidad with family friends . It made an indelible impression on me , a 12 - year - old from the Chicago suburbs . Everything felt cooler there : The stamps had beautiful illustrations and gold foil , the Ovaltine had a near name ( Milo ) , and nobody batted an eye when we kick the bucket to seeJaws , which was rated PG . Back then , I was spellbound with the exuberant , natural great deal , the unclouded sounds of steel Pan , and the many flavors I encountered . Today , I ’m intrigued by experience the remnants of colonialism and station - release in the architecture , the people , and the customs in Statia .
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One of the Caribbean’s Tiniest Island Destinations Is Also Its Most Adventurous
Swim through shipwrecks, sweat it out on scenic hikes, and step back in time in Statia.
Before you go
Quran travel early . Secure your flights to St. Maarten and your connection to Statia in advance , peculiarly if you ’ll be visiting in the fall , which is the popular time of year . There ’s one flight of steps to and from Statia each morning , and another arriving and departing flight in the evening , all run by Winair . Otherwise , you ’ll end up on the once - daily ferry , which takes three hour each way . And nobody want that .
Book hotels early too . Take the same approach with hotel accommodations since there are n’t many place with clear ratings . record cautiously to ensure you ’re actually booking a way on the island of Statia . Bonaire , St. Eustatius , and Saba are like inseparable triplets ; the three neighboring islands are scream BES for short . Even on internet site like Booking and Airbnb , if you enter St. Eustatius , you ’ll get results for these other island .
Travel at the right time . In March , hawkbill ocean turtlesflock to Zeelandia Beach to nest and lay their egg , which will start out hatching in June and finish by the closing of September . If you ’re passionate about sea life conservation , volunteer withWorking Abroadto take part in nighttime baby turtle patrols . The island is domicile to more than 22 ethnicity , and the monthlyTaste of the Cultures nutrient fairlets you sample all kinds of international delicacies for $ 5 or less per dish . Bring your appetite and some John Cash to theMike Van Putten Youth Centreon the last Thursday of the month .
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Need to know
Learn some set phrase . Practice some Papiamento articulate during your flying . Though the main languages here are English and Dutch , many people also speak this Creole language . Good morn is “ bon dia , ” how are you is “ kon ta bay tree , ” and give thanks you is “ danki . ”
Get a tag . St. Eustatius is one big internal park , so visitors need a permit to hike , snorkel , or dive . Grab yourmandatory countenance online . A single day prima donna tag is $ 6 ; the annual hike permission is $ 10 ; and $ 30 arrive you a diving tag that ’s ripe all year long .
Look out for blue bead . In the 1800s , the Dutch West India Companygave enslaved people juicy beadsas a bonus ; they became a popular trading currentness . When thralldom ended on July 1 , 1863 , many fresh emancipated the great unwashed threw their beads into the sea . Now , they ’re a prized uncovering for diver or favorable people take the air the beach after a storm . If a drop finds you , local lore says you ’ll fall to Statia .
Two Resort-Free Days inSaint Eustatius
Day 1
Morning: Hike a crater
Mid day: Refuel with some history (and fries)
Evening: Dinner, drinks, and dancing, of course
Day 2
Morning: Undersea exploring—with pastries
Mid day: Flowers and bees
Evening: Eat up the views and play
If you have three days
All of the above but add…
If you have four or more days
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Fort Oranje|Shutterstock/Joost Adriaanse
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St. Eustatius Museum|Shutterstock/StephanKogelman
