Discover the Hidden Gem of St. Eustatius: A 13-Square-Mile Paradise with Underwater Shipwrecks and a National Marine Park

If you’ve never heard of St. Eustatius (also known as Statia), you’re not alone. This largely unknown Caribbean island is tiny, measuring just 13 square miles, and often overshadowed by its neighboring island chains, particularly Anguilla and St. Kitts and Nevis. However, being small and relatively overlooked only adds to Statia’s appeal—especially for divers who have discovered the island’s flourishing underwater world.

Unlike most dive spots, the coral reef surrounding St. Eustatius is thriving, allowing divers to glimpse what the Caribbean must have looked like in years past. Thanks to St. Eustatius National Marine Park, a reserve that has safeguarded the island’s coastline and surrounding waters since 1996, divers can easily spot rays, sharks, and sea turtles, alongside pike blennies and vibrant blue flying gurnards.

In addition to protecting rich marine life, the park also oversees various 18th-century shipwrecks. Notable sites include the 327-foot-long Charles Brown and the Chien Tong, a sunken fishing boat that is often referred to as the “turtle hotel,” due to the hawksbill and green turtles that inhabit its structure, which serves as an artificial reef.

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On land, visitors can find uncrowded beaches and safeguarded hiking trails that lead through semi-tropical rainforests and cactus-lined valleys. The island’s first upscale hotel, Golden Rock Resort, which is also the island’s largest hotel at just 32 rooms, is strategically located near the Quill, a dormant volcano recognized as one of the Caribbean’s most popular hiking locations (hikers can trek into its crater).

St. Eustatius National Marine Park boasts 60 dive sites. Consequently, access to the park is reasonably priced at $6 for a single dive and $30 for year-long access. This accessibility positions St. Eustatius as an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.