On your St Eustatius which you can visit when visiting St. Kitts and Nevis Yacht Charter look for the “Golden Rock”. Indeed already three hundred years ago, every Buccaneer, Admiral, Sea-swab, and Pirate knew of the “Golden Rock”. St. Eustatius is part of the Netherlands, located in the Leeward Islands, southeast of the Virgin Islands.
Referred as “Statia” by locals. After all, St. Eustatius is a volcanic island and very small. Therefore all of the beaches on the island are made up of black volcanic sand. At the south end, a perfectly formed volcano can be found, “The Quill”.
During the latter part of the 17th century and throughout the 18th century, St Eustatius was a major trading center. Some 20,000 inhabitants and thousands of ships calling to her shores. Now it is no longer caught in those turbulent times, and hence far less crowded.
On your St. Eustatius Yacht Charter, you will indeed find a very unique place with only echoes of her former past. St. Eustatitius is not your average Caribbean island. It is clean, unhurried, and unspoiled. Offering pristine living, and practically no crime, as well as reefs, teeming with fish. Above all, people as warm and genuinely friendly as ever. unspoiled.
St Eustatius Yacht Charter
Weather St Eustatius Yacht Charter
The best months for good weather are January through August and December. Whereas the rainiest months are September, October, and November. High temperatures average 84-86 F in August and the lowest, 78-79 F, in January.
Places to See
5 extinct volcanoes – at the north end of the island
“The Quill” – at the south end, a perfectly formed extinct volcano. Adjacent to a tropical forest with wild orchids.
Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden – visit the lush showcase of Statia’s fauna and flora
Fort Oranje – built in 1636
The Old Lower Town in Oranjestad
Lynch Plantation Museum
Golden Rock Regatta – in mid-November. When a week full of sailing competitions take place from island to island in the Caribbean, including St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and St. Barths.
Things to Do on your St Eustatius Yacht Charter
Carnival – is typically the last week of July and the first week of August. Not to mention, nightly festivities include lots of food and drink. Lively music, pageantry, and calypso contests. Indeed, it’s a great time for locals and visitors alike to have a whole lot of fun. Participate if you happen to be there during your St. Eustatius yacht charter.
Hiking – Give your sea-legs a break on your St. Eustatius Yacht Charter. Then take to hiking and sightseeing in Quill National Park. The Quill volcano soars dramatically to a height of 2000 ft. The Crater contains a semi-tropical rainforest. After you have made the ascent to the crater rim, by all means, explore the verdant lush tropical rainforest, nestled within its enormous crater. Inside the crater, you can enjoy gazing up at the gigantic silk cotton as well as fruit trees that tower the canopy. Woody lianas hang down from above, while various types of fungi spring from the ground. This is a place to come and enjoy, take photos and relax. Walking the Quill with or without a tour guide is in fact something that has to be experienced. Hiking the Quill is possible every day of the week, further the best time to hike is in the early morning.
More Things to Do
Walking on fabulous Beaches – Statia’s beaches are small, narrow strips of volcanic sand. The best beaches are on the tranquil Caribbean side. Eustatia has 3 pristine beaches where you’ll find seashells, as well as conch shells, sea glass, and coral. The main beach is on the south, and a smaller beach is on the north side. In addition, another beach is on the southwest side of the island near the capital town of Oranjestad.
Diving and Snorkeling – Head to Crack in the Wall to see pinnacle coral shoot up from the ocean floor of the ocean. The fish life is abundant. Darting among the reefs are barracudas, eagle rays, black-tip sharks, and other large fish. Statia has diving life like no other destination in the Caribbean, within a marine park protected for 15 years. One can dive coral and sponge-covered walls and pinnacles with dramatic backdrops of visual delights. These walls a frequented by black grey reef sharks and eagle rays. As well as hawksbill turtles, green turtles, and larger fish varieties such as nurse sharks. Barrel sponges and pillar coral seem to be the norm for the visual backdrops. Because of this, it is truly an underwater photographer’s delight. Dive sites in Statia consist of tangled shipwrecks located in 60 – 70 feet of water. Such as Charles Brown, one of the longest wrecks in the Caribbean
Gastronomy Highlights
Local Specialties
Seafood – prepared usually grilled, fried or in spicy stewed fish dishes.
Carnistoba – Goat stew.
Funchi and Pan Bati – Corn porridge and Cornflour pancake
Cheese – The Dutch influence is present in the love for Gouda
Restaurants
Blue Bead Bar and Restaurant – Lower in Lower Town Oranjestad – Caribbean, Italian and French cuisine
Boardwalk Cafe – Caribbean, International
Whale Tails – French, Caribbean
Ocean View Terrace – located in the courtyard of the Government Guest House overlooking Fort Oranje
Old Gin House – Fine dining
Marinas and Anchorages
Oranje Bay
Oranje Bay is known for its calm waters, volcanic sand and surrounding local bars and restaurants. It’s quaint, charming vibe attracts many sailors and tourists.
