Sint Eustatius Travel Guide

  Inside the Dutch fortress
by jorgejuansanchez
  • Inside the Dutch fortress
      Inside the Dutch fortress
    by jorgejuansanchez
  • Queen Wilhelmina Monument
      Queen Wilhelmina Monument
    by kyoub
  • View of from the Quill
      View of from the Quill
    by Lenox
  • View of the Quill from Zeelandia Bay
      View of the Quill from Zeelandia Bay
    by Lenox
  • View of Orange Bay from our Hotel - King's Well
      View of Orange Bay from our Hotel -...
    by Lenox

Explore Sint Eustatius

Things to Do  

Take a look around the cemetery

Take a look around the cemetery, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  It is sometimes inretesring to look around the cemeteries when we travel to different countries. Stop and have a look at the one here on Statia as well. 

Look at the monuments and history of Statia

Look at the monuments and history of Statia, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  Along the waterfront you will see the Roman Catholic Church. In the front of the church is the monument of Queen Wilheimina, and a cemetry. Statia was named after Saint Eustace. 

Crater

Crater, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  The Quill is from the Dutch word kuil meaning crater. It is a young volcano, having erupted 4,000 years ago.Five trails explore the crater of The Quill, where you will find varied vegatation. 

Coast

Coast, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  The town is divided into Upper Town and Lower Town. There is a mile-long stretch of slate-grey sand in Lower Town.It is very quiet in the daytime but gets crowded with locals come evening.The bottom of this leeward coast is littered with around 200 shipwrecks and other ruins... 

Nearby Island

Nearby Island, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  You can look out over the ocean and see another island in the distance. That island is Saba. Make it your next stop and you can fly directly there. 

Fort Oranje

Fort Oranje, Sint Eustatius

 Lenox Says:  This Fort is well kept. It is from this fort that Statia became the first foreign power to recognise the US. This resulted in the subsequent sacking of the place by the British in retaliation. It has awesome views of the ocean and the lower town. 

Te Dutch Reformed Church

Te Dutch Reformed Church, Sint Eustatius

 Lenox Says:  An awesome building that gives off a peaceful aura if you are there alone. If you are the meditative type this is the place on a quiet day. 

Transportation  

Take a taxi into town

Take a taxi into town, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  Taxis are available at the airport to take you into Oranjestad. It will be a 10 minute ride. If you would like a tour of the island that will take about an hour. 

Arriving from Sint Maarten

Arriving from Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  Your arrival at Statia's airport usually involves a Windward Islands Airways or Liat flight from Sint Marrten. The airstrip is on flat land, unlike some in the area. The tiny airport terminal is in a breeze swept terminal. In other words, if there is no breeze it gets mighty... 

Donkey Ride

Donkey Ride, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  Some of the natives still get around from place to place on the back of their donkeys.They might let you ride if you asked them. 

Drive

Drive, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  The island is 8sq miles with only a few roads but getting around the island is easy, if you have wheels,Taxis and rental cars are available from town or the airport.We rented a car because where we stayed was out of town. 

Local Customs  

Which is which?
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Sheep or Goat?

There are so many sheep and goats running around the island and the sheep have no wool.
We couldn't tell one from the other.
Someone told us that if it has its tail up it is a goat. If it has its tail down it is a sheep.
I still think the animal in this picture looks like a goat.

Written Aug 4, 2004

Related to:
 Eco-Tourism

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Warnings and Dangers  

Extra people

Extra people, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  Sometimes a windjammer or schooner anchors out in the bay and everyone comes ashore.Then Statia gets a little crowded.That is a good to head up the Quill. 

Animals

Animals, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  Watch out for the chickens,cows, goats, and donkeys.They may not belong to any one untl you hit it,then someone will claim it is theirs. 

What to Pack  

Everything is hard to find
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Lower town road

Luggage and bags: Bring everything that you will need but keep it light.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Statia is very casual so you won't need any fancy clothes. Do bring some water shoes because there is broken glass on the beach.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: If you want a special brand then you must bring it with you because you won't find much here and not any brand that you have ever heard of before.

Photo Equipment: Be sure to take all the film with you that you think you will need because it is expensive here. It may not even be available in the size you want. Same goes for the memory stick, and batteries, bring them with you.

Miscellaneous: The ship only delivers groceries one day a week so don't expect to find bananas let's say on Sat.

Written Jul 17, 2005

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Eco-Tourism

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Off The Beaten Path  

Look at the birds

Look at the birds, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  There are several very pretty birds on Statia.A local practise is to put out cane sugar in little cups for them to feed on. The locals call them sugar birds.Statia is the only place that I have ever seen a hummingbird sitting on her nest. 

Enjoy the panorama of Statia

Enjoy  the panorama of Statia, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  While you are up on the Quill don't forget to look around and enjoy the sights of Statia from that height. 

Hike to the highest part of the Quill

Hike to the highest part of the Quill, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  The Mazinga Track climbs up to 1,968 feet. The peak is the highest part and it is often concealed by clouds. The hike takes about an hour and is difficult because the track goes along a steep slope that is slippery, especially after a rain. 

Windward Coast

Windward Coast, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  This 2 mile long stretch of beach looks very pretty but it is not good for swimming because of the strong undertow. 

Old Fort

Old Fort, Sint Eustatius

 kyoub Says:  The road south of town ends abruptly at Fort de Windt. There you will see a couple of cannons sitting on top of a cliffside stone wall.There isn't much left of the fort but you can get a nice view of St.Kitts from here.. 

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Map of Sint Eustatius