The Golden Rock, nicknamed after its golden trade era during the 17th and 18th century. This island has lots of its history preserved and offers great diving and hiking too. Statia is off the beaten track and only has four lovely places to stay.
Diving Sint Eustatius
Statia has beautiful underwater flora and fauna, not to mention the coral encrusted lava flows stretching into the abyss. Also old and new wrecks, including the 320ft long Charles Brown sunk in 90ft of water in 2002, walls and colourful coral gardens belong to Statia’s numerous dive sites. A must do is a night dive to see hunting lobsters and barracudas trying to catch a bite with the help of your dive light.
A dive site that will make a treasure hunter’s heart beat faster is the Blue Bead Hole. Blue Beads or ‘trading beads’ were made in the early 1700's for trade with indigenous people around the world. In Statia some of them ended up in the sand at about 60' or 18m in the middle of the harbour. So while some people are looking for macro photo opportunities here, others prefer looking for the beads which are the only artifacts that if found can be kept by visitors.
Snorkel Sint Eustatius
There is one big easy-from-land accessible snorkel site on Statia, right off the shore in Lower Town, around the underwater ruins of the former town wall and buildings. Over the centuries Statia has been tilting into the sea and that’s why many of the ruins of the former warehouses and the town wall are now underwater, which makes for a great snorkel site. For other snorkel sites hop on board with one of the dive shops.
How to get to Sint Eustatius
Statia is just a short plane ride from St Maarten and can be visited in a day, although an overnight excursion allows you to visit more of what Statia has to offer.
Book Sint Eustatius - Contact us for information on booking a trip to Statia.
Saba, the highest point of the Netherlands, with it's lush hiking in the cloud forest above and diving deep walls and pinnacles below, is a must visit for a quint, off the beaten track island. Day trip or weekend visit, a bucket list dive destination for advanced divers.
Anguilla is world-renowned for its powder-white beaches and relaxed charm, complemented by its excellent diving. The island is dotted with wrecks, many purposefully sunk to create artificial reefs that now attract vibrant coral growth and marine life. Sites like the Sarah and Kathlee H showcase Anguilla’s wreck diving heritage, while reefs around Sandy Island and Dog Island add variety for advanced divers. Snorkelers flock to Shoal Bay East Beach for its 40-minute reef trail or to the secluded Little Bay, where baby turtles and stingrays are common. A must-visit is Prickly Pear Cays, where pristine reefs meet the charm of small beachside restaurants.
St Barths, meanwhile, adds a touch of luxury to the underwater adventure. The island’s Reserves Naturelles protect diverse marine habitats, with standout dive sites such as La Baleine featuring giant barrel sponges. Snorkelers will find turtles grazing at Lorient Beach or Anse de Colombier, while Ile Fourche, an uninhabited island nearby, offers some of the most stunning and rarely visited underwater landscapes. Travel to these islands is simple—Anguilla is just a 20-minute ferry ride, and St Barths can be reached in under 90 minutes by ferry or just minutes by plane. Together, they provide a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and rich underwater life.
Statia, The Golden Rock, nicknamed after its golden trade era during the 17th and 18th century. This island has lots of its history preserved and offers great diving and hiking too. Best done as an overnight excursion.
Whether you dream of diving Saba’s pinnacles, searching for trading beads in Statia, exploring Anguilla’s wrecks, or snorkeling alongside turtles in St Barths, The Scuba Shop connects you to unforgettable island adventures just a short ride from St. Maarten. Each island offers something unique: dramatic volcanic landscapes, historic ruins, celebrity hideaways, or pristine white sand beaches. With quick and convenient ferry or flight connections, these destinations can be enjoyed as easy day trips or short overnight escapes. By partnering with local dive shops and guides, The Scuba Shop ensures that both divers and snorkelers can experience the best these islands have to offer, from deep technical dives to calm reef explorations. For reservations, equipment, and travel advice, The Scuba Shop is your trusted resource for creating island-hopping experiences that combine breathtaking underwater encounters with the charm of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands.
