St. Eustatius Directory
St. Eustatius Overview
St. Eustatius, affectionately called Statia, is approxi-mately 5 miles long and 2 miles wide, covering a total of 11.8 square miles. The island has a population of approximately 2900 and is located in the north eastern Caribbean. It is 150 miles east of Puerto Rico (latitude 17.00, longitude 63.04), 90 miles east of St. Croix, 38 miles south of St. Maarten and 17 miles southeast of Saba. Statia is only a few hours by air from major USA cities and a mere 15 minutes flying time from St. Maarten. Together with sister islands Saba and St. Maarten, Statia forms the Windward Islands of the Dutch Caribbean. The island’s capital is Oranjestad, where you can see the remains of what was once known as the Emporium of the Eastern Caribbean – so rich that it was fought over 22 times, despite being protected by 15 coastal forts. There is still a fort, a museum, an early Dutch Reformed Church and the ruins of the second-oldest synagogue in the Americas. There are just 100 beds on the island, in small hotels and guest houses; choose the right room and you can enjoy a fantastic view out to sea. You will find yourself sharing restaurants and drinks in bars with friendly locals, enjoying their good company and an attractively simple lifestyle. Many visitors come to enjoy the island's mild temperature and to escape the cold between mid-December and mid-April. You will, however, discover that this excellent weather prevails throughout the year. Statia has three beaches, each very diffrent in character. Oranje Bay : no strong current, undertow, sea urchins or dangerous fish, but little sand now. Zeelandia Beach : two miles long, deserted black and tan sand. Dangerous undertow, Swimming not recommended. Ideal for sunbathing and beach hiking. Lynch Beach : On the Atlantic side. Small beach with light brown sand. Water is shallow in spots for children during certain times of the year. Stay near shore and watch out for the untertow. None of our beaches have life guards. There's plenty more hiking and exploring close to the Quill. Panaroma Track has breathtaking views of St. Barts, St. Maarten and Saba. Don't miss the Mazinga Track with great views of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Dutch Caribbean, consists of six islands : Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Eustatius, Saba and Sint Maarten. Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are often called the ABC islands, while Statia, Saba and St. Maarten the three S's'. Statia is served six times daily by Windward Island Airways (WINAIR) from St. Maarten. Flight time is approximately 20 minutes from St. Maarten. These services allow passengers to make connections in St. Maarten (SXM) with regional and international carriers, including DCA, BWIA, LIAT, KLM, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways and Air France.
St. Eustatius Facts
Children on Vacation:
Statians love children and make great baby sitters. Inquire at your hotel or guesthouse. Beware of sunburn. Most skin cancer in later life is the result of damage during childhood. Cream up as often as possible, especially after a swim. Activities; nature hikes, walking tour and snorkelling.
Walking Tour:
The best way to learn about our island is to walk through it. The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum's well-designed walking tour is a worth-while experience. There are also 12 nature hikes of which the Quill, an extinct volcano, is exceptional.
Education:
The education system is European and more specifically, Dutch. General Instruction is given in the Dutch language. English and Spanish are also taught in the schools. The range of educational facilities include primary, elementary, secondary and vocational. Scholarships, loans and grants are available for further study in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean ... more
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