When what you're after in a holiday is a taste of history and absolute escape from worldly pressures, St. Eustatius has a rural vibe that may be just what you're looking for. Cows munch contentedly on grass that paves the flanks of St. Eustatius right down to the surf on the mountainous ends of the island. Waves crash on rocky shores, hanging salt-spray rainbows in island air, yours to enjoy in relative solitude.
Tiny Oranjestad is the island's colorful center. Wander through the old walls of the Synagogue Honem Dalim, visit the historical museum and tour Fort Oranjestad for sea views. While there are plans to turn the shores by this town into a Caribbean-style sandy beach, presently the waters aren't ideal for swimming, unless you're planning to submerge to explore Statia's undersea attractions.
In addition to ships wrecked off Statia's shores unintentionally, several have been sunk in the last decade strictly for the purpose of creating impressive dive sites. Bubble by natural reefs, inhabited by bright tropical fish, sharks and stingrays, once you've thoroughly explored the hulking interiors of old hulls and captain's quarters.
Stroll the stretch of sand that welcomes spectacular Atlantic swells into Zeelandia Bay or catch a sunrise from the cliffs stretching up above adjacent Lynch Beach. There are 12 listed trails on Statia, so leg it up to high points for vistas or down into volcanic craters for lush tropical foliage. Hike up extinct volcano, The Quill for some of the best views of the island and a seemingly endless horizon. Stop off to have a look at the stone walls and old canons of Fort de Windt on the south coast and get an education in Statia botany at Miriam C Schmidt Botanical Gardens.
Statia is just southeast of Saba, northwest of St. Kitts and St. Nevis.
