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The Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius, or Statia as it is affectionately called, is a hidden gem that offers travelers an enchanting and unforgettable experience. From its eco-friendly allure to its rich cultural heritage... here are ten reasons why St. Eustatius deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.

4. Stunning Hiking Trails

Despite its compact size, St. Eustatius boasts an impressive range of hiking trails that lead to breathtaking vistas. The Quill, an extinct volcano with a lush rainforest-filled crater, offers a challenging yet rewarding trek. Exploring the island on foot allows visitors to discover the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of this Caribbean jewel. Environmental conservation is a priority on St. Eustatius, and eco-tourism opportunities abound. From turtle nesting sites to bird-watching in the Quill National Park, the island is a haven for nature enthusiasts.

5. Welcoming Local Culture

The warm and friendly locals of St. Eustatius are known for their welcoming nature. Immerse yourself in the island's culture by engaging with the locals, sampling traditional cuisine, and participating in local festivals and events. Gain memorable insights into the warm laid-back Caribbean lifestyle that exists on Statia.

6. Mesmerizing Sunsets and Unforgettable Sunrises

Witnessing the sun dip below the horizon in St. Eustatius is a surreal experience. Whether you choose to admire the sunset from a beach or atop the island's rolling hills, the breathtaking view will leave an indelible mark on your memory. In addition to its enchanting sunsets, St. Eustatius also boasts stunning sunrises. Watching the sun cast its golden glow over the island's landscape is a magical way to start the day and if you’re at your day’s end, be prepared to catch a glimpse of the ‘green flash’. It’s a more mesmerizing sight on Statia!

10. Ecofriendly destination

St. Eustatius has embraced sustainability and environmental consciousness. The island takes pride in its commitment to renewable energy sources, such as solar power which not only preserves the environment but also contributes to a greener future. With a strong emphasis on eco-tourism, visitors can explore lush rainforests, dive into vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, and encounter diverse flora and fauna in protected nature reserves. Local initiatives promote eco-friendly practices, from responsible waste management to promoting eco-conscious accommodations and dining options that emphasize locally sourced, organic produce. Embracing sustainable travel, Statia offers a unique experience where adventure and nature converge harmoniously, making it an idyllic choice for travelers seeking to explore a destination committed to preserving the environment for generations to come.

St. Eustatius may be a small and lesser-known Caribbean destination, but it packs an incredible punch when it comes to offering travelers a memorable experience. From its historical significance to its natural beauty and warm hospitality, the island stands as a must-see gem that captures the hearts of those fortunate enough to visit. So, if you're seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure with a rich blend of history, nature, and tranquility, make sure to add St. Eustatius to your travel wish list. You won't be disappointed.

The hiking continues! The first blog post of 'Discover Statia' highlighted the two different routes from Lower through Upper Town Oranjestad and all the way to the end of Rosemary Lane. Now, we take the Quill Trail to hike into the National Park and up to the crater rim. Some of the best hiking in the Caribbean is waiting for you on this dormant volcano on St. Eustatius.

It is also safer. As there isn‘t cellphone reception throughout all the trails in the Quill National Park, Statia Tourism advises you hike at least with two people. The more, the merrier! If you prefer to go alone or don‘t have a hiking buddy one day, make sure you let somebody know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Notify that person once you are back so we can keep each other safe in our small community. Talking about community, for those of you new to Statia or visiting the island, a lot happens on Facebook (What we do in Statia or STATIA Rent borrow and sell).

The team of Devocean Pictures was fortunate to meet up with friends as hiking, same goes for other outdoor activities like diving, is simply more fun together. Courtney and Steve came prepared to the trailhead. After checking 'The hiker‘s guide to the Quill/Boven National Park St. Eustatius' published by STENAPA, we agreed to hike the Quill Trail. After enjoying the gorgeous view at the rim, we decided to continue hiking the Crater Trail.

From the top of Rosemary Lane at 140 meters (460 feet) the Quill Trail goes to the crater rim which is round around 400 meters (1300 feet) above sea level.

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-3 hours (round trip)
Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles (round trip)

The path is clearly marked, well-maintained, and mostly shaded if you walk it in the morning. From 11 am the sun heats up the forest, especially in the lower parts of the trail to the South. Also, the drier the forest gets, to more sunlight penetrates through the foliage of the trees (local weather forecast). We recommend good shoes with proper grip for any of the trails in the Quill National Park, though some people hike on flip-flops or even barefoot. A hiking stick helps with stabilization.

For seasoned hikers, like Courtney and Steve, it wouldn't be a problem to walk this trail faster. But why would you want to do that when there is so much to discover along the way? Just take a look:

The name Quill is based on the Dutch word 'kuil' for hole or pit, describing the crater. This dormant stratovolcano (strato = layer) formed about 22,000-32,000 years ago. According to radiocarbon dating, the last major eruption must have been between AD 245 and 365. Instead of lava flowing out of the Quill, the volcano exploded due to the high pressure of gasses inside. The molten rocks and loose material of this eruption shaped the Quill into the form we admire today. With 601 meters, Mazinga Peak in the East is the second-highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The highest one is Mount Scenery on Saba (hiking on Saba).

The Quill/Boven National Park was the first official national park of the Netherlands Antilles. It was proclaimed in 1998 to protect the unique biodiversity and ensure sustainable use by all stakeholders. Until 2007, activities focused entirely on the Quill as there was a land-use conflict in the Boven area. Together with all the different habitats on the island, the national park is home, migratory stopover, or breeding site for well over 100 endangered species.

The Quill National Park stretches 3.4 km² (1.3 mi²). It starts at White Wall in the South at sea level and for all the rest of the slopes at 250 meters. The park is managed by St Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) with the aim to protect unique species and natural landscapes of Statia alike. This protection includes all fauna and flora as well as geological features and historical/cultural ruins within the park.

Tourists as permanent residents of the forest

One of the first tall trees hikers can spot along the Quill Trail is the gum tree (Bursera simaruba). It is easily identified by the reddish-brown bark which exfoliates in thin flakes. As this looks very much like the skin of a tourist who spent too much time in the Caribbean sun, this tree is locally called a tourist tree.

The trunks of younger tourist trees often have a green colour underneath which sets a wonderful contrast to the red flakes, especially when the sunlight shines through. If you are interested to learn more about flora and fauna along any of the hiking trails of St. Eustatius, you can book a guide.

Gum trees can grow up to 30 meters and attract birds and butterflies. In the picture above, the tree trunk is used by termites. Termites are a group of insects which consume a wide variety of decaying plant material from wood and leaves to humus. This is called decomposing, an important ecosystem service provided by termites, hermit crabs (see below) and other members of the life and food web in and around the forest. Termites are often called white ants, even though they are not related to ants. You hardly ever see them out in the open as they create their own protected path – just like a tunnel. All you see, are the black lines running through the forest.

The Quill Trail starts off in scrubland. While hiking up over natural ground with some steps created by either wood or stone, the vegetation goes quickly over to mountain thickets. Apart from the tourist tree, the dominant species here is the blackberry tree (Eugenia ligustina). It produces edible fruits after flowering. These taste best when purple and juicy. Dry evergreen forest is changing into semi-evergreen seasonal forest once you entered the protected zone of the national park at 250 meters above sea level (820 feet). At that height, a signpost directs you to the left (Crater, Panorama, Mazinga). However, the bench next to it is a good place to rest and drink some water (minimum requirement is one large bottle per person per hike).

The next section of the Quill Trail has no more steps. The well-maintained natural path slowly climbs up along the Western side of the volcano where a serpentine track leads to greater height. The further you venture up,the taller the trees get. Apart from tourist trees, these are mainly silk cotton trees (Ceiba pentandra), white cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla), locust trees (Hymenaea courbaril), yellow plum (Spondias mombin) and water mampoo (Pisonia subordata).

Also, the air gets cooler. Take in the scents. The forest smells different after a dry period than after a rain shower. Notice the various forms of tree trunks and how the roots grab hold of the mountain. Often the roots of one tree are not only holding that one firmly in the ground, but its roots are supporting the roots of another tree too. It looks like trees are landing fellow trees a hand. After all, the forest is one big living symbiosis. Can you feel its grounding energy pulsating at the Quill?

On the last part, the steepest of this trail, the vegetation gets still thicker. Notice the different kinds of mushrooms. Some thrive on decaying wood, others on living trees. Also, lianas and vines make the giants of the forest their home in the search for sunlight, while epiphytes such as bromeliads start their lives directly up in the trees.

Luckily, there is so much more than trees to take in. If you listen carefully, you hear birds singing or cooing. The endangered bridled quail dove (Geotrygon mystacea) stands out of the group of ground doves with white markings on the face and a blue-to-green hue around its neck. Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to spot this pretty bird, walking through the leaves on the ground at the flanks of the Quill. A more common and vocal bird is the grey kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) which hikers can already encounter in the lower partsof the Quill Trail.

Watch out to not step onto any Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus), a.k.a. soldier crab, crawling up and rolling down the volcano. Hermit crabs set a great example in the way they acquire a new shell. When its shell is getting too small and a hermit comes across one which isn't just the right fit, it will just sit and wait there. Over time, more and more hermit crabs are joining in. In the end, they are forming a line from small to big and ideally everyone moves up one house.

Caribbean hermit crabs feed on animal and plant remains, overripe fruit, and faeces of other animals(decomposers). Females release fertilized eggs into the ocean. The spawning happens on certain nights, usually around August. Take a look at this interesting creature and read more about its background and behaviour in the description of this short clip.

There is a variety of butterflies and other insects from spiders to wasps. The nests are the reason Polistes are called paper wasps. First, the insects gather fibers from plant stems and dead wood. Then, they mix these fibers with their saliva. Finally, they use this grey or brown papery material to construct their nests attached to branches or trunks along the trails (read more on jackies here).

Not a fan of insects or simply like bigger animals? Different species of lizards roam the underground as well as the trees. Also, the red-bellied racer snake (Alsophis rufiventris) can be found anywhere along this path. Years ago, there was a resident rooster waiting for hikers around the big rocks at the end of the Quill Trail. These days, pearly-eyed thrashers (Margarops fuscatus) have taken its place. They come in for a close look, especially when you unpack your snacks (watch and read more about this bird here).

The grand finale of the Quill Trail is the view inside the crater. When you arrive at the rim, just walk a couple of steps up to your right. It is the perfect photo and filming opportunity! Take nothing but memories. Leave nothing but footprints.

At the moment, STENAPA is setting up a new labeling system for the different trails in the Quill/Boven National Park. There are different designs and colors of footprints. For the way back the colors of each trail are inverted - in case you are wondering.

At the end of the Quill Trail, you can opt to continue hiking. There are three different trails: Crater, Panorama and Mazinga. We are going to hike all of them for you and present each trail in a blog post.

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Discover Statia in short films on YouTube.

Nature, culture and history – St. Eustatius has it all. Discover Statia by foot. Ecotourism at its best.

The Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius, fondly known as Statia, is a veritable treasure trove of history, flora, and fauna. This small yet captivating island offers an abundance of unique attractions that invite visitors to discover its rich past and natural wonders.

Here are three of Statia's most famous places of interest: Fort Oranje, the Botanical Garden, and the Quill.

Nestled in the hills above Oranjestad, the St. Eustatius Botanical Garden is a lush oasis that showcases the island's diverse plant life. Established in 1998, the garden, which is maintained and managed by STENAPA (the local conservation organization) was created to conserve and promote the unique flora of St. Eustatius, many of which are endemic or endangered species.

Visitors can meander through the garden's winding pathways, discovering a multitude of plant species, including vibrant orchids, cacti, fruit trees and they might even catch a glimpse of the endemic “Statia Morning Glory”. The garden is also home to a variety of bird species, such as the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, and the “Statia Iguana” (Iguana Delicatissima). Don't forget to explore the garden's medicinal plant area, where you can learn about the traditional uses of various plants.

St. Eustatius is a gem of the Caribbean, offering a wealth of history and natural beauty for visitors to explore. From the historical significance of Fort Oranje to the verdant splendor of the Botanical Garden and the awe-inspiring Quill, there is no shortage of places of interest for travelers seeking a unique and unforgettable experience. With its rich past, diverse ecosystems, and charming island culture, St. Eustatius is a must-visit destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the magic of the Caribbean. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil retreat, Statia's enchanting allure will undoubtedly leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

St. Eustatius, also known as Statia, is a small island in the Caribbean and a special municipality of the Netherlands. Its cuisine is a unique blend of local, Dutch, and Caribbean influences, reflecting the island's diverse history and cultural heritage. Traditional dishes and eating habits on St. Eustatius are characterized by a strong focus on fresh ingredients, seafood, and local produce.

Johnny Cakes: A staple in many Caribbean islands, Johnny Cakes are deep-fried dough balls, made from a mix of flour, sugar, and baking powder. They can be served as a side dish, snack, or breakfast item, and are often accompanied by saltfish, a traditional dish made from salted cod which is soaked and boiled to remove excess salt. It is then sautéed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and various spices. Saltfish can be served alongside Johnny Cakes or even as a filling within the cakes. This combination provides a delicious mix of flavors, making it a popular choice in Statia and other Caribbean islands.

Funchi: A cooked cornmeal dish similar to polenta is often served with saltfish. This traditional dish is popular in the Dutch Caribbean islands. To prepare funchi, cornmeal is mixed with water and salt, then cooked on the stovetop while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Once it reaches a thick consistency, it is poured into a mold or container and allowed to set. After cooling and setting, it is cut into slices or shapes and can be served as a side dish alongside saltfish, meat, fish, or vegetables.

A Delicious Dessert - Coconut Tart: A sweet and delicious dessert, this tart is made with a mix of grated coconut, sugar, and spices, baked in a pastry shell. It's a favorite on the island, often enjoyed during celebrations and gatherings.

The island's history of trade and colonization has brought people from various backgrounds to St. Eustatius, which has contributed to the rich and diverse culinary landscape. With over 50 different cultures represented on the island, the cuisine is a fusion of flavors and ingredients from around the world. Traditional dishes often combine spices and flavors from African, Dutch, French, British, and other Caribbean influences.

The cuisine of St. Eustatius is a delightful blend of flavors and culinary traditions, with fresh ingredients and bold flavors at the heart of its dishes.

St Eustatius, affectionately known as Statia, is a captivating island nestled in the Caribbean Sea. Although one of the lesser-known territories in the region, this small island boasts a rich history, unique geography, and a diverse population. Let’s introduce you to the fascinating world of St Eustatius, exploring its historical significance, geographic features, and vibrant community.

Located in the northeastern Caribbean, St Eustatius spans a mere 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles) and is part of the Leeward Islands with St Kitts and Nevis, Saba, Anguilla and St. Maarten as its neighbours. The island's volcanic origins have shaped its unique landscape, featuring lush rainforests, striking cliffs, and pristine beaches.

The Quill, a dormant volcano, is one of the island's most notable landmarks. This stratovolcano's last eruption occurred over 1,600 years ago, leaving a stunning crater filled with diverse flora and fauna. The Quill offers numerous hiking trails, allowing visitors to explore the island's rich biodiversity and breathtaking vistas.

Despite its small size, St. Eustatius has a fascinating history, unique geography, and diverse population that makes it an intriguing destination for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. From the historical significance of the First Salute to the enchanting beauty of The Quill, the island beckons visitors to explore its captivating blend of past and present. So, if you're planning a Caribbean adventure, consider adding St Eustatius to your itinerary and discover the charm of this hidden gem.

St. Eustatius, also known as Statia, a small and unspoiled Dutch Caribbean Island, is quickly becoming a hot spot for honeymooners. From breathtaking natural beauty to rich history and unique culture, this island offers a variety of experiences that will make your honeymoon unforgettable. Get ready to fall in love with Statia, the hidden gem of the Caribbean.

A Culinary Adventure Awaits: Dine under the stars, enjoy a beach picnic or meals at local restaurants on this diverse island where 52 cultures converge. Sample fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and spices for a new culinary experience as a couple. Take home unique food memories with recipes, cooking techniques, and flavor combinations that you can savor long after your honeymoon. Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting markets, participating in events like their monthly "Taste of the Cultures," and celebrating at the annual Carnival in July where local food, drink and music is central to it all. Your taste buds will thank you for this delicious honeymoon adventure.

Adventure and Exploration: For newlyweds seeking thrills, Statia offers a wealth of adventure and exploration opportunities. With some of the best diving spots in the Caribbean, diving enthusiasts will be in their element. Or, on land, take in the stunning views while hiking or nature walking through the lush green hills. For the daring, hike up to the Quill, a dormant volcano, and venture into its crater for a unique experience. A mini rainforest awaits, offering a haven for eco-tourists. Whether you prefer hiking, diving, snorkeling, or birdwatching, Statia is the perfect destination for your action-packed honeymoon.

Choose Statia for your honeymoon and let this serene paradise massage your thoughts as you dream and plan for your wonderful life ahead. Bask in the island’s intimacy while surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and a unique culture. This idyllic island is the perfect retreat for newlyweds. Let Statia be the backdrop to your love story.