Also called Statia, this Dutch-held island is only 8 square miles. It is located 150 miles east of Puerto Rico and 38 miles south of St. Maarten. Oranjestad (Orange City) is the capital, and is divided into Upper and Lower Town.
» Sint Eustatius History
Saint Eustatius is located on a cliff overlooking a beach and the island’s calm harbour. It was here in 1776 that a ship flying the Stars and Stripes of the newly created republic of the United States of America was officially recognized for the first time. A plaque commemorating this event can be seen at Fort Oranje, which was built in 1636 and restored in honour of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration in 1976. The main feature of this island is The Quill, an extinct volcano that rises 1,940 feet.
A perfect island for rediscovering the wonders of nature. Nature lovers can explore the terrain, and watersports lovers can visit the beaches and offshore reefs along the west coast. The waters around St. Eustatius are known for sunken wrecks, now home to coral heads, sea fans, and reef fish.
