Statia has diving life like no other destination in the Caribbean. The warm water and the underwater volcanic fissures and canyons have given this area a diversified diving selection.
One can dive coral and sponge covered walls and pinnacles with dramatic backdrops of visual delights. These walls a frequented by black rip sharks, eagle rays and larger fish varieties.
The shallower reefs 40 feet / 12 metres to 75 feet / 23 metres have been carved from volcanic fingers that are covered with a variety of soft and hard corals. Barrel sponges and pillar coral seem to be the norm for the visual backdrops.
The fish life is abundant with a few rarer species like the flying gurnards, high hats and jack-knife fish making daily showings. Hundreds of critters make their home in numerous cracks and ledges. This is truly a photographers delight.
One of the many dive sites in Statia consists of tangled shipwrecks located in 60 feet to 70 feet / 18 to 21 metres of water. Many of these wrecks are surrounded by hundreds of schooling snappers, goat fish and other curious fishes. Large barracudas guard the upper waters while spotted morays and southern stingrays patrol below.
For those interested in archeological dives, Statia has plenty. One can find glass shards from old plates, wine bottles or an old Dutch clay pipe.
It is said that Sint Eustatius suffered an earthquake and that a part of this very prosperous colony collapsed into the sea. And it is true that the many underwater vestiges turn every dive in Statia into a treasure hunt adventure.
The wall that supported the quay for the merchant ships did in fact collapse from a lack of maintenance when the colony was almost forgotten at the end of the 18th century.
There are quite a few wrecks that lie on the bottom of the sea and occasionally a diver will make a discovery that makes his heart beat faster; a perfectly intact bottle, the vision of an anchor lying on the sand or even a blue bead that were once given to the slaves as salary - their only wealth.
The divers bring their discoveries to the historic museum that tells of a rich colorful past of an island that has now become so calm.
The natural wealth of the underwater world will surprise you with the deep walls, the extremely healthy coral and the famous flying gurnards that live in these waters that are only now beginning to be discovered by man.
The highlight of a many diver's vacation is to dive with the flying gurnards. Statia has several dive areas where divers can see one or up to a dozen of these spectacular fishes. They are considered uncommon throughout the Caribbean, however in Statia's waters one can see them everyday.
Whether you are just beginning to dive or whether you are an old salt and want to dive walls, pinnacles, reefs or an old archeological shipwreck site, Statia has them all. The abundance of fish, coral and color makes this truly a divers dreams come true. And bring a camera.
To help preserve Statia's pristine marine life, the St. Eustatius Marine Park, managed by Stenapa, was established in 1998.
For more on Statia's commitment to ecotourism, click here.
Local Dive Operators
The following offer complete Scuba diving packages (PADI), dives, resort courses, lessons, certification programs, equipment rental, accessories and snorkel tours.
Dive Statia
PO Box 58
Lowertown, Oranjestad
Telephone: (599) 318-2435
Toll-free: 866-614-3491
Fax: (599) 318-2539
USA telephone: 1-405-843-7846
USA fax: 1-405-843-3040
e-mail: info@divestatia.com
The shallower reefs 40 feet / 12 metres to 75 feet / 23 metres have been carved from volcanic fingers that are covered with a variety of soft and hard corals. Barrel sponges and pillar coral seem to be the norm for the visual backdrops.
One of the many dive sites in Statia consists of tangled shipwrecks located in 60 feet to 70 feet / 18 to 21 metres of water. Many of these wrecks are surrounded by hundreds of schooling snappers, goat fish and other curious fishes. Large barracudas guard the upper waters while spotted morays and southern stingrays patrol below.
It is said that Sint Eustatius suffered an earthquake and that a part of this very prosperous colony collapsed into the sea. And it is true that the many underwater vestiges turn every dive in Statia into a treasure hunt adventure.
The natural wealth of the underwater world will surprise you with the deep walls, the extremely healthy coral and the famous flying gurnards that live in these waters that are only now beginning to be discovered by man.
Whether you are just beginning to dive or whether you are an old salt and want to dive walls, pinnacles, reefs or an old archeological shipwreck site, Statia has them all. The abundance of fish, coral and color makes this truly a divers dreams come true. And bring a camera.
