Photo gallery: PHOTOS island, volcano, ... PHOTOS Skampy & Ducky PHOTOS B. & D. Kirkby
GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION:
St Eustatius also known affectionately to the locals as Statia, or Statius, is one of the islands which make up the Netherlands Antilles; it is in the northern, Leeward Islands portion of the West Indies, south-east of the Virgin Islands. St Eustatius is part of the inner arc of the Leeward Island chain, lying immediately to the north-west of Saint Kitts and Nevis and to the south-east of Saba. St Eustatius has a land area of 21km² (8.1 sq. miles). In 2004, the population was estimated at 2,498 inhabitants.
The underwater world of St Eustatius is well known for its beauty. Photographers can choose between micro or fish-eye lenses according to the dive sites! The volcano, The Quill, dominates the Marine Park and a few thousand years ago created splendid lava flows, which today are covered with several kinds of coral: hard coral, soft coral, sponges and gorgonias everywehere! St Eustatius was one of the most important harbours in the world during the 17-18th centuries thanks to its commercial activities: over 2000 ships per year came to the island and, nowadays, you can still see the shape of a wreck covered with coral during your dives. You can also observe fantastic anchors lying on the sand and covered with colourful corals! The marine fauna is fantastic and you can see a few turtles during the same dive, as well as the famous spotted drum, seahorse, flying gurnard or frog fish. Nurse sharks particularly like the many overhangs. We also see grey reef sharks, eagle rays and sting rays.
Airline: AIR FRANCE(from Geneva) and WINAIR Stopover: Paris (IMPORTANT: do not arrange too short a transfert in Paris, especially on the way back from St-Martin!) Flight duration: 1.10hr to Paris + 9.00hr to St-Martin (8.00hr return flight) + 25min to St Eustatius (with WINAIR)
Price for flight, accommodation (8 nights + scooter), transfer and package of 10 dives:
STATIA LODGE, bungalow with a sea-view terrace, breakfast (except Sundays), scooter 100ccm3, Sfr. 2,350.- + 550.- airport taxes + 450.- for 10 dives
Visa formalities: No visa required Diving equipment: You can take your gear with you. 20kg per bag between Geneva and Paris and 25kg on to St Eustatius. It is always possible to buy a voucher for extra weight at the airport.
Comments:
Allow at least 2-3 hours minimum between flights in Paris. The custom procedures are very slow!
We booked with NEOS Voyages in Lausanne, Switzerland (www.neos.ch). They are specialised in diving. Everything was well organised...thanks NEOS!
STATIA LODGE Statia Lodge (3*) is located just outside the city of Oranjestad in a beautiful setting. It was built recently and offers ten wooden bungalows, a pool house and a beautiful freshwater swimming pool with a fantastic view over the sea! Eight "Hibiscus" bungalows offer one double room, a bathroom with shower and WC, an electric fan, a kitchenette and a balcony with a view over the sea. Two larger "Boungainvilliers" bungalows offer two rooms (one double and one room with two single beds), a bathroom with shower and WC, an electric fan, a kitchenette and a balcony with view over the sea : just perfect for a family or a group of friends! No restaurant facilities are available (a kitchenette is available in each bungalow). A 100cc scooter is included with all the bungalows "Hibiscus" and two 100cc scooters or one car for the "Boungainvilliers" bungalows. It takes about 10 to 15 min to drive to the SCUBAQUA Diving Centre.
For more info: http://www.statialodge.com/index.html
GOLDEN ERA The Golden Era Hotel (2*) is located close to the sea, not far from the SCUBAQUA Diving Centre (about 200m walk) and offers you a typical Caribbean atmosphere. It has 20 rooms. You can enjoy the saltwater swimming pool facing the sea, or have a cocktail at the bar. All rooms have air-conditioning, television and telephone. There is a restaurant at the hotel (providing breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Comment: We booked the STATIA LODGE and we found it was marvellous if you like to be quiet!
Small island with minimal traffic. A scooter is a great way to move around. The SCUBAQUA Diving Centre will pick you up at the airport and they will carry your equipment between your accommodation and the diving centre.
SCUBAQUA Diving Centre (www.scubaqua.com)
Gallows Bay, St Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
The SCUBAQUA Diving Centre has been in business since 1997. It offers a customized service and environmentally friendly dives with optimal safety. The owners of the SCUBAQUA Diving Center, Ingrid and Menno, are both Swiss with Swedish and Dutch roots. PADI and CMASS. SCUBAQUA has a membrane installation and provides Nitrox free of charge to certified Nitrox divers.
The BLUE BEAD restaurant is located next to SCUBAQUA and the food is delicious. Another beachside restaurant is the OLD GIN HOUSE HOTEL with a wonderful sea-view terrace (lounge music and beautiful sunsets)
There are other restaurants in the village (FRUIT TREE RESTAURANT, OCEAN VIEW RESTAURANT, etc...)
The 
