St. Eustatius

This quiet, laid back island is untouched by tourism with rich history, simplicity, friendly people and pristine nature, called Statia by the locals. The island is known for their blue beads that were given to slaves by the Dutch as payment in the 17th century. After emancipation in 1863, it has been said that the slaves threw the beads in the air and over the cliffs into the sea to celebrate. These beads are still found on the island today, and local legend says that you do not find the blue beads, the blue beads find you. If you do happen to find one of these tiny treasures the legend also says that you will return to the island again and again. Because mass tourism has not reached Statia yet the waters are immaculate and diverse, you can dive at an underwater archeological site, walls, wrecks, macro sites, lava flows, boulder slides and rock outcroppings all located in a protected marine park twice the size of the island itself. Known for the plethora of Flying Gurnards, Turtles and Stingrays, and if you’re lucky you may spot an Eagle Ray, Humpback whale or Caribbean Reef Shark. Statia is for the traveler that wants to forget about time and just go with the flow on this laid back, charming island.

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