Diving St. Eustatius -

Secret Statia

Diving St. Eustatius

Article, Photos and Video by William Drumm

Some dive destinations you visit once and move on. Others linger in your mind long after you’ve left. For me, that place was St. Eustatius (aka Statia as the locals call it). This tiny Caribbean island may not be as famous as its neighbors, but that’s part of its magic.

My first trip left me stunned by its clear water and shipwrecks, and I knew I’d be back. When the chance came to return, I jumped at it. Statia had already stolen my heart, and now it was inviting me deeper.

Why Dive Statia?

I hadn’t even heard of Statia before my first trip. But within hours of landing, I was hooked. This quiet, eight-square-mile island in the Dutch Caribbean, crowned by the Quill volcano and home to just over 3,000 people, feels like a hidden gem. I checked into Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort, the island’s first luxury hotel, and immediately knew this wouldn’t be an ordinary dive trip.

The underwater landscape around Statia is dramatic and full of surprises. Historic and installed shipwrecks, lava-formed reefs, and vibrant marine life all thrive in these protected waters. The diving is calm, uncrowded, and incredibly diverse, with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. Whether you’re exploring coral-encrusted anchors from centuries past or swimming alongside turtles, stingrays, and schools of reef fish, Statia delivers the kind of diving that feels both adventurous and personal. It’s the kind of place that quietly wins your heart and keeps you coming back.

Why Statia Belongs on Your Dive Bucket List

Statia may be small, but it packs a punch for divers and adventurers alike:

World-class wreck diving (Charles L. Brown, Chien Tong)
Healthy coral reefs alive with fish, lobsters, squid, and rays
Almost guaranteed sea turtle encounters
Marine conservation at the core of tourism
Hiking the Quill for breathtaking views above water

It’s a place that balances comfort with raw nature, where every dive feels personal, and every surface interval feels like home.

Tips for Diving in Statia

Gear Up: Warm waters year-round mean a 3mm wetsuit is usually enough.
Visibility: Often stretches beyond 30 meters – perfect for photography.
Currents: Generally mild but always check with local operators.
Respect the Park: Much of Statia is a protected marine reserve. Follow guidelines and respect the heritage.

Marine Life in Statia

Statia’s marine biodiversity is rich and colorful:

Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles
Frequently seen grazing in seagrass beds or drifting over coral reefs, these turtles are a common and cherished sight on Statia dives.
Caribbean Reef Squid
Often spotted in small groups, these intelligent creatures display mesmerizing color shifts as they communicate and navigate the reef.
Barracuda
Seen patrolling both reefs and wrecks, barracuda are often motionless in the water, hovering with a quiet intensity that’s both captivating and a little eerie.
Moray Eels
Green and spotted moray eels can be found tucked into reef crevices and wreck structures, peering out with curiosity.
Tropical Reef Fish
Parrotfish, angelfish, wrasse, and damselfish fill the reefs with motion and color, creating a lively backdrop on nearly every dive.
Southern Stingrays and Eagle Rays
Gliding gracefully over sandy patches or reef drop-offs, rays are occasionally seen during calm drift dives or at deeper ledges.

diver-exploring-charles-brown-ship-statia

Diving Statia with SDI Dive Instructors

We are excited to announce Statia’s first SDI Dive Instructors, Chris Veul and Bruno Lyra!

Discover Statia’s Hidden Depths

The island’s clear waters, uncrowded dive sites, and thriving marine life create the perfect environment for scuba diving and freediving. Far from the typical tourist trail, Statia delivers authenticity, adventure, and a deeper appreciation for the ocean. I for one cannot wait for my next dive adventure to this picturesque Caribbean island.