Group Trip to St. Eustatius
Discover one of the best-kept diving secrets of the Dutch Caribbean. Dive among healthy reefs, historic shipwrecks, and volcanic landscapes while staying at the luxurious Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Group Trip to St. Eustatius, a Hidden Gem in the Caribbean
- Travel Dates: April14–23 , 2027
- Tour Guide: Nanneke Boers
- Tour Leader Languages: Dutch , English, German, Spanish
- Accommodations: 9 nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Number of dives: approx . 14
- Diving level: Open Waterand above
Following a previous group trip to Bonaire, Nanneke will take you to a new Caribbean destination next year: Sint Eustatius, better known locally as Statia. It’s a small, peaceful island where you can spend a week enjoying great diving, warm Caribbean waters, and—above all—plenty of space to explore the island at your own pace.
A surprisingly diverse underwater world awaits. Surrounding Statia are colorful reefs, volcanic rock formations, and steep walls, teeming with typical Caribbean marine life. During your dives, you may encounter sea turtles, eagle rays, barracudas, and large schools of reef fish, among other creatures. Thanks to the protection provided by the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, the reefs are among the healthiest in the region.
Mornings are all about diving, but after that there’s plenty of time to explore the island together or on your own. At just about 21 km², Statia is small enough to easily visit different places. Hike to the crater of The Quill, discover historic Oranjestad, or simply enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.
A week of diving, exploring, and enjoying the peaceful Caribbean lifestyle together. Will you join Nanneke on a trip to Statia?
Best time to go on a diving trip to St. Eustatius:
April is an excellent month for diving in St. Eustatius. It falls during the dry season, so there is hardly any rain and underwater visibility is spectacularly good.
Tour Guide: Nanneke Boers
Meet Nanneke Boers (51), an experienced PADI dive instructor with a passion for diving. After 15 successful years running her own dive school in the Canary Islands, she’s back in the Netherlands and is partnering with EWDR to lead these amazing group trips. With her extensive experience and language skills, she’s ready to take divers from all over the world on an unforgettable diving vacation.
Participant Overview
Maximum spots: 12 | Available spots: 8
Joining this trip:
- Women: 49, 48, 51
- Men: 66
Average temperatures
Wetsuit Recommendations for Sint Eustatius
We recommend diving here in a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit
What will you experience on this trip?
View the itinerary here
Day 1 | The start of the group tour to St. Eustatius
Day 1 | April 14, 2027
Today marks the start of our trip to St. Eustatius, or simply Statia. We’ll fly from Amsterdam to Sint Maarten on a direct flight lasting about 9 hours. In Sint Maarten, we’ll transfer to a small propeller plane. This flight takes just 20 minutes and is known as the shortest international scheduled flight in the world. It’s an experience in itself, especially thanks to the stunning views of the green volcanic island of Statia.
Upon arrival in Statia, a shuttle will be waiting to take us to the Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort. Here, we can settle into our room, rest, have dinner, and then get ready for the diving days ahead!
Days 2–8 | Diving at the island’s most beautiful spots
Days 2–8 | April 15–21, 2027
We’ll have no fewer than 7 days of diving on this trip, with 2 dives each day. The dive shop isn’t located at the hotel, but every morning after breakfast, a shuttle bus will be waiting to take us to the dive shop in less than 10 minutes. Of course, we’ll also be brought back once we’re done diving.
We’ll be doing all of our dives by boat. There is an incredible variety of dive sites, all of which are easily accessible by boat. We’ll dive on colorful coral reefs, along steep walls, volcanic rock formations, and impressive pinnacles covered with sponges and soft corals. At dive sites such as Barracuda Reef, The Cliffs, and Hangover, schools of reef fish, barracudas, sea turtles, rays, and sometimes nurse sharks can be seen.
The island also has a lot to offer for wreck diving enthusiasts. For example, the Charles L. Brown Wreck and the Chien Tong Wreck are popular dive sites where marine life has fully taken root. Most dives take place at depths between 16 and 22 meters, but shallower dives are certainly possible as well.
The Blue Bead Dive is a unique experience. During this dive, you’ll search for small blue glass beads that have been lying on the seafloor for more than four centuries. According to local history, these beads date back to the era of trading ships and remain one of the greatest mysteries of Sint Eustatius. Who knows—maybe we’ll find something!
Day 9 | Hike to the Quill, an extinct volcano
Day 9 | April 22, 2027
Although we’ll also have time in the afternoon after diving to explore the island itself, it’s worth saving The Quill for the last day so we’ll have plenty of time to visit the extinct volcano and take a hike to the extinct crater.
The Quill is an extinct volcano over 600 meters high. The crater of this volcano is considered one of the best-preserved volcanic craters in the world, so it’s definitely worth the trip. Together with the northern nature reserve of Boven, The Quill has been a protected national park since 1998.
During a hike to the crater, you’ll pass through various vegetation zones. The higher you climb, the more lush the vegetation becomes, until you descend into the green crater where a dense tropical forest has taken root. Here you’ll even find the tallest tree in the Netherlands.
There’s plenty to see along the way. Sint Eustatius is an important habitat for the rare Lesser Antillean iguana, which is found only on a few Caribbean islands. With a little luck, you might also spot large land crabs, hermit crabs, and the Red Belly Racer, a harmless snake found exclusively on St. Eustatius and Saba. Birdwatchers will also be in for a treat thanks to the many tropical bird species that live in the national park.
There are several hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. You can hike them on your own or with a local guide. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for the hike to the crater.
This hike is by no means mandatory. Would you prefer a more leisurely way to spend the day? Then visit a local bee farm, discover the island’s rich history at the museum or on a historical island tour, or wrap up your stay in a relaxing way with a yoga class.
Days 10 & 11 | Return home
Days 10 & 11 | April 22 & 23, 2027
Today we say goodbye to the peaceful island of Sint Eustatius. We begin our journey with a short flight to Sint Maarten, followed by a flight back to Amsterdam.
During the flight, you’ll have plenty of time to reflect on the colorful reefs, impressive shipwrecks, volcanic landscapes, and the relaxed atmosphere of Sint Eustatius. The next day, you’ll arrive at the airport where your journey began, with a treasure trove of wonderful memories of a special diving destination—and most likely a few new dive buddies!
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from St. Eustatius?
Volcanic Dive Sites
St. Eustatius is surrounded by one of the best-protected marine parks in the Caribbean. You’ll dive past colorful coral gardens, steep volcanic walls, impressive pinnacles, and healthy sponge formations. Thanks to the limited amount of tourism, the reefs are exceptionally well-preserved. During your dives, you’ll regularly encounter sea turtles, barracudas, schools of reef fish, stingrays, and sometimes nurse sharks.
Shipwrecks Steeped in History
The waters around St. Eustatius are home to several historic shipwrecks that have now become an integral part of the underwater landscape. Wrecks such as the Charles L. Brown and the Chien Tong are overgrown with corals and sponges and provide a habitat for countless fish and other marine creatures. In addition, every dive reveals something about the island’s maritime history, as it was once an important trading center in the Caribbean.
The Quill & Statia’s Nature
The Accommodation
The Resort and Surroundings
Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort
The Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort is a stylish 4-star resort on the outskirts of Oranjestad and serves as the perfect base for a diving vacation on Sint Eustatius. The resort is nestled in the middle of a tropical garden and features comfortable rooms, several swimming pools, a restaurant, a spa, and various sports facilities.
Every morning, you start the day with a hearty breakfast before taking the free shuttle to the dive school. After diving, you can relax by the pool, enjoy a massage at the spa, or explore the area on one of the free bicycles. There are also opportunities to play tennis, mini-golf, go hiking, or snorkel.
Thanks to its peaceful location, excellent service, and great facilities, the resort is ideal for both divers and non-diving travel companions. Whether you want to stay active or simply unwind, Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort offers a comfortable and relaxing stay on one of the most unspoiled Caribbean islands.
Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort offers a variety of room types. For this trip, we’ll be staying in
The One Bedroom Cottage features a separate bedroom and a comfortable living room. Thanks to the extra living space, this is a great choice for those staying on Sint Eustatius a little longer or who simply want more space.
The Deluxe Room is a spacious hotel room with a comfortable sitting area, a luxurious bathroom, and a balcony or terrace overlooking the tropical gardens, the pool, or the Atlantic Ocean.
For added comfort, there’s the Golden Rock Suite. This spacious suite features a separate bedroom, a generous living room with a fully equipped kitchen, and an extra-large balcony. It’s ideal for guests who want to enjoy even more space and privacy during their stay.
All rooms are equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, coffee and tea-making facilities, and comfortable beds, so you can relax after a day full of diving adventures.
The Diving School
The Diving School and Its Facilities
Travel Expenses
What's Included
This travel package costs € 2.599 per person, based on two people sharing a room. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of items are included as standard in this travel package.
It is also possible to book a private room. In that case, the travel package costs € 3.900 per person.
Prices are subject to change due to price adjustments, increases, or fluctuating exchange rates. Flights are always booked in the lowest available fare class.
Want to learn more about the options? Contact us!
Included in this trip, from € 2.599 p.p.
- 9 nights in a shared room
- Accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Transfer to and from the airport
- Diving package consisting of 14 dives
- Nitrox for certified divers
- Daily shuttle to the dive school
- VZR, Emergency Fund & Administrative Fees
Excluding
- Flight from € 1.500 per person
- Departure Tax (payable locally) US$15 per person
- Marine park fee: US$30 per person
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Night dive, per dive € 80 per person
- Diving equipment, approx. € 45 per person per day
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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
Group trip
This depends on each group trip we do, but the maximum group size for this trip is 10 participants.
You can certainly participate alone! Most participants of our group trips come solo. This makes it so much fun, you get to know people and have dive buddies. Of course you can also join the group trip as a couple.
Yes, we create a group app in advance so participants can get to know each other and receive practical info.
Generally, you’ll share a room with someone of the same gender; the price of the trip is based on this arrangement. Would you prefer a private room? That’s also an option. Please indicate this when you submit your request. The price for a private room instead of a shared room is € 3.900.
Yes, Nanneke is the group leader for this trip. She is an experienced group leader as well as a dive instructor. She is not the dive guide during this trip, the dives are guided by the crew of the local dive schools.
During this trip, your stay is on a bed-and-breakfast basis. This means there will be additional costs for lunch, dinner, and any drinks. In addition, there may be extra charges if you want to rent diving equipment or go on a third dive that day. The section titled “Included in this trip” lists what is included in the group tour.
During this trip, the group for diving can easily be divided according to experience. You will then meet again during the surface interval or after diving.
Group tours often include a day trip or activity. On this group tour, we’ll have time for this on the last day before departure. Would you like to do a different activity? Of course, that’s possible. Just be sure to discuss it with the group leader so everyone is in the loop. And who knows—maybe someone else would like to join you!
Diving general
All dives are conducted from the boat. The type of dives you’ll do depends on your own diving level. There are 36 dive sites around the island. You can do drift dives, wreck dives, reef dives, and more… Most dive sites have a maximum depth of around 20 meters. There are also a number of deeper dives that reach 40 meters or even deeper. The Charles Brown Wreck has a maximum depth of 31 meters. Also good to know: if your air supply and bottom time allow it, long dives are conducted. A dive lasting longer than 70 minutes is not uncommon.
All dive sites are between 3 and 15 minutes boat ride away.
You will make 2 dives here in the morning. If there is enough enthusiasm, a 3rd dive may be organized in the afternoon. At least 3 divers are then needed.
Yes. You can do night diving here. There is a guarantee of night dives at least 2x per week.
No, there is an old city wall underwater (with an anchor and a cannon) where the diving school offers refresher dives and confined-water OWD courses. If possible, you can dive here. However, this is not recommended, because the best dives around the island are done by boat.
Yes. It is a PADI 5* dive center.
The diving school is about 10 minutes from the resort. A free shuttle will take you to the diving school.
Diving equipment
Both DIN and INT are possible.
No. Only 12L tanks are available.
Yes. Nitrox is available free of charge to certified divers.
Yes. Per day, this costs 50 USD. For more than 7 days, it becomes cheaper.
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