The Old Gin House - St Eustatius
Stay in a historic UNESCO monumental hotel with many amenities and authentic old-fashioned charm. The diving school is within walking distance.
Travel period
Features
Starting at
The Old Gin House
In this trip you will dive at St. Eustatius from the Old Gin house which is located next to the diving school. If you’ve never heard of this small, undiscovered island in the Caribbean, it’s only because it’s a well-kept secret. St. Eustatius (Statia in local jargon), once the busiest port in the Caribbean in the eighteenth century is now a sleepy island where time seems to have stood still.
The reefs around St. Eustatius flourish in a protected marine park. Underwater, you experience what much of the Caribbean must have looked like years ago. There is little tourism here so the reefs are still untouched.
Most of the 36 official dive sites are in the two reserves that cover much of the northern and southwestern waters. The eye-catching volcano “the Quill” dominates the island with its impressive crater and is responsible for the huge amount of lava flows and blocks below the surface. These ancient lava beds are now completely overgrown with coral and sponges. Combine these reefs with a host of historic dive sites and more recent sunken wrecks and you have a diver’s paradise!
Best travel time:
You can dive here virtually year-round. The only month you can’t dive is September. Then it’s hurricane season.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for St. Eustatius
We recommend diving with a 3mm or 5mm here
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 - Departure to St. Maarten
You fly to St. Maarten. It is about a 9-hour flight. In St. Maarten, you will have to wait several hours for the short 20-minute small propeller plane flight to the F.D. Roosevelt Airport on St. Eustatius. The shortest flight in the world.
This airport is located in the middle of the valley and upon arrival it already gives you a magnificent view of the island. You will be picked up at the exit to take you to the Old Gin House.
Day 2-8 - Diving with Scubaqua
The next morning you can go to the diving school to discuss diving and your individual needs. The diving school is located next to the Old Gin house. So you don’t have to walk far.
You get your own bin where you can leave your diving equipment during your vacation. In the upcoming days, you will make 2 dives by boat in the morning to various well-known dive sites such as “Barracuda Reef,” “The Cliffs” and “Hangover.” There are also some wrecks worth finding such as the Charles Brown Wreck and the Chien Tong Wreck.
Most dives are between 16 and 22 meters deep. They are all done by boat and a professional guide. The variety of dive sites here is especially special. Wrecks, pinnacles, muck, night dives and coral gardens make it a wonderful dive site.
In addition, you can take a so-called Blue Bead Dive where, if you are lucky, you can find 400-year-old charms. For the mystery surrounding the charms, you will have to visit the island.
Day 9 - Hike to the Quill
The landscape of St. Eustatius is dominated by the 600-meter-high extinct volcano The Quill. According to volcanologists, The Quill is one of the most perfectly formed volcanoes in the world. The Quill along with Boven on the north side of the island were both designated as National Parks in 1998, managed by Stenapa. As you climb the Quill, you will encounter different vegetation zones, culminating in the dense forest in the crater.
St. Eustatius is home to some endangered species, such as the Lesser Antillean Iguana, native to only a few Caribbean islands. Look up into the trees to spot these magnificent reptiles. Closer to the ground, you have a good chance of seeing huge land crabs, hermit crabs and the Red Belly Racer Snake, a small non-poisonous snake found only on St. Eustatius and Saba occurs. Furthermore, in the crater you will also find the largest tree in the Netherlands.
Numerous tropical birds accompany you up and down the path, and you may even find Statia’s endemic plant, Morning Glory.
The hikes come in different levels of difficulty and can be done without or with a guide. You do need to have some stamina for this.
Rather not take a long walk? You can also visit a bee farm or museum, do historical tour of the island or enjoy yoga.
Day 10/ 11
Today you fly back again. The resort will make sure you get back to the airport on time. Via Saint Martin, you fly back to Europe.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
The Old Gin House
The Old Gin House is a charming hotel located in Oranjestad. Housed in a historic building that once served as a gin distillery, the hotel still retains much of its old charm and character. It offers a unique and comfortable experience to guests.
The Old Gin House’s restaurant is also a g ourmet culinary paradise. The menu offers a wide selection of both local and international dishes, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal in an atmospheric setting overlooking the ocean. The restaurant is known for its welcoming atmosphere and attentive service.
The hotel also features an outdoor pool, a gym and a spa, where guests can relax and unwind after a day of diving. Scubaqua’s dive center is located next to the Old Gin House.
In short, the Old Gin House offers guests a unique blend of historic charm, comfortable accommodations, delicious food and a convenient location for diving adventures on St. Eustatius.
The rooms
A variety of room types are available at the Old Gin House in St. Eustatius to meet the needs and preferences of various guests. Here are some of the room types you can find:
Garden View Room
These rooms are comfortably furnished and offer all the basic amenities you need for a pleasant stay. They feature a private bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.
Ocean View Room
These rooms are comfortably furnished and offer all the basic amenities you need for a pleasant stay. They feature a private bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. And, of course, a sea view.
Suites
The suites at the Old Gin House are the most spacious and luxurious room options. They offer separate living and sleeping areas, and some have kitchenettes. Suites are perfect for guests who want extra space and privacy.
Each room at the Old Gin House is carefully decorated and combines comfort with a touch of Caribbean style. Regardless of the room type you choose, you can count on a pleasant stay with modern amenities and warm hospitality.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is NZD 2.584 per person based on two people in one Deluxe room. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from NZD 2.584 p.p.
- 9 nights in a Garden view room
- Stay on a bed & breakfast basis
- Transfer from and to the airport
- Dive package consisting of 10 dives
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight from NZD 1.782 p.p.
- Departure Tax (payable locally) US$15,- p.p.
- Marine park fee US$30,- p.p.
✈︎ 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 NZD 143 p.p.
- Diving equipment, per day approx. NZD 80 p.p.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general
You will make boat dives here with a professional guide.
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 ( is an anchor and cannon) where we give resfresher dives and confined OWD. If possible, diving can be done here. However, this is not recommended. The best dives around the island are by boat.
Yes. It is a PADI 5* dive center.
The diving school is located next to the Old Gin House
Diving equipment
Both DIN and INT are possible.
No. Only 12L tanks are available.
Yes. Nitrox is included in the price.
Yes. Per day, this costs 50 USD. For more than 7 days, it becomes cheaper.
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